Court Adjourns Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Defamation Case to February 2026

Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has shifted the hearing in the criminal defamation case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to February 23, 2026. The adjournment followed a request made by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), which is prosecuting the case.

During Monday’s proceedings, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Ehiogie West Idahosa (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution was absent. Justice Orji then revealed that the court had received a letter from the prosecution seeking an adjournment. The letter was shown to Idahosa, who insisted he had not been served.

Idahosa argued that the adjournment request violated the rule requiring such applications to be communicated to the defence at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing. He urged the court to proceed with the day’s business since Akpoti-Uduaghan was present and the prosecution’s application was filed earlier the same morning.

The court had been set to hear the senator’s preliminary objection, challenging the legitimacy of the charges filed against her.

In her ruling, Justice Orji agreed that the prosecution’s application did not meet the required standard. However, she granted the adjournment “in the interest of justice,” declining the defence’s request to proceed with the hearing.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a criminal defamation charge over her allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello plotted to assassinate her.

Her preliminary objection challenges the AGF’s decision to file two similar defamation cases—one at the FCT High Court and another at the Federal High Court—arguing that the dual filings amount to an abuse of court process.

The prosecution, in a counter-affidavit, dismissed her claims, insisting that the charges were properly filed. It argued that the three-count charge before the FCT High Court was based on a thorough investigation and was brought under the Penal Code in full exercise of the AGF’s constitutional powers.

According to the prosecution, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged actions violated the Penal Code, and all petitions she submitted were duly reviewed before charges were initiated. They maintained that the filing of the charge served the public interest, upheld the interest of justice, and did not amount to an abuse of prosecutorial authority.