Court Dismisses Privacy Violation Lawsuit Filed by Yahaya Bello’s Nephew Against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

A high court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has dismissed a fundamental rights suit brought by Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji found that Bello, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Kogi State governor, failed to establish that Akpoti-Uduaghan violated his right to privacy through a social media post made in March 2024.

The controversy began after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) published a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in March 2024, announcing the filing of charges against former governor Yahaya Bello in connection with an alleged ₦84 billion fraud.

Responding to the EFCC’s post, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan posted from her X account (@NatashaAkpoti), referencing a property listed among those marked for forfeiture by the EFCC in 2022. She humorously requested the EFCC’s help in finding her “favourite storybook” at the address, which she named as No. 1 Dala Hills Street, off Agulu Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja — the location of one of the properties.

Justice Oriji considered three key questions in the case, including whether Akpoti-Uduaghan’s post infringed on Bello’s privacy or identified his residence. He ruled that the senator’s post referred to a property whose address is in the public domain and did not mention Ali Bello by name.

While the court acknowledged Bello’s constitutional right to privacy, it found no merit in his demands for a public apology and ₦1 billion in damages. Justice Oriji stated clearly that the plaintiff failed to prove any direct violation of his rights.

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However, the judge did not entirely absolve the senator of wrongdoing. He criticised her decision to share a photo of the house in question, labelling the act as “improper” for someone holding public office.

“It is improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable for a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to post a picture of the applicant’s house and the house address on her X social media handle without just cause,” Oriji declared. “Such conduct must be, and is hereby, deprecated by the court.”