High Court of di Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday don strike out di criminal charges wey Federal Government file against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, wey dey represent Kogi Central.
High Court of di Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday don strike out di criminal charges wey Federal Government file against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, wey dey represent Kogi Central. Di case end after Office of di Attorney-General of di Federation (AGF) withdraw di charges, make di court no get option but to dismiss di matter. Di case don cause plenty national talk, especially about freedom of speech and political accountability. E come from statements wey dem say Senator Natasha make for one TV interview. Federal Government accuse am say e defame Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, including claims say dem plan to assassinate am. Justice Chizoba Orji, wey dey handle di case, accept di notice of discontinuance wey prosecution file on December 12, 2025. She strike out di case, discharge all di sureties and order make dem return every document wey relate to di matter. Di judge also talk say prosecutors suppose dey careful how dem dey use their legal powers. Reacting after di ruling, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan talk say di decision don clear her name and show say rule of law still dey work for Nigeria. She thank her lawyers, supporters and her people for standing by her from beginning to end. Dem first file di defamation case on May 16, 2025, under Sections 391 and 392 of di Penal Code, wey dey punish anybody wey talk something wey fit spoil another person name. Government base di charges on Senator Natasha talk wey accuse top political figures of plotting to kill her and withdrawing her security. With di court dismissal, di high-profile case don finally end, closing one legal battle wey raise serious questions about political speech and government power in Nigeria.
