Court Shifts Trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Cybercrime Charges to November 24

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime charges to November 24.

The trial was initially scheduled to commence on Monday, October 20, but proceedings were stalled due to protests organised by activist Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Court activities resumed on Tuesday, prompting the judge to set the new date.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, was granted bail following her arraignment. Justice Umar had previously adjourned the case to September 22 for trial, which was again delayed due to an objection raised by the defence.

During the previous adjournment, when prosecuting counsel David Kaswe was about to call the first witness, the defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction. West-Idahosa clarified that the objection was not about the nature of the charges but alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He also noted that the defence had not been served with statements of the prosecution witnesses.

Justice Umar directed that the objection be addressed before any further proceedings could continue, stressing the need to resolve the matter on jurisdiction first.

The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan, brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Amendment) Act 2024, allege that she transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means with the intent to malign, incite, and endanger lives, thereby breaching public order. Specifically, she is accused of claiming during an April 4 gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, and in a subsequent television interview, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to have her killed.

The court’s decision to adjourn ensures that both parties have the opportunity to address preliminary matters before the substantive trial begins. The matter is now firmly fixed for November 24.