Court rejects request for bench warrant against Senator Natasha

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an alleged defamation case.

The case, filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, stems from remarks Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made during a live broadcast on Channels Television on April 3, 2025.

During the appearance, she reportedly accused Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

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At the Monday hearing, prosecuting counsel D.D. Kasue informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment but the defendant was not present.

He noted that although Akpoti-Uduaghan had not been served directly, the charge had been handed over to her lawyer, which he argued was sufficient notice.

On that basis, he requested the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

“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 chose not to appear,” Kasue submitted.

However, defense counsel Jacob Usman, SAN, described the application as “strange and discourteous.”

He explained that he had only received the charge on his client’s behalf earlier that morning and that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not yet seen it.

“I was served at 9:15 this morning here in court,” Usman said.

“How could the defendant know the matter was coming up if she hadn’t seen the charge? The application is baseless and should be dismissed.”

Justice Musa Umar agreed, ruling that a bench warrant cannot be issued against a defendant who has not been personally or properly served.

He dismissed the request and granted the prosecutor’s alternative application to serve the charge via substituted means through the defendant’s counsel.

The judge then adjourned the case to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.