The Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in an alleged cybercrime case to November 24.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Mohammed Umar, who had initially fixed Monday for the commencement of the trial, was absent due to a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Following the disruption, the court shifted the case to Tuesday when normal proceedings resumed and formally adjourned to November 24.
The judge had earlier fixed September 22 for the hearing after the trial was stalled by an objection from the defence.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. She was granted bail on that date.
At the previous sitting, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe was set to open his case and call the first witness when defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
West-Idahosa argued that the objection was not against the substance of the charge but against what he described as an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He also complained that the defence team had not been served copies of prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Although the prosecution urged the court to proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the defence’s objection must first be determined before trial could begin.
According to the charge (No. FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025), Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly transmitted false and injurious information through electronic means, with intent to malign, incite, and endanger lives, as well as breach public order.
She is accused of making the claims during an address in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, where she allegedly stated that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. The prosecution also cited a television interview in which she purportedly repeated the allegations.
