In a significant twist of events, 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 now-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 to 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 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 actually 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 are a 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.
