The Kogi High Court, Lokoja Division, has awarded N1 billion in damages against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a defamation suit filed by former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The order was stated in the certified true copy of the judgment, dated April 23, on Friday, in Lokoja. The court held that, based on the preponderance of evidence, or balance of probabilities, judgment was entered in favour of the claimant.

Justice A. S. Ibrahim, while delivering his judgment in the suit marked “HCL/16/2023”, held that upon the conclusion of the suit, the two issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant.

“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on the Arise TV programme ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation.

“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,” he held.

The court also gave “an order of perpetual injunction against the Defendant, (his) agents, privies or associates”, restraining them from further issuance of the defamatory statements or words against the claimant on TV or radio stations.

“The sum of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) only (is) awarded as damages against the defendant and in favour of the claimant,” the court said.

Mr Bello had sued Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation of character.

The defendant’s counsel, Johnson J. Usman, challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the suit was an abuse of court process.

Mr Bello’s counsel, Friday Ekpa, however, countered that, saying that none of the cases before the FCT High Court were against the person of Mr Bello.

After the High Court ruled that it had jurisdiction to entertain the case, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan appealed the ruling.

The Court of Appeal, in the appeal number “CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024”, however, dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and affirmed that the Kogi State High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the case.

(NAN)