The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has reacted strongly to a formal petition filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing her of criminal defamation and incitement.
Akpabio had written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that the senator falsely accused him of plotting her assassination, a claim he described as “heinous lies” aimed at damaging his reputation and inciting unrest.
The petition, dated April 3 and also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was triggered by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments made on April 1 in Kogi State.
The female senator, who is on a six-month suspension, had alleged that Akpabio had instructed former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to eliminate her within the state, making it appear as though her constituents were responsible for the attack.
But Akpabio in the petition said, “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.
“It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain. 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.”
Reacting through her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, Senator Natasha acknowledged receipt of Akpabio’s petition but maintained that her statement was not a political gimmick but a desperate cry for help.
“She has received the petition and has responded. What happened when she made that statement was her crying out to the general public to understand what she is exposed to,” Giwa said.
The SAN criticised the decision to withdraw Natasha’s security details shortly after she was suspended from the Senate, despite her being a politically exposed person with valid concerns for her safety.
“You are aware that the Senate President ordered the withdrawal of her security. If somebody has committed gross misconduct, what has that got to do with the withdrawal of her security?
Natasha And Senate President