A federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama has struck out the criminal charges instituted by the federal government against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.
Chizoba Orji, presiding judge, struck out the suit on Thursday following a notice of discontinuance filed by the federal government.
At the court session, West Idahosa, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, moved for the matter to be struck out following the prosecution’s application for discontinuance.
He also prayed the court to release all documents belonging to the defendant and her sureties. The prosecution counsel did not oppose the application.
Consequently, the case was struck out, and Orji discharged the sureties. She also ordered that all their documents be returned to them.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned in June 2025 on a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation, with the federal government as the complainant. The charges were filed on May 16, 2025, in suit number CR/297/25.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, were the nominal complainants.
According to the charge, the lawmaker was accused of making “imputation 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 session, Natasha described the outcome as a vindication of her position.
“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.
