Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP – Kogi Central) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to dismiss a petition filed against her by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who accused her of criminal defamation and incitement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, recently suspended from the Senate over alleged misconduct, responded through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, asserting that Akpabio’s petition was a ploy to divert attention from serious allegations involving threats to her life.
Akpabio had earlier written to the IGP, claiming the senator falsely accused him of plotting her assassination — allegations he described as “heinous lies” intended to damage his reputation and provoke unrest.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that Akpabio should instead be investigated for his alleged involvement in threats against her. Her legal team emphasized that the Senate President cannot accuse her of incitement until a thorough investigation into her claims has been concluded.
“The Senate President is a principal suspect in a case involving threats to our client’s life, including the unlawful withdrawal of her security detail reportedly at his behest,” Giwa said in the statement.
He added, “Until these serious allegations are properly investigated and found to be baseless, Akpabio’s petition should not be entertained. It serves only to distract security agencies from the real issue.”
The senator’s legal team urged the IGP to disregard Akpabio’s petition, calling it “diversionary” and an attempt to undermine the investigation into the alleged threat against her.