According to Daily Post, Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has formally submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), raising concerns over what he describes as defamatory and inciting remarks made by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.The petition, which was dated and delivered on a Wednesday, was authored and signed by Bello’s legal counsel, Mr. N.A. Abubakar Esq.
In the document, Bello is requesting that the Nigeria Police Force take swift action by summoning Akpoti-Uduaghan for questioning.He urges the authorities to compel her to present concrete and credible evidence to back up the serious allegations she has made against him.The petition emphasizes the gravity of her accusations and the damage they may cause if left unchallenged.
“Where she fails to do so,” Bello’s lawyer wrote, “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.”This statement underlines the seriousness with which Bello and his legal team are treating the matter.They are seeking legal redress and are not only demanding a retraction but also criminal prosecution if the senator cannot provide proof to support her claims.
The petition highlights that the comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan were not just misleading or exaggerated, but blatantly false and made with reckless disregard for the truth.According to Bello’s legal team, her statements were inflammatory and designed to stir public unrest.“They constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under the Nigerian law,” the petition asserts.
Bello’s legal representation further argues that the senator’s remarks could potentially incite violence or unrest in the state, especially given her status as a public figure.The former governor believes that such unsubstantiated allegations have the potential to damage reputations, undermine public confidence, and provoke tension among the populace.
