The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is facing a six-count cybercrime charge, setting a new date of February 4, 2026, for proceedings to begin.
The case had been slated for hearing on Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar, but it was unable to proceed due to the judge’s absence.
This is not the first delay, as a previous sitting scheduled for October 21 was also stalled following a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted of terrorism-related offences.
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Justice Umar had originally fixed October 21 after the trial was halted on September 22 when the defence raised an objection.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on charges filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, after which she was granted bail and the matter adjourned to September 22 for trial commencement.
On that date, the prosecution—represented by David Kaswe—was set to open its case and call the first witness. A television screen had already been mounted in the courtroom in preparation for the presentation of evidence. However, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa objected, informing the court that he had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
He argued that the objection was based not on the nature of the charges, but on what he described as an abuse of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s prosecutorial powers. West-Idahosa also protested that he had not been served with the prosecution witness statements.
Although Kaswe urged the court to proceed with the day’s business, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first address the preliminary objection. The judge insisted that the matter would not move forward until the objection was determined.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of disseminating false and harmful information electronically with the intent to incite, endanger lives, damage reputations and disturb public order. The allegations stem from comments she reportedly made on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of directing former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She is also alleged to have repeated the claims during a television interview.
The prosecution says the alleged offences contravene the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.