Esther Imonmion
An FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday adjourned further proceedings in the criminal defamation case filed against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to February 23, 2025.
Justice Chizoba Oji granted the adjournment following a request by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), after confirming that the court had received a letter from the prosecution seeking to stand down the matter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a three-count charge of criminal defamation over her allegation that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, plotted to kill her.
The senator had earlier filed a preliminary objection challenging the decision of the AGF to institute what she described as two similar cases against her before both the Federal Capital Territory High Court and the Federal High Court, contending that the move amounted to an abuse of court process.
However, in a counter-affidavit, the prosecution maintained that the charges were properly filed and did not constitute an abuse of process. It stated that the case before the FCT High Court followed a “thorough and comprehensive investigation” which established a prima facie case against the defendant.
The prosecution further argued that the AGF acted within his constitutional prosecutorial powers, adding that all petitions submitted by the senator were fully investigated by the police. It noted that the decision to prosecute was guided by public interest and the need to prevent the abuse of legal process.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the senator, Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa, drew the court’s attention to the absence of the prosecution.
Justice Oji informed him that the court had received a formal letter from the AGF’s office requesting an adjournment and handed him a copy, explaining that it had not been previously served on the defence.
Idahosa objected to the request, arguing that it was incompetent because it was not communicated to the defence at least 48 hours before the hearing, as required by law. He urged the court to proceed with the hearing of the preliminary objection, noting that the senator was present in court.
Although Justice Oji agreed that the prosecution failed to meet the mandatory notice requirement, she ruled that an adjournment was necessary in the interest of justice and declined the defence’s request to continue with the hearing.
The case was thereafter adjourned to February 23, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was in court with her husband.