Crime
Yahaya Bello Petitions IGP, Demands Natasha’s Arrest For ‘Defamatory’ Comments
Yahaya Bello Petitions IGP, Demands Natasha’s Arrest For ‘Defamatory’ Comments
Yahaya Bello petitions IGP, demands Natasha’s arrest for ‘defamatory’ comments. Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, has petitioned Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), over alleged defamatory statements made against him by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central.
In the petition signed by N.A. Abubakar, his solicitor, on Wednesday, Bello asked the IGP to invite Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her allegations against him with credible evidence.
The former governor is urging the police to arrest and prosecute Akpoti-Uduaghan if she fails to provide proof of her allegations.
According to the petition, the statements attributed to the senator were made during a political “homecoming rally” held on April 1, 2025, in Okehi LGA of Kogi state.
At the event, Akpoti-Uduaghan was said to have alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed Bello to initiate her recall and fund it.
She was also alleged to have claimed that Akpabio directed Bello to orchestrate her assassination outside Abuja to make it appear like a mob or local attack.
Bello, through his lawyer, said the utterances were not only “false, reckless, and inciting” but also “constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation, and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under Nigerian law.”
“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,” the petition reads.
The lawyer added that Akpoti-Uduaghan has also brought Bello’s name into disrepute, “which, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety”.
“Our client has long considered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to be erratic and often driven by delusional narratives,” he said, claiming Bello had refrained from taking legal action in the past out of a sense of duty as a sitting governor.
He noted that having left office, the former governor “seeks full legal redress for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “totally fabricated and utterly baseless” allegations.
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.”
Yahaya Bello Petitions IGP
Also, in a separate letter addressed to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Bello’s lawyers, led by R.O. Balogun, demanded a formal apology and retraction of the said defamatory statements, which must 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,” the letter reads.
“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 14 days 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.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
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