BREAKING: Nigerian Government Withdraws Criminal Defamation Case Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Allegations Against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally withdrawn the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case instituted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly. Court documents show that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed a notice of discontinuance on December 12, 2025, effectively terminating the prosecution at the Federal High Court.

The charges stemmed from petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, following comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a televised interview on Politics Today, where she alleged that both men were plotting to eliminate her. Despite earlier petitions to the Inspector General of Police alleging threats to her life, the senator was charged for publicly raising the claims.

Several prominent figures, including Governor Usman Ododo, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, Ambassador Reno Omokri, and Sandra Duru, had been listed as witnesses for the complainants. The withdrawn case is one of two criminal matters filed by the Federal Government against the senator, with the second case expected to come up in court and possibly face a similar fate.

The development follows a public announcement by Senate President Akpabio that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw all defamation-related lawsuits against individuals, after a cleric’s sermon influenced his decision. However, Akpabio still has a separate ₦200 billion civil defamation suit pending against Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment, in which he is demanding massive damages and public apologies.

Senate President Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Lawsuits Against Natasha Akpoti, Others After Priest’s Sermon Sparks Change of Heart

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has ordered his lawyers to withdraw all pending defamation lawsuits he filed against individuals who accused him of misconduct, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Akpabio made the announcement during a church programme, revealing that a sermon delivered by a priest prompted him to reassess his actions and abandon the legal battles.

He disclosed that he had instituted nearly nine court cases against people he accused of lying, slandering his name and defaming his character, but decided to discontinue all of them after reflecting on the message preached in church. Although he did not provide full details of each case, the decision directly affects the high-profile ₦200 billion defamation suit he filed against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in December 2025.

In that lawsuit, Akpabio accused the Kogi Central lawmaker of making false allegations of sexual harassment, which he claimed damaged his reputation, subjected him to public ridicule and portrayed him as a predator abusing his office. Court documents showed that he sought sweeping remedies, including massive damages, retractions, and nationwide broadcast apologies, as well as the removal of online content linked to the allegations.

The case had already progressed with court approval for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly after attempts to serve Akpoti-Uduaghan directly failed. Akpabio also argued that the allegations, widely circulated across television, radio and social media, caused him severe humiliation and distress.

His sudden decision to discontinue all defamation suits marks a dramatic turnaround in a legal confrontation that had attracted intense public attention, raising fresh political and legal questions about accountability, reconciliation and the use of defamation laws by powerful public officials in Nigeria.

Sowore Kept Screaming About Malami’s Corruption Since 2021’ — Deji Adeyanju Says EFCC Charges Validate Long-Standing Allegations Against Ex-AGF

Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has reacted strongly to the ongoing prosecution of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), saying the charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirm long-standing corruption allegations raised years earlier by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Speaking on Wednesday, Adeyanju said Sowore had consistently warned Nigerians since 2021 about what he described as Malami’s “brazen corruption” while he was still in office, but those warnings were largely ignored at the time. According to Adeyanju, the emergence of what he termed “receipts” from the EFCC now validates those earlier accusations and underscores the importance of sustained civic activism and accountability.
Adeyanju accused Malami of abusing public trust by allegedly amassing enormous wealth and acquiring multiple high-value properties across Nigeria during his tenure as the country’s chief law officer. He described the alleged actions as not merely isolated incidents but part of a deliberate and systematic effort to build a vast illicit empire, stressing that no public official should be allowed to operate above the law.
The activist called on anti-graft agencies to pursue the case thoroughly and without political interference, insisting that Nigeria cannot progress if powerful officials are allowed to allegedly loot public resources with impunity. He said the Malami case should serve as a strong warning to current and future office holders.
Malami is currently facing 16 criminal counts bordering on money laundering, conspiracy, and unlawful acquisition of assets. Prosecutors allege that he, alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, used corporate fronts and proxies to conceal and launder funds totaling several billion naira between 2015 and 2025. The EFCC claims that at least 30 high-value properties worth an estimated ₦212.8 billion were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
Court documents further allege that the defendants used companies such as Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, and Meethaq Hotels Limited to disguise the source of funds deposited in various bank accounts and used to purchase luxury properties in Abuja, Kano, and Birnin Kebbi. The alleged offences are said to violate Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and related laws.
The case has reignited public debate about corruption, free speech, and the risks faced by whistleblowers and investigative journalists, especially in light of previous defamation suits filed against Sowore and SaharaReporters over reports exposing Malami’s alleged lifestyle and asset accumulation.

Akpabio Files ₦200bn Defamation Suit Against Senator Natasha Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of spreading damaging allegations that he sexually harassed her. Filed at the FCT High Court, the suit claims Natasha’s interviews on TV, radio, and online platforms portrayed Akpabio as a predator, causing reputational harm and public ridicule.

Akpabio is demanding retractions, removal of all online content containing the allegations, and apologies broadcast nationwide. The court has also granted his request to serve Senator Natasha through the Clerk of the National Assembly after attempts at personal service failed. The case is set to become one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political legal battles.

Senator Natasha Challenges Akpabio, Says She’s Ready to Prove Sexual Harassment Claims in Court

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has responded to Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s ₦200 billion defamation suit, declaring she is fully prepared for a legal showdown. She says the case finally gives her the opportunity the Senate Ethics Committee allegedly denied her to present evidence of sexual harassment and subsequent attacks she claims followed her refusal to his advances. The suit, filed at the FCT High Court, has been adjourned to January 21, 2026.

Court Sets December 9 for Hearing in Tonye Cole’s ₦40B Defamation Suit Against FCT Minister Wike

The FCT High Court has scheduled December 9, 2025, for the mention of Tonye Patrick Cole’s ₦40 billion defamation lawsuit against FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Channels Television. Cole, the 2023 APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, accuses Wike of making false and damaging statements during a September 18 broadcast, alleging financial misconduct involving state resources, Rivers State gas, and the Olympia Hotel. Represented by senior lawyer J.S. Okutepa, Cole seeks ₦40 billion in damages, ₦500 million in legal costs, a public apology, retraction of the statements, and a perpetual injunction restraining further defamatory publications. The defendants have been ordered to enter appearance within 21 days of receiving the writ.