Court Orders ₦1bn Damages as Natasha Rejects Verdict, Files Appeal

Court Orders ₦1bn Damages as Natasha Rejects Verdict, Files Appeal

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has formally rejected a ₦1 billion defamation judgment delivered against her by a Kogi State High Court, escalating her legal battle with former governor Yahaya Bello to the Court of Appeal.

The ruling, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in Lokoja in suit number HCL/16/2023, found the senator liable for defamatory remarks made during an appearance on The Morning Show on November 4, 2022. The court held that her statements—where she allegedly described Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “terror to the people of Kogi State”—were injurious to his reputation and lacked sufficient legal justification.

In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim ruled that the comments went beyond the bounds of political criticism and amounted to character assassination. He consequently awarded ₦1 billion in general damages in favour of Bello and issued a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making further defamatory statements against him across all platforms.

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Reacting swiftly, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the judgment as flawed and unjust, insisting that the court failed to properly evaluate the evidence presented by her legal team. She maintained that her comments were made in good faith and in the interest of public accountability.

“I reject this judgment in its entirety. We presented substantial and credible evidence before the court, which clearly justified our position. Unfortunately, these were not given due consideration,” she said.

The senator further argued that her remarks were based on information available at the time and were aimed at addressing concerns about safety and governance in Kogi State. According to her, the statements were part of her duty as a public office holder to speak on issues affecting her constituents.

Confirming her next legal move, Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed that her lawyers have been instructed to file an appeal, expressing confidence that the appellate court would overturn the ruling.

“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.

Legal observers note that the case raises broader questions around defamation laws in Nigeria, particularly the thin line between freedom of expression and reputational harm in politically charged environments. The size of the damages awarded has also drawn attention, with analysts describing it as one of the more significant defamation penalties involving political actors in recent times.

While Bello has not issued an extensive fresh statement following the senator’s rejection of the ruling, the judgment represents a major legal victory for the former governor at the trial stage.

The dispute is widely seen as an extension of the long-standing political rivalry between the two Ebira-born figures, reflecting deeper divisions within Kogi politics. With the matter now headed to the appellate court, the case is expected to remain in the spotlight as it could set important precedents for political speech and defamation litigation in Nigeria.

Court Orders ₦1bn Damages as Natasha Rejects Verdict, Files Appeal