₦airaland Forum

This is a disclaimer. Last week, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) filed a suit before the Federal High Court on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In the criminal suit, Fagbemi accused the senator of laying false accusations against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Alhaji Yaya Bello. On behalf of Nigerians, Fagbemi want Akpoti-Uduaghan convicted of criminal charges.

Let it be known that I was not consulted before the nation’s chief law officer opted to spend our national patrimony to pay lawyers to defend Akpabio and Bello. As a former governor who receives huge pension from his Akwa Ibom state, Akpabio has more than enough resources to hire first rate lawyers to pursue criminal conviction of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

For Bello, he still has unrestrained access to Kogi’s treasury having planted a successor who gleefully told his people that when his instructions are contrary to that of Bello, his godfather, they should jettison his. I do not understand how the injuries Akpabio and Bello purportedly suffered from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations that Fagbemi has to use public resources to seek his definition of justice for the duo.

It is rather insulting that Nigerians’ names and resources are being used to prop up the reputation of the Senate President and the former Kogi governor.

At the peak of the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 2024, Akpabio derided Nigerians for complaining of the hard times. Speaking at an event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt when the protests had spread nationwide, Akpabio mocked Nigerians protesting the nightmarish and harrowing hardship and hunger. “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be here eating,” he had said derisively.

Amnesty International condemned his classification of the protests against the backdrop of what the BBC called the “worst economic crisis in a generation” as insensitive and reckless. Indeed, Akpabio has been eating way beyond the capacity of his digestive system to process.

It was a daring mockery of the people which is not a surprise because he owes the people nothing and cannot credit them with his coming to the Senate. Having pulled out of the presidential primaries he initially signed up for when he stepped down for then candidate Bola Tinubu, that would have been the end of the road for him under the provisions of the Electoral Act. He did not just get to become a senator but its president.

He owes that amazing change in fortune to his political godfathers and the judiciary that somehow ambushed the rules of the game. He had no cause to sympathise with the people who could not cope with the prevailing excruciating economic situation. The few who had the privilege of getting crumbs from his table were told to ‘eat’ while they can.

For Yahaya Bello who came as a young man, he ended up a bad poster boy for the not-too-young-to-run campaign under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. As governor of Kogi State, he was more in the precincts of Aso Rock Villa where he elected to be a chaperone for Buhari’s son than Lokoja, his state capital. He lived large and did not brook voices that sought to remind him of his primary assignment was to work for the people of the state.

There are tales of how he never pulled punches in dealing with his political enemies. Even out of the office, he remains untouchable.
The EFCC can attest to that. Despite the anti-graft agency’s attempt to make him account for his stewardship, they played the ostrich. The pretence eventually ended and Bello even wanted to join his colleagues in the red chamber of the National Assembly after the v. dubious and aborted recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio and Bello are two misfits of democracy that have dedicated their political lives to living off the people.
Why does Fagbemi want to insult Nigerians by spending public funds in a frivolous suit? They have the right to take Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court if they so wish and they can afford it. But using Nigerians’ collective names and resources to seek judicial refuge for Akpabio and Bello is demeaning to the psyche of the people.

They no longer enjoy immunity under the constitution and are just like every other private citizen. No Nigerian was defamed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against the two men. It is up to them to challenge her allegations in the court.
One more thing for Fagbemi to note. The Kogi Central senator is married to a Deltan. In Delta State, we respect and protect our women – mothers, sisters, wives and daughters.

The Delta wife has not hurt, defamed or insulted her husband’s people. On the contrary, we are proud of her. That does not reckon with Nigerians’ perception of her which is enchanting.
Using public funds to pay the legal fees for Akpabio and Bello is unacceptable. It is fraudulent to embark on this insulting venture with my name and those of other Nigerians. My share of the national cake should not be used to defend these men I consider misfits of democratic governance.

I object to this fraud as a member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Mind you, I did not say MFR.

Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to safeguarding and empowering children, describing them as the "most precious asset" of the nation during her message to mark this year's Children’s Day.

In a press statement issued to commemorate the annual celebration, the senator stressed the urgent need to tackle the myriad of challenges facing Nigerian children, especially the girl child. She listed bullying, violence, and exploitation as critical issues threatening the well-being of young people and called for a collective societal resolve to protect them.

“As emphasised in the statement of the president, we all must collectively encourage our children to stand up to bullies everywhere,” she noted. “We must build a society that supports and encourages the children to aspire for the highest levels of their dreams and ambitions.”

Senator Akpoti further emphasized the necessity of prioritizing education, healthcare, and opportunities for growth as essential investments in the future of the country. “By doing so, we can unlock their full potential and build a brighter future for our nation,” she said.

The senator’s message concluded with a note of hope and reassurance to Nigerian children: “I believe in you, I care about you, and I am committed to creating a society that values and protects your rights. Dream big, work hard, and never give up on your aspirations.”

She urged all Nigerians to recommit to building a country where children are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

...exposes Duru's history of deception

David Rosinski, an American champion of the 1995 cabaret dance and owner of Dancing Alacarte, a dance school in Massachusetts, Boston, has come forward, alleging that Sandra Duru falsely accused him of rape and has a history of deception.

Speaking during an interview on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube programme, the whistleblower claims Sandra Duru hired him as an Uber driver in Amherst, Massachusetts.

When the whistleblower discovered Sandra Duru's alleged fake businesses and confronted her, she reportedly fabricated stories about him, leading to a restraining order that was later dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The whistleblower also claims Sandra Duru used multiple names and social security numbers.

The florist also dismissed all Duru's claims against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying "they are all lies".

"Totally false. no proof about this poor senator. So, I said, I'm gonna step forward and let people know what she's all about. She is trouble. She's a liar. She's a thief. I can't say anything more because that's what she is."

According to him, Sandra Duru would take advantage of government programmes, such as food stamps and soup kitchens, despite not being in genuine need.

On reason for speaking up, the whistleblower said; "I wanted to warn people about what she does. She would lie about her identity, claiming to be royalty and living a life she couldn't afford".

The whistleblower alleges that Sandra Duru would send him to buy groceries using her food stamp card, but with strict instructions not to be seen with her while using it.

"She didn't want to be seen, you know, people to see her to think that she was on assistance," he said.

The whistleblower believes that Sandra Duru should be investigated by the Nigerian government.

"I hope they look at that and say, 'She lies. She lies," the whistleblower added.

Sandra Duru has been listed as a witness in a lawsuit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan amid these allegations against her.

This is not the first time Sandra Duru’s affiliations have drawn public attention. Frances Ogbonnaya and Maazi Obinna, previous whistleblowers, had also raised concerns about Duru’s political connections and shady character.

Lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused the Nigeria Police Force of showing bias in its handling of multiple petitions she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, while swiftly pursuing a counter-petition filed against her by Akpabio.


The accusation was detailed in a formal letter dated May 19, 2025, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The letter, signed by her legal counsel, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, described the police’s conduct as a “disturbing pattern of preferential treatment” in favour of Senator Akpabio.

“Our client submitted numerous petitions to the Nigeria Police against Senator Akpabio,” the letter stated. “These petitions were clearly stated and submitted between March and April 2025, yet no meaningful steps have been taken to impartially investigate them.” 

Nigeria: Nigerian fashion
The petitions in question include:
A March 25 report alleging threats to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s personal security. A March 31 petition over the unlawful withdrawal of her police security detail.

An April 4 petition accusing Akpabio and Yahaya Bello of a conspiracy to assassinate her.
All three petitions were acknowledged by the police between March 26 and April 5, but according to West-Idahosa, there has been no effort to interview witnesses or advance the investigations.

He suggested that the reluctance to act may be influenced by the political positions of the accused, stating, “It is obvious that this unwillingness to thoroughly and impartially investigate the petitions may be due to the high political office occupied by Senator Godswill Akpabio.”

The letter also stressed that Yahaya Bello, no longer a sitting governor, is not shielded by constitutional immunity and should be subject to investigation.

In sharp contrast, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team criticized the rapid response to a counter-petition filed by Akpabio on April 3.

The Senate President had accused her of false allegations, criminal defamation, and incitement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was promptly invited by police, made a statement under caution, and reaffirmed her petitions—offering witnesses and supporting evidence.

However, her lawyers claim that none of her petitions or evidence was included in the case file relating to Akpabio’s complaint.
Meanwhile, they were informed that the police had concluded their investigation into Akpabio’s petition.

“Our client is concerned that investigations into her petitions have been severally and unjustly stalled in what appears to be a discriminatory executive action,” West-Idahosa stated, describing the conduct as a violation of the 1999 Constitution.

The senator is now appealing to the Attorney General to invoke Section 105(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to request and review the relevant case files from the Nigeria Police. Her legal team is pushing for immediate action to uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law. 

Attached to the letter are copies of the original petitions and her official police statement, which her counsel insists support her claims.

Lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to wade into the alleged attempt on her life by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

In a petition dated 15th May, 2025, Akpottl Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial district, accused Akpabio of orchestrating a malicious campaign of criminal defamation, cyber-stalking, conspiracy, and attempted assassination against her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the petition filed on her behalf by her counsel, Sen Ehiogie West-Idahosa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), averred that the petition is supported by incontrovertible evidence from public broadcasts, witness testimonies, media reports, and expert analyses.

Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that facts available to her demonstrate a deliberate retaliatory campaign by Senator Akpabio, using proxies and resources at his disposal, to harm her.

She called on the Minister to examine the statements and actions of third-party collaborators who publicly endorsed the defamatory broadcast against her to determine their knowledge of and participation in the conspiracy.

“We maintain that the actions against our client amount to a criminal enterprise violating multiple laws. We respectfully urge your service to painstakingly investigate the contents of this Petition and ensure that justice Is expeditiously dispensed to all who may be found wanting regardless of their status in the Nigerian society,” she submitted through her counsel, Idahosa.

Journalist and activist Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the political and financial sponsor of self-acclaimed activist Sandra Duru, also known as “Prof Mgbeke.” Speaking on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube programme, Obinna described Duru’s recent activities as part of a well-coordinated campaign to attack and discredit perceived critics of the Senate President.

Obinna revealed that during a private conversation, Sandra Duru confided in him that her advocacy efforts were backed by the wife of Senator Godswill Akpabio. He further disclosed that he was paid ₦2.5 million by Duru to produce a series of videos targeted at tarnishing the image of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, he said he began to suspect a deeper agenda when he noticed inconsistencies in her claims and the nature of the material she wanted produced.

“It became clear to me that the assignment was part of a calculated blackmail agenda,” Obinna stated. He described Duru’s narrative, including the claim that Senator Natasha had privately denied the sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio and that Dr. Oby Ezekwesili was paid to appear before a Senate panel, as false and misleading. According to him, the audio Duru circulated contained no such admissions.

Obinna insisted that the campaign was designed to shield Akpabio from public scrutiny while discrediting women leaders and civil society figures who dared to question him. He said Duru’s tactics relied on unverified claims and emotional manipulation to sway public opinion in favour of the Senate President.

This is not the first time Sandra Duru’s ties to powerful figures have been called into question. Frances Ogbonnaya, the first whistleblower in the unfolding saga, had previously accused Duru of acting under the protection of top politicians. While Frances stopped short of naming names, Obinna’s testimony now directly implicates Senator Godswill Akpabio as the key figure behind Duru’s controversial campaigns.

The Federal Polytechnic Damaturu has a rich history of nearly three decades in producing skilled middle cadre manpower in Engineering, Environment, Management, and Science and Technology. With the recent appointment of Dr. Ibrahim Bello Bashir as the new Rector, the institution is poised for a transformative journey aimed at elevating academic excellence, enhancing infrastructural development, and improving student enrolment.

Marking the completion of his first 100 days in office, Dr. Bashir has implemented a range of strategic initiatives that align the Polytechnic with contemporary educational needs and the evolving demands of the workforce.

Mission and Vision

Mission: The Federal Polytechnic Damaturu is committed to providing quality education and practical training in technical and vocational disciplines. The institution's goal is to produce skilled middle-level manpower that contributes significantly to national development while fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and research.

Vision: The Polytechnic aspires to become a leading center of excellence in polytechnic education in Nigeria and beyond, delivering graduates who are academically proficient, ethically grounded, and adaptable to the fast-paced technological landscape.

Key Focus Areas

1. Curriculum Development Dr. Bashir's administration is focused on continuously updating the curriculum to reflect industry standards, ensuring that graduates are fully prepared for the job market.

2. Capacity Building Professional development opportunities for the school have been prioritized to enhance teaching quality and academic delivery.

3. Research and Innovation: The initiation of impactful research projects is a cornerstone of Dr. Bashir’s tenure, encouraging both faculty and students to engage in projects that tackle local and global challenges.

4. Key Appointments Swift approval of appointments and for various directors and their deputies as well as confirmation of appointments of some appointments has strengthened the administration and fostered efficient management structures at the Polytechnic.

In a shocking exposé that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political and civil society spaces, new revelations from a live interview with Mazi Obinna on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube livestream have exposed on May 12, 2025 what appears to be an orchestrated campaign of falsehood against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. At the centre of this scandal is Sandra Duru, aka, Prof. Mgbeke, a woman now facing intense public scrutiny over fabricated claims involving respected former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

Mazi Obinna, once a willing accomplice in Sandra’s propaganda machinery, has now disowned the narrative he helped spread, stating that he was misled and manipulated into believing he was working in national interest. In his explosive interview, he made it unequivocally clear that there is no audio, video, document, or shred of credible proof showing that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan paid Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili any money to disrupt Senate proceedings.

“Sandra told me things that made me think I was working for a cause, but it was all lies. She cut and edited audios. She sent me voice notes that had no truth in them,” Mazi revealed with remorse.

The allegation, first floated by Sandra C Duru, during one of her controversial Facebook livestreams, suggested that Senator Natasha was funnelling money to Dr. Ezekwesili to influence legislative chaos within the Senate. That narrative, now exposed as fiction, was reportedly part of a broader blackmail and political character assassination plot allegedly engineered by Sandra with promises of political reward if Natasha’s image could be destroyed.

Mazi admitted that Sandra told him the President (referred to as “No.1”) and the Senate President (“No.3”) had assured her that if the plan succeeded, she would secure the Imo governorship ticket and he (Mazi Obinna) would be made her Chief of Staff. But it was during the course of this deception that Mazi began to see cracks in the story.

“She lied that Natasha said all these things. I listened to the audio Sandra claimed was from Senator Natasha myself, and none of those things were there. Even the ones she sent to me, most of them were doctored,” Mazi said, admitting he cannot confirm the origin of any of the voice notes.

He has now declared himself ready to submit his phones to appropriate authorities for forensic scrutiny, insisting that all audio files and chats originated from Sandra Duru herself.

This revelation now clears the name of Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a woman whose global reputation for integrity and good governance has stood untainted for decades. Her image was dragged into this political filth without justification or evidence.

Political analysts are now calling for the immediate investigation of Sandra Duru for criminal defamation and malicious spread of misinformation. There are also calls for the security agencies to take this matter seriously given the implication that high ranking government officials may have been falsely invoked as sponsors of this evil plot.

As the nation awaits further developments, what remains certain is this: no audio exists, no transaction occurred, and no truth supports the claim that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan paid Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili to interfere in Senate affairs.

This entire lie was born, bred, and fed by Sandra Duru aka Prof. Mgbeke, a woman whose desperate ambition may have now become her ultimate downfall.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment on the suit filed by the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenging her suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court to challenge her suspension by the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, over allegations of misconduct, based on allegations of bias by one of the parties in the suit.

In her motion, she joined the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, as defendants.

When the suit, which was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako, following the withdrawal of Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, from the matter, was called on Monday, counsel for the suspended senator, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), told the court that the plaintiff had filed all the documents to be relied on in the matter, in line with the directive of the court at the last hearing.

Counsel for the Senate, Paul Daudu (SAN), and that of the Senate President, Ekwo Ejembi, told the court that they had also filed their various documents to be relied on in the matter but drew the attention of the court to a motion for disobedience to the order of the court against the plaintiff.

The two senior lawyers representing the second and third defendants in the suit said the plaintiff had responded to their motion.

They both alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan disobeyed the order of the court when she, on March 27, posted a satirical letter of apology to the Senate President on her Facebook page and published it in some national dailies.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numan (SAN), confirmed the receipt of the motion and reminded the court of a motion for disobedience of the court order against all the defendants filed earlier.


He said the alleged statement credited to the plaintiff had no connection with her, adding also that the alleged contemptuous statement had no nexus with the plaintiff.

Media personality Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya has revealed a coordinated attempt to smear the reputation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing Prof. Sandra Duru, also known as Prof. Mgbeke of orchestrating a blackmail campaign with manipulated audio recordings and falsified claims of sexual harassment.
 
Ogbonnaya made the revelation during an exclusive interview with journalist Adeola Fayehun, stating that she was approached by Prof. Sandra Duru to produce an altered voiceover aimed at implicating Senator Natasha in a scandal.

Olisa-Ogbonnaya claimed that Duru approached her during the Easter period, asking her to publicly discredit Akpoti-Uduaghan through television and social media.
 
She said the request included the use of doctored audio and video materials to suggest the Senator made inflammatory remarks and fabricated allegations, adding that there is nowhere in the clips he received from Sandra where Natasha said she wanted to bring down the Yoruba government.
 
“How do you think Sen. Natasha will bring down the Yoruba government? A Kogi person is a minority Nigerian. They don’t have alliances like that. Sometimes they are more tilted to the Yorubas. Sometimes, the Igalas are even taken to be Igbos.

According to her, Duru paid her N300,000 for the audio production, but later demanded a refund after she removed false claims from the final edit.
 
“She sent me a script and asked me to use my voice to narrate it, but I refused to include parts that could not be defended. I couldn’t put myself or my registered company at risk by promoting lies,” Ogbonnaya said.
 
The controversy stems from a recent viral video in which a self-acclaimed professor claimed that Senator Natasha privately confessed to fabricating her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Akpabio.
 
The video has drawn widespread criticism and skepticism, prompting Ogbonnaya to come forward with what she described as “exclusive” information behind the scenes.

“She (Sandra Duru) contacted me on Easter Monday. She said she wanted me to help her produce an audio that could ‘expose’ Senator Natasha. When I edited out lies, she got upset and said I was sabotaging her plans,” Ogbonnaya told Fayehun.
 
Ogbonnaya further alleged that Duru had long claimed expertise in voice cloning and once sent her tutorials on how to manipulate voices — a claim backed by dated screenshots she provided during the interview.
 
“She once sent me a video on how to clone voices back in 2020,” Ogbonnaya said. “So when she came back this year with this plan, it wasn’t new to me.”
 
Screenshots of WhatsApp messages, payment receipts, and an alleged script titled *“Light Mask: The Politics of Blackmail and Emotional Manipulation”* were displayed during the interview as part of Ogbonnaya’s evidence.
 
When asked if Duru acted alone or with political backing, Ogbonnaya claimed Duru told her she had been promised the deputy governorship of Imo State in exchange for her role in the campaign.
 
“She told me plainly that she was promised a political position if she could pull this off. She said she was once offered deputy governor of Imo State. So maybe she thinks this will bring her back to relevance,” Ogbonnaya said.
 
Fayehun, who hosted the interview, urged Nigerians to remain open-minded and commended Ogbonnaya for what she called a “risky” decision to speak publicly.

“This is dangerous for her,” Fayehun said. “We should be grateful she came out at all. It shows how desperate this entire situation has become.”
 
Calling Duru a “pathological liar and serial blackmailer,” Olisa-Ogbonnaya stated she is willing to submit both WhatsApp chats and audio conversations to security agencies to support her claims, but only if Duru is present to answer questions as well.
 
She clarified that she has no evidence linking Duru’s actions to the Senate President or any coordinated political effort. “I don’t have the evidence to say Sandra is working with Akpabio,” she said.
 
Olisa-Ogbonnaya, who previously contested a seat in the Imo State House of Assembly, said her decision to speak out was to protect the reputations of Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio and the integrity of public discourse.

Her remarks came amid growing political tension ahead of the 2027 elections and increased scrutiny of public officials and political narratives circulating on social media.