The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faces charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, until February 4, 2026.
The matter, originally scheduled for Monday, could not proceed due to the absence of Justice Mohammed Umar, who presides over the case. The trial had previously stalled on October 21, following a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted of terrorism offences.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30, 2025, on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, and was granted bail. The trial was initially set to commence on September 22.
During the last adjourned date, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, citing an alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney-General of the Federation. West-Idahosa also noted that he had not received copies of prosecution witness statements. Although the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, argued that the objection should not disrupt proceedings, Justice Umar ruled that the preliminary objection must be addressed before trial could continue.
The charges allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan transmitted false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order. She is accused of claiming during a public address on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, and in a subsequent television interview, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.
The trial is now rescheduled to commence on February 4, 2026, when the court will formally hear the case and address the pending preliminary objections.
