Akpoti-Uduaghan: AGF defends prosecution of Akpabio, Bello

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) on Monday defended its decision to file defamation charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that her alleged actions against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello violated the nation’s penal code.

The AGF’s position was contained in a counter-affidavit opposing the senator’s preliminary objection to the three-count charge of harmful imputation and defamation filed against her before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

The charges originated from complaints submitted by Akpabio and Bello, following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of an alleged assassination attempt involving the two political figures.

The senator, who was arraigned on June 19, pleaded not guilty to all charges and subsequently filed a preliminary objection urging the court to dismiss the case.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned proceedings to December 1 to hear the objection, after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, disclosed that the prosecution had yet to properly serve its response on the defence.

In its counter-affidavit, the AGF’s office urged the court to reject the senator’s objection, arguing that the case was properly instituted in line with the Constitution and the penal code.

“The three counts were 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 as guaranteed under the Constitution,” the AGF stated.

According to the filing, the criminal charges arose from a comprehensive investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, which reviewed all related petitions and evidence. The AGF’s office maintained that the prosecution was initiated in the public interest and to prevent abuse of the legal process.

“The charge against the defendant is consistent with extant laws and does not constitute an abuse of prosecutorial powers,” the affidavit read.

In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making false and damaging statements suggesting that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her. She is also alleged to have linked Akpabio to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.

During the previous sitting on September 23, defence counsel Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN) had informed the court that his client’s objection was based on what he described as an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the AGF’s office.

He emphasized that the objection was jurisdictional and did not address the substance of the charges. The defence also confirmed on Monday that it had yet to receive the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.

Kaswe, representing the AGF, requested a short adjournment to enable proper service of the documents, explaining that the initial address used did not belong to any defence lawyer.

Responding, West-Idahosa acknowledged the service issue and sought a long adjournment, citing the defence team’s scheduled participation in the International Bar Association Conference in Canada.

After hearing both sides, Justice Oji adjourned the matter until December 1 for the hearing of the preliminary objection.

The post Akpoti-Uduaghan: AGF defends prosecution of Akpabio, Bello appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.