Jurisdiction battle stalls Senator Natasha’s cybercrime trial 

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday postponed the trial of suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a six-count cybercrime case preferred by the Federal Government, until October 20.

The scheduled full-blown hearing was stalled after Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a fresh application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try her.

At the resumed proceedings, FG’s lawyer, Mr. David Kaswe, insisted that his witness was ready and urged the court to commence the trial. But Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, argued that the court must first rule on the preliminary objection, citing alleged abuse of the Attorney General of the Federation’s prosecutorial powers.

West-Idahosa also claimed the prosecution failed to provide full statements of its witnesses, a requirement under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees defendants access to the evidence against them to prepare a proper defence.

Kaswe countered, insisting the prosecution acted within the law, and that the AGF has full power under the Constitution and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, to prefer charges.

In a brief ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar said he would first hear the objection before taking further steps, effectively delaying the trial.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had earlier been suspended by the Senate for six months, faces charges of allegedly making false assassination claims against political figures. The FG alleges that during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, the senator accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting her assassination.

The prosecution said her claims were knowingly false and capable of damaging the reputation of both politicians, violating Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrime law.

When arraigned on June 30, Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognition. In a separate case at the FCT High Court, she was also granted N50 million bail with one surety of integrity who owns property in Abuja.

The case was initially scheduled for trial commencement on September 23, but with the jurisdiction dispute now front and centre, the courtroom showdown will have to wait until October 20.