Court adjourns Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defamation case

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has postponed the criminal defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) to February 23, granting an adjournment request from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
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The case, which centers on the senator’s allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello plotted to kill her, was adjourned despite objections from the defense counsel.

During Monday’s proceedings, defense counsel, Ehiogie West Idahosa (SAN), drew the court’s attention to the absence of the prosecution. Justice Chizoba Oji then confirmed she had received a letter from the prosecution requesting the adjournment.
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Idahosa argued that the adjournment request was incompetent because it failed to comply with the legal requirement of communicating the application to the defense at least 48 hours before the sitting. He urged the court to proceed with the hearing of the senator’s preliminary objection since she was present.
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Justice Oji acknowledged the failure of the prosecution to meet the mandatory notice requirement. However, she granted the adjournment until February 23, 2026, stating that the delay was necessary in the interest of justice.
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Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenge hinges on her claim that the AGF’s action constitutes an abuse of court process. She filed a preliminary objection arguing that the AGF is prosecuting two similar cases against her, one before the FCT High Court (criminal defamation) and another before the Federal High Court (cybercrime) based on the same core allegations.
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The prosecution, in its counter-affidavit, refuted the claim of abuse. It argued that the three-count charge before the FCT High Court followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation establishing a prima facie case. The AGF maintained that the charges were filed in the lawful exercise of its constitutional prosecutorial powers and guided by public interest and the need to prevent legal abuse.
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