Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has filed a formal petition with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), urging the Nigeria Police Force to investigate and prosecute suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) over what he described as defamatory and inciting statements.
In a petition dated April 10, 2025, and signed by his legal representative, Mr. N.A. Abubakar, Bello accused the senator of making “false, reckless, and dangerously inciting” allegations during a political rally in Okehi Local Government Area on April 1. The former governor’s legal team is demanding that the senator be summoned to provide evidence or face arrest and prosecution for criminal defamation, incitement, and the dissemination of false information.
“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law,” the petition read.
At the center of the controversy are comments reportedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio sent for Bello, that another senator from Cross River chased him out of the Hilton Hotel, and that Akpabio told him to “make sure she is killed” — all allegedly in connection to an ongoing political recall campaign.
Reacting through a separate legal notice issued by Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN & Co., Bello is also demanding a public apology and a retraction of the alleged statements in two national newspapers, alongside a cease-and-desist from making further defamatory remarks. The senator was given a 14-day ultimatum to comply or face both civil and criminal litigation.
“By accusing our client of plotting an assassination, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has brought his name into disrepute on the basis of an allegation so weighty that, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety,” the letter stated.
Bello’s lawyers further cited Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act (2015) and Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code, which criminalise incitement and the spread of false information likely to disturb public order.
The petition also accuses the senator of deliberately amplifying the alleged statements through social media, intensifying the reputational damage and public outrage.
“TAKE NOTICE that failure to comply… will result in the initiation of both civil and criminal proceedings,” the legal team warned.
Bello’s camp is urging the police to act swiftly to prevent a breakdown of public order and ensure justice is served, describing the senator’s statements as part of a “targeted smear campaign” against the former governor.
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