Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has taken legal action against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding 5 billion Naira in a defamation lawsuit. The suit, which is alleged to have been backdated to February 6, 2023, pertains to an incident that occurred in November 2022.
In the lawsuit, Governor Bello seeks to assert several claims, including that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan:
Pay 5 billion Naira in damages to Governor Yahaya Bello for defamation and libel related to her interview on Arise TV, which aired on November 4, 2022.
Publish a retraction and issue a formal apology in five national newspapers. This apology should also include personal statements made on Arise TV, AIT, Channels, and NTA.
Obtain a perpetual injunction that restrains Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and anyone associated with her from making defamatory statements against Yahaya Bello through various media channels, including social media, print media, television, and radio.
The background to this legal action stems from a series of events, including Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appearances on Channels TV, AIT, and Arise TV in October 2022. These appearances were in response to allegations by the Kogi state government that she was involved in sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria.
It’s worth noting that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has an ongoing 10 billion Naira defamation lawsuit against Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the government of Kogi State, and Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo.
Responding to the lawsuit, a supporter of Akpoti-Uduaghan, Enesi Abu, described Governor Bello’s legal action as a reaction to Natasha’s victory over his preferred candidate in the Election Petition Tribunal for the Kogi Central senatorial election. Abu suggested that this lawsuit is an attempt by Governor Bello to retaliate against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her successful election challenge.
In conclusion, Governor Yahaya Bello has filed a N5 billion defamation lawsuit against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has sparked a legal battle between the two parties.
