Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has issued a strong response to Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s formal petition, where he accused her of criminal defamation and incitement.
Akpabio’s petition, addressed to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely accused him of plotting her assassination, which he characterized as “heinous lies” intended to damage his reputation and incite public unrest.
The petition, dated April 3 and also sent to Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements made on April 1 in Kogi State.
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Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension, had alleged that Akpabio instructed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her within the state and frame her constituents for the crime.
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.”
Responding through her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that she had received Akpabio’s petition.
However, she insisted that her statements were not a political ploy but a genuine and urgent plea for assistance.
“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.
Her legal counsel, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), criticized the decision to remove Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s security detail immediately after her suspension from the Senate.
He argued that, as a politically exposed person, she has legitimate safety concerns that should be addressed.
“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?
“I mean, you say she’s not going to the office, okay fine, I mean, you don’t need the security to enter the office.
“You did stop her from coming to carry out her legislative duty as a senator but she has her life outside the Senate complex. And she’s a politically exposed person and you ordered her security details to be withdrawn!”
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