Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a formal petition with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging a thorough investigation into an allegation made against him by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition, dated April 3, 2025, calls for her prosecution over what Akpabio describes as a false and damaging claim.
In his letter, Akpabio reacted to a recent public statement by Akpoti-Uduaghan during her visit to Kogi State on April 1.
She had accused him of directing former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and current Governor Usman Ododo to carry out an assassination against her, alleging the plan was to disguise it as an attack by her constituents.
Dismissing the claim as entirely false, Akpabio condemned it as a deliberate attempt to smear his name, incite political tension, and endanger his safety.
He described the accusation as reckless and without evidence, asserting that it was crafted to manipulate public opinion and portray him in a negative light.
The Senate President pointed out that such statements, especially coming from someone who has held public office, have the potential to cause unrest and mislead the public.
He warned of the broader consequences of such inflammatory rhetoric, particularly when widely circulated on radio, television, newspapers, and social media.
In the petition, which was also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akpabio called for immediate action.
He requested that law enforcement agencies begin a detailed investigation and take legal steps against Akpoti-Uduaghan for what he termed criminal defamation, incitement, false accusations, and actions capable of disturbing public peace.
He concluded by emphasizing the need to protect democratic institutions from falsehoods that could damage reputations and destabilize governance, stating that accountability should be upheld regardless of political status.