Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio and a social media personality, Sandra Duru, popularly known as “Professor Mgbeke,” of defamation, blackmail, and endangering her life.
The petition, dated May 15, 2025, and filed by her lawyers, West-Idahosa SAN & Co, claims a coordinated effort by Akpabio and Duru to tarnish her image and silence her over allegations of sexual harassment she made earlier this year.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, on February 28, publicly accused Senator Akpabio of demanding sexual favours in exchange for political support. Following this, she was suspended by the Senate on March 6 for six months, officially over “unruly” conduct linked to a seating dispute — a move widely seen as retaliation.
In her petition, the Senator alleges that shortly after her suspension, Duru (a U.S.-based Nigerian) launched a social media smear campaign, falsely claiming Natasha admitted the sexual harassment claims were fake and that her real motive was to undermine the “Yoruba government.”
The letter also highlights Duru’s call log, shared during a May 1 live broadcast, which included contacts allegedly linked to top government and security officials, such as Senator Akpabio, police chiefs, and media aides — raising questions about a possible wider network behind the alleged defamation.
Natasha is asking the police to:
– Investigate the individuals involved;
– Examine electronic evidence, including call logs and digital files;
– Question Duru and others linked to the broadcast;
– Provide her and her legal team with security.
She insists the smear campaign is not random, but part of a calculated political attack aimed at silencing her and protecting powerful interests. Neither Akpabio nor Sandra Duru had publicly responded to the petition.
The case comes amid heightened public discourse over sexual misconduct and abuse of power in Nigerian politics.
