Court Fixes Fresh Date For Senator Natasha’s Explosive Cybercrime Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi North to November 24, 2025, following the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, on Monday.

The judge’s unavailability was linked to the disruption of court activities caused by the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, which paralyzed operations in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Justice Umar’s courtroom remained under lock and key throughout Monday, stalling all scheduled proceedings — including Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case.

Following the disruption, the court shifted proceedings to Tuesday and officially fixed November 24 for the commencement of the trial.

The fresh adjournment marks yet another delay in the case, which was earlier slated for October 21, after it was postponed from September 22 due to a preliminary objection raised by the defence.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi North Senatorial District, was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, accusing her of cybercrime-related offences.

She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by Justice Umar, who scheduled the trial to begin in September.

However, when the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, attempted to call its first witness, the defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), raised a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

West-Idahosa argued that the objection was not about the charges themselves but about the alleged abuse of prosecutorial power by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He further claimed that the prosecution failed to serve the defence team with witness statements ahead of the trial.

“We have filed a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the court’s jurisdiction. It’s not against the charge itself but the procedure adopted by the prosecution,” he said.

In response, the prosecution urged the court to proceed, but Justice Umar ruled that the matter must be addressed formally before any trial could continue.

Allegations Against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, the lawmaker is accused of transmitting false and malicious information via electronic means, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Prosecutors allege that during a public event in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of directing former Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her — a claim she reportedly repeated during a television interview.

According to the charge sheet, her statements were “intended to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public peace.”

Justice Umar is expected to first deliver a ruling on the defence’s objection before the trial can proceed.

The matter has now been rescheduled to November 24, when both parties will return to court for further arguments.