Natasha: Federal High Court Rejects AGF Bench Warrant.

Natasha: Federal High Court Rejects AGF Bench Warrant.

Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by the Federal government to have Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrested for failing to appear for the start of her defamation trial.

The judge gave this ruling after the government’s counsel, David Kaswe, admitted that he served the charge on her lawyer that same morning in the courtroom.

Justice Umar said 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. He, on that premise, refused the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

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.

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.

This 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 had alleged, on live television programme, that Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio and ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello are plotting her assassination.

The Nigerian government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, had instituted the lawsuit bordering on defamation, against the Senator.