Garba Mohammed
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on a six-count cybercrime charge filed by the Federal Government, to October 20, 2025.
The hearing, scheduled to commence on Monday, was stalled following a fresh application filed by the defence, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.
At the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, informed the court that his witness was ready to testify. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had abused prosecutorial powers.
He also noted that the defence had not been served with complete witness statements, insisting that Section 36 of the Constitution guarantees the right of an accused to adequate preparation.
Kaswe countered, urging the court to overrule the objection and allow trial to begin, maintaining that the AGF acted within constitutional powers and the Cybercrime Act.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar held that the defence’s objection must be determined before further steps in the case, thereby shifting the trial to October 20.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently under a six-month Senate suspension, is accused of making false assassination claims. The Federal Government alleged that she told supporters in Kogi and reiterated on a live Channels Television programme on April 3, 2025, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello plotted to eliminate her.
The prosecution maintained that transmitting such allegations amounted to cybercrime, punishable under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
The embattled senator pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned on June 30 and was granted bail on self-recognition. She is also facing a related defamation suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where she was earlier granted ₦50 million bail by Justice Chizoba Orji.
The case is expected to resume on October 20, when the court will first determine the jurisdictional objection before trial can begin.