Court Rejects FG’s Arrest Bid Against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the federal government’s request to issue an arrest warrant for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, in a criminal defamation case.

The Case: Defamation Charge Filed by FG

The suit, marked CR/297/25, was filed on May 16, 2025, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. The federal government accused the senator of making defamatory imputations with the intent to harm someone’s reputation.

The case reportedly stems from petitions submitted to the Inspector-General of Police by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.

At Monday’s hearing, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from court. Prosecution counsel, David Kasue, informed the judge that the charge had been served on the senator’s legal counsel that morning and argued that she was aware of the proceedings.

“She is aware of the matter but chose not to appear,” Kasue told the court. “We apply for a bench warrant to compel her appearance.”

Defence Responds: ‘My Client Was Just Served’

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Jacob Usman, opposed the request. He called the application “strange” and explained that he had only received the charge at 9:15 a.m. in court, making it impossible for his client to have been aware or made arrangements to appear.

“How will the defendant know the matter is up when she hasn’t even seen the charge?” Usman asked.

Presiding judge, Justice Musa Umar, questioned the prosecution directly and confirmed that the defendant herself had not been personally served.

In his ruling, he said it would be inappropriate to issue a bench warrant under those circumstances. However, he granted a substituted service of the charge through the senator’s counsel to ensure she is properly notified.

The matter has been adjourned to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.