The Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal case filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations linked to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, effectively bringing the prosecution to an abrupt end.
Court records show that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed a notice of discontinuance dated December 12, 2025, formally terminating the case at the Federal High Court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, had been charged with criminal defamation and cyberbullying following comments she made during a television interview on Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
During the programme, the senator alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were involved in a plot to eliminate her. Following the broadcast, Akpabio and Bello reportedly submitted petitions to security agencies, which led to the filing of criminal charges against her.
The prosecution went ahead despite Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that she had earlier written to the Inspector General of Police to report threats to her life. Rather than acting on her petition, authorities later arraigned her in court, accusing her of making defamatory statements and engaging in cyberbullying by publicly raising the allegations.
Several high-profile individuals were listed as witnesses in the case, including Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, Ambassador Reno Omokri, and Sandra Duru.
The withdrawn charge is one of two criminal cases instituted by the Federal Government against the lawmaker. The second case is still pending and is scheduled to come up in court on Monday, although there are indications it may also be withdrawn. Sources confirmed that both cases were initiated by the Federal Government and not by Akpabio in his personal capacity.
The development comes shortly after Akpabio publicly announced that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw all defamation-related cases he instituted against individuals. Speaking during a church programme, the Senate President said he previously had several cases in court before deciding to discontinue them.
“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” he said. “But I listened to the priest and suddenly realized he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
Although Akpabio did not specify the cases affected, reports have consistently highlighted a prolonged legal dispute between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Separately, in December 2025, the Senate President filed a ₦200 billion civil suit against the senator at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, accusing her of making claims that he sexually harassed her. In that suit, Akpabio is seeking substantial damages, public retractions, and nationwide apologies, arguing that the allegations severely damaged his reputation and exposed him to public ridicule.
