The senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio, has petitioned the inspector-general of police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, asking for investigation and prosecution of the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for accusing him of plotting to assassinate her.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan who is serving a six-month suspension for breaching senate rules, had while addressing her supporters in Kogi on April 1, accused Akpabio and the former governor of the state, Mr Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.
The suspended chairman, senate committee on diaspora and NGOs claimed that the alleged plot was due to an unsuccessful attempt to initiate her recall from the senate.
She also said had already reported the matter to the inspector general of police before publicising the issue.
“On the 13th of March at 10:00 pm, mind you, two days before that, Akpabio had called Governor Ododo on the phone to commence my recall, but Ododo told him it would be impossible. Ododo told Akpabio that the recall will be impossible because the masses are with me. But Akpabio was not satisfied, so he called Yahaya Bello. I was informed of everything.
“The meeting was on two folds. They told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it. The second thing he said was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I have written to the IG of the Police.
“Akpabio told Yahaya Bello that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should happen here so that it will look as if it was the people that killed me here,” she alleged.
However, in a petition dated April 3, 2025 and also copied to the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the senate president said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation “is a heinous lie” and a calculated attempt to malign his reputation, incite unrest, and endanger his life.
In the petition, Akpabio denied the allegation, describing it as defamatory and an attempt to incite public unrest and endanger his life.
“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 and newspapers, including the social media.
“In the public outburst at Kogi State while addressing her audience, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely alleged that I instructed the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ‘assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja’ with the intent of making it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.
“This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest,” Akpabio said.
He also rejected the allegation saying it is politically motivated, baseless, and defamatory.
He added that the remarks, widely circulated across traditional and social media platforms, were made without any supporting evidence and were intended to incite political instability and manipulate public opinion.
“I categorically state that this allegation is entirely false, unfounded, and politically motivated. It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain, and the statement was made without any shred of truth or supporting evidence,” the petition said.
Akpabio emphasised that the gravity of the allegation, coupled with its reach and public traction, demands prompt action by law enforcement agencies.
Akpabio claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motive was to incite the public against him.
“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.
“The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he added.
He called for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s prosecution under laws relating to criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and actions likely to breach public peace.
Akpabio urged the police to treat the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves, insisting that public figures must be held accountable for statements capable of threatening peace and democratic stability.
Meanwhile, the suspended senator said she had responded to Akpabio’s petition adding that she was taking all possible and lawful steps because she does not want her life to be wasted like those of others.
“I have responded to the petition. I did that yesterday, 9 April. What am I wasting time for? I stand by what I said. I am not mincing words. He (Akpabio) should respond to my own petitions. I wrote two petitions one on 25 March and one on 31 March and I have written a supporting witness statement but he has not responded. I have responded to his petition. He too should respond to my own.
“My greatest fear is to be killed and the matter swept under the carpet. Many have been killed and nothing happened. Funso Williams was killed, nothing happened, Bola Ige was killed and nothing happened. It is better I cry out. I pray that the police will do the right thing,” she said.
