Sen. Goodswill Akpabio (L) and Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended People Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Kogi Central, on Saturday asked Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, to throw out a petition filed against her by the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio.
In the petition, Akpabio accused her of criminal defamation and incitement.
Akpabio, as revealed in reports, claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely accused him of planning her assassination. He described her claim as a “heinous lie” and accused her of spreading false information to damage his image and stir up unrest.
However, in a statement released on Saturday by her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Natasha responded by saying that Akpabio should first submit himself for investigation before any allegation of incitement made by him is considered by the security agencies.
She also urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate Akpabio over claims that he threatened her life. She pointed to the ‘illegal’ removal of her security personnel, which she said was ordered by the Senate president.
Natasha argued that Akpabio’s petition was only meant to shift the attention of law enforcement away from serious accusations made against him.
Read the demand: “We remain counsel for Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, hereafter known as our client. Our attention has been drawn to the news-making round that Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has filed a petition against our client, distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, alleging Incitement of the public against his person.
“It is our client’s position that the Senate president should submit himself for a full investigation to security agents before any allegation of incitement against him.
“The Senate president is a ‘principal suspect’ in the case of a threat to the life of the distinguished Senator Natasha, whose securities have been withdrawn illegally at the instruction of the Senate president.
“We, therefore, call on the Senate president to submit himself to full investigation rather than divert the attention of the security agents through a bubble petition.
“It is only when the investigation has been concluded, and the allegation has been shown to be false, that the issue of incitement and false allegation against Senator Natasha can be entertained.
“We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police to discontinue the Senate president’s petition as being diversionary and prejudicing of investigation”.
