KEY POINTS
- Court defers cybercrime trial over jurisdiction challenge.
- Senator accused of making false assassination claim.
- Bail granted earlier as legal battles intensify.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has pushed back the cybercrime trial of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to October 20, after her lawyers raised a jurisdictional objection and flagged procedural lapses by the prosecution.
Justice Mohammed Umar ruled on Monday that the court must hear the preliminary objection before proceeding with the six-count cybercrime charge against the lawmaker.
Court defers cybercrime trial over jurisdiction
At the resumed hearing, Federal Government counsel David Kaswe said his witness was ready to testify. But Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by senior advocate Ehiogie West-Idahosa, insisted the court lacked jurisdiction and accused the Attorney General of abusing prosecutorial powers.
The defense also said the prosecution failed to provide full witness statements, in breach of section 36 of the Constitution, which guarantees a fair trial.
Cybercrime charge linked to assassination claim
The senator faces allegations of making false claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello plotted to assassinate her. Federal prosecutors allege she made the remarks at a political rally and repeated them during a live television broadcast in April.
The government says her statements were knowingly false and caused reputational harm, violating section 24 of the amended Cybercrime Act.
Bail conditions and earlier defamation case
Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty when first arraigned on June 30 and was granted bail on self-recognition. In a related defamation case before an FCT High Court in Maitama, she secured a N50 million bail in June with a property-owning surety.
Both cases underline the growing legal troubles facing the suspended senator, who maintains her innocence as she fights charges that could define her political future.
