Alleged defamation: Judge rejects FG prayer to order Natasha’s arrest
By Andrew Orolua
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected a request by the federal government to have Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrested for failing to appear for arraignment on alleged case of defamation.
Trial court judge, Justice Muhammed Umar, declined the request in a ruling after the government’s counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that he served the charge on her lawyer yesterday morning in the courtroom.
Justice Umar said that as the Kogi Central Senator had not previously been served the charge or hearing notice, it was therefore inconceivable that she would be present in the courtroom.
The judge disagreed with the prosecution’s argument that as her legal counsel had been served, it was only expected that Senator Akpoti was aware of her pending arraignment.
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The judge upon the counsel’s submission discountenance his argument and refused the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.
Following the Court’s ruling, the prosecution then applied for substituted service of the charge on the Senator through her counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN).
The application was granted by the court, which then fixed June 30 for her arraignment.
The case at the Federal High Court is similar to that currently pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing defamation charges after she had allegedly on live television programme, accused Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio and ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello of plotting her assassination.
The Nigerian government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, had instituted the lawsuit at the Federal High Court bordering on defamation against the Senator.
