Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to challenge the ruling of a Lokoja high court which ordered her to pay ₦1 billion in damages to former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, over defamatory remarks.
The senator said she does not agree with the judgment and will be taking the matter to the Court of Appeal for further legal review.
The decision followed a ruling delivered on Thursday by Justice A.S. Ibrahim in suit number HCL/16/2023. The case stemmed from comments Akpoti-Uduaghan made during a live appearance on Arise Television on November 4, 2022, where she responded to allegations previously made against her by Bello.
In the interview, she referred to the former governor using words such as “murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi state” — statements the court held to be defamatory and without justification.
Justice Ibrahim ruled entirely in favour of Bello, affirming that the remarks damaged his reputation. In addition to awarding ₦1 billion in damages, the court also imposed a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her aides, and associates from making any further defamatory statements against Bello across broadcast platforms, including television and radio.
