The trial of suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which was schedule to begin on Monday has been stalled due to an objection raised by the defendant.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is standing trial over cybercrime charges brought against her by the federal government before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
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 was granted bail, following which Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned till September 22 for the commencement of trial.
During proceedings on Monday, the 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 has a witness in court and was ready to proceed.
Responding, the defence lawyer, 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 was 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 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 intended to first, determine the objection raised by the defence before taking any further steps in the case.
He subsequently fixed October 20 to hear the objection.
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