In a significant legal and political development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially terminated the high-profile criminal defamation prosecution against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Court Documents Confirm Case Discontinuance
Certified court documents reveal that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) filed a Notice of Discontinuance on Friday, December 12, 2025. The filing was made before the Federal High Court in Abuja, effectively bringing the criminal proceedings against the senator representing Kogi Central to a close.
The documents, obtained on Sunday, January 4, 2026, show the prosecution was withdrawn under specific sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. Officials from the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation signed the notice on behalf of the AGF.
Background of the Controversial Case
The case originated from petitions submitted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been charged with criminal defamation and cyber-bullying following comments she made during a televised interview on Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.
During the interview, the senator alleged there were plans to eliminate her. Although she reportedly petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) concerning these alleged threats, she was later arraigned on criminal charges for speaking publicly about the matter. This action drew sharp criticism from civil society organisations and press-freedom advocates across Nigeria.
Political Repercussions and Witness List
The case sparked intense nationwide debate on the limits of freedom of expression in Africa's most populous nation. Throughout the legal proceedings, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained her innocence, criticising the charges as misguided.
The prosecution's list of potential witnesses included several prominent figures:
- Usman Ododo
- Ekpenyong Asuquo
- Reno Omokri
- Sandra Duru
Legal analysts posit that this development underscores the constitutional discretion granted to the Attorney-General to discontinue criminal proceedings deemed not in the public interest. Politically, the withdrawal is expected to reshape national conversations on how security-related allegations by public officials are handled and the broader state of free speech in Nigeria.
As of the latest reports, the AGF's office has not issued an official statement explaining the rationale behind discontinuing the case. The court filing, however, provides a decisive closure to the criminal case against the senator.
