Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused the Nigeria Police Force of showing bias in its handling of several petitions she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, while quickly acting on a counter-petition made against her by Akpabio.
The accusation came in a formal letter dated May 19, 2025, sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The letter was signed by her lawyer, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, who described the police actions as a “disturbing pattern of preferential treatment” favoring Senator Akpabio.
According to the letter, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted multiple petitions to the police between March and April 2025, but no serious investigation has been carried out.
Among these petitions were a March 25 report alleging threats to her personal security, a March 31 petition about the unlawful withdrawal of her police security detail, and an April 4 petition accusing Akpabio and Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.
The police acknowledged receiving all these petitions between March 26 and April 5. However, West-Idahosa noted that no interviews with witnesses or other investigative steps have been taken so far.
He suggested the slow progress may be because of the high political offices held by the accused, saying, “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 letter also pointed out that since Yahaya Bello is no longer a sitting governor, he does not have constitutional immunity and should be investigated like any other citizen.
In contrast, the police acted quickly on a counter-petition filed by Akpabio on April 3. Akpabio accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of false allegations, criminal defamation, and incitement. Following this, Akpoti-Uduaghan was invited by the police, made a statement under caution, and repeated her claims, even providing witnesses and evidence.
Despite this, her lawyers say that none of her petitions or evidence have been included in the file related to Akpabio’s complaint. Meanwhile, they were told the investigation into Akpabio’s petition has already been completed.
West-Idahosa expressed concern that investigations into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petitions have been “severally and unjustly stalled” in what appears to be discriminatory treatment, adding that such conduct violates the 1999 Constitution.
The senator is now asking the Attorney General to use Section 105(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to request and review the relevant police case files. Her legal team is pushing for immediate action to ensure justice is served and the rule of law is maintained.
Attached to the letter were copies of the original petitions and the senator’s official police statement, which her legal team says support her allegations.
