The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, to November 24.
The new date was fixed on October 21 after court activities resumed, following disruptions caused by the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore.
The protest, which took place on October 20, had brought proceedings to a halt, forcing the court to postpone the initial hearing date.
On Monday, Justice Umar’s courtroom, located on the third floor of the Federal High Court complex, remained locked as judicial operations were grounded due to the unrest.
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and damaging information through electronic channels with the intent to “malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.”
The charges stem from comments she allegedly made during a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, where she reportedly claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to “have her killed” in the state.
She allegedly repeated the accusation in a subsequent television interview, maintaining that both Akpabio and Bello had conspired to eliminate her in Kogi.
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The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Justice Umar had previously adjourned the case on September 22 after the defence raised an objection to the proceedings.
Senator 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 later granted bail, and the case was initially set to commence on September 22.
However, on the last adjourned date, when prosecuting counsel David Kaswe attempted to call the first witness, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa objected, challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
West-Idahosa clarified that his objection was not about the substance of the charges but rather about an alleged “abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation.” He also noted that the defence had not received copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Although Kaswe argued that the objection should not delay the trial, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the defence’s challenge before any further steps are taken.
The judge stated that he would rule on the objection before proceeding with the substantive trial.