Cybercrime Trial of Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan Stalled as Defence Challenges Court’s Jurisdiction
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 today stalled 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 (today) for the commencement of trial.
When the case was called, 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 lawyers, 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 with copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.
Although Kaswe argued strenuously that the objection filed by the defendant should not be allowed to stall the court’s business for the day, Justice Umar insisted that the prosecution must first respond to the objection.
The judge said he intends to first determine the objection raised by the defence before taking any further steps in the case.
The presiding judge subsequently fixed October 20 for the hearing of the objection.
