The Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal defamation case filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate. The discontinuance was filed on December 12, 2025, by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation at the Federal High Court, ending one of the charges brought against the senator.
The case followed petitions from Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello after Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged threats to her life involving both men during a television programme. She was subsequently charged with criminal defamation and cyberbullying, despite her complaint to the Inspector General of Police over the alleged threats. Several political figures were listed as witnesses in the case.
The withdrawal comes shortly after Akpabio announced that he had instructed his lawyers to drop all defamation cases linked to him, citing a personal decision influenced by a church sermon. While this case has been terminated, a second criminal case filed by the Federal Government against the senator is still pending and may also be withdrawn.
