Natasha Akpoti Appeals ₦1bn Defamation Verdict Against Bello

Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has formally rejected a ₦1 billion defamation judgment delivered against her by the Kogi State High Court. The ruling, issued by Justice S.

Ibrahim, found that remarks made by Akpoti Uduaghan during a media interview on November 4, 2022, were deeply injurious and lacked necessary legal justification. The court ruled that her comments, which described former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as a "murder killer" and "terror" to the people of Kogi State, crossed the line into defamatory territory.

The judgment included a staggering ₦1 billion payment in general damages and a perpetual injunction barring her from making further defamatory statements against Bello. Akpoti Uduaghan, however, remains defiant, asserting that her public statements were made in good faith to address issues of public safety in Kogi State.

She has instructed her lawyers to appeal the decision, expressing confidence that a higher court will see merit in her defense and overturn the significant fine.