Court Awards N1bn Damages to Yahaya Bello in Defamation Case

On April 23, 2023, the Lokoja high court ruled in favor of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, awarding him N1 billion in damages in a defamation suit against Sen. Natasha Akpoti. The judgment, delivered by Justice S.

Ibrahim, was based on evidence presented that Akpoti's statements during an interview on Arise TV on November 4, 2022, were defamatory towards Bello, describing him as a "murder killer" and a perpetrator of evil acts against the people of Kogi State without justification. The court also issued a perpetual injunction against Akpoti, her agents, and associates, restraining them from making further defamatory statements against Bello.

Akpoti's counsel, Johnson J. Usman, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, claiming the suit was an abuse of court process; however, the court affirmed its jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Akpoti's appeal against the ruling was dismissed for lack of merit.