Akpoti Trial Postponed Over Judge’s Absence

The scheduled hearing of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s preliminary objection to a federal cybercrime charge was on Monday pushed to February 4, 2026, following the absence of the presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who was expected to sit for the matter, was said to be away on an official assignment, leading court officials to announce the adjournment to lawyers and litigants already present.

Monday’s sitting had been set aside for arguments on a pending objection raised by the defence, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and accusing the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation of abusing prosecutorial powers.
The objection has stalled progress in the case since September, when the judge directed the prosecution to formally respond before any evidence could be taken.

Senator Akpoti, who represents Kogi Central, is standing trial on a six-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. The Federal Government alleges that she transmitted comments capable of harming the reputation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. She has pleaded not guilty.

The case has faced multiple interruptions in recent months. A September sitting was aborted after protests at the court complex over the continued detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu forced a shutdown of proceedings. When the matter resumed, the defence objected to the prosecution’s attempt to open its case, insisting that jurisdictional issues must be resolved first.

At Monday’s session, the defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ehiogie West-Idahosa, maintained that the objection goes to the root of the court’s authority to entertain the suit, while the prosecution has repeatedly argued that the challenge should not delay trial.

With the latest postponement, the court is expected to first determine the defence objection when proceedings resume on February 4, after which the trial may begin if the court assumes jurisdiction.