Sen. Natasha’s Cybercrime Trial Stalled Again, Adjourned to Feb. 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has once again shifted the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, adjourning proceedings to February 4, 2026, after the scheduled hearing on Monday failed to hold due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar.
The case—already characterized by repeated delays—was previously fixed for October 21, but proceedings were disrupted by a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, recently convicted on terrorism-related charges.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, arraigned on June 30 on a six-count cybercrime charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, had earlier secured bail, with Justice Umar setting September 22 for trial commencement. However, that session also failed to progress after her counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Tension heightened in court as the defence argued that the prosecution had allegedly abused the powers of the Attorney General of the Federation and failed to serve them the statements of its witnesses. Lead prosecutor David Kaswe urged the court to proceed, but Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must address the objection before the trial could move forward.
With the judge insisting that the jurisdictional challenge must be resolved first, the high-profile case continues to linger—now pushed into early 2026.