The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her ongoing defamation trial until December 1, 2025.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, is facing a three-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, accusing her of making harmful imputations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Background of the Case
The charges, contained in suit number FCT/HC/CR/297/25, allege that the senator made public statements she knew could injure the reputation of Senator Akpabio by claiming he conspired with Bello to kill her.
She is also accused of making similar statements allegedly intended to harm the reputation of the former Kogi governor, as well as linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren, a case that previously stirred national outrage.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 19 and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Why the Hearing Was Postponed
At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although the prosecution had filed its response to the defendant’s preliminary objection, it had not been properly served on the defence team.
Kaswe explained that the document was mistakenly sent to an incorrect address and requested a short adjournment to enable proper service.
“It would not be fair for the prosecution to proceed when the defence has not been properly served,” Kaswe told the court. “We are, therefore, asking for a short adjournment to allow us to effect proper service on the defendant.”
Defence Reacts
Responding, Ehighioge West-Idahosa, SAN, lead counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, confirmed that the prosecution’s counter had not been received by any member of the defence team.
“The prosecution’s response was not served on any of the defence lawyers. We have not seen it, and we intend to respond once we are properly served, as we have additional evidence to file,”
West-Idahosa said.
The senior advocate also requested a long adjournment, citing the defence team’s plans to attend the upcoming International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Canada.
After listening to both parties, Justice Oji granted the request and adjourned the matter to December 1, 2025, for hearing of the preliminary objection.
Earlier Developments
At the previous sitting on September 23, West-Idahosa had informed the court that the defence had filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging what he described as an “abuse of prosecutorial powers” by the AGF’s office.
He clarified that the objection did not contest the substance of the charges but rather their validity, arguing that the case raised jurisdictional issues that must be resolved before trial could proceed.
The defence said it served the preliminary objection on the AGF’s office on September 18, but the prosecution had yet to respond before the latest adjournment.
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