The Federal High Court sitting 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, in connection with a criminal defamation case.
The defamation charges, reportedly filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, stem from alleged comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live television appearance earlier this year.
When the matter was called on Monday, prosecuting counsel D.D. Kasue informed the court that the arraignment could not proceed because the defendant was absent.
Kasue claimed that the charges had been served on her legal counsel, which he argued implied that she was aware of the proceedings. On that basis, he applied for a bench warrant to compel her attendance.
“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel,” Kasue said. “So it means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear. In light of this, I apply that a bench warrant be issued against her.”
However, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Jacob Usman, SAN, sharply rebuked the application, calling it “strange and in bad taste.” He explained that he had only received the charge around 9:15 a.m.—right there in the courtroom. He noted that he had proactively offered to receive the charge on behalf of his client after learning about the pending suit.
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“How will the defendant know that the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?” Usman asked. “She has not been personally served and therefore cannot be expected to appear.”
Justice Musa Umar, presiding over the case, questioned the prosecution on whether Akpoti-Uduaghan had been personally served. Upon hearing that no such service had taken place, the judge ruled that issuing a bench warrant would be legally inappropriate.
“You cannot seek a bench warrant when the defendant has not been properly served,” Justice Umar ruled. “This court cannot entertain such an application.”
While dismissing the bench warrant application, the judge granted a substituted service request—allowing the prosecution to serve the charge formally through Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representative. That request, made by the prosecution as an apparent afterthought, was accepted by the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 30 for arraignment.
The criminal defamation case is linked to remarks Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made on a Channels Television programme on April 3, 2025. During the appearance, she reportedly made accusations implicating both Akpabio and Bello in a supposed assassination plot, among other defamatory claims.
While the senator has denied any wrongdoing, the case continues to draw national attention, especially against the backdrop of Nigeria’s evolving political and judicial landscape.
NAN
