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Yahaya Bello petitions IGP over alleged defamation by Natasha
Yahaya Bello petitions IGP over alleged defamation by Natasha
Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged defamatory and inciting statements made against him.
In a petition dated Wednesday and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. Abubakar, Yahaya Bello urged the police to invite the senator, who is currently suspended from representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, to present credible evidence supporting her allegations.
“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 stated.
Yahaya Bello’s legal team insists that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a political rally were false, reckless, and designed to incite public unrest. They described her comments as “serious criminal defamation, false accusation and incitement to public disorder, all of which are offences under the Nigerian law.”
In a separate letter from Chief R.O. Balogun, SAN & Co., Bello has also demanded a retraction and public apology from Akpoti-Uduaghan, threatening legal consequences if she fails to comply.
According to the letter, the contentious statements were made during a “Homecoming Rally” held on April 1, 2025, in Okehi Local Government Area. During her address, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly stated:
“(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 …”
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Yahaya Bello’s lawyer said these remarks, which have since circulated widely online, violate Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, as well as Sections 114 and 140 of the Penal Code, by spreading false information with intent to cause harm.
He stated that the senator’s accusations have, “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. Brought his name into disrepute on the basis of an allegation so weighty that, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety; and abused her parliamentary status and platform by propagating such falsehoods without evidence, in a very public and politically charged setting.”
Bello’s legal team further described the senator as unstable, stating, “Our Client states that he has long considered Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as unhinged and apparently possessed of a schizophrenic disorder, characterized by manic narcissism, wild hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and an incurable incontinence with emotions and social interactions – hence his patient indulgence of her in the past while he was Governor in Kogi State when he restrained himself many times from seeking legal redress even though she frequently harassed him in the media with all sorts of horrible and damaging lies.”
The former governor emphasized that he no longer sees the need for tolerance, adding, “Our Client, however, asserts that he has long ended his stewardship of Kogi State as Governor and moved on to other pursuits – and that he no longer feels the same duty of paternalistic indulgence which he had for all Kogites as his citizens while in Office, and still exhibits till today, hence his insistence on full redress for her (Akpoti-Uduaghan’s) current accusations which, as usual, are totally fabricated and utterly baseless.”
Bello urged the Inspector General to act promptly, warning that failure to prosecute Akpoti-Uduaghan could encourage others to exploit political platforms for falsehoods and incitement, thereby undermining national peace and democratic integrity.
In the final demand letter to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Yahaya Bello’s lawyers outlined three conditions:
- A formal retraction of the alleged defamatory statements published in two national newspapers.
- A commitment to cease any further defamatory statements in any form of media.
- Compliance with the above within 14 days of receiving the letter.
They warned that failure to meet these conditions would trigger both civil and criminal legal actions.
Yahaya Bello petitions IGP over alleged defamation by Natasha
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metro
Enugu Man Recounts How HIV Argument Allegedly Led to Girlfriend’s Death
Enugu Man Recounts How HIV Argument Allegedly Led to Girlfriend’s Death
A 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, has told the Enugu State Police Command how he allegedly killed his 27-year-old girlfriend, Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, after an argument involving allegations over HIV infection.
Emmanuel gave the account during an interview with the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a video released by the command on Friday.
The police identified Ugwu as a Medical Laboratory Science graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, who had recently completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
According to Emmanuel, the incident occurred around midnight on September 19, 2026, at his residence in Olympic Layout, One-Day area of Enugu.
He said the argument started after he told Ugwu that he could treat people living with hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis. Emmanuel alleged that Ugwu then accused him of infecting her with HIV, leading to a heated argument that escalated into a physical confrontation.
The suspect claimed Ugwu picked up a pestle and began hitting him, after which he said he took the object from her and struck her, causing her to collapse.
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Emmanuel further told the police that he subsequently used a machete to inflict injuries on her wrist, head and neck.
The police said the latest investigation revealed that the suspect’s account went beyond the initial allegation that he had used a pestle. According to the command, he also allegedly used a machete during the incident.
After the alleged killing, Emmanuel said he wrapped Ugwu’s body in a black nylon bag and moved it into the toilet of the apartment. He said he then locked the toilet and the master bedroom before leaving.
The remains were later discovered after neighbours reportedly noticed an offensive odour coming from the apartment. The neighbours forced their way inside and found the decomposing body.
Police had earlier said Emmanuel was apprehended by residents and was subsequently rescued from an angry mob before being re-arrested by officers attached to the Awkunanaw Division.
The remains were evacuated to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the investigation continued. (Premium Times Nigeria)
During the police interview, Emmanuel also admitted damaging Ugwu’s Samsung phone, saying he feared that it could be used to trace him. He said her iPhone had already been switched off after she complained that it was faulty.
The suspect said he first met Ugwu through Facebook in 2023 and that they resumed their relationship after she returned to Enugu in 2026. He claimed that he intended to marry her and had discussed the relationship with her mother.
Emmanuel also suggested that he was not fully aware of his actions at the time of the incident and appealed for forgiveness and mercy.
However, Ugwu’s family has disputed reports that she was killed simply because of an HIV-related disagreement, insisting that the circumstances surrounding her death require a thorough and independent investigation.
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Her immediate elder sister, Kenechi Maryam, said members of the family were present during an interview involving Emmanuel and the Commissioner of Police. She said the suspect’s accounts about the injuries and weapons allegedly used raised questions that the family wanted investigators to resolve.
According to the family, Emmanuel initially spoke about using a pestle but later mentioned a machete when questioned about injuries to Ugwu’s head and neck.
The family has called on the police, medical personnel and other relevant authorities to establish the actual cause of death, the nature of the injuries and what weapon or object caused them.
The family has also urged journalists and members of the public not to treat the alleged HIV dispute as an established motive until investigators have completed their work. (ThisDay.com.ng)
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has assured Ugwu’s parents and siblings that justice would be served. The command said the victim’s family had been identified and interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The commissioner has directed investigators to conclude the case and ensure that the suspect is charged to court after the investigation.
The police have also urged members of the public, particularly young women, to inform trusted relatives or friends of their whereabouts when visiting or spending time with people they know.
The allegations against Emmanuel remain subject to investigation and possible court proceedings, while the circumstances surrounding Ugwu’s death have yet to be fully established.
Enugu Man Recounts How HIV Argument Allegedly Led to Girlfriend’s Death
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metro
Court Remands Man Accused of Impersonating JAMB Registrar in Kuje Prison
Court Remands Man Accused of Impersonating JAMB Registrar in Kuje Prison
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Arinze Nwogba in the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that Nwogba remain in custody pending a ruling on his bail application. The court fixed October 7, 2026, for ruling on the bail request and October 19 for the commencement of trial. (Vanguard News)
The case was brought by the Inspector-General of Police in a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026. The charge was dated September 18 and filed on September 21, 2026.
Nwogba, who was arraigned before the court, pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
The police alleged that Nwogba and other suspects still at large fraudulently impersonated the JAMB Registrar in 2026 by using Prof. Aina’s name and photograph on platforms including WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn.
According to the prosecution, the alleged syndicate used the identity to approach unsuspecting members of the public with purported offers of government and JAMB-related contracts.
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Investigators alleged that the suspects directed prospective victims to communicate through a WhatsApp number and claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.
The prosecution further alleged that victims were asked to pay N900,000 as an initial processing or “handshake” fee, with another N3 million allegedly demanded for payments purportedly meant for senior officials in the Ministry of Education.
Police investigations reportedly led to Nwogba’s arrest in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in August.
The prosecution told the court that Nwogba allegedly operated under the name Dr Stephen Igwe and provided bank details to facilitate the alleged transactions.
Investigators also alleged that an Access Bank account linked to a deceased person was provided for the payment of the requested money. Police said Nwogba told investigators that the account belonged to his late nephew, who died in April 2026 and was buried in July.
The police further alleged that Nwogba admitted forwarding the account details to a cousin identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa, whom investigators described as the alleged principal suspect in the operation.
Nwekpa remains at large, according to the prosecution, while efforts are reportedly ongoing to arrest him.
The case followed a petition by the JAMB Registrar concerning the alleged unauthorised use of his identity and photograph to deceive members of the public.
At Friday’s proceedings, Nwogba’s lawyer, Christian Ejike, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that there was a risk that the defendant could evade trial if released.
The prosecution also told the court that its witnesses and exhibits were ready and that it was prepared to proceed with the case.
Justice Ibrahim, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the bail ruling to October 7 and fixed October 19 for trial.
The allegations against Nwogba remain before the court, and his plea of not guilty means that the prosecution must prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Court Remands Man Accused of Impersonating JAMB Registrar in Kuje Prison
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metro
Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend
Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend
The Enugu State Police Command has identified a 27-year-old woman allegedly killed by her boyfriend as Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.
Ugwu, who recently completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, 30-year-old Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, in Enugu.
The suspect was arrested after the discovery of Ugwu’s remains at his residence in the Olympic Layout, One-Day area of Enugu.
According to the police, the incident allegedly occurred on September 19, 2026. Ugwu’s remains were reportedly discovered after neighbours became suspicious of an offensive odour coming from the suspect’s apartment.
The police said neighbours forced the door open and found the deceased’s remains concealed in the toilet. Emmanuel was reportedly apprehended by residents before police officers arrived and took him into custody.
The command had earlier alleged that an argument between the couple over claims relating to HIV infection preceded the incident. Police said the suspect told investigators that he struck Ugwu on the head with a pestle during the confrontation.
However, the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, and the suspect’s account has not been established as fact by a court.
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Ugwu’s remains were reportedly taken to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy as investigators work to establish the circumstances and cause of her death. The police have not announced the outcome of the autopsy.
In a fresh update, the Enugu police command said investigators had established the identity of the deceased and identified her parents and siblings, who were subsequently interviewed as part of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, also met with members of Ugwu’s family and the suspect. The commissioner assured the family that the command would conduct a thorough investigation and pursue justice in accordance with the law.
The family has also reportedly called for a comprehensive investigation, questioning the suggestion that the alleged killing should be attributed solely to an HIV-related disagreement.
The police said Emmanuel has been interviewed by investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding Ugwu’s death.
The command urged members of the public, particularly women, to remain vigilant in their relationships and when meeting people they know. It advised people to keep trusted relatives or friends informed about their whereabouts and to take warning signs in potentially dangerous situations seriously.
The police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend
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