Court Rejects FG’s Arrest Warrant Request Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, June 16, 2025, refused the Federal Government’s application for a bench warrant to arrest suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her alleged failure to appear in court for arraignment in a criminal defamation suit.
The case, filed by the Federal Government, stems from comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live television interview on Channels TV on April 3, 2025. During the broadcast, the senator allegedly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.
🧑⚖️ Prosecution Demands Arrest
At the scheduled hearing on Monday, prosecuting counsel D.D. Kasue informed the court that the defendant had failed to appear, despite having been served through her legal representative earlier that day.
“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel,” Kasue stated. “So it means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear. I apply that a bench warrant be issued against her.”
🚫 Defense Pushes Back
But defense counsel Jacob Usman (SAN) strongly opposed the prosecution’s request, arguing that the charge was only served on him at 9:15 a.m. on the same day, right there in court, and that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not yet seen the charge sheet.
“How will the defendant know that the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?” Usman queried. “The application for an arrest warrant is strange and should be dishonoured.”
Usman also informed the court that he had previously contacted the prosecution to receive the charge on his client’s behalf and described the request for a bench warrant as being made “in bad taste.”
⚖ Judge Rules: No Arrest Warrant Without Proper Service
In his ruling, Justice Musa Umar upheld the defense’s position, affirming that no legal grounds existed for a bench warrant since the defendant had not been personally served.
“It is impossible to grant the application for a bench warrant when the defendant has not been properly served,” the judge ruled.
The court, however, granted a request for substituted service—allowing the legal documents to be considered properly served through her counsel.
📅 Next Steps
Justice Umar adjourned the case until June 30, 2025, when the arraignment is expected to proceed.
The case continues to draw significant public attention, not only for its high-profile litigants but also for its implications on freedom of speech, media engagement, and the legal protections afforded to public figures in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Stay with us for updates on the June 30 proceedings as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan prepares to face the Federal Government in court.
