Court Adjourns Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Cybercrime Trial to November 24

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, on charges bordering on cybercrime. The case will now resume on November 24

The court fixed the new date on October 21 after judicial activities were disrupted the previous day by the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, which forced the closure of Justice Umar’s courtroom on the third floor of the court complex.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, alleging that she transmitted false and injurious information electronically with intent to incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.

Prosecutors claim the senator accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed, a claim she allegedly made during a public gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, and later repeated in a television interview.

The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 and granted bail shortly after pleading not guilty.

The case had been fixed for September 22 for trial commencement, but proceedings were delayed after her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, raised a preliminary objection.

West-Idahosa argued that the Attorney General of the Federation had abused prosecutorial powers in filing the charge and that the defence had not received the statements of prosecution witnesses.

Lead prosecution counsel David Kaswe urged the court to continue with the day’s proceedings, but Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must respond to the objection before the matter could proceed.

The judge maintained that the objection would be determined before any further steps in the case.