The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faces allegations of cybercrime, until February 4, 2026.
The case, which was scheduled for Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence. It is now slated to commence on February 4, 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the matter had previously been stalled on October 21, following a protest led by Mr. Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently convicted on terrorism charges.
Justice Umar had initially scheduled the hearing for October 21 after a previous adjournment caused by an objection from the defendant.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.
She was granted bail, and the trial was initially adjourned to September 22.
However, on that date, as prosecuting lawyer David Kaswe prepared to call the first witness, the defence raised an objection.
A television screen had already been installed in the courtroom in preparation for the proceedings.
Defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, expressed concerns over the prosecution’s readiness to open its case.
He stated that a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction had already been filed, clarifying that the objection “is not to the nature of the charge, but the alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).”
West-Idahosa also complained that the defence had not been served with copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Although Kaswe argued that the objection should not delay the court’s proceedings, Justice Umar maintained that the prosecution must first respond to the objection, emphasizing that he “intended to first determine the objection raised by the defence before taking any further steps in the case.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, facing charges under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc. (Amendment) Act 2024, is accused of transmitting false and injurious information electronically with intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.
She allegedly told a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.
She is also accused of repeating these claims during a television interview, alleging that the Senate President and ex-governor plotted against her in Kogi.
The case is registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025.
