The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has dismissed claims of abuse of court process in the ongoing criminal defamation trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
The Federal Government had on June 19, 2025, arraigned the senator before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on a three-count charge bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her defence, accused the prosecution of duplicating charges, noting that a similar case was already pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja. She argued that being tried simultaneously in two courts over related allegations amounted to unfair prosecution.
However, at Monday’s proceedings, David Kaswe, who represented the AGF, refuted the senator’s claims, stating that the case was filed only after a comprehensive police investigation established a prima facie case.
“The charge before the FCT High Court was filed pursuant to the Penal Code and in the bona fide exercise of the AGF’s prosecutorial powers, guided by public interest and the need to prevent abuse of legal process,” the prosecution said in its counter-affidavit.
The AGF’s office further maintained that the investigation was duly conducted and the charges properly instituted in accordance with the Constitution and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
During the hearing, the prosecution sought a short adjournment, admitting that its counter-affidavit had not yet been served on the defence.
Defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) confirmed non-service and requested a long adjournment, explaining that members of the defence team would be attending the International Bar Association’s Annual Conference in Canada.
In her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted the adjournment and fixed December 1, 2025, for the hearing of both the preliminary objection and the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.
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