Olusegun Ariyo
In a twist of developments, a Nigerian journalist, Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya, has come forward with allegations against United Kingdom-based Nigerian businesswoman, Sandra Duru aka Prof Mgbeke, who has been involved in the controversy surrounding Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Duru came into the spotlight recently after she claimed that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly attempted to induce her with N200 million to falsely accuse the former Akwa Ibom governor of organ harvesting.
Although Senator Natasha has since denied the allegation, it has continued to generate mixed reactions.
But in a new turn of events in a viral video, a female journalist, Francess Ogbonnaya, accused Sandra of attempting to hire her to produce a voiceover that would damage Senator Natasha’s reputation.
Olisa claims that Sandra provided her with audio recordings and a script that contained defamatory content. She, however, refused to produce the voiceover, citing her profession as a journalist and her plans to run for office.
“She wanted me to disrupt and destroy Natasha at the TV station, she wanted me to go on her behalf, but not be neutral. I refused because I am a journalist and have plans to run for office like I did before, so I cannot do it,” Olisa said.
Olisa alleged that Sandra wanted to use the voiceover to spread false information about Senator Natasha, including claims that she wanted to bring down the Yoruba government, which Olisa queried.
“How can a Kogi, Igbira who are a minority with no alliances and even tilted to the Yorubas now say that? A Kogi person is a minority in Nigeria, so what will she gain by fighting the Yoruba government?” Olisa questioned.
Ogbonnaya disputed Sandra Duru’s claims about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements on sexual harassment.
“Sandra lied about it (sexual harassment claim). In the audios she sent to me, Senator Natasha never mentioned anything about there being no sexual harassment,” Ogbonnaya clarified.
According to her, the audio recordings suggested experiences of sexual harassment.
“She mentioned in the audio that sometimes when they go out, the big man will say ‘you look good today’,” she added.
Ogbonnaya further questioned the authenticity of any potential audio release by Sandra Duru.
“If Sandra releases anything like that, she cloned it. In the original audios she sent to me, there was nothing like that (denial of sexual harassment claim). The woman (Natasha) never said there was no sexual abuse; she was even highlighting experiences that suggest sexual harassment,” Ogbonnaya alleged.
Regarding Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Ogbonnaya denied that Senator Natasha said she bought the former minister.
Ogbonnaya asserted that the audio recordings showed Senator Natasha thanking God for Dr Ezekwesili’s support and discussing her efforts to address issues affecting women.
Olisa also claims that Sandra has been involved in blackmailing and manipulating others, including Governor Hope Uzodinma and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha.
“Sandra even told me that she made Rochas a governor!!! She was blackmailing the man. She blackmailed Hope (Imo governor) through the commissioner for international affairs,” Olisa alleged.
When asked if Sandra paid her, Olisa replied, “Yes! Political audio is 500k, she priced 300k! I removed the places that could implicate us. She got angry that I removed her lies. She rejected the audio and refused to use my voice, so she went to someone else.”
Olisa, however, urged the police to investigate the matter, saying, “Let the police do their job.”
She also warned Senator Akpabio to be wary of Sandra’s shady character.
“I’m telling Akpabio to be wary of her. I can’t ascertain if she is working with Natasha or Akpabio. Sandra is the one I know.”
“The evidence I have sent to you now is the tip of the iceberg… If she wants us to release conversations, I am ready. Especially the big names she mentioned there. Let her remember that,” she concluded.
