Court Orders Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to Pay ₦1bn for Defaming Yahaya Bello

A High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has awarded ₦1 billion in damages against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment dated April 23, the court ruled in favour of Bello after determining that the claims made by the senator were defamatory.

Delivering judgment in the suit marked HCL/16/2023, Justice A.S. Ibrahim held that the case was decided based on the balance of probabilities, with all key issues resolved in favour of the claimant.

The court found that an interview granted by Akpoti-Uduaghan on November 4, 2022, during The Morning Show on Arise TV, contained damaging and unsubstantiated allegations against Bello.

In the interview, the senator allegedly described Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and a perpetrator of violent acts—claims the court said were unjustified and harmful to his reputation.

Justice Ibrahim also issued a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan, her associates, or representatives from making further defamatory statements against Bello on any media platform.

“The interview… is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation,” the judge ruled, adding that the statements lacked justification.

As part of the ruling, the court awarded ₦1 billion in damages to Bello.

The case had earlier faced jurisdictional challenges from the defendant’s counsel, who argued that the suit constituted an abuse of court process. However, the court dismissed the objection and affirmed its authority to hear the matter. This position was later upheld by the Court of Appeal, which dismissed the senator’s appeal for lacking merit.

The lawsuit stems from Bello’s claim that the statements made during the television interview damaged his reputation.