The Federal High Court on Thursday, struck out the alleged cybercrime charge against the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the suit following the notice of discontinuance filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who was prosecuting the case.
The development is coming just a few hours after Justice Chizoba Orji of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), struck out a similar case bordering on alleged defamation.
In the suit at the FCT High Court, the semator was alleged to have defamed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor, Mr Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, her lawyers and the prosecuting team were all seated in court when the judge called the parties into the chamber where the notice of discontinuance was moved by prosecuting counsel, Aderonke Imana.
The senator’s lawyer, Mr Ehioge West-Idahosa, SAN, did not oppose the application.
West-Idahosa, however, urged the court to release all documents belonging to the defendant and her sureties.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30, on a six-count charge bordering on cybercrimes.
She was granted bail, following which Justice Umar adjourned the matter until Sept. 22, 2025 for the commencement of trial.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, was 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 in Kogi , accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of instructing ex-Gov. Yahaya Bello to have her killed in the state.
She was also alleged to have, in a television interview, repeated similar claims, to the effect that the senate president and former governor plotted to kill her in Kogi.
The charge was brought under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc (Amendment) Act 2024.
Reacting to the withdrawal of the two cases filed by the Federal Government against her, Akpoti-Uduaghan said that the cases were not part of those mentioned by the Senate President in church.
