Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has firmly 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 Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello.
The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central, described the ruling as flawed and insisted that her comments—now deemed defamatory by the court—were made in response to serious allegations of terrorism levelled against her.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim, arose from a suit marked HCL/16/2023. The case stemmed from remarks Akpoti-Uduaghan made during her appearance on The Morning Show on Arise Television on November 4, 2022.
In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim held that the senator’s statements during the interview were defamatory and unjustified. He noted that her description of Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “terror to the people of Kogi State” damaged the former governor’s reputation.
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“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… was without justification.”
The court subsequently awarded ₦1 billion in damages in favour of Bello and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, and associates from making further defamatory statements against him across any media platform.
Reacting to the verdict, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the ruling in its entirety, maintaining that her comments were made in self-defence.
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“I went on national television to debunk the allegations made against me,” she said. “I was accused of terrorism, and I had every right to defend myself before the Nigerian public.”
She further argued that her statements were not defamatory but a necessary response to what she described as false and damaging claims.
“If there is anybody to be accused of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello and not me,” she stated.
The senator also criticized the court’s handling of the case, alleging that the evidence presented by her legal team was not properly evaluated.
“We presented enough evidence before the court to justify our position, but it is clear that these were not properly evaluated,” she said.
Highlighting the security situation in Kogi State during Bello’s tenure as governor, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that many communities, particularly in Kogi Central, continue to grapple with the aftermath of violence.
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“There were numerous killings in Kogi State, especially in Kogi Central, while he was the Executive Governor,” she said. “Many families have continued to cry daily over the loss of their loved ones. These are real issues that cannot be ignored.”
She reiterated that her remarks were driven by a desire to draw attention to the plight of affected communities and promote accountability.
“My comments were rooted in the experiences of our people and the need to speak truth to power,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that her legal team is preparing to challenge the High Court’s decision at the Court of Appeal.
“This matter does not end here. We will seek redress at the Court of Appeal to ensure that justice prevails,” she said.
The case is expected to continue to draw public attention as it moves to the appellate court, raising broader questions about the balance between freedom of expression and protection of reputation in Nigeria’s political space.
