Court Adjourns Senator Natasha’s Cybercrime Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faces allegations of cybercrime, until February 4, 2026.

The case, originally scheduled for Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.

The court has now rescheduled the trial for February 4, 2026, to commence proceedings.

Earlier, the trial was stalled on October 21 following a protest led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted on terrorism charges.

Justice Umar had on September 22 fixed October 21 for hearing after the trial was previously delayed due to an objection raised by the defendant.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, and was subsequently granted bail.

On the last adjourned date, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa raised a preliminary objection just as the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, was about to call the first witness.

The objection challenged the court’s jurisdiction over the matter, citing an alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The defence also complained that they had not received copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.

Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the preliminary objection before the trial could proceed.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, of transmitting false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.

She allegedly claimed on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She is also said to have repeated similar claims in a television interview.