A Nigerian judge has refused a government request to issue an arrest warrant for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently suspended, who is facing a defamation charge over comments made during a live broadcast.
The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Monday that no bench warrant could be granted against the senator because she had not been formally served with the criminal charge.
The Nigerian government is prosecuting the matter on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The case centres on remarks allegedly made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a televised appearance on Channels Television on 3 April 2025, in which she reportedly accused both politicians of plotting to assassinate her.
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel D.D. Kasue claimed that although Akpoti-Uduaghan was not physically present in court, her lawyer had accepted service of the charge, implying the senator was aware of the proceedings.
Kasue asked the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest, arguing that her absence was deliberate. But her lawyer, Jacob Usman, SAN, countered that the request was unjustified and made in bad faith. He told the court that the charge was only handed to him that morning and that his client had not yet been informed of the court date.
Justice Musa Umar ruled in favour of the defence, noting that service of the charge on the defendant herself had not occurred. “A bench warrant cannot be issued without proper service,” he said.
The court subsequently ordered that the charge be served through her legal representative and adjourned the case to 30 June for arraignment.
