Court Postpones Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Cybercrime Trial to November 24
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the cybercrime case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, to November 24, 2025. The trial was rescheduled after court proceedings were disrupted by the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore on October 20.
Justice Umar, who presides over the case, had initially fixed October 20 for the hearing, but the protest forced the court to suspend activities. When the court resumed on October 21, a new date was set for the continuation of the trial.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faces accusations of spreading false and harmful information electronically. According to the charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, the senator allegedly made statements that could incite violence and disturb public order.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, claims that during a meeting in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to harm her. She reportedly repeated the allegation during a television interview, suggesting both men planned to have her killed.
Her case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. The senator was first arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge, after which she was granted bail. The case was later adjourned to September 22 for trial.
However, on that day, her lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the Attorney General of the Federation had abused prosecutorial powers. He also stated that the defense had not been given copies of the prosecution’s witness statements.
The prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, insisted that the objection should not stop the hearing, but Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first address the defense’s motion before the trial could proceed.
The judge confirmed that the objection would be resolved before any witness is called or further action is taken on the matter.
