The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the cybercrime trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to October 20, 2025.
The adjournment came after her defence team raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Natasha Akpoti, arraigned on June 30 and granted bail on self-recognition, is facing a six-count charge filed by the Federal Government under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Charges Against the Embattled Senator
The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, who filed the suit (FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025), alleged that Natasha knowingly transmitted false and injurious information through electronic means with intent to malign and incite the public.
Some of the counts in the charge read:
“That on or about April 1, 2025, while addressing a crowd of people at Ihima Community, Kogi State, you — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan — intentionally caused the following communication to be transmitted via a computer system and network, to wit: ‘…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, I am saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me here…’* And you, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and punishable under the same Act.”
Another charge stated:
“…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, I am saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me here…” And you, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Yahaya Adoza Bello, a former Governor of Kogi State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
Defence Objection
At Monday’s sitting, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced readiness to proceed, noting that the first witness was already present and a television screen had been mounted in court for evidence presentation.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
He argued that the prosecution amounted to an abuse of the Attorney-General’s powers and also complained that the defence had not been served with copies of witness statements.
Although Kaswe urged the court to allow the trial to proceed, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, ruled that the objection must first be addressed before any further steps could be taken.
The case was adjourned to October 20, 2025, for the hearing of the objection and the possible commencement of trial.