A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday stalled the trial of suspended Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on cybercrime charges linked to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, days after the Senate rejected her request to resume legislative duties.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the director of public prosecutions of the federation, Mohammed Abubakar, was granted bail on self-recognition.
Justice Mohammed Umar had fixed September 22 for the commencement of trial.
When proceedings opened on Monday, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced readiness to begin by calling the first witness, with a television screen already mounted in court to aid testimony.
However, defence lawyer Ehiogie Idahosa, objected, citing lack of jurisdiction and accusing the attorney general of the federation of abusing prosecutorial powers.
He also complained that his client had not been served with the witness statements.
Although Kaswe urged the court to proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the objection must first be determined before trial could open.
The judge adjourned the matter to October 20 for hearing on the objection.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information through electronic means, with intent to malign, incite violence and endanger lives.
The charge alleges she told supporters in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4 and later repeated in a television interview, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed in the state.
The case in court coincides with a bruising political battle in the Senate.
Meanwhile, on September 9, the Senate rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to resume legislative duties, insisting that her six-month suspension remains in force until the Court of Appeal rules on the matter.