For the second time in 24 hours, the trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for allegedly defaming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello has been adjourned.
The case, slated to commence on Tuesday, was postponed by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after Natasha’s legal team challenged the competence of the charges filed against her.
Her lead counsel, Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN), argued that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had abused prosecutorial powers by filing similar charges against her in both the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court over the same matter.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel David Kaswe from the Ministry of Justice informed the court that he was ready to open the case and had brought his first witness, Superintendent of Police Abdulhafeez Garba, to testify.
However, West-Idahosa objected, insisting that his client’s motion challenging the charges and the court’s jurisdiction must first be heard.
The court confirmed that the AGF’s office had been duly served with the motion but had not filed a response. Kaswe admitted that the AGF, who was out of the country, had not made the motion available to him.
Justice Chizoba Orji ruled that adjourning the matter was necessary to allow the AGF to respond, stressing the importance of fair hearing. The judge adjourned the case to October 27 for the hearing of Natasha’s motion and the AGF’s response.
Natasha, who was first arraigned on June 19, 2025, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on harmful imputations made during a television interview. She allegedly claimed that Akpabio and Bello plotted to kill her and linked Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
She pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety who must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Her appearance in court drew about 2,000 supporters, requiring a heavy security presence to maintain order.
