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Confusion In Court! Senator Natasha’s High-Profile Cybercrime Trial Put On Hold
The scheduled trial of suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on cybercrime charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled on Monday after her defence team raised a preliminary objection.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Akpoti-Uduaghan, arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge of alleged cybercrime against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello, had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. The case was adjourned to September 22 for the prosecution to open its arguments.
When proceedings resumed, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced readiness to begin, noting that the first witness was present and a television screen had been set up in the courtroom for evidence presentation.
However, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) objected, insisting the court must first hear his client’s preliminary objection. He argued that the application did not challenge the charges directly but questioned what he described as an “abuse of prosecutorial powers” by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He also accused the prosecution of failing to provide witness statements to the defence.
“The objection goes to the root of the case and must be resolved before the prosecution can proceed,” West-Idahosa told the court.
Although Kaswe urged the judge not to let the objection delay trial, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the defence motion must be addressed first. The case was adjourned until October 20, 2025, for hearing.
The Allegations Against Natasha
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and harmful information likely to incite violence and endanger lives.
One of the counts alleges that during a speech in Ihima, Okehi LGA, on April 4, 2025, she claimed that Akpabio instructed Bello to orchestrate her assassination, warning it should appear as though it was carried out locally.
Prosecutors argue her words could damage the reputation of both Akpabio and Bello and amount to cybercrime under Section 24 (2) (c) of the amended Act.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended from the Senate six months ago for allegedly breaching its rules, has continued to face political and legal battles. The petition that triggered the case was originally filed by Akpabio with the Inspector-General of Police, leading to investigations and the eventual six-count charge now before Justice Umar.
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