Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged defamatory statements made against him by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In the petition, written and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. Abubakar Esq, to the IGP on Wednesday, Bello called on the Nigeria Police Force to invite Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her allegations against him with credible evidence.

“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance and spreading false information injurious to public peace,” the lawyer wrote.

The petition said the utterances made against the former governor were not only false, reckless and inciting, but “they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under the Nigerian law”.

The former governor has also written to Akpoti-Uduaghan, through his counsels, Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN & Co, demanding retraction and public apology over defamatory statements made against him in two national dailies, or face legal consequences.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to a most disturbing, damaging and criminally defamatory statement made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, during her public address at a political event tagged ‘Homecoming Rally’ held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Okehi LGA of Kogi State.

“That while addressing attendees at the rally, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely and maliciously uttered the following words in reference to our client: ‘(Senate President Godswill) Akpabio sent for Yahaya Bello. And it was actually Senator Asuquo from Cross River that drove Yahaya Bello from Hilton Hotel.

“I was informed of everything and what I got to know of the meeting was in two folds. He told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it – of course, monies changed hands that night.

“The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the IG of Police. Akpabio told Yahaya Bello. He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should be done here, so it would seem as if it’s the people that killed me here …’

“That these utterances are not only false, reckless and inciting, but they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under Nigerian law,” Bello’s lawyer, Abubakar, wrote in the petition to the IGP.

He said Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, penalises a person who knowingly or intentionally sends false messages or information through a computer or network likely to cause harm to the reputation of another person.

He added that, in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, she caused videos of her statement to be widely circulated online where it has continued to trend till date with the clear intention of causing harm to the reputation of the former governor against Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria) – which criminalises giving false information with intent to mislead public officers or the public.

“By accusing our client of plotting an assassination and naming him as a co-conspirator in a purported murder plot (with an attempt to disguise the killing as mob or ethnic violence), Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has:

“Gravely damaged our client’s reputation by portraying him as a violent and vengeful political actor and misled the public and tried to incite ethnic and political distrust, especially among clans of Ebiraland in particular and the people of Kogi Central in general.

“Brought his name into disrepute on the basis of an allegation so weighty that, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety; and abused her parliamentary status and platform by propagating such falsehoods without evidence, in a very public and politically charged setting,” the solicitor said.

He added, “Our client states that he has long considered Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as unhinged and apparently possessed of a schizophrenic disorder, characterized by manic narcissism, wild hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and an incurable incontinence with emotions and social interactions – hence his patient indulgence of her in the past while he was Governor in Kogi State when he restrained himself many times from seeking legal redress even though she frequently harassed him in the media with all sorts of horrible and damaging lies.

“Our client, however, asserts that he has long ended his stewardship of Kogi State as Governor and moved on to other pursuits – and that he no longer feels the same duty of paternalistic indulgence which he had for all Kogites as his citizens while in Office, and still exhibits till today, hence his insistence on full redress for her (Akpoti-Uduaghan’s) current accusations which, as usual, are totally fabricated and utterly baseless.”

He urged the IGP to expedite action on the petition, stating that “failure to act in the circumstances of these egregious offences by Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan will embolden others to also weaponise political platforms for dangerous falsehoods and criminal misrepresentation, especially with an eye to gaining dishonest advantage over opponents, thus endangering our democracy.”

According to him, this is necessary “to preserve public order, safeguard the integrity of public discourse and protect innocent persons from targeted smear campaigns that can endanger lives or destabilise the peace of the state and nation.”

Bello’s lawyers, led by Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN, in a separate letter written to the embattled senator said, “We hereby demand, on behalf of our client, the following:

“That you issue a formal retraction of the said defamatory statements, to be published in two national dailies.

“That you cease and desist from making any further defamatory statements concerning him, whether directly or by innuendo, and whether published in print, electronic or social media platforms.

“That you comply in terms of the foregoing within Fourteen days of the service of this letter on you.

“TAKE NOTICE that failure, refusal or neglect to comply with the above demands within the period of FOURTEEN DAYS (14) from the date this Letter is served on you, our client will set the necessary machinery in motion to initiate both civil and criminal proceedings against you without further notice.”

The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has apprehended 40 suspected internet fraudsters in Niger State.

The commission said the suspects were nabbed in Bida and Minna LGAs.

According to a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity, they were arrested following credible intelligence that linked them to suspected fraudulent internet activities.

Items recovered from them include three cars, eight power generating sets, one Hisense air conditioner, two power stabilizers, 10 motorcycles, eight laptop computers, four bluetooth speakers and 60 android phones.

Also recovered were fetish items that included three calabashes adorned with feathers, traditionally made soap and sponge, a bottle of hot drink, 20 cowries, a waist bead and four lady’s underwears.

Oyewale added that suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday flagged-off the construction of the 465 kilometres Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja super Highway.

The flag-off took place at Amuro Mgbom Primary School, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Tinubu represented by Governor Francis Nwifuru, thanked the people of the South-East for their support so far and urged them to continue.

He promised that the project will be completed not only in record time but according to stipulated specifications.

Governor Nwifuru, in his own address described the project as very key and critical to the aspirations of the people.

“May I also take this opportunity to thank very profoundly, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda is beginning to take root in every corner of our country.

“This project reflects the president’s resolve to deploy infrastructure as a tool for national development and growth . We shall remain resolute in our support to the administration of Mr President as a way of reciprocating this gesture,” he said.

Nwifuru noted that the multiplier effect of the road is immeasurable

“For us as a State, this project is especially significant. We are a landlocked state with vast potential in agriculture, solid minerals, and trade.

“For years, our progress has been slowed down by poor connectivity with other States But today, we break that barrier. With this flagship road construction, we are writing a new chapter — one of progress, prosperity, and integration.

“And as Governor of Ebonyi State, I say this without reservation: this project is a game-changer. For our farmers, it means faster access to regional and national markets.

“For our traders, it means reduced cost of transportation. For our students, it means more secure and accessible roads to institutions across state borders. For our youth, it means employment. For our local economy, it means growth.

“This initiative is not merely a civil engineering task. It is a bold declaration that the era of isolation, marginalization, and infrastructural neglect is giving way to an era of transformation, inclusion, and nationwide accessibility”, Nwifuru said.

Meanwhile, various leaders of the state who spoke at the event endorsed the President for a second term.

Minister of Works, David Umahi described Tinubu as a President for all.

“He does not discriminate but he is a unifier, a true Nigerian and patriotic Leader who has the entire nation at heart.

“This is a legacy project of the President and the legacy projects are spread across the entire regions of the country,” Umahi said.

Umahi promised that the project will be completed within the stipulated time and requested for support of the communities and all the people of the state.

“Ebonyi has been so marginalized that even as governor I couldn’t lay hands on any reasonable project from the federal government but President Tinubu within a short period of time has changed the narrative for the better.

“We have every cause to be grateful to Mr President. This is one President that have southeast at heart.

“He is the first President to appoint a southeasterner as Minister of Works. We didn’t have projects like this before but today Mr President is working for all regions of the country.

“Mr President has reunited the entire country and southeast has no cause not to stand for Mr President. Ndigbo are wiser and won’t join hands with those who don’t like the country.

“We must come together as a region to endorse Mr President for second term.”

Senator Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, commended the President for appointments and projects he extended to the South-East region and vowed to return the support during the polls.

A former senator, Azu Agboti commended Tinubu for including Ebonyi as one of the benefitting states of the project.

“We will continue to support whatever will benefit the region and whatever will benefit the people of the country.

“South-East needs to be grateful for all the projects Tinubu is doing in the region. We thank you for appointing our own son as Minister of Works.

“We want to encourage everybody from southeast that the time has come for us to return the gesture of Mr President back to Mr President. We must connect properly to the centre. One of the ways we must show this gratitude is to stand with Mr President. We must show that we are people who cherish and value gratitude,” he said.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Chioma Nweze said the president is building roads across the country and uniting the people.

She thanked the governor for providing environment for projects like this to thrive.

“South-East is standing for Tinubu,” she proclaimed.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olufumsho Adebiyi said the road project will provide efficient network that will boost agriculture and enhance trade and commerce.

He further said the road will create employment opportunities for the youths.

The permanent secretary called on the people to support the project from the begining to the end a survey are the greatest beneficiaries of the project.

Engr Bede Obiora on behalf of the contractor promised that the project will be done according to specifications.

He said the 123 kilometres section in Ebonyi which is to be done on continuous reinforced concrete pavement will cut across many communities from Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and terminate at Mbeke Ishieke in Ebonyi local government area.