Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected a ₦1 billion defamation judgment delivered against her by the Kogi State High Court, describing the ruling as unjust and vowing to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A. S. Ibrahim in Lokoja, arose from a defamation suit filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over statements made during a 2022 television interview.
The court held that remarks made by the senator on an Arise TV programme, in which she allegedly described Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “terror to the people of Kogi State,” were defamatory and damaging to his reputation. It subsequently awarded ₦1 billion in damages against her and imposed a perpetual injunction restraining her and her associates from making further allegedly defamatory statements against the former governor.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that her comments were made in good faith and were based on concerns about public safety and accountability in Kogi State. She insisted that the court failed to properly consider the evidence presented by her legal team.
The senator confirmed she has instructed her lawyers to appeal the ruling, expressing confidence that a higher court will overturn the judgment and uphold her defence.
The case adds another layer to the long-running political tension between the two prominent Kogi politicians.
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