The federal government has withdrawn the criminal charge against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central.

 

 

 

A notice of discontinuance was filed in suit number FHC ABJ CR 195 2025 between the federal government and Akpoti-Uduaghan. The document, dated December 12, 2025, was brought pursuant to sections 108 subsection 1, 108 subsection 2 paragraph a, and 108 subsection 5 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

 

 

 

The notice stated: “The Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation intends to discontinue proceeding in this matter.”

 

 

 

The notice was signed by M.B. Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, and Aderonke Imana, the Assistant Chief State Counsel.

 

 

 

 

The filing was made on behalf of Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

 

Court records show that the notice was received and endorsed by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 15, 2025.

 

 

 

The document was subsequently certified as a true copy by the registry of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on December 18, 2025.

 

 

 

On Thursday, January 1, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed that he had directed his lawyers to withdraw all court cases he instituted against individuals over alleged defamation.

 

 

 

In December 2025, Akpabio had filed a N200 billion defamation suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja against Akpoti-Uduaghan, following s3xual harassment allegations made against him.