The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has defended the defamation charges filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that her alleged actions against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello breached provisions of the Penal Code.
The AGF made this assertion in a counter-affidavit opposing the senator’s preliminary objection to the three-count charge of harmful imputation and defamation brought against her before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The charges reportedly stem from complaints filed by Akpabio and Bello following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations that the two conspired to assassinate her. The senator, who was arraigned on June 19, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned the matter until December 1 for hearing of the preliminary objection after the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, informed the court that its response had not yet been properly served on the defence.
In its filing, the AGF’s office maintained that the charges were lawful and based on a thorough investigation by the Nigeria Police Force. It argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct contravened the Penal Code and that the prosecution was undertaken in the public interest and in line with the AGF’s constitutional powers.
“The actions and conduct of the defendant contravened the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The charges were filed after a comprehensive investigation and in the best interest of justice,” the affidavit read in part.
The AGF further dismissed claims that the prosecution amounted to an abuse of power, insisting that the charges were consistent with existing laws.
Court documents marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25 allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan made damaging statements against Akpabio and Bello, accusing them of plotting to kill her and linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
During an earlier sitting on September 23, defence counsel Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN) had argued that the AGF’s office abused its prosecutorial powers and urged the court to dismiss the case, describing the objection as a jurisdictional matter rather than a challenge to the substance of the charges.
At Monday’s hearing, West-Idahosa confirmed that the defence had not been served with the prosecution’s response, adding that his team would reply once proper service was effected. He also requested a longer adjournment, citing plans by the defence team to attend the International Bar Association Conference in Canada.
Justice Oji subsequently adjourned the hearing to December 1 to allow both parties to complete all filings.
