Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has firmly rejected the Kogi State High Court's judgment that ordered her to pay N1 billion in damages to former Governor Yahaya Bello in a defamation suit. The ruling, delivered on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Lokoja, stemmed from comments she made during a television interview in November 2022.
Background of the Case
The suit, marked HCL/16/2023, originated from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's appearance on Arise Television's The Morning Show on November 4, 2022. During the interview, she responded to allegations made by Bello, who had accused her of terrorism. The senator maintained that her remarks were a necessary defense against what she termed false and damaging claims.
In her statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan said, "I went on national television to debunk the allegations made against me. I was accused of terrorism, and I had every right to defend myself before the Nigerian public." She further asserted, "If there is anybody to be accused of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello and not me."
Court's Ruling
Justice Ibrahim, delivering the judgment, held that the senator's statements were defamatory and lacked justification. The court ruled in favor of Bello, stating, "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 added that the interview, in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State, was without justification.
Consequently, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, privies, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello on television, radio, or other media platforms. It also awarded N1,000,000,000 as damages in favor of the former governor.
Senator's Response
Reacting to the ruling through a statement from her media team, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed strong disagreement. She insisted that the court failed to properly evaluate the evidence she presented. "I reject this judgment in totality. We presented enough evidence before the court to justify our position, but it is clear that these were not properly evaluated," she said.
The senator also highlighted the security situation in Kogi State during Bello's tenure, particularly in Kogi Central, alleging that many families are still grieving losses from that period. "There were numerous killings in Kogi State, especially in Kogi Central, while he was the executive governor. Many families have continued to cry daily over the loss of their loved ones. These are real issues that cannot be ignored," she stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan reiterated that her comments were made in the interest of truth and accountability, emphasizing her intention 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.
Legal Next Steps
The senator 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.
Broader Context
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Senate called on the federal government to initiate diplomatic and humanitarian measures to repatriate Nigerian women and children held in Libyan prisons. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also proposed an additional motion directing the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service to collaborate with Libyan authorities to expedite the release and repatriation of Nigerian female inmates and their children born in detention.
