Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over what he described as a “malicious and criminally defamatory” claim of an assassination plot.
The petition, dated April 3, 2025, follows a public statement made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 1, during which she accused Akpabio of directing former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to assassinate her in Kogi State. According to the senator, the plan was allegedly intended to make her killing appear as though it was orchestrated by her constituents.
In his petition, Akpabio strongly refuted the allegations, labelling them “a heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to malign his character and incite political instability. He urged the police chief to take swift action and ensure Akpoti-Uduaghan is prosecuted under laws covering defamation, incitement, and public disturbance.
“I write to formally bring to your attention and seek immediate investigation and prosecution of a criminally defamatory and malicious statement made against me by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended member of the Nigerian Senate on the 1st of April, 2025, and which was widely publicised on radio stations, televisions, newspapers, and social media,” the Senate President wrote.
Akpabio noted that during her speech in Kogi State, Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly alleged he had instructed Yahaya Bello to “assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja,” in a plot designed to implicate her constituents. He described the claim as not only false but capable of inciting unrest and endangering his life.
He said: “This is a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest.”
Akpabio accused the senator of acting with political intent, aiming to manipulate public opinion and cast his office in a bad light.
“Her motive was clear, which was to incite the public, manipulate sentiments, and malign my person and office in the eyes of the Nigerian people and the international community,” he stated.
The Senate President further emphasized the damaging impact of the allegation, which he said had been widely circulated across various media platforms. He called on law enforcement authorities to approach the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
In conclusion, Akpabio appealed to the police to launch an immediate investigation into the claim and ensure Akpoti-Uduaghan is held accountable for what he called “false and inciting” accusations. He insisted she must be prosecuted for criminal defamation, false accusation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
