FG Withdraws Criminal Charge Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Federal Government has withdrawn the criminal charge filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

A notice of discontinuance was filed in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 between the Federal Government and Akpoti-Uduaghan, indicating the government’s decision to discontinue the case. The document was dated December 12, 2025.

The notice was brought pursuant to Sections 108(1), 108(2)(a), and 108(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. It stated that the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation had decided to discontinue proceedings in the matter.

The notice was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M.B. Abubakar, alongside Aderonke Imana, Assistant Chief State Counsel. The filing was made on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Court records show that the Federal High Court in Abuja received and endorsed the notice on December 15, 2025. The document was later certified as a true copy by the court registry on December 18, 2025.

The development comes amid ongoing legal disputes involving top political figures. On January 1, Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw all court cases he instituted against individuals over alleged defamation.

It would be recalled that in December 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja against Akpoti-Uduaghan, following allegations of sexual harassment made against him by the senator.