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Yahaya Bello Seeks Prosecution of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for Alleged Defamation

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.

Published

4 months ago

April 16, 2025

OCHEFA

121 Views

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.

“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.

Related Topics:Featured Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Yahaya Bello

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NAFDAC : Fake Cowbell Milk in circulation

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Published

12 hours ago

August 22, 2025

OCHEFA

23 Views

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) advises Nigerians to be vigilant and avoid purchasing counterfeit 12g Cowbell “Our Milk” sachets circulating across the country.

In a statement issued on Friday, the agency explained that the counterfeit product imitates the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk” packaging, which Promasidor Nigeria Ltd stopped producing in September 2023.

The legitimate product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.”

The fake sachets unlawfully bear the Cowbell brand name, NAFDAC registration number and packaging design, despite not being manufactured or distributed by Promasidor.

The counterfeit products currently in circulation are imitations of the discontinued ‘Our Milk’ packaging and are not manufactured or distributed by Promasidor,” the agency stated.

“They bear unauthorised use of the brand name, NAFDAC Registration Number, and packaging design.”

The regulator raised concerns over the health risks posed by the counterfeit product.

“Risk Statement: Consumption of counterfeit milk poses serious health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients.

Risks include foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, and organ damage, and in severe cases, death.

Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable,” NAFDAC warned.

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Japan designates the city of Kisarazu for Nigerians to live and work

Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

Published

18 hours ago

August 22, 2025

OhiBaba

27 Views

The Japanese government has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official “hometown” for Nigerians seeking to live and work in Japan

Japan also unveiled similar hometown designations for Tanzania, Ghana, and Mozambique in Nagai, Sanjo, and Imabari, respectively.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9), a move aimed at deepening cultural diplomacy, promoting economic growth, and enhancing workforce productivity.

Under the new arrangement, the Japanese government will introduce a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented Nigerian youth. Artisans and other blue-collar workers willing to upskill will also be eligible to live and work in Kisarazu under the special visa dispensation.

“Through this arrangement, we aim to strengthen exchanges and create a foundation for manpower development that will contribute to economic growth in both Japan and Nigeria,” said Mrs. Florence Akinyemi Adeseke, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires and Acting Ambassador to Japan.

The designation of Kisarazu builds on historical ties between Nigeria and the city.

The Nigerian Olympic contingent trained in Kisarazu during preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes acclimatised before moving to the Olympic Village.

Mayor Yoshikuni Watanabe of Kisarazu, who received the certificate from the Japanese government alongside Mrs. Adeseke, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost the city’s population and contribute to regional revitalisation efforts.

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BREAKING: FG, state, local governments share N2.001trn July revenue

Published

20 hours ago

August 22, 2025

Charles Flames

37 Views

The three tiers of government—federal, state, and local—shared a total of N2.001 trillion from the Federation Account as revenue for the month of July 2025, according to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The allocation was made during the FAAC meeting held in August 2025 in Abuja, with details released in an official communiqué.

The distributable revenue included:

N1.282 trillion in statutory revenue
N640.610 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT)
N37.601 billion from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)
N39.745 billion from exchange rate difference

Out of the total distributed funds:

The Federal Government received N735.081 billion
State Governments received N660.349 billion
Local Government Councils received N485.039 billion
N120.359 billion was shared to oil-producing states as 13% derivation revenue

Revenue Breakdown:

Statutory Revenue (N1.282 trillion):

FG: N613.805 billion
States: N311.330 billion
LGs: N240.023 billion
13% Derivation: N117.714 billion

VAT (N640.610 billion):

FG: N96.092 billion
States: N320.305 billion
LGs: N224.214 billion

EMTL (N37.601 billion):

FG: N5.640 billion
States: N18.801 billion
LGs: N13.160 billion

Exchange Gains (N39.745 billion):

FG: N19.544 billion
States: N9.913 billion
LGs: N7.643 billion
13% Derivation: N2.643 billion

The total gross revenue for July was N3.836 trillion, down from N3.485 trillion in June. Cost of collection deductions amounted to N152.681 billion, while N1.683 trillion was allocated for transfers, refunds, savings, and interventions.

FAAC noted improved collections from Petroleum Profit Tax, Oil and Gas Royalties, EMTL, and Excise Duties, while Companies Income Tax and CET Levies declined slightly. VAT and Import Duties saw marginal growth.

The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the allocation of national revenues across all levels of government.