Alleged assassination plot : Natasha fumes over Akpabio’s petition to IGP

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has issued a firm rebuttal following a formal complaint submitted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inspector General of Police, accusing her of defamation and incitement.

In the petition dated April 3 and copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akpabio alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely accused him of orchestrating a plot to assassinate her. The statement in question, made by the senator during an April 1 appearance in Kogi State, alleged that Akpabio instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to carry out the act while disguising it as an attack from within her constituency.

Akpabio described the accusation as a deliberate falsehood.
“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,” he said in the petition.

“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.”

In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed that the senator had received the petition and had formally replied. He emphasized that her comments were made out of genuine concern for her safety.

“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 stated.

Giwa also criticised the Senate’s move to withdraw her security detail following her suspension, calling it a risk to her life.
“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 And she’s a politically exposed person and you ordered her security details to be withdrawn!”