The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to November 24, following disruptions caused by the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Mohammed Umar had initially scheduled the hearing for October 20, but the protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, forced a halt to proceedings. When the court resumed on Tuesday, October 21, a new date was fixed for continuation.
The case had earlier been postponed on September 22 after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
The senator, representing Kogi Central, was first arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar. She was later granted bail.
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At the last sitting, her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected to the prosecution’s move to open its case, arguing that the defence had yet to receive the statements of the witnesses.
He further claimed that the charges represented an abuse of the powers of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Prosecuting counsel David Kaswe urged the court to continue with the trial, but Justice Umar ruled that the defence’s preliminary objection must first be determined before the case could proceed.
The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan allege that she used electronic means to spread false and harmful information, including claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello planned to kill her.
The matter is being prosecuted under the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Amendment) Act, 2024.