The planned commencement of the trial of suspended Kogi entral Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on cybercrime charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled on Monday due to a preliminary objection raised by her defense team.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, had been granted bail. Justice Mohammed Umar had initially scheduled the trial to begin on September 22.
When the case was called, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe indicated that the prosecution was ready to call its first witness. However, defense lawyer Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised concerns over the court’s jurisdiction, filing a preliminary objection alleging abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation. He also noted that the defense had not been served with copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.
Justice Umar ruled that the court would first address the objection before proceeding, fixing October 20, 2025, for its hearing.
Akpoti-Uduaghan faces allegations under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024, including transmitting false and injurious information via electronic means to malign, incite, and endanger lives. Among the counts, she is accused of claiming in public and television statements that former Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio conspired to have her killed in Kogi State.