The Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on alleged cybercrime offences to November 24.

The hearing, initially scheduled for October 20, was disrupted on Monday by protests calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The demonstrations affected normal activities in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), preventing many from accessing their workplaces and offices.

An inquiry at the court on Tuesday revealed that Justice Mohammed Umar, presiding over the case, has now rescheduled the next hearing for November 24.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024. She is alleged to have transmitted false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and disrupt public order.

Specifically, the charges include claims that, during a gathering in Ihima, Kogi State, on April 4, 2025, she alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. She is also accused of repeating the allegation during a television interview.

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At the last hearing on September 22, the prosecution’s plan to call witnesses was stalled due to a preliminary objection filed by the defence. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), argued that the objection challenges the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case, citing an alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

He also noted that the defence had not been served with copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements.

The prosecution, represented by David Kaswe, urged the court to dismiss the objection, arguing that it should not delay proceedings.

Justice Umar, however, emphasized that the prosecution must first respond to the preliminary objection before any further steps in the trial. He initially adjourned the case to October 20 to hear the objection, but that hearing was aborted due to Monday’s protests.