The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has defended its decision to file defamation charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that her actions and statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello violated provisions of the Penal Code.
The AGF made this known in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection challenging the three-count charge of harmful imputation and defamation filed against her.
The case stems from complaints by Akpabio and Bello, following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of an assassination attempt. The senator was arraigned on June 19 before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where she pleaded not guilty.
She later filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the case. However, the AGF’s office argued that the charges were properly instituted and based on a thorough investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a counter-affidavit filed by the prosecution, the charges “were brought under the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in the bona fide exercise of the prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, as guaranteed by the Constitution.”
The AGF maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct violated the law and that the prosecution was guided by public interest, justice, and the need to prevent abuse of legal processes.
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The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, accuses the senator of making false and damaging claims that Akpabio conspired with Bello to kill her, and also linking Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
At the last sitting on September 23, defence counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), said the objection did not address the content of the charges but questioned their validity, describing it as a “jurisdictional issue.”
During Monday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that the AGF’s response to the objection had not been properly served on the defence, and requested a short adjournment.
Defence counsel confirmed they had not received the response and requested more time, noting that the legal team would be attending the International Bar Association Conference in Canada.
After listening to both sides, Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned the hearing of the preliminary objection to December 1.
