Judge’s Absence Stalls Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Trial on Alleged Cybercrime

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The trial of the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on alleged cybercrime offences was on Monday stalled at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

This is the second time in two months the matter would fail to go on as scheduled.

The last proceedings fixed for October 20, could not go on due to a protest that grounded activities within and around the three-arm zone area where the Federal High Court is located.

The matter was then rescheduled for November 24, for commencement of trial.

However, the matter also could not proceed as scheduled, following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, a situation which led to the fixing of a new date in February next year.

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, following which Justice Umar adjourned till September 22, for the commencement of trial.

At the September 22 proceedings when the prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, was about to open his case by calling the first witness, the defence lawyer raised an objection.

The development was after a television screen had been mounted in the courtroom preparatory to the commencement of proceedings.

The defence lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), had expressed concern about the possibility of the prosecution opening its case.

West-Idahosa told the court that a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case had already been filed.

He said the objection is not to the nature of the charge, but the alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The lawyer also complained about not being served with copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.

Although Kaswe argued that the objection filed by the defendant should not be allowed to stall the court’s business for the day, Justice Umar insisted that the prosecution must first respond to the objection.

The judge said he intended to first determine the objection raised by the defence before taking any further steps in the case.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, is alleged to have transmitted false and injurious information via electronic means with the intention to malign, incite and endanger lives and breach public order.

The senator was alleged to have, while addressing a gathering on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of instructing ex-Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to have her killed in the state.

She was also alleged to have, in a television interview, repeated similar claims, to the effect that the Senate president and former governor plotted to kill her in Kogi State.

The charge is brought under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc (Amendment) Act 2024.