Senator Natasha Rejects ₦1billion Defamation Ruling, Heads To Appeal Court In Suit With Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello
Senator Natasha Rejects ₦1billion Defamation Ruling, Heads To Appeal Court In Suit With Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello
The court specifically pointed to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s description of Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and a “terror to the people of Kogi State.”
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to challenge a ₦1 billion defamation judgment awarded against her by a Kogi State High Court in favour of the former governor, Yahaya Bello.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, followed an Arise Television interview on November 4, 2022, where the Senator made several allegations against the then-governor.
Justice Ibrahim, in his ruling, held that the Senator’s comments were “injurious” and “without justification.”
The court specifically pointed to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s description of Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and a “terror to the people of Kogi State.”
“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 judge ruled.
In addition to the ₦1 billion in general damages, the court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the Senator and her associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello across any media platform.
Reacting to the verdict, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the ruling, accusing the court of ignoring the evidence presented by her legal team.
She insisted that her comments were made in “good faith” and centered on public accountability.
“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.
The Senator further argued that her statements were based on information available at the time and were intended to serve the interests of the people of Kogi State.
The lawmaker confirmed that her legal team has already been instructed to file an appeal to overturn the High Court’s decision.
“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 added.
The legal tussle is the latest chapter in the fierce and often violent political rivalry between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Yahaya Bello.
The duo has been at loggerheads for years, spanning multiple election cycles characterised by allegations of assassination attempts, state-sponsored terrorism, and electoral fraud.
While Bello has consistently denied the Senator’s allegations, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that her ordeal under the former governor’s administration was a targeted attempt to silence her political voice.
The battle now shifts to the appellate court, where the ₦1 billion award — one of the largest defamation penalties in recent Nigerian history — would be scrutinised.
