The trial of suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, failed to commence on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja after her lawyers raised a preliminary objection to the proceedings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, is accused of making false and harmful statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello. She pleaded not guilty and was granted bail, with the court initially fixing September 22 for the prosecution to open its case.
When the matter resumed, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe announced readiness to proceed, noting that the first witness was present and a television screen had been set up to present evidence. However, defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), objected, insisting that his client’s preliminary motion must be determined before trial could begin.
West-Idahosa argued that the objection was not about the substance of the charges but about what he described as an “abuse of prosecutorial powers” by the Attorney General of the Federation. He also claimed the prosecution failed to serve the defence with witness statements.
“The objection goes to the root of the case and must be determined before the prosecution can proceed,” he told the court.
Kaswe urged the court not to allow the objection to delay proceedings, but Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the motion must be heard first and adjourned the case to October 20, 2025.
The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from an April 4, 2025 speech in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, where she allegedly accused Akpabio of directing Bello to plot her assassination.
One of the charges reads:
“That on or about the 1st day of April 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.”
Another count mirrors the same allegation but names former governor Yahaya Bello as the victim.
The case originated from a petition by Akpabio to the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that the senator’s remarks damaged his reputation and endangered his life. Police investigations led to the six-count charge now pending before Justice Umar.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate six months ago for allegedly breaching its rules.
