Suspended Nigerian senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has categorically denied fresh accusations of bribery and blackmail made against her by a United Kingdom-based Nigerian entrepreneur, Sandra Duru, popularly known online as “Prof Mgbeke.”
In a Facebook livestream broadcast on May 1, 2025, Duru alleged that the Kogi lawmaker attempted to recruit her into a media campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her millions of naira and substantial amounts in U.S. dollars to take part in the effort.
Duru further alleged that the senator fabricated a story accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, as part of a calculated move to force him out of office and weaken President Bola Tinubu’s political standing.
During the broadcast, she played audio clips purportedly capturing phone conversations with Akpoti-Uduaghan as evidence.
In a swift response issued on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan strongly denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated and orchestrated by Akpabio through a proxy.
“The content of the livestream, including the voice attributed to me, is entirely untrue and has been manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive of executing Senator Godswill Akpabio’s script,” she said.
The senator also claimed that Duru, who now uses the name “Prof Mgbeke,” has a history of deceptive online behaviour.
“She promised to release a comprehensive rebuttal in the coming days to address what she called “unfounded and malicious claims.”
This latest controversy adds another layer to the protracted feud between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio.
In February 2025, the senator publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during a national television interview.
She alleged that he made inappropriate advances and tied the progress of her legislative proposal to personal favours. Akpabio denied the claims and called for legal action.
A month later, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, citing “unruly and disruptive behaviour.”
Her harassment complaint was dismissed on procedural grounds, as Senate rules require such petitions to be submitted by a fellow senator.
The suspension sparked widespread outrage and protests under the banner “We Are All Natasha,” with demonstrators taking to the streets in major cities like Lagos, Enugu, Edo, and Kaduna.
Several civil society groups and women’s rights organizations called for her reinstatement, accusing the Senate leadership of suppressing dissenting voices.
In a separate development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dismissed a petition seeking the senator’s recall, stating that it did not meet the constitutional requirements.
As tensions continue to mount, many observers say the saga reflects deeper fractures within the political landscape and the challenges women face in Nigeria’s male-dominated political arena.