Natasha Akpoti Drags Kogi Gov, Others To Court Over Alleged Defamation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi Central for the 2023 elections, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has dragged the Kogi State governor, Yahaha Bello, and others to court for linking her to terrorism.

Other defendants in the suit are the state government and the State Information and Communications Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo.

The Kogi State government had called on heads of security agencies in Nigeria to invite Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for questioning over alleged terrorism capable of dragging the state back to “the dark era”, according to a statement issued by Fanwo, who noted that the PDP senatorial candidate had exhibited enough actions to be invited over terrorism-related activities, particularly with how the PDP and organisations linked to her had advocated for the release of an alleged terrorist named Safiu, who is being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In the suit filed by her Counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), dated November 11, 2022, Natasha described the State government’s statement as defamatory and injurious to her reputation.

She, therefore, sought the order of the court to award in her favour N5billion in damages, against the defendants

The Kogi State Government had earlier claimed despite Governor Bello’s interventions to rid the state of terrorism, it was concerned that some politicians were grooming terrorists in the state as well as importing them from neighbouring States.