Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged cybercrime offences to November 24, 2025.
The trial was initially set to begin on Monday, October 20, but proceedings were stalled due to a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The court later fixed November 24 for trial commencement after normal activities resumed on Tuesday.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar. She was granted bail, and the trial was initially slated to begin on September 22.
However, at the last adjourned hearing, proceedings were again halted when her lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), raised a preliminary objection just as the prosecution was set to begin its case. A television screen had been installed in the courtroom in preparation for the proceedings when West-Idahosa challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
The defence argued that the objection was not against the nature of the charges, but rather alleged an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The defence also claimed it had not received witness statements from the prosecution.
Though the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, argued the case should proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the court must first address the jurisdictional objection before moving forward.
The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from comments she allegedly made on April 4, 2025, during a public address in Ihima, Kogi State, where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She is also accused of repeating the claims in a television interview.
The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Amendment) Act 2024. Prosecutors allege she knowingly transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means, with intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and disturb public order.
