The Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to February 4, 2026, after Monday’s proceedings were stalled due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.
The senator is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar.
She was first arraigned on June 30 and granted bail, with the court initially fixing September 22 for the commencement of trial.
However, the case has faced repeated delays. The October 21 sitting failed to hold due to a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, who was demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu following his conviction on terrorism charges.
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Before then, proceedings on September 22 were stalled after the defence raised objections.
At the last sitting, prosecution counsel David Kaswe was preparing to call his first witness, with a television screen already mounted in the courtroom, when defence lawyer Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, objected to the start of trial.
He informed the court that a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction had been filed, describing the charges as an abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation.
West-Idahosa also argued that the prosecution had not served the defence with witness statements.
While the prosecution urged the court to disregard the objection and proceed, Justice Umar held that the preliminary objection must first be addressed before trial could begin.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of circulating false and injurious information through electronic means, allegedly aimed at inciting the public and endangering lives.
The charges stem from comments she reportedly made at a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, and during a television interview, in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to kill her.
The allegations are brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
With the latest adjournment, the court is expected to first rule on the defence’s objection before the trial can formally open.