Justice Musa Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her failure to appear in court for the commencement of her defamation trial.
The federal government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan in a controversial suit filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The case stems from alleged defamatory remarks made by the senator during a live television interview on April 3, 2025, in which she accused both men of plotting to assassinate her.
At Monday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that although the case was slated for arraignment, the defendant was absent. He claimed that the charge had been served on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representative and, therefore, sought a bench warrant for her arrest.
“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel, but she has chosen not to appear. In light of this, we apply that a bench warrant be issued for her arrest,” Kaswe told the court.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jacob Usman (SAN), described the prosecution’s application as “strange and discourteous.” Usman clarified that he was only served the charge at 9:15 am on the same day, inside the courtroom, and insisted that his client could not have been expected to attend court without prior knowledge of the matter.
“If the defendant hasn’t been served directly, she cannot be expected to appear in court. This application should be dismissed as it lacks merit,” he argued.
After listening to both parties, Justice Umar queried the prosecutor on whether the defendant herself had been directly served. Upon confirming that she had not, the judge ruled that it would be improper to issue a bench warrant under such circumstances.
“It is impossible for the court to grant a bench warrant against a defendant who has not been properly served,” the judge held.
Justice Umar subsequently granted the prosecution’s alternative application for substituted service through Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel and adjourned the matter to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.
Background to the Defamation Suit
The defamation charges against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan relate to allegations she made during a televised program, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her — comments which both politicians described as false, malicious, and damaging to their reputations.
