Court Strikes Out Cybercrime Charge Against Akopoti Uduaghan

Court Strikes Out Cybercrime Charge Against Akopoti Uduaghan

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the cybercrime charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.

The ruling followed a notice of discontinuance filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), effectively ending the federal government’s prosecution.

The dismissal occurred shortly after a separate high court in the Federal Capital Territory also struck out defamation charges against the senator.

These cases were originally linked to allegations that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello had conspired to harm her.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel moved the application for withdrawal, which was not opposed by the defense team led by Ehioge West-Idahosa (SAN).

The judge consequently discharged the senator and ordered the return of all legal documents belonging to her and her sureties.

The legal battle began in mid-2025 following a six-count charge related to the Cybercrimes Act, stemming from comments made by the senator during a public gathering and a television interview.

The withdrawal of the cases signals an end to the high-profile legal dispute between the lawmaker and the executive leadership.