The trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on allegations of cybercrime has been adjourned until February 4, 2026, by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The matter, which had been scheduled for a hearing this Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the absence of the presiding judge. The new date is now fixed for the commencement of the trial proper.
This marks the latest delay in the case. An earlier scheduled hearing on October 21 was also stalled, reportedly due to a protest organized to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The six-count charge, filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, was brought against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on June 30. She was subsequently granted bail, and the case was initially adjourned to September 22 for trial to begin.
However, on that date, as the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, prepared to call the first witness, a development that followed the mounting of a television screen in the courtroom—the defense counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, intervened.
The defense lawyer immediately raised a preliminary objection, expressing reservations about the possibility of the prosecution opening its case. West-Idahosa informed the court that a notice had been filed to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The objection was not targeted at the nature of the charges themselves, but rather at the alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The defense also pointed out that they had not been served with the required copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Although the prosecution argued that the objection should not be allowed to impede the day’s court business, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first formally respond to the preliminary objection. The judge emphasized his intention to determine the objection before moving forward with any other steps in the case.
The charge against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc. (Amendment) Act 2024.
In the charge, the Senator is alleged to have transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means, with the intention of creating malice, inciting unrest, and breaching public order.
Specifically, she is accused of making a public statement on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, alleging that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, had directed ex-Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to have her assassinated in the state. She is further alleged to have repeated similar claims during a subsequent television interview, stating that both men conspired to plot her killing in Kogi