A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by the Federal Government seeking a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The case, which involves alleged defamation, is being prosecuted by the government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The allegations stem from comments Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made during a live appearance on Channels Television on April 3, 2025, including claims of an assassination plot against her.
When the matter was called on Monday, prosecuting counsel D.D. Kasue informed the court that the case was scheduled for arraignment but the defendant was absent. He claimed the charge had been served through her counsel and asked the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jacob Usman, SAN, pushed back, describing the request as “strange and discourteous.” Usman explained that he had only received the charge that morning at 9:15 am while in court, and that his client had not seen the charge or been informed of the court date.
He argued that since the defendant had not been personally served, there was no legal basis for the bench warrant. Justice Musa Umar agreed, stating that the court could not issue an arrest warrant when the defendant had not been duly served with the charge.
The judge denied the application for the arrest warrant and instead granted a request for substituted service through her counsel. The matter was adjourned to June 30 for arraignment.
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