A High Court in Lokoja has awarded ₦1 billion in damages against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a defamation case filed by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim and dated April 23, 2026, ruled in favour of the claimant based on the balance of probabilities. The suit, marked HCL/16/2023, centred on statements made by the defendant during a television interview.
According to the court, remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on November 4, 2022, during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise TV were defamatory to Bello’s character and reputation. The court held that describing the former governor as a murderer, killer, and perpetrator of evil acts was unjustified.
Justice Ibrahim stated that the issues raised in the suit were resolved in favour of the claimant after a full consideration of the evidence presented.
In addition to the monetary award, the court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, her agents, or associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello on any media platform.
The case had earlier faced jurisdictional challenges. Counsel to the defendant, Johnson Usman (SAN), argued that the suit constituted an abuse of court process. However, Bello’s counsel, Friday Ekpa, maintained that the case was properly filed and distinct from other matters pending before courts in the Federal Capital Territory.
The High Court subsequently affirmed its jurisdiction, a decision that was challenged by Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Court of Appeal.
In its ruling on appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, the appellate court dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and upheld the jurisdiction of the Kogi State High Court to hear the case.
With the latest judgment, the court has now concluded the matter, awarding damages and issuing a restraining order against further statements deemed defamatory.
