The planned trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been adjourned to October 27 by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, following a pending motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 19, 2025, on a three-count criminal charge bordering on defamation and harmful imputation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
She pleaded not guilty at arraignment and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million by Justice Chisoba Oji, with one surety in like sum. The trial was initially slated to begin on September 23.
At Tuesday’s court sitting, prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe of the Federal Ministry of Justice, told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed and had its first witness, Superintendent of Police Abdulhafeez Garba, present in court.
However, defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), raised an objection, stating that a motion challenging the competence of the charge and the jurisdiction of the court had been filed and must be addressed first.
Kaswe argued that he had not been personally served, but Justice Oji, after reviewing the case file, confirmed that service was properly effected through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The court then directed the prosecution to respond to the defence’s motion and adjourned the matter to October 27, 2025, to hear and rule on the application before proceeding with the trial.
Details of the Charges
In Count One, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of harmful imputation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that he conspired with former Governor Yahaya Bello to plot her assassination—a claim the prosecution says was made with knowledge of its potential to damage reputations.
Count Two mirrors the first, focusing on the alleged harmful statement directed at Yahaya Bello, while Count Three consolidates the charges under Nigeria’s criminal defamation statutes.
