Senate President Godswill Akpabio has submitted a formal petition to Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting an investigation into an alleged assassination conspiracy against him by suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition, dated April 3, 2025, includes Akpabio’s denial of the accusations and his call for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation.
In his letter, the Senate President emphasized the need for law enforcement to address the issue with the utmost seriousness.
“I am writing to formally request your immediate investigation and prosecution regarding a criminally defamatory and malicious statement made against me by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended member of the Nigerian Senate, on April 1, 2025. This statement has been widely disseminated through various media outlets, including radio, television, newspapers, and social media.
“During a public address in Kogi State, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely claimed that I had instructed the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ‘assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja,’ intending to create the impression that her constituents would be responsible for her demise.
“This assertion is not only a despicable falsehood but also a reckless and intentional effort to tarnish my reputation, jeopardize my safety, and provoke political instability.
“I firmly assert that this allegation is completely unfounded, baseless, and politically driven. It represents a calculated attempt at blackmail and character assassination, aimed at depicting me as a political adversary, and it was made without any factual basis or corroborating evidence,” he stated.
“Her intentions were evident: to incite public outrage, manipulate public sentiment, and tarnish my reputation and that of my office in the eyes of both the Nigerian populace and the international community.
Given the gravity of this false allegation and its widespread acceptance, it is imperative that law enforcement agencies approach this matter with the seriousness it warrants.
He further called for the “immediate investigation into the false and inciting allegation” and the prosecution of “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan under the relevant provisions of the law for criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”