Alleged Murder Plot: Court adjourns arraignment of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The arraignment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on charges related to cybercrimes was stalled on Monday as prosecutors failed to personally serve her with the charge sheet, a requirement under the law.

The six-count charge pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja accuses the senator of transmitting false information through a computer network, allegedly aimed at damaging the reputation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

According to the prosecution, Akpoti-Uduaghan had, on April 1, while addressing a gathering in Ihima community, Kogi State, claimed that Akpabio instructed Bello to arrange her assassination. She allegedly made similar remarks during a television interview, statements prosecutors argue were capable of inciting public disorder. The alleged offences are said to contravene sections of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.

During Monday’s session, the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, stated that the day’s proceedings were for arraignment and requested a bench warrant be issued against the senator for failing to appear in court, alleging she was aware of the case. However, defence counsel Johnson Usman (SAN) countered, describing the application as unusual and noting that he only received the charge on her behalf at 9:15 a.m. that morning.

Justice Musa Umar, after reviewing the situation, ruled that without personal service of the charge, it was inappropriate to issue a bench warrant. The judge permitted the prosecution to officially serve the charge through the defence counsel and adjourned the case to June 30 for arraignment.