The trial of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, on charges related to cybercrime was stalled on Monday after her legal team raised an objection.
On June 30, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) arraigned Akpoti-Uduaghan before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge. She pleaded not guilty, was granted bail, and the trial was scheduled to commence on September 22.
At Monday’s sitting, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court of his readiness to present the first witness and had arranged audiovisual equipment for evidence presentation.
However, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa raised a preliminary objection, questioning the court’s jurisdiction. He clarified that the objection was not against the content of the charge but was challenging what he described as the “abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).”
The defence also objected to the prosecution’s failure to serve witness statements.
Although Kaswe urged the court to allow the proceedings to continue despite the objection, presiding judge Mohammed Umar ruled that the objection must first be resolved. The case was adjourned to October 20 for hearing.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and harmful information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and disrupt public order.
The charge further alleges that during an April 4, 2025 gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, she claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed during a political tour.
She was also said to have repeated the allegation in a television interview, stating that the senate president and the ex-governor plotted to eliminate her in her state.