Court Orders Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for Defamation

A High Court in Lokoja has ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in damages to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in a defamation suit.

Bello had filed the suit following an interview granted by Akpoti-Uduaghan on Arise Television, where she allegedly made defamatory remarks against him during an episode of “The Morning Show.”

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment dated April 23 and obtained in Lokoja, the court ruled in favour of Bello after finding that the evidence presented supported his claims on the balance of probabilities.

Delivering judgment in the suit marked HCL/16/2023, Justice A. S. Ibrahim held that the issues raised for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant.

The court declared that the November 4, 2022 interview in which the senator described Bello as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was defamatory and unjustified.

Justice Ibrahim ruled that the statements had damaged Bello’s character and reputation and consequently awarded ₦1 billion as damages against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, associates, and privies from making or publishing further defamatory statements against Bello on television, radio, or any other platform.

“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation,” the court held.

It added that the statements made against Bello were without justification and therefore warranted both damages and a restraining order.