Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has rejected a court ruling ordering her to pay N1bn ($… ) in damages over defamatory remarks against Yahaya Bello, insisting she was acting in self-defence.
In a reaction to the judgment delivered by a high court in Lokoja, the Kogi Central senator said her comments, which led to the suit, were made during a television appearance where she sought to defend herself.
“I was defending myself on TV,” she said, dismissing the court’s decision and signalling her intention to contest it.
The court had ruled in favour of Bello, a former governor of Kogi State, awarding damages over statements it deemed defamatory.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, described the verdict as unacceptable and confirmed plans to challenge it at the appellate court.
“I will pursue this matter at the court of appeal,” she said, indicating that the legal dispute is far from over.
There has been no immediate further response from Bello or his representatives following the senator’s latest remarks.
