By OBSERVERS TIMES
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in a privacy violation suit filed against her by Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and nephew to former Governor Yahaya Bello. However, the judge sharply criticized the senator’s conduct on social media.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji held that Mr. Bello failed to prove that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s March 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter) breached his right to privacy. The post referenced a house located at No. 1 Dala Hills Street, Maitama, Abuja — allegedly among 14 properties under forfeiture proceedings by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations. Though the post did not name Ali Bello, it alluded to “White Lion,” a nickname associated with former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Mr. Bello had sued for N1 billion, claiming the house was his and denying any forfeiture order involving the property. He alleged the post and a related petition to security agencies violated his constitutional rights to privacy, dignity, and property.
In her defense, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan denied all allegations, stating the post aimed to alert the EFCC about the whereabouts of former Governor Bello, who has ongoing legal battles with the agency. She also accused Mr. Bello of politically motivated surveillance through CCTV cameras installed around her residence.
Judge Oriji ruled that the publication of a publicly accessible house address does not constitute an invasion of privacy. He further dismissed claims that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s police petition compromised Mr. Bello’s home security. Consequently, the court denied the N1 billion damages claim.
Court Rebukes Senator’s Social Media Conduct
Despite ruling against the privacy violation claim, Justice Oriji reproached the senator’s decision to post the house photo and address online. He described this act as “improper, reprehensible and unconscionable,” emphasizing it was unbecoming of a distinguished lawmaker and must be deprecated.
The judgment arrives amid Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing six-month suspension from the Senate over an unrelated dispute, during which she allegedly breached a gag order restricting public commentary on the case.
Background: A Political Rivalry
The lawsuit is part of a broader political rivalry between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Bello family. She contested the 2019 Kogi governorship election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) but lost to then-Governor Yahaya Bello. After switching to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), she reclaimed the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2023 through a court ruling, overturning the initial loss to the APC candidate favored by the Bello camp.
Tensions have persisted, with both sides engaging in legal battles and political maneuvers. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a state government ban to hold a homecoming rally during her suspension, prompting further complaints from former Governor Bello.
Other Legal Entanglements
Ali Bello faces EFCC prosecution for alleged money laundering involving N3 billion, while his uncle, former Governor Yahaya Bello, is embroiled in separate N80 billion and N110 billion fraud cases.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also engaged in a legal dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, involving allegations of sexual harassment, defamation suits, and a contempt charge related to an alleged violation of a court gag order.
Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife, has filed defamation suits against the senator, seeking N350 billion in damages for reputational harm.