(In Nigeria) Natasha Akpoti's Harassment Claims Against Akpabio: Duru's Revelations and Controversies

 

The Allegations and the Twist

In February 2025, after a row in the floor of the Senate over seat allocation and an altercation with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan went on National Television to accuse the number 3 of sexual harassment.

 Akpabio denied the allegations, and the Senate dismissed her petition on procedural grounds. 

She was suspended for six months for alleged misconduct in cognizance of her altercation over her seat allocation.

International Advocacy Efforts

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to international platforms. She addressed the issue at a joint session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women in New York, and engaged with foreign media to amplify her claims of harassment and political victimisation.

Prof. Mgbeke’s Counterclaims

US-based media figure Dr. Sandra Duru (aka Prof. Mgbeke) alleged that Senator Akpoti tried to recruit her in a plot to discredit Akpabio. 

Duru released audio recordings of alleged conversations with Akpoti and said she submitted the materials to authorities in Nigeria and abroad.

Excerpts of their conversation below:

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Senator Akpoti's Denial and the Leaked Audio

Senator Akpoti denied ever interacting with Dr. Duru. In response, Duru released what she claimed was a voice recording of their initial conversation. 

Duru said she had supported Akpoti before but decided to go public after private attempts at resolution failed.

Stella Okotete’s Ministerial Nomination Twist

In a Facebook Live, Dr. Duru claimed Akpoti told her she and her husband, former Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, worked with Akpabio to frustrate Stella Okotete’s ministerial nomination. 

Though Okotete blamed envy for her disqualification, this revelation suggests behind-the-scenes political scheming.

The Reno Omokri Chapter

In 2014, Natasha Akpoti accused political figure Reno Omokri of sexual harassment. 

Omokri denied it, and Akpoti later deleted the public accusation. 

Years later, Omokri claimed her husband Emmanuel Uduaghan paid him a settlement in exchange for not pursuing legal action.

 The case never went to court.

Alleged Plot Involving Oby Ezekwesili

Dr. Duru alleged that Senator Akpoti paid former Minister Oby Ezekwesili to disrupt Senate proceedings. A voice note purportedly captures Akpoti stating her goal to "dismantle the Yoruba government" led by President Tinubu. 

These claims suggest a coordinated effort to destabilize the current administration.

Satirical Apology to Akpabio

On April 28, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan posted a satirical apology letter to Senate President Akpabio on her social media pages.

 She sarcastically apologised for her "crime of possessing dignity and self-respect," targeting what she described as Senate entitlement and male dominance.

Prof Mgbeke Evidences: The Release of Natasha’s Alleged Phone Number and the Truecaller Controversy

On May 1, 2025, Dr. Sandra Duru shared what she claimed was Senator Akpoti’s phone number and some chats which the Senator allegedly deleted.

A Truecaller search showed the name “First Natasha Akpoti” linked to the email info@legenddark.com. Google linked the number to a Kogi PDP group post identifying it as hers.

 However, Truecaller can be unreliable. 

MTN records  reportedly listed the number as “Michael BOT.”  A quick look at the number through the use of Momo Data/Card transfer showed that it was registered as Michael BOT. This makes it more confusing. (To know what a number is registered with on the MTN network dial *671# and attempt to send either data or card to the intended number, it will show the registered name)

Did Natasha use Michael BOT to register the number or Prof Mgbeke was just lying?

The truth will tell in days to come.

Broader Implications

This saga reflects the messy intersection of politics, gender, and reputation. 

If Natasha Akpoti was truly sexually harrased, it exposes the dangers women face in power structures.

If she truly lied as claimed by Prof Mgbeke, it shows the dangers of weaponising harassment claims to settle political scores. False or unverifiable accusations harm both real victims and the wrongly accused.

 In the end, the story forces Nigeria to confront difficult questions about credibility, justice, ethics, and the accountability of all actors in public life.