By Ayomide Otitoju
Justice Musa Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed an application by the Federal Government seeking a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her absence at the commencement of her defamation trial.
The Federal Government is prosecuting the senator over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live television appearance on April 3, 2025. The charges are reportedly being pursued on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment, but the defendant was not present. He claimed that the charge had been served on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, implying that the senator was aware of the hearing.
“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel,” Kaswe said. “So, it means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear in court. In light of this, I apply that a bench warrant be issued against her.”
However, defence counsel Jacob Usman (SAN) described the application as “strange and uncourteous,” arguing that Akpoti-Uduaghan could not have known the hearing date since she had not personally received the charge.
“I was served the charge at 9:15 a.m. this morning here in court. How will the defendant know the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?” Usman told the court.
Upon inquiry, the prosecution admitted that the charge had not been served directly on the defendant. Justice Umar therefore ruled that the conditions for issuing a bench warrant had not been met, since service had not been effected.
The judge denied the request for a warrant and instead granted the prosecution’s alternate application for substituted service through her counsel. The case was adjourned to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.
The defamation charge stems from allegations that Akpoti-Uduaghan made claims involving a plot to assassinate her, allegedly implicating both Akpabio and Bello.
