Court strikes out criminal defamation charges against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama has struck out the criminal charges filed by the federal government against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central.
Chizoba Orji, the presiding judge, struck out the suit on Thursday after the prosecution filed a notice of discontinuance.
At the hearing, West Idahosa, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged the court to strike out the case in line with the prosecution’s application. He also asked the court to order the release of all documents belonging to the defendant and her sureties.
The prosecution did not oppose the application.
Consequently, the court struck out the case, discharged the sureties and ordered that all documents deposited by them be returned.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned in June 2025 on a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation, with the federal government listed as the complainant. The charges, filed on May 16, 2025, were contained in suit number CR/297/25.
Godswill Akpabio, Senate President, and Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, were named as nominal complainants in the case.
According to the charge sheet, the senator was accused of making an “imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, an offence punishable under section 391 of the Penal Code.
Speaking after the court session, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the ruling as a vindication of her stance.
“Today’s outcome affirms my belief in the rule of law. I remain committed to serving my constituents and defending the democratic rights of all Nigerians,” she said.
