The Federal High Court in Abuja has again delayed the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, shifting proceedings to 4 February 2026 after the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, was unavailable on Monday.
The case had been fixed for hearing, but the judge’s absence meant no progress could be made.
The matter has faced repeated disruptions. It earlier failed to sit on 21 October following a protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore, who demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu after his recent terrorism conviction. Justice Umar had initially set that date during a September session in which the trial stalled over an objection from the defence.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, arraigned on 30 June on six counts filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, is accused of sharing false and harmful information online.
The charge alleges that she made statements in April during a gathering in Ihima, Kogi, claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She is also said to have repeated the claim during a television interview. The prosecution brought the case under the 2024 amendment to the Cybercrimes Act.
Although the court granted her bail after arraignment, attempts to begin the trial have faltered. At the last sitting, the prosecution was ready to call its first witness with video equipment already set up in court. The defence, led by Ehiogie West-Idahosa, raised a fresh objection, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the Attorney General’s prosecutorial powers had been misused. He also said the defence team had not received witness statements.
Prosecuting counsel David Kaswe urged the court to proceed, but Justice Umar directed the prosecution to first respond to the objection. He said the court would resolve that issue before taking any further steps. With the latest adjournment, the case will now wait until early next year for another attempt to begin.
