The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed March 31 for the continuation of trial of a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and his co-defendants, for allegedly cyberbullying Sen. Shehu Buba Umar.

The case, which was scheduled for today, could not proceed after Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia went on recess.

The court consequently fixed March 31 for the continuation of trial.

It would be recalled that on Feb. 16 when the case came up, counsel for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Leyii Abueh, informed the court of the intention of the prosecution to file a formal amended charge.

The lawyer said though the court hinted that the amendment to the earlier charge could be done orally with the agreement of the defence lawyers, they planned to file it formally.

The lawyer, however, told the court that the defendants could continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted by the court after taking their plea.

Offili-Ajumogobia, who agreed with the prosecuting lawyer’s submission, said since two defendants were not in court, the re-arraignment cannot proceed.

The judge then adjourned the matter until March 9 for continuation of trial.

Two witnesses had, earlier, given their evidence in the ongoing trial of Abdulrahman and his co-defendants.

One of the witnesses, Rabiu-Rangers Abdullahi, on Feb. 9, told the court how David Daure, the 2nd defendant, attempted to use the name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, to defraud Sen. Umar.

The AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had, in December 2025, taken over the prosecution of the matter from the Inspector General (I-G) of Police.

Abdulrahman (1st defendant) and his co-defendants were initially being prosecuted by the I-G.

The I-G, in the initial charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025 and filed by Anthony Egwu on Oct. 6, 2025, named David Daure, Ishaq Muhammed, Abdulrashid Musa and Nasir Abubakar as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively.

The defendants were, on Oct. 30, 2025, arraigned on 11 counts which also bordered on alleged cybercrime, defamation, advance fee fraud, among others.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and they were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre before they were admitted to bail.

In count one of the earlier charges, the defendants were alleged to have, sometime in 2025, conspired among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cyberstalking against Senator Shehu Buba Umar.”

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.

In count three, Abdulrahman was alleged to have, sometime in 2025, intentionally sent a video via his Tiktok handle with user name “Kibanna Channel” and his Youtube channel to defame the lawmaker by linking him to sponsorship of banditry with a view to tarnishing his image as a serving Senator.

The suspect was alleged to have stated that “Sen. Umar, is a sponsor of banditry and called for his investigation, a statement you made by means of computer systems and network knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death”.

The offence Is also said to be contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024, among other counts, among others.