In a dramatic twist to an already controversial saga rocking Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, a UK-based Nigerian activist and social commentator, Dr. Sandra Duru—widely known by her online persona “Professor Mgbeke”—has made explosive allegations against the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The activist claims that the senator fabricated sexual harassment accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and further attempted to bribe her with a staggering ₦200 million to lend credibility to a far-reaching and sinister accusation of organ harvesting.
These allegations, which surfaced during a lengthy Facebook Live session on Thursday night, have added new dimensions to a political drama that is equal parts scandal, suspense, and intrigue. Over the course of one hour and eight minutes, Dr. Duru painted a troubling portrait of a lawmaker she described as “vindictive,” “manipulative,” and “on a mission to destroy.”
Mgbeke’s revelations are anchored on what she claims to be damning audio recordings, call logs, and documented conversations between her and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. According to the activist, these recordings not only disprove the sexual harassment claims levelled against Senate President Akpabio but also suggest a deeper plot driven by tribal politics, vendettas, and ambitions that transcend the Senate floor.
“I asked her repeatedly during our conversations: ‘Do you have evidence that Akpabio sexually harassed you?’” Mgbeke recounted during the livestream. “She finally said no. She told me point-blank, ‘It didn’t happen.’”
These claims, if verified, could significantly undermine the credibility of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public posture as a victim of gender-based harassment and political suppression. Her allegations against Akpabio had sparked outrage, debates, and calls for reform in how female politicians are treated in the male-dominated corridors of Nigerian politics.
Alleged Plot and Audio Evidence
At the heart of the activist’s narrative lies the explosive claim that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to induce her with a ₦200 million bribe. The alleged goal? To publicly accuse Akpabio of involvement in organ harvesting, a charge that has long been used as a tool of political warfare in many parts of the world, especially where fear and superstition amplify its impact.
Dr. Duru claims she was appalled by the suggestion and rebuffed it immediately. She also accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making callous attempts to tie Akpabio to the tragic 2021 murder of Iniubong Umoren, a young job seeker whose death had already shocked the nation.
“Linking the Senate President to the death of that poor girl without evidence is not only wicked—it’s criminal,” Mgbeke declared.
To back up her claims, the activist said she has shared the purported evidence—including voice notes, call logs, and chat transcripts—with law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and abroad, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union and international intelligence organizations based in the United States.
She claimed some of the evidence was saved just in time, alleging that the senator later tried to erase their digital footprint by deleting messages and attempting to alter call histories.
‘Pathological Liar’ or Political Martyr?
Throughout the livestream, Mgbeke did not hold back in her characterization of the embattled senator. She repeatedly called Akpoti-Uduaghan a “pathological liar,” accused her of lacking humility, and claimed she thrives on playing the victim to manipulate public sentiment.
“I told her, ‘You’ve disgraced us as Nigerian women. You said Nigerians are G and H – Gullible and Hungry. Is that what you think of your own people?’”
According to Mgbeke, the senator’s actions reveal a pattern of political opportunism rather than a genuine fight for justice. She claimed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s true motives were not to expose misconduct, but to unseat Akpabio and destabilize what she allegedly referred to as the “Yoruba government.”
“She told me that the fight was bigger than Akpabio. It’s about the Presidency. She said they didn’t want the Yoruba to remain in power beyond four years. I was stunned,” Mgbeke stated.
The activist further accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of harboring an “us-versus-them” mindset, where disagreement is equated with enmity.
“If it’s not going her way, then you’re automatically her enemy. That’s her world,” she said. “She’s not fighting for women. She’s fighting for herself—and she’s dragging innocent people down.”
Repercussions and Reactions
Efforts to get Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s side of the story have so far yielded limited results. Her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, initially promised to respond but has since gone unreachable.
The silence from the senator’s camp comes as her political fate hangs in limbo. She was suspended from the Senate on March 6 following a bitter confrontation with the Senate leadership over a disputed seating arrangement. Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the changes were orchestrated to isolate her—a move she interpreted as retaliation for rejecting Akpabio’s alleged advances.
That claim quickly escalated. Appearing on national television, she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and persecution, citing the withdrawal of her security detail, suspension of her salary, and eventual six-month ban from the Assembly as politically motivated.
Her statements garnered sympathy from some quarters, especially from women’s rights advocates and civic groups. During a Women in Parliament session at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference at the United Nations in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan passionately called for international oversight of the Nigerian Senate, painting a grim picture of systemic abuse and repression of female legislators.
However, a subsequent court order barred both parties from making any further public statements on the matter pending legal proceedings. The senator’s continued comments, including a sarcastic “apology letter” to Akpabio released just days ago, may constitute contempt of court.
The Case of Iniubong Umoren
Mgbeke’s allegations take a particularly grave turn with the insinuation that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan might possess insider knowledge related to the horrific 2021 murder of Iniubong Umoren. This case remains a deeply painful memory for Nigerians, highlighting the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in the country. Iniubong Umoren, a young woman actively seeking employment, had posted an online call for opportunities, a seemingly innocuous act that tragically led her into a deadly trap. She was lured under false pretenses and brutally murdered, a crime that sent shockwaves across the nation.
The sheer callousness of Umoren’s murder ignited widespread public outrage. Nigerians took to social media and the streets to demand justice, decrying the vulnerability of women to such heinous acts and the systemic failures that allow gender-based violence to persist. The case triggered intense scrutiny of existing laws and their enforcement, the responsiveness of law enforcement agencies, and the broader societal attitudes that contribute to such violence. It became a rallying cry for greater protection for women and a demand for accountability.
Against this backdrop of national trauma and ongoing efforts to address gender-based violence, Mgbeke’s suggestion of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s potential insider knowledge adds a disturbing layer to the existing allegations. The connection to such a high-profile and emotionally charged case amplifies the seriousness of Mgbeke’s claims and is likely to draw even greater public attention and scrutiny to the unfolding situation. The implications of a prominent figure having prior awareness of such a brutal crime are profound and could have significant legal and political ramifications if substantiated.
Dr. Duru claims the senator spoke casually about the case during their conversations, implying knowledge that she withheld from authorities. If true, this could lead to new investigations and further legal jeopardy for the senator.
“I’ve written to agencies abroad about a senator who claimed to know something about a young woman’s murder and did nothing. That in itself is deeply troubling,” Mgbeke said.
Political Fallout
At the core of this conflict lies a broader political struggle within Nigeria’s elite class—one shaped by gender, ethnicity, regional power plays, and the strategic positioning of key figures ahead of 2027.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, once celebrated for her boldness and populist appeal, now finds herself battling credibility issues. Her suspension, the allegations by Mgbeke, and the broader ethnic subtext—highlighted by the “Yoruba government” remarks—have turned what was once a single-issue scandal into a sprawling political minefield.
Senate President Akpabio, for his part, has largely kept a low profile amid the storm, only making public appearances like the recent Vatican delegation trip. Whether his silence is strategic or court-ordered remains unclear.
Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to watch closely. To some, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains a heroine standing against a patriarchal political establishment. To others, the recent revelations point to a more calculating figure leveraging identity politics and public sentiment for personal gain.
What’s Next?
With Mgbeke’s petitions already submitted to multiple law enforcement and international bodies, and the potential for forensic analysis of audio and digital files, the saga is far from over. The possibility of perjury, defamation, obstruction of justice, or worse looms over the embattled senator.
If the courts find her guilty of fabricating allegations, the consequences could be devastating—personally, politically, and legally. Conversely, if Mgbeke’s claims are proven false or exaggerated, the activist herself may face legal repercussions.
For now, the truth lies somewhere between clashing narratives, digital files, and pending court rulings. But one thing is certain: the explosive mix of sex, power, money, and political ambition continues to haunt Nigeria’s democracy—and the damage may be felt far beyond the walls of the National Assembly.