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    A High Court in Lokoja has ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in damages to former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, over a defamation case.

    Delivering judgment in suit number HCL/16/2023, the court ruled that the issues presented for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant after reviewing the evidence before it.

    Court Finds Statements Defamatory

    According to the certified true copy of the judgment released on Thursday, the court held that the claimant successfully proved his case based on the balance of probabilities.

    The court specifically faulted an interview granted by the senator on November 4, 2022, during The Morning Show, describing it as defamatory.

    It ruled that the remarks, where the defendant allegedly labelled the claimant a murderer, killer, and a threat to the people of Kogi State, were unjustified and damaging to his reputation.

    Injunction and Damages Awarded

    The court further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the senator, along with her associates, from making any further defamatory statements against the former governor through broadcast platforms.

    In addition, the court awarded ₦1 billion in damages in favour of the claimant.

    Legal Battle and Appeal

    The defamation suit was initiated by Bello in 2023 before the Kogi State High Court.

    During proceedings, defence counsel, Johnson J. Usman (SAN), challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the case amounted to an abuse of court process.

    However, Bello’s lawyer, Friday Ekpa, maintained that the cases cited at the Federal Capital Territory High Court did not involve his client directly.

    The High Court subsequently affirmed its jurisdiction, prompting the defendant to appeal the decision.

    In its ruling on appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and upheld the authority of the Kogi State High Court to hear the case.

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