The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation’s request to approve an arrest warrant against Senator Natasha Akpoti over a cybercrime charge brought against the female lawmaker.
Justice G. Umar rejected the request after an oral application was made by D. E. Kaswe, an Assistant Director in the Department of Public Prosecutions at the OAGF.
In the six-count charge seen by Naijaonpoint, Akpoti is accused of violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, when she allegedly made certain comments targeting the reputation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The federal government, through the AGF, further alleged that on or about the 3rd of April 2025, during a live studio interview programme, “Politics Today,” on Channels TV in Abuja, the lawmaker allegedly intentionally caused a message to be sent via a computer system and network about “the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night, ehm, to eliminate me…”
The AGF’s office claims that Akpoti knew her remarks were “false” and allegedly intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.
This, the AGF’s office stressed, was contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and punishable under the same section of the Act.
“We want to apply for the issuance of a bench warrant for her inability or wilful refusal to appear before this court,” Kaswe added.
“I don’t expect him to make an application for a bench warrant,” Usman said, adding that a related charge has been filed against Akpoti at the FCT High Court.
“Awareness is different from personal service,” the judge replied to Kaswe.
“I will not grant your application for a bench warrant,” the judge ruled.