An Abuja High Court on Tuesday dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, rejecting his claim for N1 billion in damages.

Bello had instituted the suit (FCT/HC/CV/2574/2024) on May 21, 2024, alleging that the senator violated his privacy by publishing pictures of his house and address on her X (formerly Twitter) handle on March 15, 2024.

Through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Bello sought eight reliefs, including declarations that his constitutional rights to dignity and property ownership under sections 34(1), 35(1), 37, 43, and 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution had been breached.

The applicant further claimed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had falsely alleged that he harbored former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello in his residence when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was searching for him. He also disputed her claim that the property belonged to the former governor, referred to as the 'White Lion of Kogi'.

In his judgment, Justice Slyvanius Oriji identified three key issues for determination: whether the publication on Akpoti-Uduaghan's X handle violated Bello's right to privacy, whether her petition to the Inspector-General of Police regarding the property's ownership constituted a rights violation, and whether the applicant was entitled to the reliefs sought.

The judge ruled that "publicity cannot be given to a house that is already in the public space, which can be seen by everyone," adding that the social media post "would not be considered highly offensive to an objectively reasonable person."

Justice Oriji noted that Bello had not claimed that EFCC officials invaded his privacy as a result of the senator's post. However, the court found that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to substantiate her claim about the property's ownership.

"In the absence of any contrary evidence, the court accepts the deposition in the applicant's affidavit that he is the owner of the said property and that he lives there with his family," Justice Oriji stated, adding that the court had confirmed this during a visit to the property.

The judge criticized the senator's conduct, stating: "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 in her ex-social media handle without just cause."

Despite this criticism, the court dismissed Bello's prayers for a public apology and N1 billion in general damages, ruling that each party should bear their own costs.

The case adds to the ongoing political tensions in Kogi State, where Ali Bello serves as Chief of Staff to the current governor, while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.