Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of abusing their positions to target her unfairly.
The senator spoke on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after the Federal Government formally withdrew cybercrime charges filed against her. The case was struck out by Justice Mohammed Umar following a notice of discontinuance submitted by the Attorney-General of the Federation on behalf of the prosecution.
Addressing journalists after the court session, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the withdrawal of the charges as proof that the case against her was driven by bad faith. She said the action confirmed her long-held position that powerful individuals had misused authority to persecute her.
She said, “In life there are certain situations that test your faith and a good appreciation to the good people of Nigeria, Kogi State especially Kogi Central for their stand with me during this ordeal.”
According to her, the outcome of the case exposed what she described as a deliberate attempt to silence her. She stated, “The withdrawal of these two Federal government cases against me only proves that they were maliciously instigated by two individuals, Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello, who misuse power to their advantage in witch-hunting an innocent person, which is myself.”
The senator, however, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, noting that his intervention played a key role in ending the legal battle. She said, “But I’d like to extend a sincere appreciation to President Tinubu. He was briefed on the truth and ordered the discontinuance of the two federal government cases against me.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan added that the development has restored her confidence in justice and allowed her to focus fully on her legislative responsibilities. She concluded, “I have never doubted that Nigeria is a land of possibilities and the truth will somehow get one vindicated and now I can actually rest and resume my work.”
