Suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a formal petition with the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, seeking an urgent investigation into what she describes as a coordinated campaign of criminal defamation, cyberstalking and conspiracy targeted at her person.
The petition, dated May 15, also names Senate President Godswill Akpabio and US-based Nigerian activist Sandra Duru, popularly known as Professor Mgbeke, as principal actors in the alleged smear campaign.
It was also copied to the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
At the heart of the complaint is a Facebook live broadcast by Duru, in which she made a number of damning allegations against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Among the claims was that the embattled senator offered her N200 million to fabricate damaging stories against Akpabio, including linking him to an organ harvesting ring and the death of a young girl two years ago.
Duru further alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had admitted in private that the sexual harassment claims she made against Akpabio were untrue and concocted merely to embarrass the Senate and discredit the Nigerian government.
In addition, Duru claimed that the suspended senator had criticised respected public figures such as former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, calling her and other supporters who stood by her during her appearance before the Senate “useful idiots,” and alleging they had been financially induced.
Responding through her legal counsel, Ehiogie Idahosa, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan denied all the allegations and described the broadcast as a criminal act designed to incite public outrage, endanger her safety and irreparably harm her reputation.
The petition read, “This petition is supported by incontrovertible evidence from public broadcasts, witness testimonies, media reports, and expert analyses. The facts outlined below demonstrate a deliberate retaliatory campaign by Senator Akpabio, using proxies and resources at his disposal, to harm Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation, jeopardize her safety, and obstruct justice after she accused him of sexual harassment.”
She urged the IGP to invite Duru and others named in the broadcast for interrogation and to conduct a forensic analysis of voice recordings, digital communication logs and any other related materials.
The petition specifically accuses the parties of violating Section 391(1) of the Penal Code (criminal defamation) and Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes Act (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
In April, Akpabio himself submitted a petition to the police, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of making false and criminally defamatory statements, including claims that he had plotted to assassinate her.
He requested her investigation and prosecution, arguing that her accusations were capable of inciting public unrest and constituted a direct threat to his safety.
The police have yet to make a public statement on the status of either petition or disclose whether any party has been invited for questioning.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has challenged her controversial suspension from the Senate in court.
In her suit, she argues that the upper chamber acted outside its powers by suspending her over unproven allegations and without a fair hearing.
A ruling is still being awaited in the matter.
