By John Moses
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request by the Nigerian government to issue a bench warrant against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faces defamation charges stemming from comments made during a television interview.
Justice Musa Umar rejected the prosecution’s application on Monday, ruling that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not been personally served with the court summons and therefore could not be penalised for failing to appear.
The federal government is prosecuting the case on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who claim they were defamed by Akpoti-Uduaghan during an appearance on Channels Television on 3 April 2025. The senator allegedly accused both men of plotting to assassinate her.
When proceedings commenced, government counsel D.D. Kasue informed the court that although Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent, her legal representative had received the charge sheet earlier that morning. Kasue argued this constituted adequate notice and requested the issuance of an arrest warrant.
However, defence counsel Jacob Usman, SAN, objected to the request, describing it as “strange and discourteous.” He explained that he only received the charge in court that morning at 9:15 a.m. and had not yet had the opportunity to inform his client.
Justice Umar sided with the defence, stating it would be inappropriate to issue a warrant when there was no evidence of personal service. He instead granted an order for substituted service through the defendant’s counsel and adjourned the matter to 30 June for arraignment.
