ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, bringing to a close a politically charged prosecution that had intensified national debate over free speech, whistle-blowing, and the scope of state power.
Court filings show that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation entered a notice of discontinuance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, December 12, 2025, formally terminating the proceedings.
The notice, filed in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, relied on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to discontinue the case in the interest of justice.
Petitions Led to Prosecution
The case stemmed from petitions submitted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had faced charges of criminal defamation and cyber-bullying following comments during a nationally televised interview in which she alleged that plots had been made to eliminate her.
The discontinuance notice was signed by officials of the Department of Public Prosecutions and certified by the court.
Backlash From Rights and Media Groups
The prosecution drew broad criticism after Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had previously reported threats to her life to security agencies, was later arraigned for publicly discussing those concerns.
Rights advocates, lawyers and media groups said the case signalled a punitive approach to dissent and posed risks to freedom of expression.
Before the withdrawal, several prominent individuals were listed as prospective witnesses, including Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Ekpenyong Asuquo, political commentator Reno Omokri and activist Sandra Duru.
Attorney-General Exercises Constitutional Discretion
Although the Attorney-General’s office has not publicly explained the decision, legal analysts said the move demonstrates the discretionary powers constitutionally vested in the office and may ease mounting unease over the application of criminal defamation laws against public officials.
With the filing of the notice of discontinuance, the case has been struck out, lifting the legal burden on Akpoti-Uduaghan and closing a matter that had tested Nigeria’s democratic tolerance for criticism, transparency and public accountability.
