The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, to November 24 over alleged cybercrime offences.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the new date yesterday after Monday’s court proceedings were disrupted by protests that halted activities across the court premises.
The Federal Government has slapped a six-count charge on the senator, accusing her of violating the Cybercrime Act by allegedly making false assassination claims.
According to the charge sheet, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that certain politicians opposed to her ambitions were planning to kill her. The alleged offence was said to have been committed during a gathering with her supporters in Kogi State and subsequently repeated on April 3 during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
The lawmaker, who was first arraigned on June 30, has denied all the allegations and was granted bail on self-recognition by the court.
Her legal team, headed by Mr Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, has filed a preliminary objection questioning the court’s authority to hear the case. The defence argued that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice abused prosecutorial powers in bringing the charges.
Mr West-Idahosa also raised concerns that the prosecution has refused to provide his client with complete copies of witness statements. He told the court that Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, requires the defendant to receive proof of evidence to properly prepare her defence.
However, the prosecution counsel, Mr David Kaswe, insisted that his witnesses were ready to testify and urged the court to commence trial immediately.
“We have exercised our prosecutorial powers according to both the Constitution and the Cybercrime law. The AGF has the power to prefer charge against anyone,” Kaswe said.
He dismissed the defence’s preliminary objection as insufficient grounds to delay the trial, maintaining that the court has full jurisdiction to hear the cybercrime charge.
The matter has now been adjourned to November 24 for hearing.
