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

The judge 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.

According to the charge sheet, Senator Natasha had alleged on a live television programme that Akpabio and Bello were plotting her assassination.

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