A High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has ordered the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to pay N1 billion in damages to former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.
New Telegraph reports that the Court directive followed a defamation case filed by the immediate past Governor of the state.
In a ruling delivered on Friday by Justice A. S. Ibrahim, the court held that statements made by the senator during a television interview were defamatory.
Recall that Bello filed the suit over comments by Akpoti-Uduaghan during an appearance on “The Morning Show” on Arise TV.
Her legal team had challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that similar matters were already before courts in Abuja. However, Bello’s counsel maintained that those cases did not directly involve him.
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The court dismissed the jurisdictional objection, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal, which affirmed that the Kogi State High Court was competent to hear the matter.
In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim ruled in favour of the claimant based on the evidence presented.
He stated, *“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation.”
The court further held that the allegations made during the interview lacked justification.
According to the judgment, “The said interview of 4/11/2022 in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.”
In addition to the monetary award, the court issued a restraining order against the senator and her associates.
The judge ordered “an order of perpetual injunction against the Defendant, [her] agents, privies or associates,”preventing any further publication of similar statements.
The court concluded by awarding damages, stating, “The sum of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) only is awarded as damages against the Defendant and in favour of the Claimant.”
