Eighteen lawyers withdrew from Princess God’sown Udoito’s defamation suit against Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
This was as proceedings in the trial of a Facebook user, Princess Udoito, charged with alleged defamatory publications against the Governor Eno, was on Wednesday, 4 March, 2026, stalled for the second time at the instance of the defence team.
When the matter, with Charge No. HU/12C/2026: The State v. God’sown Monday Udoito, was called at exactly 10 a.m, lead counsel for the defence, Akpadiaha Ebitu Esq., former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Eket Branch, was not in court.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, Friday Itim, Esq., announced his appearance along with members of his team from Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice.
Addressing the court, the DPP recalled that the matter had been adjourned on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026, to Wednesday, 4th March, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Ememobong Nicholas, Esq., Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Documentation.
He informed the court that he was surprised to receive a letter from the defence counsel seeking an adjournment on the ground that he would be appearing before the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, in respect of the defendant’s bail application.
According to the DPP, the letter from the defence was accompanied by a photocopy of a hearing notice dated February 24, 2026.
He noted, however, that neither he nor the Ministry of Justice, despite being counsel for the prosecution in the matter, had been served with the said hearing notice.
The DPP further told the court that, “out of curiosity,” he contacted three senior officials of the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, who independently confirmed that the appellate court would not be sitting throughout the week, including Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the date cited by defence counsel.
He stated that upon receiving this information, he sent a text message to the defence counsel informing him that the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division, would not be sitting, so as to prevent any unnecessary travel.
In addition, the DPP informed the court that the prosecution had received a separate letter indicating that 18 members of the defence team had formally withdrawn their representation in the matter.
The notice of withdrawal, dated March 3, 2026, and signed by Peter Ime Akpan, Esq., on behalf of the withdrawing counsel, read in part:
“TAKE NOTICE that we, the underlisted Counsel who have hitherto represented the Defendant/Applicant in this matter before this Honourable Court, do hereby withdraw our appearance as Counsel to the Defendant/Applicant in the above-mentioned charge.
FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that with effect from the date of service of this Notice, we shall cease to act in this matter on behalf of the Defendant/Applicant.”
Despite raising concerns over the circumstances, the DPP told the court that in the interest of justice and to safeguard the defendant’s right to fair hearing, the prosecution would not oppose the adjournment sought by the lead defence counsel.
After listening to the submissions, Justice Mfon Winifred Umohandi adjourned the case to Thursday, 12th March, 2026 and Wednesday, 18th March, 2026, for definite continuation of the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Nicholas, Esq.
Court admits 13 video clips posted on Facebook
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom High Court in Uyo, admitted for identification, a flash drive containing 13 video clips allegedly posted on Facebook by Udoito, which the State claims are defamatory to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno on Wednesday, March 4.
The flash drive was tendered by the prosecution, led by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Friday Itim, Esq, after the completion of evidence-in-chief of the first prosecution witness, Ememobong Nicolas, Esquire, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Documentation.
Also read: Court Heard How a Facebook User Invoked Ekid Traditional Deities Against Gov Eno
The proceedings took place during the continuation of the trial on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026.
Prior to the tendering of the flash drive, the defense had raised an objection to playing the videos in court, arguing that the contents of the clips were not created by the witness and therefore should not form part of the evidence.
However, the prosecution urged the court to discountenance the objection, stressing that playing the videos was necessary only for the witness to identify them and confirm their authenticity for admissibility.
The court upheld the prosecution’s position, ruling that the videos could be played.
Some of the clips were presented in Ekid language, reflecting local linguistic context.
During his evidence-in-chief, Nicholas, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch, was cross-examined by the defense, led by Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esquire, a former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Eket Branch.
The defense tested the witness’s linguistic abilities by requesting that he write numbers one to 20 in Ekid language and provide English translations.
The witness successfully completed the exercise after which, the defense applied for the handwritten numerical figures to be admitted as an exhibit, which the court approved.
The lead defence counsel had earlier sought an adjournment to vacate tomorrow’s hearing date on the grounds that the defence’s appeal against the refusal of bail by the Uyo High Court is scheduled to be heard tomorrow, 4th March, 2026 at the Court of Appeal, Calabar Division.
In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions drew the court’s attention to its earlier order for accelerated hearing of the matter.
He argued that there can be no stay of criminal proceedings and noted that since 13 lawyers were present for the defence in court, some members of the team could proceed to the Court of Appeal in Calabar, while others remain before the trial court to continue the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1).
After listening to both parties, the court ruled that the matter should proceed as scheduled, noting in particular that the date was taken at the instance of the defence and in the interest of justice.
The trial judge, Hon. Justice Winifred Umohandi adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 4th March 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
The flash drive and its 13 video clips are expected to play a pivotal role in the trial as the court seeks to determine whether the publications constitute defamation under Nigerian law.
Reported by Harrison Essien
