The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime charges to November 24.
The trial, which was initially scheduled to commence on Monday, October 20, could not hold due to the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, which disrupted activities around the court premises.
Following the disruption, the case was rescheduled to November 24, after court sessions resumed on Tuesday.
Justice Umar had earlier fixed September 22 for hearing, but the trial was stalled after the defence team raised an objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar. She was granted bail the same day, and the case was adjourned for trial commencement.
However, on the last adjourned date, when the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, was about to open his case, the defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected, citing a pending notice challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
West-Idahosa argued that the objection was not about the nature of the charge but an alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He also complained that the defence team had not been served with copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
While Kaswe urged the court to proceed with the day’s hearing, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the preliminary objection before any further action could be taken.
The prosecution alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan transmitted false and injurious information electronically, aimed at maligning, inciting, and endangering lives, and breaching public order.
According to the charge, the senator allegedly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of directing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed, an allegation she reportedly repeated during a television interview.
The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Amendment) Act, 2024.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
