Defamation: Senator Natasha Heads To Appeal Court Over N1bn Damages

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has directed her legal team to challenge the recent High Court ruling awarding N1 billion in damages to former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

The senator, who represents Kogi Central, disclosed this while addressing her supporters and constituents in a video chat posted on her verified Facebook account on Friday, shortly after the judgement.

“We are appealing the judgement. I don’t have N1 billion. We will take the matter to the Supreme Court,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan faulted the ruling, alleging that the court failed to properly consider the evidence presented by her legal team.

She also revisited earlier allegations made against her by the Kogi State Government in 2022, which had called for her arrest over claims linking her to acts of terrorism, including the July 2022 Kuje prison break and the Owo church attack.

Responding to the allegations, the senator maintained that she was out of the country at the time of the incidents and denied any involvement.

“I was never connected to Safiyu at that time,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan further accused Bello of instigating attempts to have her arrested, claiming the allegations were politically motivated.

According to her, “Yahaya Bello accused me of sponsoring terrorism because he wanted me out of the ballot. He took reports to the DSS and persistently pushed for my arrest.”

She also referenced a past interview on Arise Television, where she said she presented materials to support her claims, insisting she had no prior relationship with the individual identified as Safiyu.

The senator maintained that any investigation into terrorism allegations should be directed at Bello, reiterating her denial of wrongdoing.

She added that the former governor was free to institute further defamation suits if he deemed it necessary.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also raised concerns about security in Kogi State, citing what she described as a climate of fear, violence, and cases of missing persons.

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