A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, has adjourned hearing on the preliminary objection filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her defamation trial to December 1.
Justice Chizoba Oji fixed the new date on Monday after the prosecution failed to properly serve its response to the objection raised by the Kogi Central lawmaker, who is standing trial over allegations of harmful imputation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 19 on a three-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, accusing her of knowingly making statements capable of damaging the reputation of the two politicians, including claims of an assassination plot and links to the death of Miss Imoren Iniobong. She has pleaded not guilty.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe admitted that the prosecution had served its counter-affidavit on a wrong address and sought a short adjournment to enable proper service.
Lead defence counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed that his team had yet to receive the response and requested a longer adjournment, noting that members of the defence will be attending the International Bar Association conference in Canada.
Justice Oji granted the request and shifted the hearing to December 1.
The defence is arguing that the charge amounts to an abuse of prosecutorial power by the AGF and raises a jurisdictional issue that must be determined before trial proceeds.