Court strikes out defamation suit against Senator Natasha by FG

Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has struck out the defamation case against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Udughan, filed by the Federal Government.

Justice Orji struck out the suit following an application by the prosecution lawyer, Aderonke Imana, to discontinue the case.

Counsel to Natasha, West Idahosa, subsequently moved for the matter to be struck out following the prosecution’s application for discontinuance.

The prosecution counsel did not oppose the application made by the defence counsel for the matter to be struck out.

In a short ruling, Justice Chizoba Orji struck out the suit and discharged the sureties.

She also ordered that all their documents be returned to them.

In a remark, the judge noted that the development underscored 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,” he said.

Reacting after the court session, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the outcome as a vindication of her position.

“Today’s outcome affirms my belief in the rule of law. I remain committed to serving my constituents and defending the democratic rights of all Nigerians,” she said, while thanking her legal team and supporters for their steadfast backing throughout the proceedings.

Read Also: Alleged Defamation: Akpabio, Yahaya Bello have no reputation to protect – Natasha tells court

The Federal Government had, in May 2025, instituted a suit against the senator representing Kogi Central over alleged defamatory remarks made on live television.

The suit, filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on May 16, 2025, named Akpoti-Udughan as the sole defendant.

The government accused the senator of “making an imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” citing Section 391 of the Penal Code, CAP 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

One of the charges was linked to allegations by Akpoti-Udughan, wherein she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

The Federal Government accused the Senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person,” citing Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law.

It also accused the Senator of having, in the TV interview, made an imputation concerning Senator Akpabio, saying that, “It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.

“Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. He then emphasized that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.

“What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales, who is going to get justice for me?” a statement FG said, the Senator knew or had reason to believe that such imputations would harm the reputation of the Senate President.