By Bukola Kayode
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over allegations of defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Ms Sandra Duru alias Professor Mgbeke.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is on a six-month suspension from the Senate, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, alleging that Duru who has accused the lawmaker of lying over her sexual harassment allegations conspired with Akpabio and to smear her reputation online.
The Kogi Central Senator has since denied the claims, saying they were orchestrated to divert attention from her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
The petition dated May 15, 2025 with reference number WIC/W/AB/W3/17/25 was submitted to the Police Headquarters by her lawyers.
The letter reads in part: “On 28th February 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senator Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview, citing instances where he allegedly demanded sexual favours in exchange for legislative support.
“Rather than allow a fair inquiry, the Senate (under Senator Akpabio’s leadership) struck out her petition on procedural grounds and, on 6th March 2025, suspended her for six months under the pretext of “unruly” behaviour.
“This highly unusual suspension over a seating arrangement dispute was widely condemned as a punitive response to her allegations and an attempt to silence her voice.
“The backdrop of this case is therefore one of personal grievance: Senator Akpabio, feeling aggrieved and “traumatized” by the public accusation (as he himself described) and seeing his reputation at stake, had clear motive to retaliate and discredit Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in any way possible.
“Shortly after the sexual harassment claim and suspension, our client observed a sudden surge of defamatory propaganda against her on social media and in certain press outlets.
“Evidence now shows that this was no organic backlash, but a coordinated smear campaign sponsored by Senator Akpabio as a form of revenge.
“A key figure in this campaign is one Dr. Sandra Chidinma Duru, a Texas-based Nigerian who styles herself as “Professor (Prof.) Mgbeke” on Facebook.
“It is pertinent to highlight further evidence demonstrating the operational nexus between Senator Godswill Akpabio and Dr. Sandra Duru. As inadvertently revealed during her live broadcast of 1st May 2025, Dr. Duru’s call log displayed multiple contacts, including “My Daddy Directline,” “IGP Kayode,” “Senator Akpabio” (with at least two saved numbers), “Oby Ndukwe” (the media aide to the Senate President, who later appeared on Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye to publicly condemn our client), and “CP Imo Aboki Danjuma” as well as “Senator Ned Nwoko.”
“The presence of these names, particularly those occupying high-level positions within Nigeria’s security architecture, strongly suggests that Senator Akpabio and Dr. Duru were acting in concert, possibly with the support or knowledge of certain police officials.
“This revelation further strengthens our client’s position that the defamatory campaign and associated threats were not the isolated acts of a rogue individual, but the product of a coordinated effort involving Senator Akpabio and his political and security network, intended to discredit, harass, and endanger her.”
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