Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected the judgment of the Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, which awarded ₦1 billion in damages against her in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, declaring her intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023, arose from comments made by the senator during a live appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television on November 4, 2022. During the broadcast, Akpoti-Uduaghan made allegations against Bello which the court subsequently ruled to be defamatory.
In his decision, Justice Ibrahim held that the statements made by the defendant were injurious to the claimant’s character and reputation and were not justified by the evidence presented before the court. He noted that the issues formulated for determination in the suit were resolved in favour of the claimant.
“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation,” the judge ruled. “The said interview… in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.”
The court further granted a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, privies, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello across television, radio, and other media platforms. Additionally, the court awarded ₦1,000,000,000 as general damages in favour of the former governor.
Reacting to the ruling, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the judgment, insisting that the court failed to properly evaluate the evidence she presented in her defence.
“I reject this judgment in its entirety,” she said. “We presented substantial and credible evidence before the court, which, in our view, clearly justified our position. Unfortunately, these were not given due consideration.”
The senator maintained that her comments were made in the public interest and not out of malice.
“My statements were based on information available at the time and were made in good faith, in the interest of accountability to the people of Kogi State,” she stated. “I firmly believe that the truth was not adequately reflected in the court’s findings.”
She further confirmed that her legal team has commenced the process of filing an appeal against the judgment.
“We are heading to the Court of Appeal. This is not the end of the matter. We will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure that justice is served,” she added.
The development is expected to prolong the legal battle between both parties, as attention now shifts to the appellate court, where the senator will seek to overturn the High Court’s decision.
