The planned commencement of trial in the cybercrime charges brought against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before a Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled yesterday, owing to an objection raised by the defendant.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the
Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, and granted bail, following which Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned till September 22 for commencement of trial.

When the case was called yesterday, prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, told the court that the business of the day was for the prosecution to open its case by calling its first witness.

Kaswe, who had a television screen mounted in the courtroom preparatory to the commencement of proceedings, told the court that the prosecution had a witness in court and was ready to proceed.

Responding, defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), expressed concern about the possibility of the prosecution opening its case.

West-Idahosa said his client has filed a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

He said the objection is not to the nature of the charge, but the alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

The defence lawyer also complained about not being served copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, said he intends to first determine the objection raised by the defence before taking any further steps in the case.

He subsequently fixed October 20 for the hearing of the objection.

RELATEDLY, more than 350 Nigerian women’s rights organisations have lodged a complaint with the United Nations, accusing the Senate of systemic gender-based discrimination and retaliation against Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

In a detailed petition submitted yesterday to UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem, the Womanifesto coalition alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s February 20 accusation against Akpabio —who has denied the claim—was met with punitive action to silence her.

Just days after the allegation became public, the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee recommended a six-month suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing procedural misconduct.

The suspension, which stripped her of allowances, security, and chamber access, was condemned by civil society groups as a calculated reprisal.

On July 4, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the suspension as “unconstitutional and overreaching,” declaring that it deprived the lawmaker of her constitutional duties. But more than two months later, the Senate has yet to reinstate her, insisting the matter is still “subject to litigation” or awaiting certified court records — claims critics say amount to deliberate obstruction.