Journalist Alleges Sandra Duru Paid ₦2.5m To Tarnish Senator Natasha’s Image

Journalist and media activist, Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, has alleged that self-acclaimed activist Sandra Duru, also known as ‘Prof Mgbeke’, paid him ₦2.5 million to produce defamatory content to damage the image of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akuwudike made the revelation during an interview on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube programme on Monday, May 12, 2025.

According to Akuwudike, Duru approached him to create a series of documentaries accompanied by musical backgrounds to discredit Akpoti-Uduaghan amid the ongoing case of her sexual misconduct allegations Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

He said he initially perceived the assignment as a typical professional engagement until he listened to Duru’s livestream, where she allegedly twisted the narrative to provoke ethnic tensions.

“She claimed Natasha made anti-Yoruba remarks in a conversation, but the recording contained no such content,” Obinna stated, accusing Duru of fabricating the narrative to incite ethnic discord.

“She deliberately twisted the message to stoke ethnic division and provoke the Yoruba against Natasha.”

Akuwudike also alleged that Sandra Duru falsely claimed Akpoti-Uduaghan had confessed that the allegations against Akpabio were fabricated and that she had paid former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and the association of women lawyers to defend her before the Senate Ethics Committee.

He described the assertions as baseless fabrications aimed at smearing Natasha’s reputation.

Akuwudike also pointed to a voice recording played during the Sandra’s programme, allegedly featuring Chief Oby Ndukwe, President of Citizens Quest, who had previously defended Akpabio on Channels Television’s ‘Democracy Today’.

In the clip, Ndukwe allegedly thanked Duru for her efforts and acknowledged receiving financial backing from Akpabio in exchange for defending the Senate President.

Akuwudike condemned what he described as Duru’s pattern of calculated falsehoods and blackmail, alleging that she had previously extorted millions from high-profile Nigerians, including a former Deputy Governor of Imo State.

Addressing his reasons for going public, the journalist said his decision was driven by conscience, not financial gain.

“I refuse to be a pawn in her malicious scheme,” he stated, adding that he is ready to cooperate with security agencies investigating the matter.

He also alleged that Duru boasted of having the backing of Senate President Akpabio and claimed she had a history of secretly recording conversations to blackmail influential figures.