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Tag: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

  • Why Senator Natasha should have her day in court

    Why Senator Natasha should have her day in court

    By Ken Harries

    In every democracy, the rule of law remains the fulcrum on which justice, accountability, and civil order revolve. When individuals, regardless of status or influence, level grievous accusations against others, it is only just and proper that such allegations be subjected to judicial scrutiny. The ongoing controversy involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is no exception.

    After failing to substantiate her grave allegation of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan did not pause to retract or clarify. Instead, she escalated matters by making an even more incendiary claim – that both Senator Akpabio and a former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, were plotting to assassinate her.

    These are not mere verbal exchanges. These are serious, reputation-damaging, and socially destabilizing accusations. If untrue, they are not just defamatory, they are incendiary. And if true, they warrant full legal redress.

    Both Senator Akpabio and Yahaya Bello vehemently denied these allegations. But rather than engage in mudslinging or mob justice, they acted in the most democratic and civilised manner possible.

    They petitioned the appropriate law enforcement agency – the Nigerian Police Force – which commenced an investigation, in the course of which it invited Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present her side, an invitation she failed to honour.

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    Subsequently, and on the strength of the investigation by the police, the Federal Government preferred a six-count criminal charge against her before the Federal High Court, Abuja. Allegations in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 are rooted in cybercrime provisions, revolve around her alleged transmission of false and injurious information via electronic means, calculated to malign, incite, and endanger lives and breach public order.

    Among the particulars of the charge are claims that the Senator, while addressing a gathering on April 01, 2025 in Ihima, alleged that Senator Akpabio instructed Bello to have her eliminated in Kogi State.

    Similarly, in a television interview, she allegedly repeated this narrative, suggesting a murderous conspiracy against her life.

    Is this suppression or due process?

    Some voices, especially in activism and social media communities, have chosen to mischaracterise this development as a clampdown on dissent or an attempt to silence an outspoken lawmaker.Nothing could be further from the truth. This is not about free speech. This is about the integrity of the law and the limits of expression in a democratic society.

    To falsely accuse individuals, especially public officeholders, of conspiracy to commit murder, without proof, and then refuse to defend those claims in court, is not activism. It is a subversion of justice and a manipulation of public sentiment.

    One cannot hide behind the veil of freedom of speech to malign, defame, and incite without consequence. The right to speak does not include the right to lie, especially with consequences so potentially grave.

    The defendant will have her day in court, with full constitutional protections, legal representation, and a fair trial. Is that not the essence of justice? The principle of justice espouses that ‘’to every man, his due”.

    Why the courtroom matters

    What the Nigerian state has done is simply to insist on legal accountability. The courtroom, not Twitter threads or televised interviews, is the proper arena to test the truth of any claim, especially those with such serious ramifications.

    Let it be clearly stated: no one is presuming Senator Natasha’s guilt. But no one should also presume her innocence without her submitting to due legal process.

    Let the court weigh the preponderance of evidence. If the charges are frivolous, the court will dismiss them.

    If proven beyond a reasonable doubt, appropriate consequences will follow and serve as a deterrent. No matter whose ox is gored, justice must be served.

    That is how the rule of law promotes justice for all in an orderly society.

    To suggest, as Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly has, that she is being targeted or silenced by the legal process is to mock the judiciary and trivialise the core principles of constitutional democracy.

    Nigeria must not become a nation where unproven allegations, theatrically rendered on television and social media, are allowed to go unchallenged in law.

    The legal doctrine is clear: he who asserts must prove. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should gladly embrace this opportunity to substantiate her claims. That is the responsible, lawful, and honourable path forward.

    Let the courts decide.

    •Harries, a lawyer, is an Abuja-based communication strategist.

  • Natasha petitions IG, others over use of proxies to tarnish her image

    Natasha petitions IG, others over use of proxies to tarnish her image

    Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Ms Sandra Duru (aka Professor Mgbeke) of alleged defamation.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on a six-month suspension from the Senate, made the claim in a petition she addressed to the Inspector General of Police.

    “Professor Mgbeke” recently claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan told her that her sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio were fabricated and without evidence.

    She also claimed that the suspended Kogi Central senator referred to Nigerian as G and H (Gullible and Hungry) and that her fight against Akpabio was meant to get him out of the way as Senate President to allow a sinister plot to “remove the Yoruba government” from power.

    The Kogi Central senator has since denied the claims, saying they were orchestrated to divert attention from her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Duru of conspiring with Akpabio to tarnish her image and endanger her life.

    The letter, dated May 15, 2025, was submitted to the Police Headquarters by her solicitors, West-Idahosa (SAN) & Co. Chambers, Abuia, and signed by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN).

    The letter reads: “On February 28, 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 enquiry, the Senate (under Senator Akpabio’s leadership) struck out her petition on procedural grounds and, on March 6, 2025, suspended her for six months under the pretext of ‘unruly’ behaviour.

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    “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 ‘traumatised’ by the public accusation (as he himself described) and seeing his reputation at stake, had a 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 May 1, 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.”

    Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the police to probe the allegations deeply by focusing on individuals involved in the planning, funding, and execution.

    “She called for questioning of Dr. Duru and other implicated individuals, including key witnesses and accomplices as well as a forensic examination of electronic evidence, including doctored audio recordings, call logs, and digital files.

    She also requested for security measures for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and key witnesses to ensure their safety.

    “That the police thoroughly investigate the veracity of all statements made by ‘Prof. Mgbeke’ (now revealed to be Sandra Duru) during and after the May 1, 2025 broadcast, including all communications between her and known associates of Senator Akpabio.

    “That statements and actions of third-party collaborators who publicly endorsed the defamatory broadcast be examined to determine their knowledge of and participation in the conspiracy.

    “In conclusion, 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.

  • Alleged defamation: Natasha petitions IGP over ‘Prof Mgbeke’, Akpabio

    Alleged defamation: Natasha petitions IGP over ‘Prof Mgbeke’, Akpabio

    Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Ms Sandra Duru alias Professor Mgbeke of alleged defamation.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is on a six-month suspension from the Senate, in a letter of petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, claimed that Duru who recently revealed some damming conversations they allegedly had has conspired with Akpabio and to tarnish her image including to endanger her life.

    Professor Mgbeke had recently claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed to her that her sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio were fabricated and without evidence.

    She also claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan referred to Nigerian as G and H (Gullible and Hungry) as well as that her fight against Akpabio was meant to get him out of the way as Senate President to allow a sinister plot to “remove the Yoruba government” from power.

    The Kogi Central Senator has since denied the claims, saying they were orchestrated to divert attention from her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.

    The letter dated May 15, 2025 with reference number WIC/W/AB/W3/17/25 was submitted to the Police Headquarters by her solicitors,

    West-Idahosa SAN & Co Chambers, Abuia and signed by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN.

    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.

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    “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.”

    Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the police to carry out a comprehensive probe into the allegations, focusing on individuals involved in planning, funding, and execution.

    “She called for questioning of Dr. Duru and other implicated individuals, including key witnesses and accomplices as well as a for forensic examination of electronic evidence, including doctored audio recordings, call logs, and digital files.

    She also requested for security measures for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and key witnesses to ensure their safety.

    “That the Police thoroughly investigate the veracity of all statements made by “Prof.Mgbeke” (now revealed to be Sandra Duru) during and after the 1 May 2025 broadcast, including all communications between her and known associates of Senator Akpabio.

    “That statements and actions of third-party collaborators who publicly endorsed the defamatory broadcast, be examined to determine their knowledge of and participation in the conspiracy.

    “In conclusion, 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,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said in the letter.

  • Court fixes June 27 for judgment in Natasha suit against Akpabio, others 

    Court fixes June 27 for judgment in Natasha suit against Akpabio, others 

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled judgment for June 27 in the suit filed by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenging her suspension from the Senate for six months.

    Justice Binta Nyako Christmas set the date on Tuesday after parties in the suit made their final submissions and adopted their written addresses.

    Justice Nyako said she will first decide the contempt claims by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Natasha, then give her opinions on the various preliminary objections raised by the respondents and if necessary, determine the substantive suit.

    She said: “I want to believe that all processes are in. What I am going to do is to first of all look at the issues of contempt and take a decision on it.

    “Then, I will look at the notices of preliminary objection. If they succeeds, that is the end of the case and if they don’t, I will look at the originating summons filed by the plaintiff.”

    Natasha is, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, claiming among others, that her right to fair hearing was not accorded her before she was suspended by the Senate.

    Respondents in the suit are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Neda Imasuem (the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct).

    On Tuesday Justice Nyako noted there was a new development in the case, which was the issue of contempt raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio. 

    She said: “We have a new happening that came up yesterday. One from Mr Daudu (representing Akpabio) and one from the plaintiff. 

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    “These two applications and the originating summons should be what should be focused on today,” she said.

    She then directed parties to identify and adopt the documents they filed in relation to the contempt issue.

    Natasha’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), who  thanked the judge for prioritising the issues of contempt raised by the plaintiff and the defendants identified what he filed 

    Numa said his client’s application is seeking the court’s disciplinary action against all the defendants for their alleged contemptuous act.

    Numa equally identified and adopted all their processes and  urged the the court to grant the prayers sought by the Senator.

    He equally urged the court to overrule and dismiss the defendants’ preliminary objection and grant the reliefs sought in the originating motion.

    Charles Yoila, who appeared for the clerk, Paul Daudu (SAN), who represented the Senate; Ogunwumiju who was counsel to Akpabio, and Valentine who appeared for Imasuem, also identified and adopted their processes, including the preliminary objection.

    They urged the court to look at the set of facts, showing clearly the alleged disobedience to court order by the plaintiff.

    The defendants urged the court to hold that it lacked jurisdiction  to entertain the suit and to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

  • Court condemns Natasha’s wrong use of social media

    Court condemns Natasha’s wrong use of social media

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday came down hard on the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), for wrongful usage of her X (Twitter) platform.

    Justice Sylvanus Oriji said it was wrong for a person of Natasha’s status, as a serving Senator to make wrong claims using her social media platform.

    Justice Oriji said: “Before I go further, the point must be made that it is improper, reprehensible and unconscionable for a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to post the picture of the applicant’s house and the house address on her X social media page on the unfounded belief that the property belonged to Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State. 

    “Such conduct must be and is hereby deprecated by the court,” he said.

    The judge made the comments while delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Ali Bello.

    Bello had, in the suit, marked: FCT/HC/CV/2574/2024, claimed among others , that the publication of the pictures of his house and address in the Senator’s X-handle @Natashaakpoti on March 15, 2024 against the provisions of Section 37 of the Constitution. 

    He also claimed further that the respondent alleged in her social media post that he lodged former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, in the house he is living with his family when EFCC was looking for him. 

    Bello further claimed that the lawmaker equally alleged that the house, which he lives in Abuja, belonged to the former governor whom they call ”White Lion of Kogi.”

    In his judgment on Tuesday,  Justice noted that there were three issues to be resolved in the suit. 

    The first was “whether the publication on Natasha’s X-handle violated the applicant’s fundamental right to privacy under Section 37 of the Constitution. 

    The second: “Whether her petition to the Inspector General of Police on the ownership of the said property violated the applicant’s right. 

    The third: “Whether the applicant is entitled to the reliefs sought.” 

    The judge held that, publicity as the applicant claimed cannot be given to a house that is already in the public space, which can be seen by everyone. 

    “In the same vein, the post observed in the respondent’s ex-social media page would not be considered highly offensive to an objectively reasonable person,” he said. 

    Justice Oriji further held that the EFCC operatives did not invade Bello’s privacy at No. 1 Dala Hills, Maitama, Abuja, to look for the ex-governor following Natasha’s alleged claim that the ex-governor lodged in the apartment on her social media handle. 

    He also  held that Natasha failed to establish her claim of the true ownership of the property stated in her tweets, which she allegedly claimed belonged to former Governor Yahaya Bello and that it was one of the properties in which EFCC obtained an interim order of forfeiture.  

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    The judge added: “She also failed to establish her assertion that she had information that Yahaya Bello was in the said property at the time he was wanted by the EFCC. 

    “There is nothing before the court to show that the property belongs or belonged to Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State. 

    “In the absence of any contrary proof by the respondent, the court accepts the applicant’s assertion that he is the owner of the property, that he lives there with his family, moreover at the visit to the locus in quo, the court confirmed that the applicant lived in the property with his family. 

    ‘From all that I have said, the court agrees with the submission of the learned senior counsel for the applicant, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, that the respondent did not have any justification to make the publication or post on her X social media page, which she admitted meant that the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello was hiding at No 1 Dala Hills Maitama,”  he said.

    On the issue of the respondent’s publication, Justice Orji held that Section 37 of the Constitution provides both the privacy of citizens, their homes among others. 

    He added: “It appears to me that the right to privacy is not one of the fundamental rights which the courts are regularly called upon to advocate. 

    “It is correct that the applicant, like all other citizens, is entitled to the fundamental right guaranteed by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. 

    “Therefore, the applicant is entitled to this relief, which is a general declaration,” the judge said.

  • Natasha’s ides of May and the vindication of Akpabio

    Natasha’s ides of May and the vindication of Akpabio

    The internet was abuzz the night of 2025 May Day, as a United States based activist, Dr Sandra Duru, with the moniker Prof Mgbeke, made an expose` on the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as a manipulator, and embarking on a malicious campaign to malign the reputation of the person and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    According to Prof Mgbeke, the Kogi Central Senator who was linked to her through a top opposition politician, had sought her  support to join in the campaign of calumny against Akpabio and she had actually started pilloring the man. Evidence abound on her social media pages. This was until she asked the Senator for evidence of the sexual harassment allegations. “Natasha told me there was nothing like sexual harassment. I was shocked. Honestly I broke down because I had already started fighting the Senate President, in my effort to support Natasha,” she said. According to her, the sexual harassment allegation was her strategy to garner public sympathy and support in the fight to discredit the Senate President.

    For Prof Mgbeke, the confession by Natasha that there was no sexual harassment marked the turning point for her. “Natasha is on a mission to destroy men. I cannot watch her destroy our men, I cannot watch her destroy our sons, I cannot watch her destroy our girls who are following her blindly.”

    In her continued desperation to nail Akpabio, Prof Mgbeke further said that after realising that her sexual harassment allegation wasn’t getting much traction and public sympathy, Natasha offered her N200 million to accuse the Senate President of organ harvesting, linking him with the death of a young girl who passed  away a few years ago.

    She summed it up this way: “What is happening is not activism. It is an orchestrated strategy and an abuse of gender advocacy, a staged performance designed to provoke public sympathy and manufacture false narratives and target political opponents,” Mgbeke stated.

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    However before Prof Mgbeke’s explosive exposé, many discerning minds had asked Senator Natasha for evidence of the sexual harassment allegation. To take her seriously, many demanded concerete evidence in the form of private chats, love text messages, pictures, videos and voice recordings, call logs, etc, especially with her reputation of having made similar claims about other men in the past which turned out to be false accusations. Till date, she has not provided any scintilla of evidence despite making local and international media rounds her favourite pastime. All she was interested in was to drag the reputation of the Senate President in the mud.

    Prof Mgbeke only confirmed what many Nigerians had suspected and some questions asked. How can a man sexually harass you in front of your husband and in the presence of many other senators? How can a victim of sexual harassment indulge in effusive praise and adoration of the abuser in the social media the day after the alleged incident? How can the victim go ahead to travel to different countries with the abuser and taking selfies in foreign countries with the same man whom she alleged sexually harassed her? In any case, why remain silent over such grievious act (by her admission not even informing her husband) for over one year until you were removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and your seat in the Senate chamber was changed?

    However the evidence of Prof Mgbeke were stunning and incontrovertible: from call logs, private chats, voice recordings of the Kogi senator, it became obvious that Senator Natasha was on a pull-him-down mission through fabricated allegations for political gains. More stunning were Natasha’s claim, according to Prof Mgbeke, of having recruited Dr Oby Ezekwesili and Dr Abiola Akiyode of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to storm the Senate Committee sitting and how she bragged about having media organisations on her pay roll to do her biddings. She described her followers who swallowed her lies hook, line and sinker as “gullible and hungry” while those she recruited to wage this war were described as “useful idiots.”

    In view of the weighty allegations of the Kogi Senator’s scheme, the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS)  and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), have to get to the roots of the allegation about Natasha’s plot to bring down a “Yoruba Government.” According to Prof Mgbeke, “She said the reason for the fight was not really about the Senate President but it is about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that they don’t want the Yoruba government to go beyond four years. She said there was no sexual harassment evidence of any kind.” To destabilize the Tinubu administration, her sponsors would reward her with the governorship of Kogi State or the Minister of Petroleum. “She said all she wanted was for the Senate President to step down, that the Senate President is the one shielding Nigeria’s President.”

    This is hardly surprising though because no sooner had Natasha made her unfounded allegations than opposition politicians started making political capital out of it. Obviously, Natasha was not working alone. The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, jumped into the fray and talked about corruption (laugh out loud) former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki pontificated about the integrity of the Senate while Ezekwesili called on Akpabio to step aside. So obviously, Natasha was playing a political script, she was dancing naked to the drum beats of the opposition with President Bola Tinubu as their main target using the fabricated allegations against Akpabio.

    The puerile attempt by Natasha to deny Prof Mgbeke’s allegations with hard evidence as “entirely untrue and most manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive” is most unconvincing. It is true to her character. If with the avalanche of proofs and evidence which Prof Mgbeke said she has submitted to security agencies for forensic analysis, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan still denies knowing the US based activist, then, she is irredeemable. Concerned citizens are demanding for speedy investigation by security agencies and their findings made public while those found to be involved in the plot to destabilise the administration of President Tinubu be brought to justice on account of their conspiracy.

    The story rings true with fact that there was never a thing like sexual harassment. It only existed in the imagination of the Kogi Senator and her gullible followers.

    • Alli writes from Ekpoma, Benin

  • Natasha condoles with victims of Okene crash

    Natasha condoles with victims of Okene crash

    Lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has condoled with the families of victims of the recent auto crash in Okene, Kogi State, that claimed six lives and injured five others.

    Natasha, according to a statement by her media aide, Isreal Arogbonlo, in Abuja, expressed her sadness over the incident, describing it as “deeply disturbing” and urging road users to exercise caution.

    “My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured. May the bereaved families find solace and strength in this difficult time, and may the injured recover swiftly and fully.”

    She prayed for the eternal rest of the souls of the departed and for comfort for those left behind.

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    Natasha urged road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules and regulations to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

    She emphasised the need for increased awareness and education on road safety, particularly among commercial drivers, to reduce the risk of accidents.

    The Senator also called on the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the crash and take necessary steps to prevent similar incidents.

    “The government must prioritise road safety and take concrete actions to ensure that our roads are safe for all users,” she said.

  • Kogi youths condemn attack on Natasha’s home

    Kogi youths condemn attack on Natasha’s home

    The Say No to Violence in Ebiraland (SNTVE) group in Kogi Central, has  condemned the invasion of the family home of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    It called on the inspector general of Police and others to probe the attack.

    In a statement, the group described the attack as an attempt to destabilise the peace and security of the area, warning that the assault posed a grave threat to the senator, her family and democratic stability.

    “This violence is an indication of the insecurity in our polity. It is a direct threat to the life of the senator, her family, and our democratic values,” it said.

    Abdulrazak Mamman, spokesman, said the group is concerned about the precedent such violence set, and demanded a thorough investigation to ensure those behind the attack are identified and prosecuted.’’

    “We are calling on the Inspector General of Police and heads of security agencies to leave no stone unturned in unraveling those responsible for this criminal act. Justice must be served to restore confidence in our security system,” Mamman said.

    SNTVE praised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her courage and unwavering commitment to truth and justice, noting that she has continued to demonstrate resilience in recent times.

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    “We commend Senator Natasha for her consistent display of bravery and strong will to stand by the truth, even in the face of escalating challenges. We urge her to remain focused and undeterred,” the statement added.

    The group assured the senator of the full support of the good people of Ebiraland, stressing that the Say No to Violence Initiative stands solidly behind her and her family during this challenging period.

    SNTVE also called on the federal government and all relevant authorities to urgently beef up security around Senator Natasha and her family to forestall any attempts on their lives.

    “We appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to join us in condemning this heinous act and demanding immediate action to prevent a recurrence. The stability of our democracy depends on the protection of voices that speak truth to power,” the statement added.

  • Police confirm attack on Natasha’s Kogi family home

    Police confirm attack on Natasha’s Kogi family home

    • Senator condemns attack

    • HURIWA calls for probe

    The Kogi State Police Command yesterday confirmed that gunmen attacked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s (PDP-Kogi Central) family home in Obeiba Community in Okehi Local Government Area.

    Police Commissioner  Miller Dantawaye, who confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, said that the incident occurred on Tuesday night.

    “The command has been fully briefed on the unfortunate and criminal incident by the Okehi Local Government Area Divisional Police Officer. So far, no arrest has been made.

    “Investigation into the incident has begun and we shall get to the root of it. We will deal with those criminal elements that carried out the attack, ” the Police chief  said.

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    Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was recently suspended for six months for alleged misconduct  condemned  the incident. She  said:”The gunmen assumed she was in town and so attacked my family house that Tuesday night.”

    “During the attack, security operatives and community members responded promptly and chased them off.

    “No one was hurt. A report on the incident was quickly made at the police area command of the council,” she said.

    Senator Akpoti-Udughan appealed to the Inspector General of Police to urgently restore her security.

    Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has condemned the attack by some unidentified hoodlums.

    A statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused some dark forces.

    “We are calling for forensic investigations and the arrest of the attackers so they face the full weight of the law.

    “We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services to ensure that no harm happens to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

    The entirety of the organised civil society organisations in Nigeria are solidly behind her. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has on many occasions alleged that there were active plots to assasinate her.

    “Whilst we are not in any position to deny or affirm her allegations, we are calling on the security forces to do everything humanly possible to keep Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan away from harm. Her life must be safeguarded at all costs.  Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has not committed any crimes that should warrant this level of antagonism and targeted attacks on her person. We urge all the aggrieved persons and her political rivals to follow the due process of the law and not resort to self help measures”.

  • Supporters defy ban, rally for suspended Natasha Akpoti

    Supporters defy ban, rally for suspended Natasha Akpoti

    Supporters of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have taken to the streets ahead of her homecoming rally despite a ban on public gatherings imposed by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.

    On Monday, Kogi Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, reinforced the government’s directive, warning that the planned rally violates the ban on political gatherings. He urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to cancel the Sallah rally scheduled in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    However, recent images circulating online from Tuesday, April 1, show enthusiastic supporters holding placards in solidarity with the suspended lawmaker.

    Read Also: Natasha Akpoti: We can’t normalise injustice – Akah Nnani

    Some of the inscriptions read: “Welcome home, worthy daughter of Ebiraland. The people of Okene are solidly behind you.”, “The people of Adavi are solidly behind you.”

    The show of support comes amid rising political tension in Kogi State, as loyalists continue to rally around Akpoti-Uduaghan despite the official ban.