Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), accusing Senator Natasha Akpoti of criminal defamation. Bello’s legal team submitted the petition following a controversial statement made by the senator during a political rally. The lawyers claim her utterances were false, inciting, and damaging to Bello’s reputation.
In the petition signed by Bello’s lawyer, N.A. Abubakar, he urged the Nigeria Police to invite Akpoti to provide proof of her claims. If she fails to do so, they asked the police to arrest and prosecute her for “criminal defamation, public incitement, and spreading false information injurious to public peace.”
Natasha Akpoti Accused of Spreading False Allegations
The controversial statement was made during a political event tagged “Homecoming Rally” on April 1, 2025, in Okehi LGA of Kogi State. According to Bello’s counsel, Akpoti claimed that Senate President Akpabio told Yahaya Bello to kill her. In her words, “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello… that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja…”
Bello’s lawyer described these words as “reckless and criminally defamatory.” He said the senator’s actions breached the Cybercrime Act of 2015 and the Penal Code. Specifically, she violated Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime Act, which criminalizes false online messages intended to damage reputations.
The petition noted that Akpoti ensured videos of the allegations were widely shared online. According to Bello, the senator’s goal was to cause lasting reputational damage.
Lawyers Demand Retraction and Apology
In a separate letter, Bello’s lawyers demanded that Akpoti publicly retract the statements. They asked her to publish the retraction in two national newspapers. The lawyers also warned her to stop making any future defamatory comments, whether in the media or online.
“Our client has tolerated her repeated falsehoods for years,” the letter said. “But now, he demands full legal redress. The senator’s allegations are baseless and harmful to his image.”
Bello’s lawyer accused her of being “manic and delusional,” adding that he once showed restraint because she was a citizen of the state. But he no longer holds public office and now wants the law to take its full course.
The petition urged the IGP to take immediate action. “If this goes unpunished,” the lawyer stated, “others will feel emboldened to weaponize politics with false accusations.”
Yahaya Bello Demands Justice and Protection of Reputation
Yahaya Bello accuses Natasha Akpoti of criminal defamation, demanding full prosecution for her alleged falsehoods. According to his legal team, the senator’s accusations, if left unchecked, could incite public disorder and harm democracy. The former governor has insisted on a public apology and full legal consequences.
