Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, calling for the immediate investigation and prosecution of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged defamatory statements made during a recent political rally.
In a petition filed by his legal representative, N.A. Abubakar, Bello accused the senator of making “false, reckless, and inciting” claims during a public address on April 1 in Okehi Local Government Area. The former governor alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely implicated him in a conspiracy involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Cross River Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, claiming they plotted her assassination under the guise of ethnic violence.
The petition, addressed to the IGP, demands that the senator be summoned to substantiate her allegations with credible evidence. Should she fail to do so, Bello’s legal team insists she should face prosecution for criminal defamation, incitement to public disturbance, and spreading false information—offenses punishable under Nigerian law.
Bello’s lawyers further cited violations of Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalizes the dissemination of false messages intended to damage another person’s reputation. They emphasized that videos of the senator’s statements have been widely circulated online, causing what they describe as irreparable harm to Bello’s public image and political standing.
In a separate legal notice, Bello’s counsel, Chief R.O. Balogun (SAN), demanded that Akpoti-Uduaghan issue a formal retraction and public apology in two national newspapers within 14 days. Failure to comply, they warned, would result in civil and criminal lawsuits.
The petition underscores concerns that such allegations could endanger public order and personal safety, urging the police to act swiftly to “preserve the integrity of public discourse.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has yet to publicly respond to the legal threats. The case highlights growing tensions in Kogi’s political landscape, where accusations of defamation and incitement have become increasingly contentious.
Legal analysts suggest that the outcome of this petition could set a significant precedent for how defamation cases involving high-profile political figures are handled under Nigeria’s cybercrime and penal laws.
