The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged cybercrime offences to November 24, 2025.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who had originally slated the trial to begin on Monday, was absent from court due to disruptions caused by a protest in Abuja, organized by activist Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Court proceedings resumed on Tuesday, with the judge setting a new date for the trial.
The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, was initially scheduled for hearing on September 22, following an earlier postponement caused by an objection raised by the defence.
Senator 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, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
She was granted bail after her arraignment.
On the September 22 sitting, just as the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, was preparing to open its case and call the first witness, the defence objected.
A television screen had already been installed in the courtroom to facilitate the presentation of evidence when Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, representing Akpoti-Uduaghan, raised a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
West-Idahosa clarified that the objection did not question the content of the charges but was aimed at alleged misuse of the prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
He also complained about the non-service of prosecution witness statements to the defence team.
Although Kaswe argued that the defence’s objection should not delay proceedings, Justice Umar ruled that the court must first resolve the jurisdictional challenge before proceeding with the trial.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign reputations, incite violence, endanger lives, and disturb public order.
Specifically, she allegedly made statements on April 4, during a public address in Ihima, Kogi State, claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to have her assassinated.
She reportedly repeated these claims during a television interview
