Kogi Court Awards N1 Billion to Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello in Defamation Case Against Senator
By Nexio News
A Kogi State High Court has ruled in favor of former Governor Yahaya Bello in a high-profile defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, awarding him N1 billion in damages. The court found that remarks made by the senator in a 2022 television interview were unjustified and harmed Bello’s reputation.
The Case and Judgment
In a decisive ruling on Suit No. HCL/16/2023, the court determined that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise TV on November 4, 2022, were defamatory. The senator had referred to Bello as a “murderer,” “killer,” and “perpetrator of evil acts”—claims the court deemed unsubstantiated and damaging.
Justice XYZ (name not specified in judgment) held that Bello successfully proved his case on the “balance of probabilities,” a legal standard requiring that the evidence strongly supports his claims. The court also issued a perpetual injunction, barring the senator, her agents, or associates from making further defamatory statements against the former governor.
Legal Battles and Jurisdictional Challenges
The case, filed in 2023, initially faced pushback from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, who argued that the lawsuit was an “abuse of court process.” They contended that related matters were already before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, but Bello’s lawyers successfully argued that those proceedings did not directly involve him.
The Kogi High Court upheld its jurisdiction, a decision later reinforced by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, which dismissed the senator’s challenge for “lacking merit.”
Implications and Reactions
The N1 billion damages award is one of the largest in recent Nigerian defamation cases, signaling the judiciary’s stance on protecting public figures from unverified accusations. Legal analysts suggest this ruling could set a precedent for future defamation suits involving politicians and media platforms.
Supporters of Bello hailed the judgment as a “victory for truth,” while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s camp has yet to issue an official statement on whether they will appeal the decision.
What’s Next?
With the perpetual injunction in place, any further public accusations against Bello by the senator or her associates could result in additional legal consequences. Observers will be watching to see if this case influences how Nigerian politicians engage in public discourse, particularly in media interviews.
— Reported by Nexio News
