The Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faces alleged cybercrime charges against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to February 4, 2026.

The adjournment followed the absence of Justice Mohammed Umar, who reportedly went on an official assignment outside Abuja on Monday.

This high-profile trial was previously stalled on September 22, 2025, due to protests organized by Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). At that time, the courtroom on the third floor of the high-rise complex was locked, halting all court activities.

The matter had been fixed for November 24, but proceedings were again postponed when a court official informed lawyers and litigants that the judge was engaged elsewhere on official duties.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30, 2025, on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar. She was granted bail, and the trial was initially scheduled to commence on September 22.

During the last adjourned session, the defence, led by Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, raised a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, citing an alleged abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The defence also claimed they had not been served with statements of prosecution witnesses. Justice Umar emphasized that the prosecution must first respond to this objection before the trial could proceed.

The charges, filed under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention (Amendment) Act 2024, allege that Akpoti-Uduaghan transmitted false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives, and disrupt public order.

She is accused of making statements on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi State, alleging that the Senate President instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed. Similar claims were reportedly repeated in a television interview, implicating both the Senate President and the former governor.

The court will now reconvene in February 2026 to address both the preliminary objection and the trial proceedings.