By our reporter 16-6-2025
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Monday overruled an application to have Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha arrested, after she failed to make an appearance during the start of the hearing of the defamation suit brought against her by the Federal government.
The Senator representing Kogi Central is accused of defaming Senate president Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor when claimed that both men were planning to assassinate her in the wake of her sexual allegations she levelled against Senator Akpabio.
Prosecuting counsel David Kaswe urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Akpoti-Uduaghan for not showing up in Court for her arraignment. But counsel to the Senator, Jacob Usman (SAN), argued that they were only served the summons Monday morning.
“I was served the charge at 9:15am this morning here in court so how will the defendant know that the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?
“I find the application strange, and it should be dishonoured, if the defendant has not been served, she cannot be in court,” he said.
Presiding Judge Justice Musa Umar in his ruling said it was impractical to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan when she was not served her papers.
The judge adjourned the matter to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.