An FCT High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday reprimanded suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over the inappropriate use of her X (formerly Twitter) handle in a case brought against her by Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.
Delivering judgment in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, Justice Sylvanus Oriji criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for sharing personal information about Bello, noting that such actions were unbecoming of a person holding public office.
Bello had filed the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/2574/2024, seeking redress over alleged violations of his rights, particularly his right to privacy. Through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, he sought eight reliefs, including a declaration that the senator infringed upon his constitutional rights under Sections 34(1), 35(1), 37, 43, and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
Central to Bello’s complaint was a post made by the senator on March 15, 2024, where she shared pictures of his residence and alleged that he was hiding former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in his home. Akpoti-Uduaghan further claimed the house was owned by the former governor, widely referred to as the “White Lion of Kogi.”
Bello denied the allegations, asserting the property belonged to him and that he resides there with his family. He sought N1 billion in general damages and compensation.
Justice Oriji, in his ruling, said:
“It is improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable for a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to post the picture of the applicant’s house and its address on her X page based on an unfounded belief that the property belonged to Yahaya Bello. Such conduct is hereby condemned by the court.”
The court examined three key issues: whether the senator’s social media post violated Bello’s right to privacy, whether her petition to the Inspector General of Police infringed upon his rights, and whether he was entitled to the reliefs sought.
While the judge found that the publication was not “highly offensive” to a reasonable person due to the public nature of the property, he emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to provide credible evidence supporting her claim that the house belonged to the former governor or that he was present there when sought by the EFCC.
“There is nothing before the court to show that the property belongs or ever belonged to Yahaya Bello,” Justice Oriji stated, affirming that Bello owns the house and lives there with his family.
The court also confirmed this during a visit to the location.
In conclusion, the court held that the senator acted without justification in making the publication and declared that Bello’s right to privacy had been infringed upon under Section 37 of the Constitution.
However, no monetary compensation was awarded, as the court ruled that each party would bear its own legal costs.
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