Police Are Not Political Tools – Falana Defends Natasha Against Akpabio’s Allegations

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly opposed a petition filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over an alleged assassination plot.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to reports, Akpabio petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of falsely claiming he planned to assassinate her. The petition, dated April 3 and also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the senator’s accusation as a “heinous lie” aimed at tarnishing his image and inciting unrest.

The allegations originated from remarks Akpoti-Uduaghan made on April 1 during a visit to Kogi State.

However, in a statement released on Friday, April 11, 2025, Falana condemned Akpabio’s petition, asserting that the Senate President should have pursued a civil defamation suit rather than involving law enforcement in what he called a “politically motivated civil matter.”

Falana stated, “In his petition, Senator Akpabio himself described the alleged statement as ‘entirely false, unfounded, and politically motivated.’ On that basis alone, the Nigeria Police should not be drawn into criminalizing what is essentially a civil dispute.”

Citing the landmark case Arthur Nwankwo v. The State (1985), Falana reminded public officials not to misuse state institutions to silence political opposition. In particular, he quoted Justice Olajide Olatawura’s warning against reviving colonial-era laws to suppress free speech, emphasizing that political figures must be tolerant of criticism.

“Those in public office should not fear criticism,” Falana emphasized. “If Senator Akpabio believes he has been defamed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments, the appropriate course of action is to file a libel suit in a High Court—not to involve the police in a matter of civil disagreement.”