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Natasha’s cyber crime trial adjourned to February

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is facing allegations of cybercrime, until February 4, 2026.

The matter, earlier fixed for hearing on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.

However, the court has now rescheduled the case for February 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

The proceedings had also failed to hold on October 21, following a protest led by Mr Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently convicted of terrorism offences.

Justice Umar had, on September 22, fixed October 21 for a hearing after the trial was stalled due 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 Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar.

She was granted bail, after which Justice Umar adjourned the matter to September 22, for the commencement of the trial.

On the last adjourned date, just as the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, was about to open the case by calling the first witness, defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, raised an objection.

This occurred after a television screen had been mounted in the courtroom in preparation for the day’s proceedings.

West-Idahosa informed the court that a notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter had already been filed.

He stated that the objection did not concern the nature of the charge but was based on an alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The defence lawyer also complained that he had not been served with copies of the statements of the prosecution witnesses.

Although Kaswe argued that the objection should not be allowed to disrupt the business of the court for the day, Justice Umar ruled that the prosecution must first respond to the preliminary objection.

The judge stated that he intended to determine the objection before taking any further steps in the trial.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information via electronic means with the intent to malign, incite, endanger lives and breach public order.

The senator is alleged to have, while addressing a gathering on April 4, in Ihima, Kogi State, accused the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, of instructing former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed in the state.

She is also alleged to have repeated similar claims in a television interview, asserting that the Senate President and the former governor plotted to kill her in Kogi.

The charge is brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

 

 

 

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

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