The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her trial for alleged defamation of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to December 1.
The presiding judge, Justice Chizoba Oji, fixed the new date after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for a hearing, the prosecution had been unable to serve its response on the defence team. Kaswe, however, noted that the response had already been filed before the court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was 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 intended to damage the reputation of Akpabio and Bello by alleging that both men conspired to kill her. She was also accused of linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
The senator, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
At the previous sitting on September 23, the defence counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), informed the court that his client had filed a notice of preliminary objection, arguing that the Attorney-General’s office had abused its prosecutorial powers.
He explained that the objection did not challenge the substance of the charges but rather their validity, describing it as a “threshold jurisdictional matter.”
West-Idahosa also stated that the objection had been served on the Attorney-General’s office on September 18, but no response was received.
At Monday’s resumed hearing, Kaswe told the court that the prosecution’s counter-affidavit had been served to an incorrect address and requested a short adjournment to enable 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,” he said.
Responding, West-Idahosa confirmed that the defence had not received the prosecution’s response, noting that none of the lawyers representing the defendant had been served.
“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 said.
He also appealed to the court to grant a long adjournment, explaining that members of the defence team would be attending this year’s International Bar Association Conference in Canada.
After listening to both parties, Justice Oji adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection to December 1, 2025.