FCT High Court adjourns Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defamation trial involving Senate President Akpabio and ex-Governor Bello to December 1
The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to December 1, 2025, for the hearing of her preliminary objection in a defamation case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
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Justice Chizoba Oji fixed the new date after the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that although a response to the objection had been filed, it was not properly served on the defence.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 19, 2025, on a three-count charge of harmful imputation, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, she was accused of making statements allegedly intended to damage the reputations of Akpabio and Bello — including claims that Akpabio conspired with Bello to harm her, and another linking Akpabio to the death of Iniobong Umoren.
At the previous sitting on September 23, defence counsel Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN) filed a preliminary objection challenging the validity of the charges, arguing that the AGF had abused its prosecutorial powers.
During Monday’s hearing, Kaswe admitted that the counter-affidavit had been served at an incorrect address and requested a short adjournment for proper service.
West-Idahosa confirmed the defence had not been served and sought a long adjournment to allow his team to attend the International Bar Association Conference in Canada.
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After hearing both sides, Justice Oji granted the request and adjourned the case to December 1 for hearing of the preliminary objection.
