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By Philip Nwosu
A Kogi State High Court has awarded N1 billion in damages against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
Delivering judgment in suit number HCL/16/2023, the court held that the issues for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant, Bello, based on the preponderance of evidence.
According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment made available on Thursday, the court ruled that statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a November 4, 2022 appearance on The Morning Show were defamatory.
The court specifically held that the defendant’s description of the former governor as a “murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts and a terror to the people of Kogi State” was unjustified and injurious to his reputation.
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In its enrolment order dated April 22, 2026, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, her agents, or associates from making further defamatory statements against the claimant on any media platform.
“The sum of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) is awarded as damages against the Defendant and in favour of the Claimant,” the court ruled.
Bello had instituted the suit in 2023, alleging defamation of character.
During proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Johnson J. Usman, SAN, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, describing the suit as an abuse of court process. However, counsel to the claimant, Friday Ekpa Esq, argued that related cases before the Federal Capital Territory High Court did not involve Bello directly.
The trial court subsequently affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the matter, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, which dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal for lacking merit.
