By Prosper Meneย
Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a formal petition with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, demanding an urgent investigation into what she describes as a coordinated campaign of defamation, cyberstalking, and blackmail orchestrated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and U.S.-based activist Sandra Duru, also known as Professor Mgbeke. The petition, dated May 15, 2025, alleges serious criminal acts, including conspiracy and attempted assassination, aimed at destroying the senatorโs reputation and silencing her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
The controversy stems from a February 2025 television interview where Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, claiming he made inappropriate remarks and linked her legislative billโs progress to personal favors. The allegations sparked a legal and political firestorm, culminating in Natashaโs suspension from the Senate in March 2025 for alleged misconduct, despite a court order restraining disciplinary actions. Akpabio has denied the accusations and filed a contempt claim against Natasha, with a Federal High Court hearing adjourned to May 13, 2025.
The petition centers on a May 1, 2025, Facebook Live broadcast by Sandra Duru, who allegedly presented manipulated voice recordings and call logs to claim Natasha fabricated the harassment allegations to destabilize the Nigerian government. Duru further accused Natasha of offering her โฆ200 million to falsely implicate Akpabio in organ harvesting and the 2021 murder of Iniubong Umoren. Natasha has vehemently denied these claims, describing the broadcast as a โcriminal actโ intended to incite violence and ruin her reputation. Her legal team, led by Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), argues that Duruโs broadcast violated multiple Nigerian laws, including those on cyberstalking and defamation.
A key point of contention is Duruโs call log, inadvertently displayed during the broadcast, which included contacts labeled โSenator Akpabio,โ โIGP Kayode,โ and โMy Daddy Directline.โ Natashaโs petition suggests these contacts indicate a conspiracy involving Akpabio and possibly senior security officials. The petition also highlights Duruโs use of the alias โProfessor Mgbeke,โ which Natasha claims was a deceptive persona used to manipulate public opinion and launch a โtreasonous smear campaign.โ
Further complicating the saga, Nigerian journalist Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya recently accused Duru of paying her โฆ300,000 to manipulate audio recordings against Natasha. Ogbonnaya claimed she edited out defamatory content, leading Duru to reject the final product. While Ogbonnaya called for a police investigation, she clarified there is no direct evidence linking Akpabio to Duruโs actions.
Natashaโs petition urges the IGP and AGF to investigate Akpabio, Duru, and their associates thoroughly, prosecute those found culpable, and ensure her protection amid escalating threats.
The Senate Presidentโs office has yet to respond to the latest petition, though Akpabio previously dismissed Natashaโs allegations as baseless. Duru, who has petitioned international and Nigerian authorities to probe Natashaโs claims, maintains her accusations are supported by evidence. The Nigeria Police Force and AGFโs office have not publicly commented on the petitions.
As the legal battle intensifies, public reactions remain two sided. Some groups, like the Afenifere Youth Stakeholders Forum, have called on Akpabio to clarify his alleged ties to Duru, while others, including the Arewa Youths Progressive Assembly, have labeled Duru a โserial blackmailerโ and demanded her deportation from the UK.
