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Lack of Evidence, Injury to Character and the Reasons Court Ordered Natasha to Pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for Defamation

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INTRO: The Court ordered Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation after a Kogi State High Court in Lokoja ruled that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s televised remarks against former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello were injurious and unjustified. Justice A. S. Ibrahim delivered the judgment in suit HCL/16/2023, awarding ₦1 billion in general damages. Here are five key reasons Court ordered Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation.

1. Defamatory Statements Made on National Television: The primary reason the Court ordered Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation was Akpoti-Uduaghan’s live appearance on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on November 4, 2022. During the interview, she described the former governor as “a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State.” Justice Ibrahim held that the broadcast was “defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation” and reached a wide audience.

2. Lack of Justification or Evidence to Support Claims: Another of the reasons Court ordered Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation was the court’s finding that the allegations were “without justification.” The judge noted that all issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of Bello, and that evidence presented did not substantiate the senator’s statements. While Akpoti-Uduaghan insists she provided “substantial and credible evidence,” the court ruled those materials were insufficient to defend the claims.

3. Injury to Character and Reputation: The court concluded that the remarks caused real harm to Bello’s public image. That reputational injury is central to why the Court ordered Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation. In defamation law, a claimant must show that published words lowered them in the estimation of right-thinking members of society. Justice Ibrahim found that threshold was met, hence the ₦1bn general damages award.

4. Perpetual Injunction to Prevent Further Defamation: Beyond monetary damages, the Court ordered Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, her agents, privies, and associates from making further defamatory statements against Bello on television, radio, and other media platforms. The court’s move signals an intent to stop continued reputational harm.

5. Public Interest Defense Rejected by Trial Court: Akpoti-Uduaghan argued her comments were made “in good faith, in the interest of accountability to the people of Kogi State.” However, the rejection of that defense resulted to the Court ordering Natasha to pay Yahaya Bello ₦1bn for defamation. The judge found the statements were not protected by fair comment or qualified privilege under the facts presented.

Conclusion

Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected the judgment and confirmed through her media aide, Mike Idoko, that her legal team has commenced the process of filing an appeal. “We are heading to the Court of Appeal. This is not the end of the matter,” she said, maintaining that “the truth was not adequately reflected in the court’s findings.” The case underscores the tension between political speech and defamation law in Nigeria. As the matter now heads to the appellate court, the outcome could further define the boundaries of free expression, media commentary, and reputational protection for public officials.

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