The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, deferred full-blown hearing of the six-count cybercrime charge the Federal Government preferred against the suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, till October 20.
The scheduled hearing was stalled by a fresh application the defendant filed to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to try her.
At the resumed proceeding in the matter, FG’s lawyer, Mr. David Kaswe, told the court that his witness was available for the commencement of the trial.
However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s team of lawyer led by Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, drew attention of the court to a preliminary objection his client filed to challenge its jurisdiction to hear the case.
He told the court that the objection was centred on alleged abuse of the prosecutorial powers of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice.
The defence counsel complained that the prosecution failed to serve him with copies of full statements of the proposed witnesses.
He contended that section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, made it compulsory that the defendant must be served with the proof of evidence to enable her to effectively prepare her defence to the charge.
On his part, FG’s lawyer argued that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s objection was not sufficient to stall the scheduled commencement of your trial.
He urged the court to allow the prosecution to open its case, insisting that the court has the requisite jurisdiction to hear cybercrime charge. [Vanguard]
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