AGF faults Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, backs prosecution over alleged false claims
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice says the defamation charges filed against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were proper because her actions and statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello violated the penal code.
The AGF stated this in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection to three counts of harmful imputation and defamation filed against her.
The charges stemmed from complaints by Akpabio and Bello following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that both men conspired to assassinate her.
The senator was arraigned June 19 before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where she pleaded not guilty. She later filed a preliminary objection asking the court to dismiss the charges.
At Monday’s hearing, Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned the case to Dec. 1 after prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution had been unable to serve its response on the defense.
In a counter-affidavit, the AGF’s office urged the court to dismiss the objection, saying the charges were filed under the Penal Code Law and within the AGF’s constitutional powers.
“The actions and conduct of the defendant contravened the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the prosecution said. “The criminal charge arose from a comprehensive investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, and the AGF acted in the public interest and in the interest of justice.”
The prosecution said the case followed due process and did not amount to an abuse of prosecutorial powers.
In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making defamatory statements linking Akpabio and Bello to an alleged assassination plot and accusing Akpabio of being involved in the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
At a previous hearing on Sept. 23, defense counsel Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN) argued that the AGF’s office had abused its prosecutorial powers, saying the objection raised a jurisdictional issue rather than a challenge to the charges’ substance.
On Monday, Kaswe asked for an adjournment to ensure proper service of the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, saying the earlier address used was incorrect.
West-Idahosa confirmed the defense had not been served, adding that his team planned to attend the International Bar Association Conference in Canada and requested a long adjournment.
Justice Oji adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection to Dec. 1.