A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has scheduled a hearing for the preliminary objection in Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s trial for December 1. The senator faces three counts of alleged defamation filed by the Office of the Attorney‑General of the Federation, accusing her of claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello plotted to kill her and linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Imoren Iniobong. She was arraigned on June 19 and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the resumed hearing on Monday, the prosecution sought a brief adjournment because it had not been able to serve its response to the defendant’s preliminary objection. Prosecuting counsel David Kaswe explained that the address used for service did not correspond to any of the defendant’s lawyers. Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Ehighioge West‑Idahosa, confirmed that the response had not been served on the defence team and asked for a longer adjournment, noting that the team intended to attend the International Bar Association meeting in Canada. Justice Chizoba Oji granted the adjournment and set 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 an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney‑General. The matter raises jurisdictional questions about the court’s authority to hear the case. The trial underscores the complexities of defamation law and prosecutorial discretion in Nigeria. With the hearing now fixed for December 1, the parties must await the court’s decision on the objection before the trial can proceed further.
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