Nigeria News Today: Natasha Akpoti Rejects Court Ruling, Vows to Appeal N1bn Defamation Judgment
By Queen Madaki | The Bureau News
The Bureau News reports that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has rejected the judgment of a High Court in Lokoja which ordered her to pay N1 billion in damages to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over defamatory remarks.
The senator said she would challenge the verdict at the Court of Appeal, insisting that the ruling did not reflect the evidence presented before the court.
Nigeria News Today: Court Awards N1bn Damages in Defamation Suit
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, stemmed from comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during an appearance on Arise Television on November 4, 2022.
During the programme, she described Yahaya Bello as a “murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State.”
The court held that the statements were defamatory and unjustified, resolving all issues in favour of the claimant.
In addition to awarding N1 billion in damages, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello across media platforms.
‘We Will Challenge the Judgment’ — Akpoti-Uduaghan
Reacting to the ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her remarks were made in response to what she described as serious allegations levelled against her by the former governor.
“I went on national television to debunk the allegations made against me. I was accused of terrorism, and I had every right to defend myself before the Nigerian public,” she said.
The senator maintained that the court failed to properly evaluate the evidence presented by her legal team.
“I reject this judgment in totality. We presented enough evidence before the court to justify our position,” she added.
She further alleged that the security situation in Kogi State during Bello’s tenure as governor led to significant loss of lives, particularly in Kogi Central.
According to her, many families are still grieving and such realities informed her public comments.
“My comments were rooted in the experiences of our people and the need to speak truth to power,” she said.
Reaffirming her position, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that the legal battle would continue at the appellate level.
“This matter does not end here. We will seek redress at the Court of Appeal to ensure that justice prevails,” she said.
The Bureau News gathered that the case marks a significant legal and political development in Kogi State.
