Nigeria News Today: Court Awards N1bn Damages Against Natasha Akpoti in Yahaya Bello Defamation Case
By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News
A High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has awarded N1 billion in damages against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a defamation suit filed by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The Bureau News reports that the judgment, contained in a Certified True Copy dated April 23, 2026, was delivered in favour of the claimant based on the preponderance of evidence.
Nigeria News Today: Court Declares Arise TV Interview Defamatory
Delivering judgment in suit number HCL/16/2023, Justice A. S. Ibrahim ruled that statements made by the defendant during a November 4, 2022 appearance on Arise TV’s The Morning Show were defamatory and injurious to the claimant’s reputation.
“The interview granted by the defendant is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation,” the court held.
The court specifically faulted remarks in which the defendant described Yahaya Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “perpetrator of evil acts,” noting that such claims were not justified.
Court Orders N1bn Damages, Issues Perpetual Injunction
Following its findings, the court awarded N1,000,000,000 as damages against the defendant.
Justice Ibrahim also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, her agents, and associates from making or publishing further defamatory statements against the former governor across television, radio, or any other media platforms.
Appeal Court Upholds Jurisdiction
Earlier in the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Johnson J. Usman, SAN, had challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the suit constituted an abuse of court process.
However, counsel to the claimant, Friday Ekpa, opposed the argument, insisting that the Kogi State High Court had the authority to hear the case.
The trial court upheld its jurisdiction, prompting the defendant to file an appeal.
In its ruling on appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and affirmed that the lower court had jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The Bureau News gathered that the ruling marks a major legal victory for the former governor in the protracted defamation dispute.
