The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday declined a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The government had sought her arrest over her failure to appear in court to take her plea on a new six-count chargebordering on alleged false and defamatory statements, offenses said to be in violation of the Cybercrime Act.
During Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel David Kaswe urged the court to authorize Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arrest, alleging that she deliberately avoided arraignment despite being aware of the charge.
However, the defence, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Johnson Usman, objected to the application, noting that the prosecution served the fresh charge on him only moments before the court session began. He also argued that the case appeared duplicative, pointing to a similar charge pending before an FCT High Court.
In a brief ruling, Justice Muhammed Umar rejected the federal government’s application, ruling that there was no concrete evidence that the defendant had been served either the charge sheet or a hearing notice. Without proof of service, the judge said, the court could not hold her accountable for non-appearance.
The court, however, granted the government’s request for substituted service of the charge through her legal representative. The case was adjourned to June 30 for arraignment.
Background and Related Cases
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, currently under a six-month suspension from the Senate, is facing multiple legal battles. A separate three-count charge filed by the federal government is scheduled for hearing on June 19 before an Abuja High Court.
Among the key witnesses listed in the current case are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and two police investigators — Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba — alongside a private individual, Sandra Duru.
The fresh charge, marked CR/297/25, accuses the Senator of making harmful and defamatory statements during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on April 3, 2025. The government claims she falsely alleged that some politicians were plotting to assassinate her.
According to the prosecution, her televised remarks constitute criminal defamation under Section 391 of the Penal Code (Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990), an offence punishable under Section 392 of the same code.
Legal observers believe the unfolding legal saga may become a high-profile test of the boundaries between political speech, media commentary, and criminal liability under Nigerian law.
