By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
In a stunning ruling, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Nigeria, has found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of publishing false information on her X (formerly Twitter) account.
The court criticized the senator for her March 2024 post, which claimed that a property belonging to Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, was linked to former Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who presided over the case, stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan had no valid reason to make such claims. He described her actions as “improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable,” especially given her position as a public official.
The senator had shared images of the property and falsely alleged that it was being used by the former governor as a hiding place during an EFCC investigation.
The court found no evidence to support the senator’s accusations. Justice Oriji emphasized that there was no proof linking the property to Yahaya Bello or any forfeiture proceedings, thereby dismissing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims as baseless.
In a further rebuke, the court reaffirmed that the senator’s post violated Ali Bello’s right to privacy, a right protected under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Despite her status as a public figure, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to present credible evidence to back up her allegations. The court ruled in favor of Ali Bello, upholding his ownership of the property and reaffirming the legal protections for privacy, particularly for public individuals.
Justice Oriji concluded that the senator’s actions were both legally and ethically unacceptable, marking a significant moment for social media accountability in Nigeria.
