Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has adjourned the criminal defamation trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) until February 23, 2026, after granting the Federal Government’s last-minute request for more time.
The case, instituted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, accuses the senator of defaming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello by alleging that both men plotted to assassinate her.
During Monday’s sitting, prosecution counsel failed to appear in court. Justice Chizoba Oji disclosed that the court had received a letter from the AGF’s office, filed earlier that morning, seeking an adjournment.
Lead defence counsel Ehiogie West Idahosa, SAN, protested that his team was never served with the application, a breach of the rule requiring at least 48 hours’ notice to the defence.
He urged the court to proceed with hearing the senator’s preliminary objection, which challenges the AGF’s decision to file two parallel defamation charges against her in both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court.
Justice Oji agreed that the prosecution’s application was “technically defective” for non-service but, yet exercised her discretion to grant the adjournment “in the interest of justice.”
She refused to hear the preliminary objection on Monday and fixed the next hearing for 23 February 2026.Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was present in court accompanied by her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, left without speaking to journalists.
In its counter-affidavit, the prosecution insists the FCT charge is valid, was filed after thorough investigation, and does not constitute an abuse of court process.
It maintains that the senator’s statements violated provisions of the Penal Code and that the case serves the public interest.
The trial continues to attract widespread attention as one of the rare instances of a sitting Nigerian senator facing criminal prosecution over public statements.
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