The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected the Federal Government’s request to issue a warrant of arrest against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing failure to serve her court summons.

Counsel to the government, David Kaswe, admitted in open court that service was only effected on the Senator’s legal counsel that very morning. Justice Muhammad Umar ruled that since the Senator herself had not been served, she could not be expected to appear in court, and dismissed the arrest application as premature.

The court granted an application for substituted service through her counsel and adjourned the case to 30 June.

Natasha is facing a defamation suit filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. This comes amid her public accusations—aired live on TV—that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello are plotting to assassinate her.