In a significant legal development, the Federal Government has officially terminated its criminal prosecution against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Formal Notice of Discontinuance Filed
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed a formal notice to discontinue the case, registered as suit number FHC ABJ CR 195 2025. This legal document was submitted on December 12, 2025, invoking specific sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The notice clearly stated the intention to halt all proceedings in the matter. It was signed by two senior law officers: M.B. Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, and Aderonke Imana, the Assistant Chief State Counsel. The filing was executed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Court Acceptance and Certification
The Federal High Court in Abuja received and endorsed the notice on December 15, 2025. Subsequently, the court's registry certified it as a true copy on December 18, 2025, finalizing the procedural withdrawal of the charge.
Broader Political and Legal Context
This development occurs alongside a related announcement from the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. On Thursday, January 1, Akpabio revealed he had instructed his legal team to withdraw all defamation lawsuits he had initiated against individuals.
This directive appears to encompass a separate, high-profile N200 billion defamation suit that Akpabio had filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in December 2025. That lawsuit was a direct response to allegations of sexual harassment made by the senator against the Senate President.
The simultaneous withdrawal of the federal criminal charge and the Senate President's personal defamation case marks a pivotal moment, potentially de-escalating a major political and legal confrontation within the upper legislative chamber.
