The Nigerian government has sparked controversy by listing Sandra Duru, also known as Prof Mgbeke, as a key witness in its case against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite her being declared wanted by the police since 2016.
Sandra Duru faces allegations of obtaining money under false pretenses and threatening to kill a woman named Mrs. Edith Adefunke Edidot.
A Lagos State magistrate court issued a warrant for her arrest in 2017 after she failed to appear in court. The warrant reads: “Warrant to arrest a person failing to appear pursuant to recognisance… Whereas Sandra Duru of 19A Community Road, off Allen, Ikeja, Lagos State is bound by recognisance to appear before the court on the 31st of July, 2017, but has failed to do so.”
A source expressed dismay over the government’s decision, saying: “The woman listed as number four on the witness list was declared wanted and fled the country.
There’s an active warrant for her arrest. Yet now, she’s being called as a key witness in a case against someone else. It raises serious questions.” This development has sparked concerns about the integrity of the proceedings.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate for six months for allegedly violating Senate Standing Rules, following her accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she alleged sexually harassed her. The Nigerian government has initiated legal proceedings against her for criminal defamation.
Media activist Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike claimed he was paid ₦2.5 million by Sandra Duru to create defamatory content targeting Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akuwudike alleged that Duru was acting under the directive and financial sponsorship of Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. This claim has added another layer of complexity to the case.
