In her trial for allegedly defaming Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a preliminary objection. On Monday, Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, located in Maitama, Abuja, scheduled a hearing for December 1.

On June 19, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice charged Akpoti-Uduaghan with three counts that bordered on damaging imputation.

In the charge, designated FCT/HC/CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan was charged with making damaging accusations that she knew would damage Senator Akpabio’s image by alleging that he conspired with former governor Bello to murder her.

She is also charged with making a similar damaging accusation knowing that it would damage former governor Bello’s reputation.

The prosecution further charged the troubled senator with making another imputation, which she knew would damage Akpabio’s reputation by linking him to the demise of a certain Miss Imoren Iniobong.

But she entered a not guilty plea to the accusation against her.

David Kaswe, the prosecuting attorney, told the court during the case’s resumed hearing on Monday that although the defendant’s preliminary objection was scheduled to be heard, the prosecution was unable to deliver its response despite having filed it with the court.

Kaswe requested a brief delay so that the prosecution could properly serve the defendant with its response to her preliminary objection after informing the court that the address where the prosecution’s reply was served did not belong to any of the senator’s attorneys.

“It will not be fair for the prosecution to insist that the matter proceeds since the defense team has indicated that they will respond to our counter,” the prosecutor stated.

“We are requesting a brief postponement in order to allow us (the prosecution) to properly serve the defense.”

In response, Natasha’s lead attorney, Ehighioge West-Idahosa SAN, told the court that none of her defense team had received the prosecution’s response to her client’s preliminary objection and that they had not seen it.

None of the defendants’ attorneys received the prosecution’s rebuttal. We have not been served as the defendant. The senior lawyer informed the court, “We plan to re-serve when we are properly served because we have additional evidence to file.”

However, as members of the defense team intend to travel to Canada for this year’s International Bar Association gathering, he asked the court to allow a lengthy adjournment.

Justice Oji postponed the preliminary objection hearing until December 1 after hearing from the parties.

West-Idahosa informed the court during the case’s final September session on September 23 that the defendant had submitted a notice of preliminary objection, alleging that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had abused its prosecutorial powers.

The senior lawyer claimed that the preliminary objection challenged the charge’s legitimacy rather than its parts, stating that “this is the threshold of jurisdictional matter.”

He then told the court that the prosecution had not yet replied to the preliminary objection that the defense had given to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on September 18.

Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has changed his mind about calling witnesses during his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism offenses.

Kanu, who had previously requested a witness summons, reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that he was certain there was no legitimate accusation against him after looking over his case file.

“Join me in praising God,” Kanu said. I’ve reviewed my case file, and I’m not charged,” he said.

“The prosecution cannot base the charges against me on any current laws in this nation. Let my Lord read it to me if there are any.

Therefore, I shouldn’t raise a defense against an accusation that doesn’t exist in Nigerian law. I beg you to either grant me bail or free me today.

Justice James Omotosho, the presiding court, requested that Kanu submit a written statement outlining his stance and serve the prosecution appropriately.

Before making a final ruling, the judge also suggested that the IPOB commander obtain legal counsel.

Justice Omotosho cautioned, “You should consult experts in criminal law on the consequences of the option you have chosen.”

The case has been rescheduled for November 4, 5, and 6 for the adoption of final written addresses, instead of October 27, when the defendant was supposed to present his defense.

It was understood that the court would take into account Kanu’s position that the charges against him and the evidence that has been given thus far do not build a case that calls for his defense during the postponed dates.

Dr. Yahuza Getso, a security intelligence and investigative specialist, has stated that unless underlying structural issues are resolved, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent move to relieve the former military chiefs of their responsibilities will not end Nigerian insecurity.

Dr. Getso said that such replacements take occur in accordance with the regulations governing military appointments in an exclusive interview on Sunday, characterizing the dismissal as typical and expected.

He emphasized, though, that the action by itself won’t address the nation’s security issues.

“Well, firing or relieving service chiefs is nothing new. They can either be released or renewed after serving for a minimum of two years, he stated.

“This change merely gives the older officers time to relax and allows the younger ones to grow.” It has no unique or tribal connotations. The President is free to act whenever it is most convenient for him. The president’s motivation is truly unknown, but only time will tell.

However, Dr. Getso cautioned that security cannot be automatically improved by just switching service chiefs.

“It can’t affect anything. The best course of action is not to replace the service chiefs. We are aware of the true issue, which has nothing to do with who holds the post.

He praised the departing Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, calling them some of Nigeria’s most approachable and transparent leaders in recent years.

“In my opinion, they have done an amazing and fantastic job,” Dr. Getso remarked.

“Every Nigerian should applaud them. They never changed their phone numbers from the beginning of their business, and they were willing to listen to anyone, including journalists. They continued to be reachable and accommodating.

He pointed out that the Nigerian military advanced under their direction in a number of operational domains, including combating IPOB in the South East, Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry in the North West, and criminal activity in the South-South and South West.

With increased technical innovation, they revolutionized military operations. Even though they might not have been completely successful, they did their best in the circumstances.

Dr. Getso acknowledged their efforts but maintained that unless corruption is seriously addressed and government institutions, especially the judiciary, legislature, and executive branch, are transformed to promote accountability, insecurity in Nigeria will continue.

According to Dr. Getso, “changing service chiefs won’t get us anywhere because what matters is not just the capacity or weapons.”

Do we possess the necessary political will? Do the service chiefs work in a supportive environment? Do we actually combat corruption? Many of our political office holders lack integrity and honesty, and our court is corrupt. Were they only anointed or were they actually elected? We won’t stop lying to ourselves and feeling insecure until we address these issues and hold leaders responsible.

He cautioned, “Count the new service chiefs as failures if corruption is not fought practically.”

“The new chiefs cannot succeed if there is no supportive atmosphere, if people are not held accountable, and if corruption persists within the government institutions and security agency hierarchy. They’re not magicians.

He added that some leaders in Nigeria are purposefully maintaining the country’s insecurity for their own benefit.

“In Nigeria, we are lying to ourselves,” he declared.

“Some people are using insecurity to further their political objectives. Insecurity will keep growing until we are honest and prepared to combat corruption and repair our crooked courts.

Getso addressed his ideas for the future, stressing the importance of accountability, authenticity, and a community-driven strategy.

He clarified, “The way forward is to hold people accountable, reach out to the criminals where they are, and fix our judicial system.”

“We need to enhance the welfare of security personnel, improve technological operations, and involve young people in community-based monitoring and intelligence sharing.”

He continued by saying that while eradicating internal corruption, the government must also concentrate on performance-based evaluations and monitoring throughout security institutions.

“Appointing new service chiefs is not the only path ahead. We need to combat corruption in real life, not only on paper. Since our judiciary is already corrupt, it needs to be repaired. The government should enhance the welfare of military and paramilitary members and use technology to update operational techniques. Additionally, we require a community-driven strategy that increases citizen-security agency communication and involves youth in information collecting. Above all, to establish an atmosphere in which security agencies can genuinely thrive, there must be responsibility, appropriate oversight, and genuine cooperation between the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches.

“We can’t move forward without sincerity from the leaders and citizens, and without a practical fight against corruption,” he said in closing.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, has been asked by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to give a thorough explanation of the purportedly unaccounted-for oil revenues of ₦22.3 billion, $49.7 million, £14.3 million, and €5.2 million.

The organization’s request comes after the Federation’s 2022 annual report, which purportedly revealed inconsistencies and unaccounted-for money in the company’s financial records.

According to SERAP, the yearly report was released on September 9, 2025.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should prosecute people responsible for the diverted or misused oil money, according to SERAP’s request that Ojulari identify them.

Additionally, SERAP encouraged him to ensure that the N22.3 billion, USD $49.7 million, £14.3 million, and €5.2 million in oil funds that were misappropriated or diverted are fully recovered and returned to the treasury as soon as possible.

“These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust, the Nigerian constitution 1999 [as amended], anticorruption laws, and the country’s international obligations,” the organization stated in a letter dated October 25, 2025, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

The accusations have also undermined the nation’s economic progress, kept most Nigerians in poverty, and denied them opportunity.

The disappearance of oil money from the NNPCL has been reported for many years by the Auditor-General. The majority of these missing oil funds, which were supposed to fund vital public services for Nigerians, continue to fall on Nigerians.

Fighting the oil industry’s corruption epidemic will reduce poverty, increase Nigerians’ access to essential public goods and services, and strengthen the government’s capacity to uphold its anti-corruption and human rights commitments.

Because to the pervasive massive corruption, especially in the NNPCL, and the deeply ingrained culture of impunity for offenders, ordinary Nigerians have benefited very little from oil money despite the nation’s enormous oil resources.

“The misappropriated or diverted oil revenues are directly related to the institution’s ongoing failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability and represent a failure of NNPCL accountability more generally.”

The already unstable economy has been further harmed by the misappropriated or diverted oil earnings, which have also led to extremely high levels of government borrowing and deficit expenditure.

“It is likely that more money would have been allocated to the realization of Nigerians’ economic and social rights, such as increased spending on healthcare and education, if the NNPCL had accounted for and remitted the diverted or misappropriated oil money and returned it to the treasury.”

Additionally, the government would have borrowed less money.

We would appreciate it if the suggested actions were implemented within seven days of this letter’s receipt and/or publication. SERAP will take appropriate legal measures to force the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest if we don’t hear back from you before then.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) failed to account for roughly N22.3 billion, USD$49.7 million, £14.3 million, and €5.2 million in oil money, according to the Auditor General of the Federation’s 2022 audited report, which was released on September 9, 2025.

The Auditor General is concerned that the funds might have been “diverted.”

According to reports, the NNPCL spent more than N292 million [N292,609,972.29] in 2020 for a contract to build an accident and emergency facility along Airport Road, Abuja. However, after receiving payment, “the contractor has abandoned the contract and failed to execute the job.”

The auditor general is concerned that the contract funds might have been “diverted.” “Recovered from the contractor and remitted to the Treasury” is what he wants.

Additionally, the NNPCL allegedly spent more than GBP £14 million [£14,322,426.59] in 2021 “to repair its London office.” However, “there were no documents of any spending, and no evidence to show that the money was actually spent.”

The Auditor-General is concerned that “the money may have been misappropriated or diverted.” He wants the funds to be retrieved and sent to the Treasury.

Additionally, the NNPCL “irregularly paid” a contractor almost USD $22 million [$22,842,938.28] for transporting nine loads of crude oil. The NNPCL “failed to explain why the contractor received over $22 million for crude during the same period and why the amount owed to it from January to October 2019 was only $4,858,997.22.”