- The Case: A privacy lawsuit filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over a social media post.
- The Accuser: Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
- The Verdict: The court dismissed the suit, siding with the Senator.
- The Twist: The judge criticized the Senator’s actions, despite the win.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Cleared in Privacy Case – Here’s the Scoop!
Big news out of Abuja! A court has thrown out a privacy violation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Ali Bello, who’s related to the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, brought the case, claiming the Senator spilled his address all over social media. But the judge wasn’t buying it!
What Sparked the Legal Drama?
Back in March 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) posted some allegations on X (that’s Twitter for you old-school folks) about Yahaya Bello and an alleged ₦84 billion fraud. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan jumped into the conversation with a tweet aimed at the EFCC:
“Dear @officialEFCC why did you delete this post on Facebook after I commented and requested that you kindly help find my favourite storybook ‘The Defeated White Lion’ at No. 1 Dala Hills street, off Agulu Lake street, Maitama, Abuja. That White House was amongst the 14 properties you approached the court for forfeiture in December 2022. Don’t delete this tweet o. Thanks and God bless Nigeria.”
Ouch! Ali Bello felt that tweet was a major privacy breach because it revealed his home address to the world. He wanted a public apology and a cool ₦1 billion as compensation. Talk about a pricey tweet!
The Judge’s Take: Victory with a Warning!
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, the judge in charge, broke it down into three key questions:
- Did the tweet violate Bello’s privacy?
- Were the Senator’s actions okay?
- What about the apology and the money?
The judge decided that the address in the tweet was in a public area and didn’t even mention Bello’s name. So, the lawsuit got the boot. No apology, no billion Naira payout. However, the judge didn’t exactly give the Senator a high five.
“Improper, Reprehensible, and Unconscionable”
Even though she won the case, the judge ripped into Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for posting the house address and picture on social media. According to the judge, it was “improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable” for someone in her position. He made it clear that the court didn’t approve of that kind of behavior.
What Does This Mean?
This case raises some serious questions about what’s okay to share online, especially when it involves public figures and addresses. It’s a reminder that even though you might have the right to speak your mind, there can still be consequences for your actions. As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of corruption and transparency, expect more clashes between privacy and public interest!
Related Cases: A Trend?
This isn’t the only privacy-related case making headlines in Nigeria. Here are a few other examples: