By Abiola Olawale
The Federal High Court in Abuja has further adjourned the high-profile alleged cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State, to November 24, 2025.
The shift comes after a scheduled court sitting was stalled due to unforeseen disruptions at the court premises.
The Senator is facing a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2024, for allegedly transmitting false and injurious electronic information.
The trial, which was initially expected to commence on Monday, October 20, before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed as the courtroom was inaccessible following a major protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The matter was, however, fixed for November 24 when activities at the court resumed on Tuesday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar.
She was granted bail, following which Justice Umar adjourned till Sept. 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 1st witness, the defence lawyer objected.
The development was after a television screen had been mounted in the courtroom preparatory to the commencement of proceedings.
The defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) had expressed concern about the possibility of the prosecution opening its case.
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 is not to the nature of the charge, but the alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
The lawyer also complained about not being served with copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.
Although Kaswe argued that the objection filed by the defendant should not be allowed to stall the court’s business for the day, Justice Umar insisted that the prosecution must first respond to the objection.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was alleged to have, while addressing a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, accused the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, of instructing ex-Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi is to have her killed in the state.
She was also alleged to have, in a television interview, repeated similar claims, to the effect that the Senate President and former governor plotted to kill her in Kogi.
