A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory located in the Maitama area of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, has postponed further proceedings in the criminal defamation case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in North Central Nigeria.
Okay News reports that Justice Chizoba Oji, the presiding judge, altered the hearing timetable after affirming that the court had received an official communication from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation seeking additional time before the matter would continue. The letter, according to the court, requested a formal adjournment to allow the prosecution address pending issues.
The senator is currently facing a three-count criminal charge centred on her allegation that the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, conspired to kill her. The allegation, which previously generated significant political and public attention both within and outside Nigeria, formed the basis of the charges filed by the prosecution.
In reaction to the allegations and charges, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan lodged a preliminary objection, challenging the legality of the Attorney General of the Federation initiating what she described as two similar criminal matters against her before both the Federal Capital Territory High Court and the Federal High Court. She argued that the duplication amounted to an abuse of court processes.
However, the prosecution countered this position in a sworn affidavit, insisting that the charges were appropriately filed and procedurally valid. It emphasised that the investigation conducted was “thorough and comprehensive,” arguing that sufficient evidence existed to establish a prima facie case against the senator. The prosecution stressed further that the Attorney General of the Federation exercised constitutionally recognised prosecutorial powers and acted in the public interest, including the necessity to prevent abuse of legal processes. According to the prosecution, all petitions submitted by the senator were duly examined by law enforcement authorities.
During the Monday hearing, counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ehiogie West Idahosa, informed the court that the prosecution team was absent without notifying the defence. Justice Oji then disclosed that she received a letter requesting an adjournment and handed a copy to the defence counsel, since it had not been served earlier.
Idahosa insisted that the request was “incompetent,” arguing that it was not communicated to the defence at least forty-eight hours ahead of the sitting as required by law. He urged the court to proceed with hearing the preliminary objection, pointing out that the senator was present and prepared.
Although Justice Oji agreed with the defence counsel that the prosecution did not comply with the mandatory notice period, she concluded that granting the adjournment was necessary to uphold fairness and ensure justice. Consequently, she declined the request to move forward with hearing the preliminary objection.
The court then adjourned the case to February 23, 2025. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the proceedings alongside her husband.
