A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, June 16, declined a request by the Federal Government to issue an arrest warrant for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her failure to appear in court for the start of her defamation trial.
Justice Musa Umar ruled that it would be improper to arrest the senator when she had not yet been served the court summons.
The federal government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television appearance on April 3, 2025.
During proceedings, the government’s counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that the case was slated for arraignment and that the defendant was absent despite allegedly being aware.
“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel but the defendant is not in court. So, it means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear in court,” Kaswe argued.
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“In light of this, I apply that a bench warrant be issued against her for failure to attend court to take her plea in this criminal charge.”
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Jacob Usman (SAN), criticised the prosecution’s request, describing it as inappropriate and made in bad faith.
“I was served the charge at 9:15am this morning here in court, so how will the defendant know that the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?” Usman asked.
“I find the application strange and it should be dishonoured. If the defendant has not been served, she cannot be in court,” he added.
Justice Umar sided with the defence, stating it was unjust to issue a bench warrant when the defendant had not been personally served.
The judge then approved a substituted service through her counsel and adjourned the case to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.