Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The possibility that this year is going to be smooth and sailing for the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is very glaring as the Abuja division of the Federal High Court has struck out the cybercrime charge against her.
Justice Mohammed Umar, struck out the suit following the notice of discontinuance filed by the prosecution, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
It was a similar development at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where Justice Chizoba Orji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory struck out a suit against her bordering on alleged defamation against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The proceedings at the Federal High Court were conducted in the chambers of the judge, where the notice of discontinuance was moved by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana.
Just like what transpired at the FCT, the senator’s lawyer, Dr Ehioge West-Idahosa (SAN), did not object.
At the High Court of the FCT, West-Idahosa, however, moved for the matter to be struck out and also urged the court to release all documents belonging to the defendant and her sureties.
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 equally discharged the sureties.
She also ordered that all their documents be returned to them.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30, on a six-count charge filed by the then Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar.
She was granted bail, following which Justice Umar adjourned till September 22, for the commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, she was arraigned at the FCT High Court on a three-count charge bordering on alleged defamation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is alleged to have transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means with the intention to malign, incite and endanger lives and breach public order.
The senator was alleged to have, while addressing a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, accused Senate President Akpabio of instructing ex-Governor Bello of Kogi to have her killed in the state.
