Judge’s absence stalls Natasha’s cybercrime trial

The trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on allegations of cybercrime was on Monday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.

The matter, earlier fixed for hearing, has now been rescheduled for February 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

The case had also failed to proceed on October 21, after activists led by Mr. Omoyele Sowore staged a protest at the court premises demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted of terrorism offences.

Justice Umar had initially fixed October 21 for hearing after proceedings were stalled on September 22 owing to a preliminary objection raised by the defence.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on six counts filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.

The charges arose from petitions by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and a former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

 She was granted bail, and the matter was adjourned to September 22 for trial.

At the resumed sitting on that date, as prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, prepared to call the first witness, after a television screen had been mounted in the courtroom, but defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected to the commencement of trial.

He informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction, alleging an abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

 He also complained that he had not been served with the statements of the prosecution witnesses.

Although Kaswe urged the court to proceed, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the objection, stressing that he intended to determine the issue before taking further steps in the matter.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information via electronic means with intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and breach public order.

The senator is alleged to have, on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, accused Akpabio of directing ex-governor Bello to have her killed, an allegation she is also said to have repeated in a television interview.

The charges are brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.