JUST IN: Court Rejects FG’s Arrest Warrant Application Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the Federal Government’s request to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a criminal defamation case filed against her.

The case, initiated by the Federal Government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, stems from alleged defamatory remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live appearance on Channels Television on April 3, 2025. The senator allegedly accused both men of plotting to assassinate her, among other claims.

During proceedings on Monday, the prosecution counsel, D.D. Kasue, informed the court that the case was slated for arraignment but that the defendant was absent. He claimed to have served the charge on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel and argued that this constituted sufficient notice to the defendant. He urged the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest due to her failure to appear.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jacob Usman, countered that he had only received the charge in court that morning at 9:15 a.m. He stated that while he had previously agreed to accept service on behalf of his client, she had not yet seen the charge and therefore could not have known to attend. He described the prosecution’s application as “strange” and “in bad taste.”

Justice Musa Umar questioned whether the prosecution had served the defendant directly, and when Kasue admitted that they had not, the judge ruled that a bench warrant could not be granted. Instead, he approved a substituted service through the defendant’s counsel, as later requested by the prosecution.

The case was adjourned until June 30 for arraignment.