A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime charges to November 24, 2025.
The hearing, earlier scheduled for October 20, could not hold due to protests by individuals demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest reportedly disrupted normal activities across parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), making it difficult for many people, including court officials, to access their workplaces.
An inquiry at the court on Tuesday confirmed that Justice Mohammed Umar has rescheduled the matter for November 24.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, is facing a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.
She is accused of transmitting false and injurious information via electronic means with intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public peace.
According to the charge, the senator allegedly claimed during a public address in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, instructed former governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed in Kogi State.
She was also accused of repeating similar allegations during a television interview, asserting that both Akpabio and Bello plotted to harm her.
At the last sitting on September 22, proceedings were stalled when the defence filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
Her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), told the court that the objection was not against the charge itself but questioned the alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
West-Idahosa also complained that the defence had not been served with copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the preliminary objection before the case could proceed, insisting that the court would determine the issue of jurisdiction before taking any further steps.
The case will now come up on November 24 for hearing of the objection.
