ABUJA – Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged defamatory statements.
In a petition dated April 16 and signed by his legal counsel, N.A. Abubakar, Bello urged the police to summon the lawmaker to provide evidence supporting her claims or face prosecution for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance, and disseminating false information.
The petition follows allegations reportedly made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a homecoming event in Okehi Local Government Area on April 1, where she allegedly accused Bello of involvement in an assassination plot.
Bello, through another letter by his lawyer R.O. Balogun, also demanded a public retraction and apology from the senator, warning of legal consequences if she fails to comply.
According to the petition, the former governor accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, by making statements that allegedly damaged his reputation and incited ethnic and political tension in Kogi Central.
Bello contends that the senator’s remarks portrayed him as a violent political figure and could endanger his career and personal safety if left unchallenged.
