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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Allegations Against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally withdrawn the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case instituted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th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 The withdrawn case is one of two criminal matters filed by the Federal Government against the senator, with the second case expected to come up in court and possibly face a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.

Top Political Scandals That Rocked Nigeria in 2025: Uche Nnaji, Akpabio, Sylva, Obasa The year 2025 was marked by major political controversies involving several high-profile Nigerian politicians, especially within the ruling APC. Former minister Uche Nnaji resigned after allegations of certificate forgery surfaced, though he denied the claims. Senate President Godswill Akpabio faced sexual harassment accusations from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, leading to her suspension before her eventual return. The EFCC declared ex-oil minister Timipre Sylva wanted over alleged diversion of $15 million meant for a refinery project, a claim he disputes. In Lagos, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached over alleged misconduct before political negotiations facilitated his dramatic reinstatement. These scandals shaped Nigeria’s political landscape throughout 2025.

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.

Mexico’s President Files Complaint After a Man Attempted to Kiss Her on the Street, Seeks Nationwide Reform on Harassment Laws. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed a formal complaint after a man groped her during an impromptu walk near the National Palace, an incident that has reignited debate over the country’s troubling record on women’s safety. The 63-year-old president was greeting supporters when an apparently intoxicated man placed an arm around her, touched her hip and chest, and attempted to kiss her neck. Sheinbaum pushed his hands away as her staff intervened. The man was later arrested. Speaking at her morning news conference, Sheinbaum said she chose to press charges to send a clear message about the protection of women. “If this happens to the president, what becomes of all the women in our country?” she said. She added that the incident reflects everyday realities for millions of Mexican women. Sheinbaum announced that her government will review legislation across Mexico’s 32 states, where sexual harassment is not universally defined as a crime. She urged state authorities to strengthen legal protections and make it easier for victims to report assaults, saying the country needs to hear a “loud and clear no” to violations of women’s personal space. The attack has also drawn scrutiny over the president’s security arrangements, as her detail was not close by at the time. Still, Sheinbaum dismissed calls to increase distance between herself and the public, insisting she will maintain her approachable style. Mexico continues to struggle with widespread harassment and gender-based violence, with rights groups warning of a femicide crisis and the UN estimating that seven in ten women have experienced at least one form of sexual harassment.

Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Returns to The Senate After Serving Six-Month Suspension Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, made her return to the Senate on Tuesday at about 11:42 a.m., marking the end of her six-month suspension. The senator entered the chamber smiling confidently, exchanged greetings with a few colleagues, and settled into her seat. She was accompanied by a group of loyal supporters and activists, including Aisha Yesufu, who observed proceedings from the gallery. Her return follows a court ruling that described her suspension as excessive. The Senate had earlier reopened her office in compliance with the judgment, days after initially insisting she remained suspended due to pending litigation. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption comes amid lingering controversy surrounding her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Varsity VC Moves Against Misconduct Among Lecturers. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof Francisca Bassey, has issued a stern warning to lecturers who engage in sexual harassment of students or demand money for grades. The VC issued the warning while speaking with LEADERSHIP after a Thanksgiving ceremony yesterday at Shalom Ministries, Calabar. Bassey warned that any lecturer found guilty of such misconduct should be prepared to face the consequences associated with such misconduct. “I will not spare any man who cannot hold his groins,” the VC reportedly said, emphasising the institution’s commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment. The VC’s warning comes amid growing concerns about lecturer-student relationships and exploitation in Nigerian universities. The VC’s stance is seen as a bold move towards addressing these issues and promoting a culture of accountability within the institution. The university community has welcomed the VC’s warning, with many students and staff members expressing hope that it will lead to a safer and more respectful environment for all. The VC’s office has confirmed the statement, reiterating the institution’s zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and exploitation.

Actor Derek Dixon Takes His Tyler Perry Sexual Harassment Allegations To TV. Long-simmering sexual misconduct allegations against Tyler Perry are gaining national spotlight as ABC News aired an interview on Sept. 9 with actor Derek Dixon, who had made a harassment claim in a June lawsuit. In a preview, Dixon recalled the first alleged incident at Perry’s home in January 2020 after drinking together. “I got into bed and then I noticed that he climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg,” Dixon told ABC News anchor Linsey Davis. “I jumped up out of bed.” Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s The Oval (2021–2025), claims Perry exploited male actors and hara§§ed staff. His $260 million lawsuit echoes allegations he made to The Hollywood Reporter in July. He also linked Perry to Christian Keyes’ 2023 account of abuse by a “black Hollywood billionaire,” though Keyes’ team offered no comment. Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, denied the claims. “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said. “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of hara§§ment will fail.” Still, Dixon insists, “Unless someone has been through something where they have their control over their bodies taken away you don’t really understand the kind of feelings that you get in that moment,” he said. He added, “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have s+x with them. My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.” The lawsuit alleges repeated advances, sexual messages, and graping. Dixon first met Perry in 2019 at a studio event. He recalled when Perry asked if he was an actor. “And he said, ‘Yes you are. I can tell.’” Dixon said Perry later graped him again in 2021. “All those years of trying to be an actor would just go up in smoke… I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right,” Dixon told The Hollywood Reporter.

Akpabio Is The Best Thing To Happen To The National Assembly Since 1999 The Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, passed the Tax Reform Bill into law. This is the single most important legislation passed by Parliament since Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999. By virtue of that legislation, Nigeria's productivity is about to be unleashed, and competition among states has already begun. Because of that statute, we are already seeing an explosion in revenue generation as Nigeria's tax base expands. Nigerian workers can now heave a sigh of relief as the tax reforms grant wide-ranging reliefs for Low-Income Earners, who will now pay little to no tax. This is in addition to the various Regional Development Commission bills passed into law, which have already seen an acceleration of development in Nigeria's geopolitical zones, as the usual state bureaucracies are being bypassed. Then you come to the landmark Local Government Autonomy Bill, which grants not just autonomy but prosperity to Nigeria's grassroots, from Kaura Namoda to Orile-Aguda. And then after achieving that, the same Natasha Akpoti that falsely accused me of sexual harassment, is now asserting that this 10th Senate under Senator Akpabio is the worst since 1999! Then why does she want to return to that very same Senate? Thankfully, Nigeria's economy has been debased. Our GDP is now at ₦372.8 trillion in 2024, up from the ₦314.02 trillion that President Tinubu met when he took over from General Buhari in 2023. Would this have been possible without unity of purpose between the National Assembly and the Presidency? May God bless Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the political leader of the South-South, and may he complete two four-year terms in that office! Reno Omokri Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022. 21st Most Talked About Person in Africa, 2024.

UPDATED: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Insists on Resuming Senate Duties Tuesday Despite Appeal. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reaffirmed her plan to resume her legislative duties at the Senate on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in compliance with a Federal High Court ruling ordering her recall. Speaking in Ihima, her hometown in Kogi State, the Kogi Central lawmaker said she has formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume, despite an ongoing appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. “I’ve written to the Senate again, informing them I’ll be resuming on the 22nd, by the special grace of God,” she stated. “The court made a decision, and I intend to act on that.” Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently in her constituency for an empowerment training programme, said that while her suspension didn’t stop her from representing her people, it limited her ability to perform critical legislative duties such as sponsoring bills and motions. “Every senator has three core functions: legislation, oversight, and representation. While I’ve done well representing my constituents, I’ve missed contributing through bills and motions,” she explained. The Senate suspended her for six months on March 6 following accusations she made against Akpabio, including a claim of sexual harassment. In response, she challenged the suspension in court. A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in her favour in July, ordering her immediate recall — a ruling now being appealed by the Senate President. Despite the legal challenge, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains determined to reclaim her seat, citing the court’s decision as binding until overturned.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed an appeal against a ₦5 million contempt fine imposed on her by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, arguing the judge lacked jurisdiction over comments made outside the courtroom. The fine was issued after a Facebook post, which Senate President Godswill Akpabio claimed violated a court order barring public commentary on an ongoing case regarding Natasha’s suspension. However, her legal team insists the post was unrelated to the suspension and instead referenced separate sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio. In her six-point appeal, Senator Natasha argues: The court lacked jurisdiction to try contempt ex facie curiae (outside the courtroom) without proper criminal procedures. Justice Nyako erred by imposing a fine without issuing required statutory forms (48 and 49) under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act. The punishment was excessive and unrelated to the case before the court. The trial judge acted beyond her mandate by granting reliefs not sought by the applicant (Akpabio). Natasha is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling, nullify the fine, and declare that her satirical Facebook post did not amount to contempt.

Man Impregnates His 13-Years-Old Daughter In Cross River. A man identified as “Prayer” has allegedly impregnated his 13-year-old biological daughter in Ediba Community, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State According to a reliable source who spoke to CrossRiverWatch in anonymity, the victim (name withheld) was impregnated by her father, Mr. Prayer, and was asked by the community to pay a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) Naira and marry her as punishment for the sacrilegious act. The source alleged that “the mother of the pregnant teenager had separated from her husband “Prayer” due to his misconduct for about a year and left Ediba for Lagos, leaving the victim with her father.” The source disclosed that the community is left in total shock and awe, describing it as barbaric and sacrilegious. Prayer’s act is repugnant to the Cross River State existing Child Protection Act enacted in 2009 and assented into law by the former Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade, on 22 July 2023. The law seeks to protect the right of every child from all forms of abuse, including sexual harassment. There are eyebrows about what will be the action of the government and child rights advocates in the state.

Tyler Perry sued for sexual harassment, workplace gender violence. U.S. television mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon, who alleges that Perry used his influence in the entertainment industry to repeatedly sexually harass and assault him while silencing him with professional opportunities. Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of the BET series The Oval, filed the suit on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The filing was first reported Tuesday by TMZ.