Akpabio petitions IGP, seeks Natasha’s prosecution over assassination allegation
Abdullateef Fowewe
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding an investigation into the assassination allegations leveled against him by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio denied the claims made by the Kogi Central Senator during a Sallah address on April 1 in her hometown of Obeiba-Ijioma, Okehi local government area of Kogi state.
Dailyeconomy reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of allegedly directing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and the incumbent Governor, Ahmed Ododo, to assassinate her and frame her constituents for the act.
Describing the claims as “heinous lies” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation, Akpabio urged the police to probe the matter thoroughly.
He also forwarded the petition to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, seeking Akpoti-Uduaghan’s prosecution for criminal defamation.
Akpabio further described the allegations as politically motivated and aimed at inciting unrest and damaging his public image.
He said, “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.”
However, Akpabio stated that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence, adding that the widespread media coverage it received, further worsened the impact of the false claim.
“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,” Akpabio added.
He thereby called for a thorough probe and prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan under the relevant provisions of the law.
