A High Court in Lokoja has awarded N1billion in damages against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

The order is contained in the Certified True Copy of the judgement, dated April 23 on Friday in Lokoja.

The court held that based on the preponderance of evidence or balance of probabilities, judgment was entered in favour of the claimant.

Justice Justice A. S. Ibrahim, while delivering his judgement in the suit marked, “HCL/16/2023”, held that upon the conclusion of the suit, the two issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant.

“The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation.

“The said interview of 4/11/2022 in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.”

The court also gave “an order of perpetual injunction against the Defendant, [his] agents, privies or associates”, restraining them from further issuance of the defamatory statements or words against the claimant on TV or radio stations.

“The sum of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) only (is) awarded as damages against the Defendant and in favour of the Claimant,” the court said.

Bello had sued Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation of character.

The Defendant’s Counsel, Johnson J. Usman, SAN, had, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, saying that the suit was an abuse of court process.

Bello’s Counsel, Friday Ekpa, however, countered that, saying that none of the cases before the FCT High Court was against the person of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

After the High Court ruled that it had jurisdiction to entertain the case, Akpoti-Uduaghan appealed the ruling.

The Court of Appeal, in the appeal number, “CA/ABJ/CV/626/2024”, however, dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit and affirmed that the Kogi State High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the case.

At least 36 serving military officers accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu will be arraigned before a General Court Martial (GCM) on Friday, following the convening of a military trial panel by the Defence Headquarters.

Although the Defence Headquarters has not publicly announced the move, Sahara Reporters reported that the GCM will assemble at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja on 23 April, according to a convening order signed by AM Alechenu, Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison.

The court martial, described as one of the largest in recent years, was established through an official convening order dated April 17, 2026, issued from the Defence Headquarters Garrison at Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

According to Sahara Reporters, the order signed by Major General A.M. Alechenu established the tribunal under the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, mandating it to proceed with the trial of the listed accused persons.

The directive further stated that proceedings will begin on April 23, 2026, at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

The panel is made up of senior officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting a joint-service judicial composition. It is headed by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji, with other members including major generals, rear admirals, and air vice marshals.

A Judge Advocate, Lt. Col. A. Mohammed, has been appointed to provide legal guidance throughout the proceedings. The structure also includes prosecuting officers from all three services, liaison officers, a technical team, supervising officers, and a court secretariat.

The development represents one of the most extensive military disciplinary proceedings in recent times, coming amid ongoing investigations into alleged efforts to destabilise the state. The court martial is expected to hear multiple cases as the military moves to enforce discipline and maintain constitutional order.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has been thrown into turmoil following the suspension of its National President, Bala Audu, by delegates at an Emergency Delegates Meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting, which had 63 delegates in attendance from 23 state branches and the Federal Capital Territory, also approved the constitution of a caretaker committee to oversee the association’s affairs pending fresh elections.

The elections are scheduled to take place during the Annual General Meeting billed for Kano between April 27 and May 3.

At the heart of the crisis is a growing disagreement over the disqualification of six candidates from contesting in the forthcoming national elections.

The National Officers Committee, led by Audu, had disqualified the candidates on the grounds of incomplete documentation.

However, several delegates at the emergency meeting faulted the decision, arguing that it was inconsistent with established electoral practices within the association.

Following deliberations, the delegates voted to overturn the disqualification, thereby clearing the affected candidates to participate in the elections.

The meeting went further to suspend Audu, citing alleged violations of the association’s constitution.

In a swift reaction, the Audu-led National Officers Committee rejected both the suspension and the resolutions reached at the emergency meeting.

The committee described the process as “unconstitutional and procedurally flawed,” insisting that due process was not followed in convening the meeting.

The development has effectively split the association into opposing camps, deepening an already tense leadership dispute.

Reacting to the development, the Secretary-General of the NMA, Dr Ben Egbo, maintained that the resolutions from the emergency meeting would be reviewed in line with the association’s constitution.

He said appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken where necessary.

Egbo also confirmed that the Annual Delegates Meeting would proceed as scheduled next week, alongside the planned elections.

He added that the disqualification of one presidential candidate had been reviewed and upheld, stressing that “there would be no reversal of that decision.”

The association’s leadership further dismissed the caretaker committee set up by the delegates, insisting that such an arrangement cannot stand outside constitutionally recognised procedures.

According to the leadership, only actions taken in strict adherence to the association’s constitution would be considered valid.

With both factions holding firm to their positions, concerns are mounting over the credibility and smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections in Kano.