Akpabio writes IGP over Assassination allegation by Natasha

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has submitted a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, calling for an investigation into assassination allegations made against him by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the petition dated April 3, 2025, Akpabio firmly denied the accusations, which were made by the Kogi Central Senator during a Sallah address on April 1 in her hometown of Obeiba-Ijioma, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Akpabio instructed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and current Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to orchestrate her assassination and falsely implicate members of her constituency in the plot.
Describing the claims as “heinous lies” and a “reckless and deliberate attempt” to tarnish his reputation, Akpabio urged the police to probe the matter thoroughly.
Akpabio also submitted a copy of the petition to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, requesting the prosecution of Akpoti-Uduaghan for criminal defamation.
He described the allegations as politically motivated, accusing the suspended senator of attempting to incite public unrest and tarnish his reputation.
Akpabio said: “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.
“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.”
“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.”
The Senate President noted that the allegation was made without any supporting evidence, adding that the widespread media coverage it received, further exacerbated the impact of the false claim.
He said: “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.”