The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until February 4, 2026.
The case, which was slated to come up before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.
It has now been rescheduled to begin on February 4, 2025.
The matter had earlier failed to hold on October 21 as a result of a protest led by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, who was demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted of terrorism offences.
Justice Umar had initially fixed October 21 for the hearing after the proceedings were stalled on September 22 following an objection raised by the defendant.
Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar. She was granted bail, and the case was adjourned to September 22 for the commencement of trial.
However, on the last adjourned date, when prosecuting counsel David Kaswe was set to open the case and call the first witness, the defence raised an objection. This occurred after a television screen was mounted in the courtroom ahead of the proceedings.
Defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa told the court that a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction had already been filed. He said the objection did not concern the content of the charge but rather an alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation. He also complained that the defence had not been served with the statements of the prosecution witnesses.
Although Mr Kaswe argued that the objection should not delay the day’s proceedings, the judge maintained that the prosecution must first respond to the defence’s filing. Justice Umar added that he intended to determine the objection before taking any further steps in the trial.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and disrupt public order.
The senator allegedly claimed during an April 4 gathering in Ihima, Kogi, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her. She is also accused of repeating the allegation during a television interview.
The charge is brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
