NATASHA AKPOTI REJECTS ₦1BN DEFAMATION RULING, HEADS TO APPEAL

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected a ₦1 billion damages award issued against her by the Kogi State High Court in Lokoja in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, insisting she will challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

The judgment stems from statements made during a live television interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on November 4, 2022.

Court Awards ₦1bn in Defamation Suit

The Kogi State High Court, presided over by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, ruled that comments made by the senator during the broadcast were defamatory to the former governor.

The court held that statements describing Yahaya Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “perpetrator of evil acts” were not justified by evidence presented before it and were injurious to his reputation.

“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme The Morning Show is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation,” the court ruled.

The court awarded ₦1 billion in general damages in favour of the former governor and also issued a perpetual injunction restraining further allegedly defamatory statements by the senator and her associates across all media platforms.

Senator Rejects Judgment

In a statement issued by her Media Office in Abuja, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected the ruling, insisting that her defence was not properly considered.

“I reject this judgment in its entirety. We presented substantial and credible evidence before the court, which, in our view, clearly justified our position. Unfortunately, these were not given due consideration,” she said.

She maintained that her comments were made in response to earlier allegations and in the public interest.

“If there is anybody to be accused of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello and not me,” she added.

The senator further insisted that her statements were made in good faith and based on available information at the time.

“My statements were based on information available at the time and were made in good faith, in the interest of accountability to the people of Kogi State,” she stated.

Appeal in View as Legal Battle Continues

Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, describing the judgment as a misinterpretation of the evidence presented.

“I firmly believe that the truth was not adequately reflected in the court’s findings. We are heading to the Court of Appeal. This is not the end of the matter. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that justice is served,” she said.

Background to the Case

The dispute is rooted in political tensions within Kogi State involving both figures.

Yahaya Bello served as governor from 2016 to 2024, while Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The case has become one of the most closely watched political defamation disputes in Nigeria, raising wider questions about political speech, media commentary, and defamation law.