Court Dismisses FG’s Bid for Bench Warrant Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

 A Federal High Court in Abuja on June 16, 2025, rejected the Federal Government’s application for a bench warrant against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in an alleged defamation case, delivering a setback to the prosecution. 

The court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled that the government failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the warrant, affirming Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to a fair hearing. The senator, absent from court due to her suspension, faces charges over statements allegedly defaming a prominent Kogi politician in 2024.

The defamation case stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims during a Kogi Central rally, accusing the politician of electoral misconduct, which the plaintiff argues damaged their reputation. The government sought the warrant, citing her non-appearance, but her legal team, led by Femi Falana (SAN), argued she was not properly served and is challenging her Senate suspension, imposed in March 2025 over ethics violations. The court ordered the prosecution to follow due process, scheduling the next hearing for September 2025.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, affecting 10% of Nigeria’s 109 senators since 2019, has polarized Kogi, with 60% of constituents supporting her, per a 2024 Yiaga Africa poll. Her advocacy for gender equity and mining reforms earned her prominence, but critics allege her rhetoric fuels division. The case highlights Nigeria’s defamation laws, with 500 cases filed annually, 70% targeting public figures, per the Nigerian Bar Association. The rejection of the warrant bolsters her defense, which claims political persecution amid Kogi’s 2023 governorship disputes.

The ruling coincides with broader legal debates, with 1,200 defamation suits pending nationwide, per court records. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s team plans to seek dismissal, citing free speech protections under the 1999 Constitution. The case’s outcome could impact Nigeria’s political discourse, where defamation suits often silence dissent, per Human Rights Watch. As Kogi Central awaits her potential reinstatement, the senator’s legal battle underscores tensions between accountability and political rivalry, with implications for her 2027 ambitions.