Natasha Akpoti

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an application by the Federal Government seeking the arrest of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her absence at the start of her defamation trial.

Justice Musa Umar dismissed the request on Monday after the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, applied for a bench warrant, arguing that the defendant was aware of the charges but failed to appear in court.

Kaswe said the criminal charge, filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, was served on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel earlier in the day. “It means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear,” he argued. “In light of this, I apply that a bench warrant be issued.”

However, defence counsel Jacob Usman (SAN) strongly objected, describing the application as “strange and discourteous”.

He told the court that the charge was served on him at 9:15 a.m. inside the court premises and that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not yet seen it. “If the defendant has not been personally served, she cannot be expected in court,” he said.

Usman explained that he had previously informed the prosecution of his readiness to receive the charge on behalf of his client, adding that the attempt to secure a bench warrant was in bad faith.

Justice Umar agreed with the defence and dismissed the prosecution’s application, stating that the defendant could not be penalised for not appearing when she had not been properly served.

The case was adjourned to a later date for arraignment.