Court Adjourns Natasha Akpoti’s Cybercrime Trial Till October 20

The trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on cybercrime-related charges was delayed on Monday after her lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), raised a preliminary objection.

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing six counts under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The case, filed by the Federal Government and numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, accused her of spreading false and harmful information online to incite unrest, endanger lives, and damage reputations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was first arraigned on June 30 and granted bail on self-recognition.

Among the allegations is that, during a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, she claimed Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to arrange her assassination in Kogi. She is also accused of repeating the same statement during a television interview.

Some of the charges state that her comments, transmitted via electronic means, could harm the reputations of both Akpabio and Bello, in violation of Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes Act.

It reads, “That on or about April 1, 2025, while addressing a crowd of people at Ihima Community, Kogi State, you — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan — intentionally caused the following communication to be transmitted via a computer system and network, to wit:

“…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…” And you, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, knew this contained a threat that could harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and punishable under the same Act”.

During Monday’s sitting, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe said the prosecution was prepared to call its first witness and had even set up a television screen in the courtroom for the proceedings.

But West-Idahosa argued that the defence had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, which he described as an abuse of the Attorney-General’s prosecutorial powers.

He also complained that the defence had not received copies of witness statements from the prosecution.

Although Kaswe insisted the trial should go ahead, Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the court must first address the objection before moving forward.

The judge adjourned the case to October 20 for hearing of the objection and the possible start of the trial.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Senate rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bid to return to the chamber, insisting that her six-month suspension is still valid until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.