The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday, adjourned the trial of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged cybercrime until February 4, 2026.
The matter, scheduled for today before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.
The case, however, was fixed for commencement of trial on February 4, 2025.
The matter, also, on October 21, did not hold due to the protest organised by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore to demand the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently convicted of terrorism offences.
Justice Umar had, on September 22, fixed October 21 for the hearing after the trial was stalled owing to an objection raised by the defendant.
Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.
She was granted bail, after which Justice Umar adjourned the matter until September 22 for the commencement of the trial.
However, on the last adjourned date, when the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, was about to open his case by calling the first witness, the defence lawyer raised an objection.
The development followed the mounting of a television screen in the courtroom, preparatory to the commencement of proceedings.
The defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, had expressed concern about the possibility of the prosecution opening its case.
Mr West-Idahosa told the court that a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case had already been filed.
He said the objection was not to the nature of the charge, but the alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the attorney general of the federation. The lawyer also complained about not being served with copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.
Although Mr Kaswe argued that the objection filed by the defendant should not be allowed to stall the court’s business for the day, the judge insisted that the prosecution must first respond to the objection.
The judge said he intended to first determine the defence’s objection before taking any further steps in the case.
Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is alleged to have transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means with the intention of maligning, inciting, and endangering lives, and of breaching public order.
The senator was alleged to have, while addressing a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing ex-Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her.
She was also alleged to have repeated similar claims in a TV interview.
The charge is brought under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc (Amendment) Act 2024.
(NAN)
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