Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as “criminally defamatory” statements made against him by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition, dated Wednesday and signed by Bello’s lawyer, Mr. N.A. Abubakar, calls on the police to invite Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for questioning and to present evidence to support her claims. Bello’s legal team is also demanding her arrest and prosecution should she fail to substantiate the allegations.
According to the petition, the statements made by the senator during a political event on April 1, 2025, in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, were “false, reckless and inciting.” At the event, tagged “Homecoming Rally,” Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly accused Bello of plotting to assassinate her, claiming the plan was discussed during a meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
She further alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed Bello to initiate her recall and provided financial backing, adding that she had reported the threats to the Inspector General of Police.
Bello’s legal team described the remarks as a “grave criminal defamation” that could incite public disorder and tarnish the former governor’s reputation. “By accusing our client of plotting an assassination and naming him as a co-conspirator in a purported murder plot… the senator has misled the public and attempted to incite political and ethnic distrust,” the petition stated.
The legal team cited provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, and Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code, arguing that the viral video clips of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s remarks circulated online were intentionally damaging.
In a separate letter sent to the senator by Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN, and Co., Bello’s lawyers demanded a formal retraction and a public apology to be published in two national newspapers. They also warned the senator to cease further defamatory remarks or face both civil and criminal legal actions.
“Our Client has long considered Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as unhinged… and has indulged her in the past out of a sense of duty as then-sitting governor,” the letter stated. “However, our client has since moved on from public office and will no longer tolerate falsehoods capable of endangering his personal safety and political standing.”
The lawyers gave the senator a 14-day ultimatum to comply with the demands or risk immediate legal action.
Bello’s team urged the police to act swiftly, warning that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent where political platforms are used to spread falsehoods, incite unrest, and endanger democratic stability.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is yet to respond formally to the petition and legal threats as of the time of filing this report.
