In a significant development, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyanya Judicial Division, has dismissed a defamation suit brought against Governor Yahaya Bello by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Senatorial Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Kogi State.
Justice Idris Mua’wiya delivered the ruling on Friday, 16th June 2023, declaring the suit marked “CV/412/2022” as incompetent and subsequently striking it out.
The defamation suit, initially filed on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan by Femi Falana, SAN, was challenged by Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, counsel to the Kogi State Governor, who objected to its competence.
Upon receiving the preliminary objection from Muhammed, SAN, the plaintiff’s counsel sought to amend the defective suit. However, the Court ruled that an incompetent originating process cannot be amended, leading to the dismissal of the suit.
Last November, Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken legal action against the Kogi State Governor and others, accusing them of defaming her character. She had sought N5 billion in damages following a publication by the state government, urging security agencies to question her based on her alleged public defense of a terror suspect.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the publication had severely tarnished her reputation, prompting her decision to seek legal redress.