Assassination: Akpabio petitions IGP to investigate, prosecute Senator Natasha
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally asked the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and prosecute Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations he plotted to assassinate her.
Recall that in a statement on April 1, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of ordering former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to have her assassinated in Kogi State, intending to make it appear as though her constituents were responsible for her death.
Responding to the accusation, Akpabio filed a petition on April 3, 2025, strongly denying the allegations. He described the claim as a “heinous lie” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to damage his reputation.
Akpabio also demanded that Akpoti-Uduaghan be prosecuted for criminal defamation. He accused her of making the statement to incite political unrest and tarnish his public image, pointing out that the accusation was made without any proof.
READ ALSO: Akpabio, Yahaya Bello plotted my recall, tried to kill me – Senator Natasha
Akpabio expressed his concern about the negative impact of the false claims, noting that the allegations were widely spread across media platforms, including radio, television, and social media.
He emphasised that the matter needed to be taken seriously by law enforcement.
“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,” Akpabio said in his petition.
He further explained, “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.”
READ ALSO: “We were the targets” – Senator Natasha reveals after arriving Kogi using helicopter (Pictures)
Rejecting the accusation, Akpabio said, “This is a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest.”
He also questioned the political motives behind the false claim, stating, “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.”
Akpabio concluded by calling for an “immediate investigation into the false and inciting allegation” and the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation, false accusation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Sexual harassment claims and suspension
The lingering clash between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio heightened when Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension without pay, citing her “unruly and disruptive” behaviour during an argument regarding her seating arrangements.
Afterwards, Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, the accusation dominated conversations and highlighted longstanding women’s rights issues in the socially conservative country, where no woman has ever been elected governor, vice-president or president.
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