Court strikes out criminal charges against Natasha
An FCT High Court has struck out the criminal defamation charges against the senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Justice Chizoba N. Oji on Thursday struck out the charges after they were withdrawn by the federal government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. The judge noted that the withdrawal […]
An FCT High Court has struck out the criminal defamation charges against the senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Chizoba N. Oji on Thursday struck out the charges after they were withdrawn by the federal government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The judge noted that the withdrawal showed the need for restraint in the exercise of prosecutorial powers.
“The court hopes that this decision will pave the way for restraint, healing, and respect for the rule of law in our democratic process,” she said.
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A prosecution counsel informed the court that the matter was being withdrawn in the “overall interest of justice and public confidence in the legal system.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, West Idahosa, then moved for the matter to be struck out, having been discontinued.
The charges were brought against the senator under Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, following comments credited to her on April 3, 2025, during a Channels TV programme, Politics Today, where she accused former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, of plotting with Senate President Godswill Akpabio to kill her.
The second leg of the charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja was also struck out after the federal government discontinued the trial.
Reacting, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan hailed the verdict as an affirmation of her position and confidence in the rule of law.