Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied allegations of bribery and blackmail made by Sandra Duru, a UK-based Nigerian businesswoman. Duru alleged in a Facebook livestream that Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her money to discredit Senate President Godswill Akpabio and falsely accused him of sexual harassment. Duru played audio recordings purportedly of phone conversations with the senator to support her claims.
Akpoti-Uduaghan responded with a statement, categorically denying the allegations and accusing Duru of acting on behalf of Akpabio. She claimed the audio recordings were manipulated and hinted at Duru’s history of deceptive behavior. Akpoti-Uduaghan promised to issue a comprehensive response to the allegations.
The controversy is part of an ongoing feud between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, which he denied. She was suspended from the Senate for six months over “unruly and disruptive” conduct, and her harassment complaint was dismissed on procedural grounds. The suspension sparked nationwide protests, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later dismissed a petition seeking her recall.
