Court Slams N1bn Damages Against Senator Natasha
A court in Kogi State has ruled in favour of former governor Yahaya Bello, awarding ₦1bn in damages against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over a defamation case decided in Lokoja.
The judgment followed a suit filed in 2023, with the court finding that the claims made against Bello harmed his reputation.
The ruling was delivered after the court examined evidence and resolved all key issues in favour of the claimant.
It held that statements made during a televised interview were unjustified and damaging, leading to the award of damages and further legal orders against the senator.
The court also issued a permanent injunction restraining the senator and her associates from making further defamatory remarks against Bello on broadcast platforms.
It concluded that the remarks made during the interview lacked legal backing and injured the former governor’s public image.
The case had earlier faced a jurisdiction challenge, which was dismissed both at the trial court and on appeal.
With the latest ruling, the court affirmed Bello’s claims and brought the long-running dispute to a close.
