The trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on cybercrime charges was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following an objection raised by her legal team.
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, had earlier been granted bail after taking her plea. Justice Mohammed Umar had fixed September 22 for the prosecution to open its case.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced that the prosecution was ready to call its first witness, adding that arrangements, including the installation of a television screen in the courtroom, had been completed.
However, defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), informed the court that his client had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction. He explained that the objection was not against the nature of the charges but was based on alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
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The defence team also complained that the prosecution had failed to serve them with copies of witness statements.
Although Kaswe urged the court to proceed with the trial despite the objection, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the defence’s application. He adjourned the matter to October 20 for hearing of the objection.
Allegations Against the Suspended Senator
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, was filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. The suspended senator is accused of transmitting false and injurious information with intent to malign, incite violence, endanger lives, and breach public order.
According to the charge, during a public gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She was also said to have repeated the allegation during a television interview.
The prosecution maintains that the statements were capable of damaging the reputations of Akpabio and Bello, contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.
The case will now continue on October 20.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
