Natasha/Akpabio: Ezekwesili Wasn’t Paid To Appear Before Senate Panel — Akuwudike

Veteran journalist and public affairs commentator, Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, has debunked recent allegations suggesting that former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, was paid to appear before a Senate Committee on Ethic, Privileges and Public Petitions probing sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akuwudike spoke during an appearance on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube programme on Monday, May 12, 2025, where he categorically refuted the claims made by self-styled activist Sandra Duru, also known as ‘Prof Mgbeke’.

According to Akuwudike, Duru had falsely alleged during a Facebook livestream that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had told her privately that there was no sexual harassment against her and that the accusations against Akpabio were fabricated. Duru further claimed that Senator Natasha paid Dr. Ezekwesili and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to speak in her defence before the Senate panel.

Obinna, however, dismissed Duru’s statements as false and malicious.

“The audio Sandra circulated contains no such confession. The claims are not only baseless but completely unsupported,” he asserted.

He went on to describe the allegations as part of a broader smear campaign targeting prominent Nigerians.

“It became clear to me that the assignment was part of a calculated blackmail agenda,” Akuwudike said.

He revealed that he was initially engaged by Sandra Duru for a media production assignment, receiving ₦2.5 million to produce a series of videos aimed at discrediting Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. He noted that at first, he viewed it as a routine professional job but began to grow uneasy after spotting multiple inconsistencies and outright fabrications in Duru’s public statements.

“It was after hearing her make the controversial allegations during a live stream that I decided to withdraw and go public with the truth,” he said.

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and FIDA were yet to issue official statements in response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.