Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused the Nigeria Police of stalling investigations into multiple petitions she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, while hastily pursuing a counter-petition filed against her by Akpabio.
Counsel to the Kogi Central Senator, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), made the allegation in a letter dated May 19, 2025, and addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The letter outlined details of what her lawyers described as a disturbing pattern of preferential treatment and discriminatory action by the police in favour of Akpabio.
“Our client submitted numerous petitions to the Nigeria Police against Senator Akpabio,” the letter stated, adding that the complaints were “clearly stated” and had been submitted since March and April 2025. Despite repeated follow-ups, the senator’s legal team laments that “no significant efforts have been made to impartially investigate the said petitions.”
The three referenced petitions include a March 25 report on threats to her personal security; a March 31 petition over the unlawful withdrawal of her police security detail; and an April 4 petition alleging a conspiracy by Senator Akpabio and Yahaya Bello to assassinate her, which they said were all acknowledged as received by the police between March 26 and April 5.
West-Idahosa who alleged that the police have failed to interview available witnesses or take necessary steps to advance investigations, suggested that the political stature of the individuals involved may have influenced the lack of progress.
He said: “It is obvious that this unwillingness to thoroughly and impartially investigate the petitions may be due to the high political office occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“The same situation is applicable to our client’s petition against Yahaya Bello, to whom constitutional immunity no longer applies.”
The letter also contrasts this treatment with the “swift” handling of a petition filed by Senator Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 3, accusing her of false accusations, criminal defamation, and incitement. The Senator was invited and made a statement under caution, during which she reaffirmed her earlier petitions and offered witnesses.
Her legal team however alleged that the police failed to include the petitions and supporting materials in the case file, while they have concluded investigations into Akpabio’s petition.
“Our client is concerned that investigations into her petitions have been severally and unjustly stalled in what appears to be a discriminatory executive action… contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria,” West-Idahosa wrote.
The Senator, therefore called on the Attorney-General to invoke Section 105(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to request the relevant case files from the Nigeria Police.
Her legal team is urging a review to ensure justice is served and that the principles of fairness and rule of law are upheld.
Attached to the letter are copies of the petitions and the Senator’s police statement, which her lawyers say substantiate her claims.
