The cybercrime case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan stalled on Monday after her lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was arraigned on June 30 by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation on a six-count charge. She pleaded not guilty at her first appearance and was granted bail, with the trial initially scheduled to begin on September 22.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
At the resumed sitting, the prosecution led by David Kaswe announced readiness to open its case and had arranged electronic equipment to present evidence. But defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the charges reflected an abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation. He further noted that the defence had not been served with witness statements.
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LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, ruled that the objection must be heard before the trial could proceed. The matter was adjourned to October 20 for hearing of the application.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, the senator is accused of spreading false information electronically with intent to defame, incite violence, and endanger public safety. The prosecution alleged that she told a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, that Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. It was also claimed that she repeated the allegations in a televised interview.
The case, which pitches a serving senator against the federal prosecution, now hinges on whether the court will assume jurisdiction to hear the matter.
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