Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected the N1 billion defamation judgment handed down by the Kogi State High Court in Lokoja, announcing her intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. The suit was initiated by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over remarks made by the senator during a live appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television on November 4, 2022.
In the judgment delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, the court determined that Akpoti-Uduaghan's statements were defamatory and damaging to Bello's character and reputation, noting that they lacked sufficient evidentiary support. “The interview granted by the defendant… is defamatory to the claimant's character and reputation,” the judge ruled, adding that the remarks made during the programme were “without justification.”
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello across all media platforms. Additionally, it awarded N1,000,000,000 in general damages in favor of the former governor.
Reacting to the ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the decision, insisting that the court failed to properly evaluate the evidence she presented in her defense. “I reject this judgment in totality,” she said. “We presented enough evidence before the court to justify our position, but it is clear that these were not properly evaluated.”
She also highlighted the security situation in Kogi State during Bello's tenure as governor, particularly in Kogi Central. The senator reiterated that her statements were made in the interest of truth and accountability, emphasizing that her intention was to bring attention to the plight of affected communities. “My comments were rooted in the experiences of our people and the need to speak truth to power,” she added.
She further disclosed that her legal team is preparing to challenge the High Court's decision at the Court of Appeal. “This matter does not end here. We will seek redress at the Court of Appeal to ensure that justice prevails,” she said.
