By Atoyebi Nike
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday granted a request by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to adjourn further proceedings in the criminal defamation case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
Justice Chizoba Oji fixed a new date for the hearing of the senator’s preliminary objection after confirming that the court had received a formal letter from the prosecution seeking an adjournment.
The senator is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal defamation over her claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello allegedly plotted to kill her.
She has filed a preliminary objection insisting that the AGF’s decision to initiate two similar cases against her, one at the FCT High Court and another at the Federal High Court amounts to an abuse of court process.
But in a counter-affidavit, the prosecution maintained that the charges were properly instituted and followed a comprehensive investigation that established a prima facie case. It argued that the AGF acted within constitutional powers and that the decision to prosecute was driven by public interest.
During Monday’s sitting, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Ehiogie West Idahosa, drew attention to the prosecution’s absence. Justice Oji then handed him a copy of the adjournment request, noting that although the letter was not served on the defence within the required 48 hours, the court would grant the postponement in the interest of justice.
She declined the defence’s plea to continue with the hearing of the objection and adjourned the matter until February 23, 2025. The senator was present in court alongside her husband.
