By Kolawole Ojebisi
The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, why the petition written by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, accusing her of criminal defamation and incitement should not be dismissed.
The legislator instead urged the IG to probe Akpabio over allegations of threats to her life.
These are contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Natasha’s counsel, Victor Giwa, Natasha.
According to the statement, the Kogi lawmaker accused the Senate President of attempting to preempt investigations into his alleged role in a plot to harm her by raising counter-allegations of public incitement.
She insisted that Akpabio’s petition was a deliberate ploy to distract law enforcement from more pressing allegations against him.
“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suspect’ in the case of a threat to the life of the distinguished Senator Natasha, whose securities have been withdrawn illegally at the instruction of the Senate president.”
She said that not until the investigation into the allegations against the Senate President had been completed and proven to be false, could the Akpabio’s petition be entertained.
“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,” it added.
Recall that Akpabio had written to Egbetokun, alleging that the senator falsely accused him of plotting her assassination, a claim he described as “heinous lies” aimed at damaging his reputation and inciting unrest.
