By Atoyebi Nike
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to November 24, following disruptions caused by Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in the capital.
The trial, initially scheduled for October 20, was halted after protesters led by activist Omoyele Sowore disrupted judicial proceedings, forcing the court to suspend activities. Justice Umar’s courtroom, located on the third floor of the court complex, remained locked as hearings were cancelled across several divisions.
Akpoti-Uduaghan faces a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, for allegedly transmitting false and injurious claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Prosecutors allege that during a political event in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, the senator accused Akpabio of directing Bello to “have her killed,” a claim she later repeated in a televised interview.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, was filed by Director of Public Prosecutions Mohammed Abubakar. Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 and granted bail after pleading not guilty.
During the last sitting on September 22, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the Attorney General’s office had abused prosecutorial powers and failed to serve witness statements. Although prosecution lawyer David Kaswe urged the court to proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the objection must first be resolved before trial could continue.
The court will now reconvene on November 24 to determine the objection and decide whether the case will proceed to full trial.
