US-Based Activist Sandra Duru Alleges ₦200 Million Bribe Offer by Senator Natasha to Frame Senate President Akpabio
In a dramatic and unexpected development that has stirred the Nigerian political space, a U.S.-based Nigerian social activist and entrepreneur, Dr. Sandra Duru, also known online as Prof. Mgbeke, has accused the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to bribe her with the sum of ₦200 million. The alleged bribe was purportedly intended to secure a false testimony linking the President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to a series of grave criminal offenses, including sexual harassment and organ trafficking.
Dr. Duru made these explosive claims during a live video broadcast on Facebook, which has since gained traction on social media and in various diaspora Nigerian communities. In the video, she presented what she described as evidence of the bribery attempt, including phone call logs and screenshots of WhatsApp and SMS messages allegedly exchanged with Senator Natasha. According to her, these records have been submitted to international forensic specialists for authentication and legal protection.
Dr. Duru alleges that the bribery plot was carefully coordinated and centered around fabricating damning accusations against Senator Akpabio, who has held several high-profile roles in Nigerian politics, including that of Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, and most recently, President of the Senate.
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The activist claims that Senator Natasha initially contacted her with the intent of using her social influence and international platform to lend credibility to accusations that Akpabio had sexually harassed the senator in the past. When this attempt allegedly failed to garner the expected public outrage, Dr. Duru says the plan escalated.
According to her, Senator Natasha then pushed for a more serious and emotionally charged narrative that would involve implicating Akpabio in the high-profile murder of Iniubong Umoren, a young woman who was lured under the guise of a job interview and gruesomely murdered in 2021. Umoren’s death attracted widespread national outrage and condemnation, prompting many to call for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s approach to gender-based violence and job-seeking protocols.
Dr. Duru claims that the attempt to frame Akpabio using such a tragic case was the final straw for her, prompting her to begin documenting every correspondence and preparing legal defences. “You can’t use the blood of innocent people to play politics,” she said during her broadcast. “This is beyond me or Akpabio—it is about the future of our children, the sanctity of truth, and the abuse of public trust.”
Dr. Sandra Duru is a businesswoman, social activist, and former director at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). She is based in the United States and has been active in various campaigns targeting youth empowerment, gender equality, and diaspora engagement in African development.
Known for her strong social media presence and controversial commentaries on Nigerian politics and culture, Dr. Duru commands a large following both at home and abroad. She has, in the past, served as a voice on several key issues, often clashing with political figures, religious leaders, and other public personalities. Despite polarizing opinions about her methods and motivations, she has built a reputation as someone unafraid to confront power, corruption, or hypocrisy.
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Her decision to go public with these new allegations adds another layer of complexity to her persona and raises questions about the underlying political tensions among Nigeria’s elite.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is no stranger to controversy herself. A lawyer, engineer, and politician from Kogi State, Natasha made headlines with her campaigns for electoral transparency, local industry protection, and her fierce criticism of what she has often described as the entrenched patriarchy in Nigerian politics.
A strong advocate for women’s rights and good governance, Natasha rose to prominence through social advocacy and was eventually elected senator for Kogi Central. However, her term has been marked by frequent disputes with fellow lawmakers, party figures, and power brokers. She was recently suspended from the Senate on allegations unrelated to this case, although some political observers argue that the suspension might be part of a larger scheme to silence her.
Prior to Dr. Duru’s allegations, Senator Natasha had accused Akpabio of attempting to stifle her voice in the Senate, citing gender discrimination and targeted harassment. These accusations gained some public sympathy and led to debates about the role of women in Nigerian politics. However, Dr. Duru’s recent exposé may change the tone of that discussion.
Though Dr. Duru did not display the full conversation history during the Facebook Live broadcast, she read out selected messages that she claimed were part of a campaign by Natasha to manipulate the media and fabricate stories against Akpabio.
One of the messages allegedly read: “We need something explosive that will break the internet. Say he touched you. Say he trafficked girls through Dubai. You know what to do.”
In another part of the conversation, she quoted a message that allegedly referred to the ₦200 million bribe: “Funds ready. Just get on the broadcast and tag the right people. We’ll clean up later.”
Dr. Duru told her viewers that these messages, alongside call logs, were already in the hands of a U.S.-based legal team and cybersecurity experts. She stated that copies would also be sent to Nigerian authorities if and when due process could be assured.
The reaction to the allegations has been mixed. Supporters of Dr. Duru have applauded her courage in speaking out against what they see as political manipulation and character assassination. Many have also expressed concern about the weaponization of gender-based violence allegations for political gain, which they believe undermines genuine victims of such abuses.
On the other hand, Natasha’s supporters have dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign orchestrated by Akpabio’s allies, pointing to the timing of the broadcast, which comes just weeks after Natasha’s suspension and her ongoing legal battle with the Senate leadership. Some have also questioned the authenticity of the alleged messages, demanding forensic evidence before drawing conclusions.
Civil society groups, women’s rights organizations, and legal analysts have called for an independent investigation into the matter. “This cannot be left to social media adjudication,” said Barrister Helen Chukwu, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer. “If these allegations are true, then a crime has been committed—possibly multiple crimes. If they’re false, then someone must be held accountable for defamation and manipulation of public trust.”
So far, the office of Senate President Akpabio has remained silent on the matter. Attempts to reach his media aides for comment were unsuccessful. However, a source close to the Senate Presidency who asked not to be named said Akpabio was “aware of the drama” but was advised by legal counsel to maintain silence until due process takes its course.
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This silence, whether strategic or dismissive, has fueled speculation about the possible depth of the scandal. Some believe it signals confidence and a desire to avoid inflaming tensions further, while others interpret it as a reflection of the political fragility currently engulfing the Senate.
If the allegations by Dr. Duru are proven true, they could carry wide-ranging legal and political implications. Offering a bribe to fabricate a crime, especially one as serious as sexual assault or human trafficking, is a criminal offense under Nigerian law and can attract long-term imprisonment. Additionally, it would constitute grounds for permanent expulsion from public office and could trigger criminal defamation lawsuits.
On the other hand, if the claims are unsubstantiated or maliciously fabricated by Dr. Duru, she could also face lawsuits for libel, misinformation, and possibly even cyber harassment, depending on the evidence presented by both parties.
The case also brings to the fore the troubling trend of weaponizing gender-based violence for political gain. This trend, observers say, undermines real efforts to combat the scourge of abuse and further erodes public trust in advocacy-led justice.
The media has struggled with how to approach the story, given its complex mix of political drama, social activism, and potentially libelous content. Major television and print outlets have so far avoided taking a strong position, instead focusing on the call for independent investigation.
However, the story has been widely covered on social media platforms and by several diaspora-focused blogs and digital news portals, many of which have taken either a defensive or accusatory stance. The risk, according to media analysts, is that trial by public opinion could eclipse genuine efforts to uncover the truth.
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“Everyone wants a scoop, but few care about the fallout,” said Emma Afolayan, editor of a popular Lagos-based digital news platform. “If we’re not careful, this becomes a circus, and the real victims—if there are any—get lost in the noise.”
It remains to be seen whether Nigerian authorities will take up the case. So far, there has been no official reaction from the police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, lawyers suggest that if forensic proof of attempted bribery and manipulation is presented, any of these agencies could be compelled to act, especially under growing public scrutiny.
Dr. Duru has maintained that she is not motivated by politics or personal gain but by a desire to protect the integrity of social justice activism. In her words, “I may not be perfect, but I know right from wrong. And this is wrong—very wrong.”
Senator Natasha, on her part, has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.” In a brief statement shared through her official Instagram page, she stated, “I will not be drawn into a media war. My lawyers are reviewing the libelous content and will take appropriate legal action.”
As this case unfolds, it will likely test Nigeria’s fragile balance between activism and political expediency, between truth and propaganda, and between justice and defamation. Whether or not Dr. Duru’s evidence holds up in court—or is even brought to court—will shape not just reputations but possibly careers and policy directions.
The public deserves clarity, the accused deserve due process, and the victims—real or perceived—deserve justice.
