Defamation: Judge stops arrest of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

DDM News

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected the federal government’s request to arrest Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for failing to appear in court for her defamation trial.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the court, presided over by Justice Muhammed Umar, ruled that the Senator representing Kogi Central could not be penalized for absence when she had not been duly served with the court summons or charge beforehand.

The judge issued the ruling after government counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that the charge was only served on her lawyer that morning in the courtroom.

Justice Umar emphasized that since there was no prior service to the defendant or official hearing notice, it would be unreasonable to expect her presence.

He disagreed with the prosecution’s claim that service on her legal counsel amounted to proper notification to the senator.

Consequently, the court declined the government’s request for a bench warrant against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Instead, following the judge’s refusal, the prosecution applied for a substituted service of the charge to be delivered through the senator’s counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN).

Justice Umar granted the request and fixed June 30, 2025, for the arraignment.

The case at the Federal High Court mirrors a separate matter pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

In that case, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had, during a live television broadcast, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

The defamation suit was filed by the Nigerian government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The senator has yet to respond publicly to the latest court development.

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