Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected the ruling of a Lokoja high court which ordered her to pay N1 billion in damages to former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello over defamatory remarks.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice A.S. Ibrahim, found the senator liable for comments she made during an appearance on Arise Television on November 4, 2022. In the broadcast, she described Bello as a “murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi state.”
The court held that the statements were defamatory and lacked justification, ruling in favour of the claimant. It also issued a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from making further remarks against Bello on television or radio.
Reacting to the decision, the senator insisted that her comments were made in response to serious allegations levelled against her by the former governor.
“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.
“If there is anybody to be accused of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello and not me.”
She criticised the court’s judgment, arguing that the evidence presented by her legal team was not properly considered.
“I reject this judgment in totality,” she said.
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“We presented enough evidence before the court to justify our position, but it is clear that these were not properly evaluated.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also referenced the security challenges experienced in Kogi State during Bello’s administration, claiming that many families are still mourning losses from that period.
“There were numerous killings in Kogi state, especially in Kogi central, while he was 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 maintained that her remarks were driven by a desire for accountability and to highlight the experiences of affected communities.
“My comments were rooted in the experiences of our people and the need to speak truth to power,” she added.
“This matter does not end here. We will seek redress at the court of appeal to ensure that justice prevails.”