Hutson Efosa
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday granted a request by the Office of the Attorney- General of the Federation to adjourn further proceedings in the criminal defamation case filed against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Chizoba Oji fixed a new date for the hearing of the Senator’s preliminary objection after confirming that the court received a letter from the prosecution seeking an adjournment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a three-count charge of criminal defamation over her allegation that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, plotted to kill her.
In response to the charges, she filed a preliminary objection challenging the AGF’s decision to institute two similar cases against her before the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court, describing it as an abuse of court process.
However, in a counter-affidavit, the prosecution argued that the charges were properly filed and did not amount to an abuse.
It stated that the case before the FCT High Court followed a “thorough and comprehensive investigation” that established a prima facie case, and that the AGF acted within his constitutional prosecutorial powers.
The prosecution added that all petitions filed by the Senator were fully investigated by the police and that the decision to prosecute was guided by public interest and the need to prevent legal abuse.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the Senator, Ehiogie West Idahosa, drew the court’s attention to the absence of the prosecution.
Justice Oji then informed him that she had received a letter requesting an adjournment and handed him a copy, as he had not been served earlier.
Idahosa argued that the request was incompetent since it was not communicated to the defence at least 48 hours before the sitting, as required by law.
He urged the court to proceed with the hearing of the preliminary objection, noting that the Senator was present.
Although Justice Oji agreed that the prosecution failed to meet the mandatory notice requirement, she held that an adjournment was necessary in the interest of justice.
She declined the defence’s plea to continue with the hearing and adjourned the matter to February 23, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the session with her husband.
