Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to disregard a petition filed against her by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and instead launch a thorough investigation into alleged threats to her life.
Akpabio recently accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of defaming him and inciting public unrest by alleging he was involved in a plot to assassinate her, claims he dismissed as malicious falsehoods intended to tarnish his image and spark unrest.
However, in a statement released Saturday through her legal representative, Victor Giwa, the senator described the Senate President’s petition as a strategic attempt to divert attention from serious allegations made against him.
“Our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, maintains that rather than accuse her of incitement, the Senate President should first be subjected to a full and transparent investigation concerning the threats to her life,” Giwa stated.
He further alleged that Akpabio’s actions, including the unlawful withdrawal of the senator’s security personnel, make him a key suspect in the threats she has received.
According to the statement, any petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan should only be considered after the claims against Akpabio have been thoroughly investigated and proven baseless.
“Senator Akpabio’s petition is not only premature but appears intended to derail or weaken the pursuit of justice,” the statement added. “We, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police to treat his petition as a distraction and focus instead on addressing the safety concerns of our client.”
