Crime Watch
Natasha Akpoti’s Cybercrime Trial Moved to February 4, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime charges to February 4, 2026, following the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar. The matter, earlier scheduled for hearing on Monday, could not proceed, prompting the new date for the commencement of trial.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this is not the first time the case has been stalled. On October 21, the court could not sit due to a protest organized by activist Omoyele Sowore, who was demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted on terrorism charges.
Justice Umar had fixed the October date after the September 22 sitting was also disrupted when the defence raised an objection.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar. She was granted bail, and the matter was initially set for trial.
However, when prosecuting counsel David Kaswe attempted to open the case by calling the first witness after a television screen had been set up in preparation, the defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
West-Idahosa informed the court that the objection was based not on the content of the charges but on what he described as an abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He also noted that the defence had not been served copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements. Although the prosecution objected to any delay, Justice Umar insisted that the objection must first be addressed before the trial could proceed.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting allegedly false and injurious information through electronic means with the intention to malign, incite the public, endanger lives, and breach public order.
The senator allegedly made the statements during a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.
The prosecution also claims she repeated the allegations during a television interview. The case is being prosecuted under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.
The trial will now begin on February 4, 2026.
