The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime offences to Nov. 24.
The trial, earlier scheduled to commence on Monday, could not hold as Justice Mohammed Umar was absent due to a protest outside the court complex. The protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanded the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Justice Umar’s courtroom on the third floor of the building was locked, and court activities were paralysed. Proceedings resumed on Tuesday, and a new date was fixed.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the matter had initially been slated for hearing on Sept. 22, but proceedings were stalled due to an objection by the defence.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar. She was granted bail, and the trial was adjourned to September.
On the last adjourned date, as prosecuting counsel David Kaswe prepared to open his case and call the first witness—after a television screen had been set up in court—the defence raised a preliminary objection.
Defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) informed the court that they had filed an objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, alleging an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation. He further complained that the defence had not been served with witness statements.
Although Kaswe argued that the objection should not disrupt proceedings, Justice Umar held that the prosecution must respond first and that the court would rule on the objection before proceeding to trial.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of disseminating false and injurious information electronically with the intent to defame, incite violence, endanger lives, and disrupt public order.
She is alleged to have, on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of directing former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her. She allegedly repeated the allegations in a television interview.
The charges were brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
