In a defamation lawsuit involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made an appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday for a second arraignment.
Along with her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan; well-known activist Aisha Yesufu; and a number of supporters, the lawmaker appeared at the court.
The case, which follows a related accusation filed earlier this month, is being presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar. Similar charges were brought against Senator Natasha at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on June 19, 2025.
The judge denied the Federal Government’s request for a bench warrant against the senator for his nonattendance at the previous session. David Kaswe, the government’s attorney, admitted that the accusations were only brought against her attorney in the courtroom that same morning.
The judge rejected the prosecution’s plea for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arrest, ruling that it was unreasonable to expect her to attend the hearing because she had not been previously served.
According to reports, the senator accused Bello and Akpabio of plotting her assassination in remarks she made during a live television appearance.
The action, which focuses on alleged defamation, was brought by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
