A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a request by federal prosecutors to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing improper service of court summons.

Presiding judge Justice M.G. Umar dismissed the prosecution's request during Monday’s hearing, emphasizing that the senator had only just been served the criminal charges that morning. “How do you expect her to be in court this morning if she was only served today?” the judge asked, deeming the arrest application premature and without merit.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central and is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, faces criminal defamation charges filed by the Federal Ministry of Justice through the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF).

The case stems from an April 3 interview on Channels Television, during which the senator alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello were involved in a plot to assassinate her.

“I am a sane individual, and I do stand by what I said… regarding the meeting Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me,” she stated in the televised broadcast, portions of which were cited in the charges filed on May 16 under Section 391 of the Penal Code, which addresses reputational harm.

At the hearing, prosecution counsel D.E. Kaswe claimed the senator deliberately skipped court, asserting she was aware of the charges. He requested a bench warrant to compel her appearance.

However, defence counsel J.J. Usman, SAN, argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not been properly served and had only just received the charges minutes before proceedings began. He also confirmed she had authorized him to appear on her behalf.

The court sided with the defence and adjourned the matter to June 30, 2025, for arraignment.