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Alleged Assassination Plot: Akpabio Petitions Police, Seeks Senator Natasha’s Prosecution For Criminal Defamation

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedApril 10, 2025

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an investigation into the allegation that he plotted to assassinate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio in the petition dated April 3, 2025, denied the accusation and called for the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.

The petition was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

OSUN DEFENDER reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan who was suspended for six during her visit to Kogi on April 1, 2025, alleged that Akpabio instructed former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to assassinate her in Kogi State, claiming that the act was intended to make it appear that her constituents were responsible for her death.

But Akpabio denied the accusation, calling it a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation.

In his petition, the Senate President labelled the allegation as politically motivated, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to incite political unrest and damage his public image.

He stressed that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence. The Senate President also highlighted the severe impact of the false allegation, especially given its widespread coverage across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media.

He urged law enforcement agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.

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.
“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.”

He further added that the statement was intended to manipulate public sentiment and malign his person and office.

“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 said.

“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.”

The Senate President, in the petition, 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”.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.