Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Cybercrime Trial Stalled by Defence Objection

The cybercrime trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a preliminary objection raised by her legal team.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is standing trial on a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. She is accused of transmitting false and injurious claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, alleging that both men plotted to have her killed.

The charges, filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, allege that the senator’s statements, made at a public gathering and in a television interview, were capable of inciting violence, endangering lives, and breaching public order.

At the resumed sitting, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe said the Federal Government was ready to open its case, with its first witness already present in court and arrangements made for electronic evidence display.

However, defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), raised an objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter. He argued that the prosecution amounted to an abuse of the Attorney-General’s powers and further complained that the defence had not been served with the prosecution’s witness statements.

Although Kaswe opposed the objection, insisting it should not stall proceedings, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the preliminary objection must be addressed before the trial could move forward.

The case was subsequently adjourned to October 20, 2025, for hearing of the objection and possible commencement of trial.

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