Natasha Akpoti to Appeal N1bn Defamation Judgment

Senator Natasha Akpoti has announced her intention to appeal a Kogi State High Court ruling that awarded N1 billion in damages for defamation to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello. The judgment, delivered by Justice Ibrahim, found Akpoti's statements made during a November 4, 2022, interview on Aris Television to be defamatory.

Akpoti's comments were in response to allegations against her and were deemed by the court to have harmed Bello's character and reputation. In her statement, Akpoti expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, asserting that the court did not fully consider the broader context of her remarks, which she believes were part of a public discourse on governance and security issues.

She confirmed that her legal team is preparing to challenge the judgment in the appeal court, emphasizing that the matter is not concluded and she seeks redress. The court also issued an injunction preventing her from making further defamatory statements against Bello.