The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the criminal defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ending a politically sensitive prosecution that reignited national debate on free expression, whistle-blowing and the limits of state power.
Court filings reviewed by our correspondent show that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) entered a Notice of Discontinuance on December 12, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, thereby bringing the case to an abrupt close.
The prosecution, filed in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, followed petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The Kogi Central lawmaker had been charged with criminal defamation and cyber-bullying over comments made during a nationally televised interview in which she alleged that there were plots to eliminate her.
In the court document, the Attorney-General’s office relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), invoking its statutory authority to discontinue criminal proceedings in the interest of justice. The notice was signed by officials of the Department of Public Prosecutions and certified by the court.
The case had drawn widespread condemnation after Akpoti-Uduaghan—who had reportedly alerted security agencies to threats against her life—was later arraigned for publicly raising those concerns. Rights groups, legal practitioners and media advocates described the prosecution as punitive and a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression.
Before the withdrawal, several high-profile figures were listed as witnesses, including Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Ekpenyong Asuquo, political commentator Reno Omokri and activist Sandra Duru.
Although the Attorney-General’s office has yet to provide an official explanation for the decision, legal observers say the move underscores the constitutional discretion vested in the office and may ease mounting concerns over the use of criminal defamation laws against public officials.
The discontinuance effectively lifts the legal burden hanging over the senator, closing a case that tested Nigeria’s democratic tolerance for dissent, transparency and public accountability Withdraws Charges Against Senator Natasha, Ends Politically Charged Trial
The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the criminal defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ending a politically sensitive prosecution that reignited national debate on free expression, whistle-blowing and the limits of state power.
Court filings reviewed by our correspondent show that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) entered a Notice of Discontinuance on December 12, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, thereby bringing the case to an abrupt close.
The prosecution, filed in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, followed petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The Kogi Central lawmaker had been charged with criminal defamation and cyber-bullying over comments made during a nationally televised interview in which she alleged that there were plots to eliminate her.
In the court document, the Attorney-General’s office relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), invoking its statutory authority to discontinue criminal proceedings in the interest of justice. The notice was signed by officials of the Department of Public Prosecutions and certified by the court.
The case had drawn widespread condemnation after Akpoti-Uduaghan—who had reportedly alerted security agencies to threats against her life—was later arraigned for publicly raising those concerns. Rights groups, legal practitioners and media advocates described the prosecution as punitive and a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression.
Before the withdrawal, several high-profile figures were listed as witnesses, including Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Ekpenyong Asuquo, political commentator Reno Omokri and activist Sandra Duru.
Although the Attorney-General’s office has yet to provide an official explanation for the decision, legal observers say the move underscores the constitutional discretion vested in the office and may ease mounting concerns over the use of criminal defamation laws against public officials.
The discontinuance effectively lifts the legal burden hanging over the senator, closing a case that tested Nigeria’s democratic tolerance for dissent, transparency and public accountability
FG Withdraws Charges Against Senator Natasha, Ends Politically Charged Trial
