The Federal High Court in Abuja has again adjourned the cybercrime trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, rescheduling the matter to February 4, 2026, after Monday’s proceedings were stalled due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.
The case, which was earlier fixed for hearing on Monday, had also suffered a setback on October 21, when a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore—demanding the release of recently convicted IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu—prevented the session from holding.
The latest adjournment marks yet another shift in a matter first stalled on September 22, following a preliminary objection raised by the defence team challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar. She is accused of transmitting false and injurious information electronically, allegedly aimed at maligning, inciting, endangering lives, and disturbing public order—offences said to contravene the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
According to the charge, the senator allegedly claimed during an April 4 address in Ihima, Kogi State, and later in a television interview, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.
At the last sitting, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa informed the court of a preliminary objection arguing that the prosecution amounted to an abuse of the Attorney-General’s powers. He also complained about not receiving statements of prosecution witnesses.
Although prosecuting counsel David Kaswe insisted the trial should proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must address the objection before any further steps are taken.
The court has now fixed February 4, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
