Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged defamatory statements made against him by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In the petition, written and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. ABUBAKAR Esq, to the IGP on Wednesday, Bello called on the Nigeria Police Force under his (IGP’s) leadership to invite Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her allegation against him with credible evidence.

“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance and spreading false information injurious to public peace,” the lawyer wrote.He said that the utterances made against the former governor were not only false, reckless and inciting, but “they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under the Nigerian law.

“The former governor has also written to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through his Counsels, Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN & Co, demanding retraction and public apology over defamatory statements made against him in two national dailies, or face legal consequences.

“Our Client’s attention has been drawn to a most disturbing, damaging and criminally defamatory statement made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, during her public address at a political event tagged ‘Homecoming Rally’ held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Okehi LGA of Kogi State.

“That while addressing attendees at the rally, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely and maliciously uttered the following words in reference to our client: ‘(Senate President Godswill) Akpabio sent for Yahaya Bello.

And it was actually Senator Asuquo from Cross River that drove Yahaya Bello from Hilton Hotel. “I was informed of everything and what I got to know of the meeting was in two folds.

He told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it – of course, monies changed hands that night.

“The second thing he told him was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I wrote to the IG of Police. Akpabio told Yahaya Bello.

He told him that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should be done here, so it would seem as if it’s the people that killed me here …’

“That these utterances are not only false, reckless and inciting, but they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under Nigerian law,” Bello’s lawyer, Abubakar, wrote in the petition to the IGP.He said Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, penalises a person who knowingly or intentionally sends false messages or information through a computer or network likely to cause harm to the reputation of another person.

He added that, in Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, she caused videos of her above statement to be widely circulated online where it has continued to trend till date with the clear intention of causing harm to the reputation of the former governor against Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria) – which criminalises giving false information with intent to mislead public officers or the public.

“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 Kogi State Government has set an ambitious target of generating one billion naira in revenue from signage and advertisement by 2026, as part of its broader strategy to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and reduce dependence on federal allocations.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, during a management meeting with heads of agencies under the ministry in Lokoja.

Fanwo described the appointment of Mr. Richard Osaseyi as the General Manager of the Kogi State Signage and Advertising Agency as “a masterstroke,” noting that it would reposition the agency for greater efficiency and impact.

“Kogi has no business depending solely on federal allocations if we are able to harness internal revenue opportunities effectively.

Signage and advertisement can generate over a billion naira for the state by 2026,” Fanwo said.

“This is why we are gathered here to brainstorm on the prospects and challenges. Revenue generation is top on the agenda of the Ododo Administration as we aim to fund infrastructure and development from within.

”Fanwo further emphasized that Governor Ododo has successfully “separated revenue from politics,” allowing professionals to drive economic initiatives without interference.

In his remarks, Mr. Richard Osaseyi outlined strategies already being implemented to reposition the agency and boost revenue.

He revealed that many large corporate advertisers in the state had been underpaying in the past, but that the agency is now engaging with them diplomatically to correct the imbalance.

“With our new approach, we’re already seeing positive responses,” Osaseyi said. “The agency is poised to become a major contributor to the state’s IGR, and we will intensify public sensitization to build trust and cooperation.

”The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija, also commended the agency’s readiness and pledged the ministry’s continued support to ensure the success of the initiative.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Commissioner Fanwo inaugurated a Ministerial Committee to begin work on the launch of Project Confluence of Opportunities, an initiative aimed at projecting Kogi’s vast economic and tourism potential to both local and global investors.

“Kogi is one of the most richly endowed states in Nigeria — geographically, historically, and naturally,” Fanwo said.

“From the Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue to Mount Patti and our rich mineral resources, Kogi has everything to become a top investment and tourism destination.

“Project Confluence of Opportunities is our bold step to tell the world that Kogi is open for business. Our mandate goes beyond informing our people — we are also here to tell our story to the world in a way that attracts value.

”The initiatives form part of the Ododo Administration’s broader blueprint to reposition Kogi as a self-reliant, investor-friendly state and a model of good governance in Nigeria.

The Kogi State Government has expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing several illustrious sons and daughters of the state into key positions at the federal level, describing the gesture as a testament to the President’s commitment to inclusive governance and national development.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s Chief Servant, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, extended gratitude to the President for what he called a “demonstration of confidence in the capacity, competence, and character” of Kogi’s indigenes.

“These appointments are a reflection of Mr. President’s unwavering belief in the diversity of our nation and the value that each state brings to the table,” the statement read. “We are proud that Kogi indigenes have once again been found worthy to serve the nation at the highest levels.”

The government described the appointments as a clarion call to the new appointees to be worthy ambassadors of Kogi State, urging them to bring to bear the excellence and integrity that define the state’s identity.

“Your elevation is not just an honour but a responsibility to deliver results, to uphold the ideals of service, and to reflect the values we hold dear in Kogi State,” the government charged the new appointees.

Fanwo noted that Kogi State remains committed to partnering with the Federal Government to ensure sustained progress and development, both within the state and across the nation.

“We remain resolute in our support for Mr. President and will continue to work hand-in-hand with his administration in building a Nigeria that works for all,” the statement added.

The Kogi State Government sent a message of congratulations to the appointees, charging them to be good Ambassadors of the Confluence State.