The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to February 4, 2026, following the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar. The case, earlier scheduled for hearing on Monday, was unable to proceed, prompting the court to assign a new date for the commencement of the trial.
This is the second major adjournment in the matter. A previous sitting fixed for October 21 was similarly stalled, reportedly due to a protest staged to demand the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to court filings, the six-count charge against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was instituted by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, on June 30. The senator was granted bail while the case was first adjourned to September 22 for the opening of trial.
However, on September 22, just as the prosecution—represented by David Kaswe—was set to call its first witness, the defense counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised a preliminary objection. The objection followed the installation of a television screen in the courtroom, which the prosecution planned to use during its presentation.
West-Idahosa informed the court that the defense had filed a formal notice challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case. He argued that the objection was rooted not in the substance of the charges but in what he described as an abuse of the Attorney General of the Federation’s (AGF) prosecutorial powers. He also noted that the defense had not been properly served copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
While the prosecution insisted the objection should not obstruct the day’s proceedings, Justice Umar ruled that the matter must be addressed before any further step in the trial. The judge emphasized that the court would first determine the preliminary objection before allowing the prosecution to proceed.
The charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan fall under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024. She is accused of disseminating false and injurious information electronically, allegedly aimed at creating malice, inciting unrest, and disturbing public order.
One of the key allegations is that on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made a public claim that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her. The charge further states that she repeated similar claims during a television interview, stating that both men “plotted her killing in Kogi.”
