The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday postponed the trial of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged cybercrime to Feb. 4, 2026.
The case, earlier scheduled for hearing by Justice Mohammed Umar, could not continue because the judge was absent.
It had initially been set for Feb. 4, 2025, for the start of trial.
The matter also failed to hold on Oct. 21 due to a protest led by Mr. Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently convicted of terrorism charges.
Justice Umar had fixed Oct. 21 for hearing on Sept. 22 after proceedings were halted when the defendant raised an objection.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was first arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar.
Following the grant of bail, Justice Umar adjourned the case to Sept. 22 for trial to begin.
However, on that date, just as prosecuting counsel David Kaswe prepared to start by calling the 1st witness and after a television screen had been set up for the session the defence objected.
Defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, questioned whether the prosecution could proceed, noting that a notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction had been filed.
West-Idahosa explained that the objection was not about the nature of the charges but about an alleged misuse of the prosecutorial authority of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He also complained that the defence had not been given the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Although Kaswe argued that the objection should not delay the day’s proceedings, Justice Umar stated the prosecution must reply to the objection first. He said he would address the defence’s challenge before moving forward with the matter.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of sending false and harmful information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and disrupt public order.
She is alleged to have told a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi, that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, instructed ex-Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed in the state.
She is further accused of repeating these claims in a television interview, stating that the Senate President and the former governor plotted to kill her in Kogi.
The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc. (Amendment) Act 2024.
