Politics
Court Strikes Out Defamation Suit Against Natasha Akpoti as FG Withdraws Charges
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has struck out the criminal defamation charges filed by the Federal Government against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.
The presiding judge, Justice Chizoba Orji, struck out the case on Thursday after the prosecution filed a notice of discontinuance, formally withdrawing the charges against the lawmaker.
At the court session, West Idahosa, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged the court to strike out the suit in line with the prosecution’s application. He also requested that all documents belonging to the defendant and her sureties be released.
The prosecution did not oppose the application.
Consequently, Justice Orji struck out the case, discharged the sureties, and ordered that all documents deposited by them be returned immediately.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned in June 2025 on a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation, following a charge filed on May 16, 2025, under suit number CR/297/25.
The nominal complainants listed in the charge were Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
According to the charge, the senator was accused of making imputations “knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” an offence under Section 391 of the Penal Code.
Reacting after the court proceedings, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the court’s decision 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.
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