The criminal defamation case filed against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stalled on Monday after the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama granted a request for adjournment by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Chizoba Oji, presiding over the matter, confirmed that the court had received a formal letter from the prosecution seeking more time, prompting her to fix a new date for the hearing of the senator’s preliminary objection. Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation.
The charges stem from her allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to assassinate her—a claim she publicly made during the heat of Kogi political tensions.
At Monday’s sitting, neither the prosecution nor its counsel appeared in court, leaving the defence team to formally acknowledge the adjournment request already communicated to the judge.
Justice Oji subsequently adjourned the case to a later date for the determination of the senator’s preliminary objection, in which she is challenging the competence and validity of the charges filed against her. The case has generated significant public interest, given the political weight of the individuals involved and the seriousness of the allegations.
Observers say the next hearing will determine whether the court proceeds to trial or strikes out the charges based on the defence’s objection.
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