The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to December 1, 2025, for the hearing of her preliminary objection in the ongoing defamation case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Chizoba Oji fixed the new date after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for hearing, the prosecution had not been able to serve its response to the defence’s objection.
Kaswe, however, noted that the response had already been filed before the court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was first arraigned on June 19 on a three-count charge bordering on harmful imputation, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, the senator was accused of making statements that allegedly defamed Senate President Akpabio by claiming that he conspired with former Governor Bello to kill her. She was also alleged to have made similar claims against Bello and another linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
The senator, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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At the last sitting on September 23, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), told the court that the defence had filed a notice of preliminary objection, arguing that the Office of the Attorney-General had overstepped its prosecutorial powers.
He explained that the objection was not about the substance of the case but its validity, describing it as a “threshold jurisdictional matter.”
West-Idahosa stated that the objection had been served on the Attorney-General’s office on September 18 but that no reply had been received.
During Monday’s proceedings, Kaswe clarified that the prosecution’s counter-affidavit had been mistakenly served to an incorrect address, not belonging to any of the defence lawyers. He then requested a short adjournment to allow for proper service.
“It would not be fair for the prosecution to insist that the matter proceed when the defence team has indicated its intention to respond to our counter. We are, therefore, asking for a short adjournment to enable us to effect proper service,” Kaswe said.
In response, West-Idahosa confirmed that the defence was yet to receive the prosecution’s response.
“The prosecution’s counter was not served on any of the defendant’s lawyers. We intend to respond when we are properly served, as we have additional evidence to file,” he stated.
The senior advocate also requested a longer adjournment, explaining that the defence team would be attending the International Bar Association Conference in Canada.
After hearing from both parties, Justice Oji adjourned the matter to December 1, 2025, for the hearing of the preliminary objection.