Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has filed a formal petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and incitement over comments allegedly made during a recent public event.
In the petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police and signed by legal counsel N.A. Abubakar, Bello is calling for an investigation into statements attributed to the Kogi Central senator, whom he alleges publicly accused him of involvement in an assassination plot.
The petition urges law enforcement to compel Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence to support her claims, and if she fails to do so, to initiate legal action against her for criminal defamation and spreading misinformation likely to disturb public order.
In a separate letter issued by another of his lawyers, R.O. Balogun, the former governor is demanding an immediate public apology and retraction from the senator. He warned of impending legal action should she fail to comply.
The accusations stem from remarks allegedly made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a homecoming ceremony held on April 1, 2025, in Okehi Local Government Area, where she was said to have linked Bello to an alleged assassination attempt, suggesting it was disguised as mob or ethnic violence.
Bello’s legal team argued that the senator’s comments violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015 and have not only injured his personal and political reputation but also risk fueling ethnic tension in the region.
The former governor contends that such allegations, if unchecked, could endanger public peace and compromise his personal safety, while also questioning the senator’s use of her political platform to make unverified claims.
