Defamation Suit: Court Orders Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Pay Yahaya Bello N1bn in Damages

A Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has awarded N1 billion in damages against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a defamation suit brought by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

In a judgment dated April 23, Justice A. S. Ibrahim ruled in favour of Bello, holding that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments during a November 4, 2022 appearance on *The Morning Show* on Arise TV were defamatory.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the court found that the senator’s remarks, in which she allegedly described Bello as “a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State,” were made without justification and damaged the claimant’s reputation.

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

The court said judgment was entered in favour of the claimant based on the preponderance of evidence and resolved the issues submitted for determination in Bello’s favour.

In addition to the damages award, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan, her agents and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello on television, radio or other public platforms.

Bello had sued the senator in 2023, alleging defamation of character.

During proceedings, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Johnson Usman (SAN), challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing the suit amounted to an abuse of court process. Bello’s counsel, Friday Ekpa, opposed the objection, maintaining that related cases before an FCT High Court did not concern Bello personally.

The High Court dismissed the jurisdiction challenge, prompting an appeal by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s decision, ruling that the Kogi State High Court had jurisdiction to hear the matter and dismissing the appeal for lacking merit.