The planned commencement of trial in the cybercrime case filed against suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, was stalled on Monday after her legal team raised a preliminary objection.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello, had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. The trial was scheduled to begin on September 22, 2025.

When proceedings resumed, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced that the prosecution was fully prepared, with its first witness in court and a television screen mounted for evidence presentation.

However, defence counsel Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) objected, arguing that the court must first determine his client’s preliminary motion. He stressed that the objection was not directed at the charges themselves but challenged what he described as an “abuse of prosecutorial powers” by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

He further alleged that the prosecution failed to serve the defence with witness statements, insisting:

“The objection goes to the root of the case and must be determined before the prosecution can proceed.”

Although Kaswe urged the court to proceed with the trial despite the objection, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the defence’s motion must first be heard. The matter was adjourned to October 20, 2025, for hearing of the objection.

The Allegations

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information capable of inciting violence and endangering lives.

One of the counts alleges that while addressing a gathering in Ihima, Okehi LGA of Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, she claimed Senate President Akpabio directed former Governor Yahaya Bello to plot her assassination.

The charge partly reads:

“…and Akpabio told Yahaya Bello, I am saying, standing by what I have said. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done here, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me here…”

Prosecutors argue that this statement not only injured the reputation of Akpabio and Bello but also posed a threat to public order.

Background

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate six months ago over allegations of misconduct. The petition against her was first lodged with the Inspector-General of Police by Akpabio, who claimed her remarks endangered his life and reputation. Police investigations culminated in the filing of the six-count criminal charge now before Justice Umar.