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The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice rejects Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that the criminal charges filed against her in the FCT and Federal High Courts constitute an abuse of process.
According to the AGF’s office, the charges were properly instituted after thorough investigations confirmed a prima facie case against the Kogi lawmaker.
In a counter-affidavit opposing Natasha’s preliminary objection, the AGF’s office also denied her assertion that her petitions were ignored, stating that all complaints were duly investigated.
Natasha faces a criminal defamation charge before the FCT High Court and a cybercrime charge before the Federal High Court. The latter relates to her allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello conspired to kill her.
“The three-count charge was filed in accordance with the Penal Code of Nigeria and within the constitutional prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation,” the AGF’s office said.
It added that the charges arose from comprehensive investigations by the Nigerian Police Force and were brought in the public interest, in the interest of justice, and to prevent abuse of legal procedure.
“The charge against the defendant is consistent with existing laws and does not amount to an abuse of the legal or prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General,” the prosecution maintained.
At the resumed hearing before the FCT High Court, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit but had not yet served it on the defence. He requested a short adjournment to enable proper service.
“It would be unfair to proceed when the defence has not been served and intends to respond to our counter-affidavit,” Kaswe stated.
Defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) confirmed that his client had not received the document and said she would respond once properly served.
He also asked for a longer adjournment, noting that members of the defence team would attend the International Bar Association’s annual conference in Canada.
Presiding Judge Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned the case until December 1 for the hearing of the preliminary objection and the counter-affidavit.
