The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied the Federal Government’s request to issue an arrest warrant against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. This decision came after she failed to appear in court for arraignment in an alleged defamation case.
Justice Muhammed Umar ruled that the senator had not been properly served with the charge or a notice for the hearing, making it unreasonable to expect her presence in court. The Federal Government’s counsel argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan should have been aware of her arraignment since her lawyer had been served, but the judge dismissed this as insufficient.
Following the court’s ruling, the prosecution sought substituted service of the charge through Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, which was granted, and her arraignment has been rescheduled for June 30.
The defamation charge, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory statements during a live broadcast on Channels Television on April 3, 2025. She is alleged to have accused former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio of conspiring to orchestrate her assassination.
The charge details her statements suggesting that her security was withdrawn to make her vulnerable to attacks, and it includes sensational claims about a murder victim’s organs being used for Akpabio’s wife. The prosecution contends that these statements were made with the knowledge that they could harm the reputations of the individuals involved.
Witnesses listed for the trial include Senate President Akpabio and former Governor Bello.
