Alleged Defamation: Court Shifts Hearing on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Objection to December 1

Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to December 1, 2025.

The Kogi Central lawmaker is standing trial over alleged defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. She was arraigned on June 19 on a three-count charge of harmful imputation, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

In the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making statements she allegedly knew could damage the reputations of Akpabio and Bello. The prosecution claims she falsely alleged that the duo conspired to kill her and linked Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren. The senator pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although a counter-affidavit had been filed in response to the senator’s objection, it was mistakenly served to the wrong address. He therefore requested a short adjournment to allow for proper service.

“It would be unfair to insist on proceeding when the defence has not received our response,” Kaswe stated, asking for a brief adjournment.

Lead counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed that the prosecution’s response was not served on any member of the defence team. He added that the defence intended to file additional evidence once properly served.

West-Idahosa also sought a longer adjournment, noting that members of the defence team would be attending the International Bar Association’s annual meeting in Canada.

After hearing both sides, Justice Oji adjourned the matter to December 1, 2025, for the hearing of the preliminary objection.

At an earlier sitting on September 23, West-Idahosa had told the court that the defence’s objection was based on alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the AGF’s office. He explained that the objection questioned the validity and jurisdictional competence of the charges, rather than their content.

The senator’s legal troubles arose from allegations linking Akpabio and Bello to a plot to harm her and to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren. The AGF’s office subsequently filed criminal charges against her for defamation and injurious falsehood.

The case has generated significant public interest due to the political stature of those involved and the constitutional implications concerning the AGF’s prosecutorial authority.