Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has submitted a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), calling for a thorough investigation into alleged defamatory remarks made against him by the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the petition dated Wednesday and signed by his legal representative, N.A. Abubakar, Esq., Bello urged the police chief to summon Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her claims with verifiable evidence.
The petition emphasized that should she fail to provide such evidence, she should be arrested and prosecuted in line with legal provisions covering criminal defamation, incitement, and dissemination of false information.
The petition pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements were not only untrue and inflammatory, but also amounted to serious criminal allegations under Nigerian law.
Additionally, Bello, through his legal team led by Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN & Co, has issued a formal demand to the senator to retract the said statements and publish an apology in two national newspapers or face legal consequences.
According to the legal team, the statements in question were made during a political rally tagged “Homecoming Rally” on April 1, 2025, in Okehi LGA, where Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Bello of plotting her assassination and conspiring with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Asuquo from Cross River.
She reportedly said:
“Akpabio sent for Yahaya Bello. It was actually Senator Asuquo who picked him up from Hilton Hotel. I was informed that during the meeting, two things were discussed: one, to begin my recall and that funding had been arranged. Secondly, I was told he was instructed to eliminate me—but not in Abuja—so it would appear as if locals carried it out…”
Bello’s legal counsel stated that such claims are deeply damaging and aimed at tarnishing his image by portraying him as a violent political actor.
They further alleged that by circulating videos of the speech online, the senator sought to cause reputational harm, thereby violating Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code, and breaching Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
The former governor’s lawyers asserted that the senator’s allegations were politically motivated and designed to incite ethnic tension, especially within the Ebira community and across Kogi Central.
They also accused her of abusing her senatorial platform to spread unverified and dangerous claims.
In the petition, Bello also described Akpoti-Uduaghan as mentally unstable and alleged that he had previously ignored similar attacks during his time in office out of respect for his position and constituents.
However, now as a private citizen, he insisted that her latest allegations would not go unanswered.
He called on the police to act swiftly, warning that inaction could set a dangerous precedent and encourage others to manipulate political platforms to spread harmful misinformation and destabilize the peace.
His legal team demanded the senator publish a formal retraction and apology, stop making further defamatory remarks, and comply within 14 days of receiving the letter, or risk both civil and criminal litigation.
