The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has dismissed claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that the criminal charges filed against her amount to an abuse of court process.
According to the AGF’s office, the charges were properly instituted following comprehensive investigations that established a prima facie case against the Kogi lawmaker.
In a counter-affidavit filed in response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection, the AGF maintained that all her petitions were duly investigated by the Nigeria Police Force, contrary to her assertions.
The Senator faces criminal defamation charges before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, and a separate cybercrime charge before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in connection with her allegations that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to harm her.
Quoting from the affidavit, the AGF’s office stated:
“The three-count charge was preferred against the defendant pursuant to 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, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in the best interest of justice.”
It added that the prosecution acted in accordance with public interest, the interest of justice, and the need to prevent abuse of legal process, emphasizing that the charges were consistent with existing laws.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Chizoba Oji of the FCT High Court, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that although the matter was fixed for hearing on the defendant’s preliminary objection, the counter-affidavit had not yet been served on the defence.
Kaswe requested a short adjournment to enable proper service, stating:
“It will not be fair for the prosecution to insist that the matter proceeds when the defence has not been served.”
Counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), confirmed the non-service and requested a long adjournment, noting that members of the defence team would attend the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Canada.
Justice Oji consequently adjourned the matter to December 1, 2025, for the hearing of the preliminary objection and the counter-affidavit.
