The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has denied allegations of abuse of court process in the ongoing trial of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged criminal defamation.
The Federal Government had, on June 19, 2025, arraigned Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on a three-count charge of defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
In response, the senator accused the prosecution of abusing court process, citing the filing of a similar case against her at the Federal High Court, Abuja. She argued that facing two concurrent charges on similar grounds was unjust.
At Monday’s proceedings, the AGF’s representative, David Kaswe, countered the senator’s claim, stating that the charges were filed after a comprehensive investigation by the Nigerian Police and a prima facie case was established.
“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 maintained that the allegations against the senator were thoroughly investigated, adding that the charges were consistent with the Constitution and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
During the hearing, the prosecution sought a short adjournment after admitting that the counter affidavit had not yet been served on the defence team. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed non-service and requested a long adjournment, noting that members of the defence team would attend the International Bar Association’s annual meeting in Canada.
In her ruling, Justice Chizoba Oji granted the adjournment and fixed December 1, 2025, for hearing in both the preliminary objection and the prosecution’s counter affidavit.
Ademide Adebayo
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