Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as a false and defamatory assassination allegation made against him by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a letter dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio called for an immediate investigation into the claim and also requested that Akpoti-Uduaghan be prosecuted for criminal defamation. Copies of the petition were sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
The allegation, according to Akpabio, arose from a statement made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 1 during a homecoming event in Ihima, Kogi State. She reportedly accused the Senate President of directing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and the incumbent Governor Usman Ododo to assassinate her in order to frame her constituents.
Akpabio vehemently denied the accusation, calling it “a heinous lie” and “a calculated attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest.” He described the allegation as baseless, politically motivated, and intended to discredit him both nationally and internationally.
“The statement is not only false and unfounded, but a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination. Her motive was clear—to incite the public, manipulate sentiment, and malign my person and office,” Akpabio stated in the petition.
The Senate President also raised concerns about the wide circulation of the allegation through various media channels, including television, radio, print, and social media. He urged law enforcement agencies to treat the matter with urgency and prosecute the suspended senator under existing laws related to defamation, false accusations, and incitement.
