- Justice Mohammed Umar was absent, forcing the matter to be moved to February 4, 2026
- The senator is accused of transmitting false and harmful information capable of incitement and endangering public order
- He also noted that the defence had not been served with witness statements
The trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime charges has been shifted again following the Federal High Court’s inability to sit on Monday.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Justice Mohammed Umar was absent, forcing the matter to be moved to February 4, 2026, after several previous attempts to begin the proceedings were stalled, including an October 21 sitting disrupted by a protest led by Omoyele Sowore over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Herders Suffer More Unreported Attacks In Plateau – Fulani Leader
- Rivers Begins Fresh Biometric Verification To eliminate Ghost Workers
- Bauchi Government Orders Statewide Closure Of Schools
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, and granted bail before the court fixed September 22 for trial.
However, that date collapsed when the defence raised a preliminary objection just as the prosecution prepared to call its first witness.
Her lead counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), argued that the court’s jurisdiction must first be resolved, claiming the Attorney General of the Federation abused prosecutorial powers in filing the case.
He also noted that the defence had not been served with witness statements.
Although prosecuting counsel David Kaswe urged the court to proceed, Justice Umar insisted the objection must be addressed before the substantive trial begins.
The senator is accused of transmitting false and harmful information capable of incitement and endangering public order, allegedly linked to statements in which she claimed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello plotted to have her killed.
The matter is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention (Amendment) Act 2024.
FURTHER READING
