The Federal High Court in Abuja adjourns the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged cybercrime to February 4, 2026, after the matter fails to hold on Monday due to the judge’s absence.
Mediaplusng.com reports that the case had earlier been fixed for October 21 but could not proceed because of a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, who demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu recently convicted on terrorism charges.
The trial has experienced multiple delays since September 22, when Justice Mohammed Umar first fixed a date after earlier proceedings were stalled by an objection from the defence. Mediaplusng.com recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, and was granted bail.
At the last sitting, the prosecution was prepared to open its case, with a television screen already mounted in court, when defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, objected. He argued that a pending preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction must be heard first. He also complained that the defence had not been served with statements of prosecution witnesses.
Justice Umar ruled that the court must address the objection before taking further steps, insisting that due process must be followed.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and harmful information electronically, allegedly aimed at maligning and endangering lives, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024. She is also accused of claiming—both at a public gathering in Ihima on April 4 and in a television interview—that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello plotted to kill her.
