Senate Orders Probe, Sanctions Over Death Claims On Akpabio

The Senate on Tuesday moved to sanction individuals responsible for spreading false reports on social media, particularly on the rumoured deaths of national leaders such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The matter was raised during plenary by Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West) under Order 42, where he described such reports as dangerous, misleading and a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

Zam condemned a recent social media report which falsely claimed that the Senate President had died in a London hospital, describing the allegation as reckless and capable of undermining public confidence in national leadership.

“This is a very serious matter. The Senate President is the number three citizen of this country, and such reports about your person and office must be investigated,” Zam said.

The lawmaker noted that similar false reports had circulated earlier about former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), stressing that the trend was becoming disturbing.

According to him, promoters of such misinformation must not only be investigated but also sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others.

“When sanctions are meted out against the promoters of such negative reports, it will discourage anyone from engaging in this infamous and dangerous act against our democracy and our country,” he added.

Zam urged his colleagues to support decisive action, insisting that those responsible for the false reports could be identified and punished in accordance with the law.

Responding, Akpabio acknowledged the concern, noting that the spread of fake death reports was not limited to politicians alone but had increasingly targeted prominent Nigerians.

In order to address the issue, Akpabio directed that the matter be referred to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) for thorough investigation and appropriate action against those responsible.