Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged cybercrime charges after her legal team challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
The high-profile case, involving accusations of spreading false information against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, could not proceed as scheduled due to a preliminary objection filed by her counsel, Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN.
Justice Mohammed Umar had earlier fixed September 22 to begin the hearing, following the senator’s arraignment and subsequent bail on June 30.
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, filed a six-count charge against Akpoti-Uduaghan. The charges stem from alleged comments made during a public address and a TV interview, accusing Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her in Kogi State.
In one of the charges marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, the senator is accused of stating:
> “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello… 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.”
The prosecution claims the statements were transmitted electronically with intent to malign reputations and incite public disorder — a violation of Section 24 (2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
At Monday’s proceedings, lead prosecuting counsel Mr. David Kaswe told the court:
> “The prosecution is ready to proceed, and our first witness is in court.”
A television screen had already been installed in the courtroom, indicating the prosecution’s preparedness to present digital evidence.
However, defence counsel West-Idahosa raised a Notice of Preliminary Objection, contending that the prosecution had overstepped the bounds of its legal authority.
> “This is not just about the content of the charges,” he told the court. “It’s a matter of abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney-General of the Federation.”
He also argued that the defence had not been served with the statements of prosecution witnesses — a procedural lapse that, according to him, compromised the fairness of the trial.
In response, the prosecution urged the court to move forward and allow the trial to begin, promising to address jurisdictional concerns in due course.
Justice Umar, however, ruled that the defence’s objection must be resolved first before the case could proceed.
> “It is in the interest of justice that the court first considers the objection before continuing with trial,” he said.
The case was subsequently adjourned to October 20 for hearing on the jurisdictional challenge.
The charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent political figure from Kogi Central, have sparked public debate over free speech, political rivalry, and the limits of cybercrime legislation in Nigeria’s democratic space.
NAN
