The Federal High Court in Abuja has again adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on allegations of cybercrime, shifting the case to February 4, 2026. The adjournment followed the absence of trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, on Monday, causing proceedings to stall for the second consecutive time.
The hearing had earlier been scheduled for October 21, but it was disrupted by a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, who was demanding the release of the recently convicted IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Justice Umar had originally fixed the now-missed October date after the trial was halted in September due to an objection raised by the defence.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar. She was subsequently granted bail, and the judge set September 22 for the commencement of full trial.
However, when the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, prepared to call the first witnessâÂÂwith a television screen already mounted in the courtroomâÂÂthe defence intervened. Lead defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, informed the court that a preliminary objection challenging the courtâÂÂs jurisdiction had been filed. He argued that the objection did not contest the nature of the charges but questioned what he described as an abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
West-Idahosa further complained that the defence had not been served with the statements of prosecution witnesses, insisting that the trial could not proceed under such circumstances. Although the prosecution argued that the objection should not delay the courtâÂÂs scheduled business, Justice Umar maintained that the defenceâÂÂs objection must first be addressed and resolved.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faces accusations of transmitting false and harmful information electronically, allegedly with the intent to incite, endanger lives, and disrupt public order. Prosecutors claim she made statements on April 4 during an address in Ihima, Kogi State, alleging that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had directed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She is also said to have repeated the allegation during a television interview.
The charges are being pursued under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act of 2024.
With the court now deferring the matter until February 2026, the long-running legal battle is set to continue, pending the resolution of the jurisdictional challenge that has stalled the start of trial.
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