The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) to November 24, following a disruption caused by the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on October 20.
The court session, initially scheduled for that day, could not proceed as judicial activities were suspended due to the protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore. On October 21, the court rescheduled the trial.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025. She is accused of using electronic channels to transmit false and injurious claims likely to incite violence and disrupt public order.
According to the prosecution, the senator, during an April 4 gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of directing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her. She allegedly repeated the claim during a televised interview.
She was arraigned on June 30 and granted bail. However, on September 22, the trial was delayed after her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction—not on the charges themselves, but on grounds of alleged abuse of prosecutorial power by the Attorney General of the Federation.
West-Idahosa also complained that the prosecution had failed to serve the defence with witness statements.
The prosecution, represented by David Kaswe, argued that the objection should not stall the trial, but Justice Inyang Umar ruled otherwise, stating that the objection must be resolved before the case could proceed.
The matter will now continue on November 24, when the court is expected to rule on the jurisdictional objection before hearing the case.
