Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has fixed December 1 to hear the preliminary objection raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her trial for alleged defamation of President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
During proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that though the matter was slated for hearing of the defendant’s preliminary objection, the prosecution was not able to serve its response to the objection it had already filed.
On this ground among other issues, the prosecution asked for a short adjournment to enable the prosecution properly serve the defendant with its response to her preliminary objection.
In response, Natasha’s lead counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN, confirmed to the court that the prosecution’s response to his client’s preliminary objection was not served on any of her defence team, noting that they had not seen the response, they however appealed to the court to grant a long adjournment as members of the defence team plan to attend this year’s Internation Bar Association’s meeting in Canada.
After listening to parties, the trial Judge adjourned hearing to December 1, 2025.
Natasha’s counsel had told the court on the last adjourned date, that the defendant had filed a notice of preliminary objection before the court on the ground that there was abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the senior advocate, the preliminary objection was not a challenge of the elements of the charge but a challenge to the validity of the charge, asserting that, “This is threshold of jurisdictional matter.”
In the three count-charge, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of making harmful imputation which she knew would harm the reputation of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, among others.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
