Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has rejected a High Court judgment ordering her to pay ₦1 billion in damages for alleged defamation against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
The ruling was delivered by Justice A.S. Ibrahim at a High Court in Lokoja in a case marked HCL/16/2023. The court found that statements made by the senator during a television interview on Arise TV in November 2022 were defamatory.
In the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan had referred to Bello as a “murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State,” comments the court described as unjustified.
The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining her and her associates from making further alleged defamatory statements against the former governor in the media.
Reacting to the judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she strongly disagrees with the decision and will challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
“I reject this judgment in totality,” she said.She said her comments were made in response to what she described as serious allegations against her, including claims of terrorism.
“I went on national television to debunk the allegations made against me,” she said. “I was accused of terrorism, and I had every right to defend myself before the Nigerian public.”
The senator also argued that the court did not properly evaluate evidence she presented in her defence.
“We presented enough evidence before the court to justify our position, but it is clear that these were not properly evaluated,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further referenced insecurity concerns in Kogi State during Bello’s tenure as governor, alleging that many communities suffered losses during the period.
“There were numerous killings in Kogi State, especially in Kogi Central, while he was governor,” she said. “Many families have continued to cry daily over the loss of their loved ones.”
She maintained that her remarks were made in the interest of accountability and public concern.
“This matter does not end here,” she said. “We will seek redress at the Court of Appeal to ensure that justice prevails.”
