A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has postponed the high-profile criminal defamation trial involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until next year. The court granted the prosecution's request for an adjournment during proceedings held on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Prosecution's Absence and Adjournment Request
When the case was called, the senator was represented in court by her lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ehiogie West Idahosa. He informed the court that the prosecution team from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation was not present. Presiding Justice Chizoba Oji confirmed that the court had received a formal letter from the prosecution seeking an adjournment of the hearing.
The letter was handed over to Idahosa in court, but the senior lawyer stated that he had not been served with the notice beforehand. He pointed out that the letter was registered and filed earlier that same Monday. Idahosa strongly argued that the prosecution failed to comply with the mandatory rule requiring such adjournment notices to be brought to the attention of the defence counsel at least 48 hours before the court sitting.
Defence's Objection and Court's Ruling
Given the defendant's presence in court, Idahosa urged Justice Oji to proceed with the day's scheduled business, which was the hearing of Akpoti-Uduaghan's preliminary objection challenging the charges. He described the prosecution's adjournment application as incompetent due to the lack of proper notice.
In her ruling, Justice Oji acknowledged that the prosecution's application did not meet the required procedural standard. However, the judge decided to grant the adjournment in the interest of justice. She overruled the defence's prayer to continue with the hearing and subsequently adjourned the matter. The case will now be heard on February 23, 2026.
Background of the Case and Legal Challenges
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was accompanied to court by her husband, is facing a criminal defamation charge. The case stems from her allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were involved in a plot to assassinate her.
Through her preliminary objection, the senator is contesting the decision of the Attorney General of the Federation to file two similar charges against her simultaneously. One charge is before the FCT High Court, and another is at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Her legal team argues that this constitutes an abuse of the court process.
The prosecution, in a counter-affidavit, has rejected this claim. They maintain that the three-count charge before the FCT High Court was filed only after a thorough investigation established a prima facie case. The prosecution asserts that the charge, brought under the Penal Code, is a legitimate exercise of the AGF's constitutional powers. They insist the filing was done with due regard to public interest, the need for justice, and to prevent abuse of legal process, denying any misuse of prosecutorial authority.
