Court Restrains Activist, Orders Facebook To Delete Defamatory Posts On Natasha Akpoti

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping a UK-based activist, Dr Sandra Duru, also known as Prof Mgbeke, and Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., from spreading or keeping online posts said to be defamatory against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

Justice I. Mohammed gave the order in a suit filed by the senator, who asked the court to protect her reputation from what she described as repeated online attacks.

In the ruling, the judge said the case raised serious legal issues that required immediate action to avoid lasting damage before the main case is decided.

The court agreed that the senator could suffer harm that money alone would not be enough to fix if the posts continued to circulate.

The judge restrained Sandra Duru, either personally or through others, from publishing, sharing, or promoting any content on Facebook or other social media platforms that could be considered defamatory or harmful to the senator until the case is fully heard.

The court also directed Meta Platforms Inc. to immediately remove or block access to all posts and materials linked to the alleged defamation, whether shared under Duru’s name or the alias “Prof Mgbeke.”

Meta was further instructed to keep and protect all digital records, including content, metadata, and account details connected to the disputed posts, so they can be used as evidence during the trial.

Justice Mohammed explained that the injunction was meant to preserve the situation as it was and prevent further harm, not to punish any party.

He stated that the senator had shown enough evidence at this stage to suggest ongoing damage to her reputation.

The judge added that the balance of fairness favoured the claimant, especially given the claims that the posts were persistent and widely shared.

The court noted allegations that more than 30 posts were made over several months, attracting public backlash, threats, and emotional distress.

The court also considered claims that Meta had been formally notified about the posts but failed to act promptly, allowing the content to remain online.

According to the judge, this raised important issues that would be examined during the main hearing.

The case follows claims made by Duru about alleged phone conversations involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a Facebook Live session.

Duru had accused the senator of making false claims and attempting to involve her in other allegations.

Those claims, which were broadcast in a lengthy live video, are now part of the dispute before the court, with the final outcome to be decided when the substantive case is heard.

KanyiDaily recalls that the legal dispute over the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan intensified, with Godswill Akpabio taking the matter to the Supreme Court.