Court Rejects FG’s Move to Arrest Senator Natasha Over TV Interview

In a dramatic courtroom development on Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected an attempt by the Federal Government to secure a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in an ongoing defamation case.

The case, filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, stems from allegedly defamatory remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a televised interview on Channels Television on April 3, 2025. Among the claims made were allegations of an assassination plot, which the complainants say were false and damaging.

At Monday’s proceedings, government prosecutor D.D. Kasue told the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment but that the defendant failed to appear. He requested an arrest warrant on grounds that her legal counsel had been served, suggesting she was intentionally avoiding court.

“It was this morning we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel,” Kasue argued. “Since she is not in court, we request a bench warrant be issued.”

However, defence counsel Jacob Usman, SAN, strongly opposed the application, calling it “strange and discourteous.” He clarified that the charge was only served to him at 9:15 a.m. on the court premises, meaning the defendant had not yet seen the charges, let alone ignored them.

“How can she know the case is scheduled for today when she hasn’t even seen the charge?” Usman queried. “The prosecution’s request is in bad taste and should be dismissed.”

After hearing both sides, Justice Musa Umar ruled that it would be unfair and legally improper to issue a warrant for arrest when the defendant had not been personally served the court summons.

Instead, the court granted a substituted service order, allowing prosecutors to serve the charges via Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel. The judge then adjourned the matter to June 30 for arraignment.

The defamation case has stirred considerable public attention due to the high-profile personalities involved and the explosive nature of the allegations. Monday’s ruling may mark only the beginning of a heated legal battle with political undertones.