A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged cybercrime until February 4, 2026 for the commencement of trial.
The matter, which was fixed for Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.
The trial also did not hold on October 21, due to the protest organised by activist, Omoyele Sowore, to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently convicted on terrorism offences.
Recall that Justice Umar had, on September 22, fixed October 21 for the hearing, after the trial was stalled owing to an objection raised by the defendant.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar.
She was granted bail, following which Justice Umar adjourned till September 22 for the commencement of trial.
However, on the last adjourned date when the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, was about to open his case by calling the 1st witness, the defence lawyer raised an objection.
The development was after a television screen had been mounted in the courtroom preparatory to the commencement of proceedings.
The defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, had expressed concern about the possibility of the prosecution opening its case.
West-Idahosa told the court that a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case had already been filed.
He said 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).
The lawyer also complained about not being served with copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.
Although Kaswe argued that the objection filed by the defendant should not be allowed to stall the court’s business for the day, Justice Umar insisted that the prosecution must first respond to the objection.
The judge said he intended to first determine the objection raised by the defence before taking any further steps in the case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is alleged to have transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means with the intention to malign, incite and endanger lives and breach public order.
The senator was alleged to have, while addressing a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi, accused the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, of instructing former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to have her killed in the state.
She was also alleged to have, in a television interview, repeated similar claims, to the effect that the Senate president and former governor plotted to kill her in Kogi.
The charge is brought under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc (Amendment) Act 2024.
