The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has debunked the claims of United States-based activist Dr. Sandra Duru, popularly known as Professor Mgbeke, describing her allegations as false.
The lawmaker made the clarification in a statement issued by her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo.
Earlier, Mgbeke had released shocking evidence of her exclusive phone conversations where she claimed Akpoti-Uduaghan lied against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, regarding the controversial sexual advances allegation.
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The activist, who made the revelation during a Facebook livestream session monitored by our correspondent on Thursday night, said the call logs and recorded conversations in her possession are convincing enough to prove that the lawmaker lied about the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Akpabio.
Mgbeke also decried that it was wicked of her to attempt to link him with the death of a young girl who died a few years ago.
In the one-hour, eight-minute live broadcast, the activist claimed that the suspended Senator was out to destroy men, confirming that she had no actual evidence to defend her harassment claim against Akpabio.
But Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained her innocence, claiming all the recorded conversations played in the live stream were manipulated and could never have come from her.
The lawmaker also alleged that she had just recently stumbled on the identity of the activists-cum-journalist.
She said, “I have carefully watched a live stream which was done by one Sandra C Duru on Facebook on May 1, 2025. The content of the live stream, including the voice effect credited to me, is entirely untrue and most manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive of playing the script of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“To the best of my knowledge, those words used against Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Dr Abiola, FIDA and fellow Nigerians as ‘Gullible and Hungry’ are crazy falsehoods and did not emanate from the natural cause of any contact involving me.
“It was from recent research that I also found out that the person who now represents herself as Sandra Duru is the same person who operated as Prof. Mgbeke on Facebook. In the nearest of time, I will respond to the unfounded allegations made therein.”
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Education and social justice advocate, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has reiterated her unwavering support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her ongoing battle for justice, following the senator’s sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a strongly worded statement shared via her X handle on Saturday, Ezekwesili dismissed what she described as “desperate, laughable falsehoods” being peddled by those attempting to discredit her and derail Akpoti-Uduaghan’s pursuit of justice.
“Once again, Senator @NatashaAkpoti, You. Will. Never. Walk. Alone. Rest assured, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the distinguished women of FIDA and I will continue to stand with you wholeheartedly. Our commitment to justice is unshaken, and we will not relent until justice is served,” Ezekwesili declared.
Ezekwesili alleged a coordinated attempt by a “brigade of irresponsible politicians” led by Akpabio to intimidate and silence Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The world sees how they have captured our public institutions for their selfish benefit—corruptly abusing their positions to silence, intimidate, and endanger you. But they will fail,” she said.
She called for an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegation, insisting that “The Senate President cannot dodge the inevitable forever.”
In the post titled Memo to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and All Truly Honourable Citizens of Nigeria, Ezekwesili described her own integrity as unimpeachable, stating: “No sensible and decent person who knows my incorruptible track record is deceived by the ridiculous fabrications being peddled by your traducers. They know—without a doubt—that no amount of money, not even all the wealth in every central bank in the world, can buy my convictions, voice, and stance on any matter I choose to support.”
She urged Akpoti-Uduaghan not to be discouraged by the backlash, asserting: “You will continue to have my unwavering, sacrificial support in your resolute fight.”
Ezekwesili also sent a message to the Nigerian public, urging citizens to rise above lies and distractions and to demand accountability from leaders.
“Ignore their lies. Dismiss, with contempt, their desperate theatrics—a feeble attempt to divert attention from the sexual harassment petition against Senate President Akpabio,” she stated.
Ezekwesili concluded with a rallying cry: “This injustice shall not be sustained.”
