Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said she will appeal the ₦1 billion defamation judgment recently delivered against her by a Kogi State High Court in favour of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, stemmed from statements the senator made during a November 4, 2022 interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show.
In the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan had made serious allegations against Bello, including describing him as a “murderer,” “killer,” and a “terror to the people of Kogi State.” The court held that the remarks were defamatory and not backed by sufficient justification.
Justice Ibrahim ruled that the statements were “injurious” to the reputation of the former governor and awarded ₦1 billion in damages in his favour. The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator and her associates from making further alleged defamatory remarks against Bello across any media platform.
Reacting to the ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected the judgment, insisting that her legal team had presented credible evidence which was not properly considered by the court.
“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 good faith and in the interest of public accountability, adding that she was only acting on information available at the time.
The senator confirmed that she has instructed her lawyers to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
“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 case adds another layer to the long-standing political tension between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Yahaya Bello, a rivalry that has featured repeated accusations, counter-accusations, and legal battles over the years.
The matter will now move to the appellate court, where the controversial ₦1 billion judgment is expected to be reviewed.
