A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has set December 1 for the hearing of a preliminary objection in the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The senator is facing charges of alleged defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Senator 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. The charges allege that she made statements claiming Senator Akpabio and Governor Bello plotted to kill her, and also linked Senator Akpabio to the death of one Miss Imoren Iniobong. The senator pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, the prosecution requested a short adjournment due to issues with serving their response to the defendant’s preliminary objection. The prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, explained that the address used for service did not belong to any of the defendant’s counsels. The lead counsel for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ehighioge West-Idahosa, confirmed that the prosecution’s response had not been served on the defense team and requested a longer adjournment, citing the team’s plan to attend the International Bar Association’s meeting in Canada.
Justice Chizoba Oji granted the adjournment, setting the new hearing date for December 1. The preliminary objection, filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s team, challenges the validity of the charge on the grounds of abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. This is seen as a jurisdictional matter, questioning the threshold of the court’s jurisdiction in the case.
The trial highlights the complexities of defamation laws and the exercise of prosecutorial discretion in Nigeria. As the case unfolds, it will be significant to observe how the court navigates the preliminary objection and its implications for the trial’s progression. With the hearing now set for December 1, the parties will have to await the court’s decision on the objection before the trial can proceed further.