- Safiu Kehinde
United States-based Nigerian activist, Sandra Duru, has filed a petition against suspended Kogi lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, accusing the couple of treasonable felony and criminal conspiracy.
Duru, in the petition written to the Department of State Service (DSS), offices of the National Security Adviser (NSA)and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) amongst others, called for the immediate arrest and the detention of the Natasha, her husband, and an unidentified journalist she claimed to be working for the couple.
Recall that Duru, who is also known as Prof. Mgbeke, had in a live video made shocking revelation of her conversation with Natasha amid her ongoing sexual harrasment allegation scandal against the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In a couple audio clips played by Duru, the suspended lawmaker was heard stating that her fight against Akpabio has nothing to do with sexual harrasment but alleged plot to destroy the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Natasha had in the leaked audio revealed other plots including plan to implicate Akpabio with the death of a girl.
However, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District had since debunked the audios with claims that her voice was cloned.
Subsequent revelations, including Sandra Duru’s leaked chat with Natasha as well as a journalist confession of being hired by the activist, had raised questions on the allegations against Natasha.
Duru who has since being vocal about his stance on Natasha’s alleged plot would in the petition posted on her X handle on Thursday called for the lawmaker’s arrest alongside her husband.
She accused Emmanuel Uduaghan of conspiring with Natasha in carrying out the plan to undermine national stability, using media manipulation as a tool to provoke civil disobedience and weaken public trust in government institutions.
The activist maintained that the case had gone beyond online controversies but serious criminal conspiracy with the potential to provoke a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.
Coupled with the arrest and interrogation of the Uduaghans, Duru also demanded that the journalist who participated in the recorded conversation be invited for immediate questioning by the DSS and Nigeria Police.
She further charged the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), which also copied in the petition, to probe the journalist.
Duru also urged the Presidency to hold a National Security briefing and issue a public statement to reassure the Nigerian populace of the government’s commitment to the rule of law.
The petition read; “I write to bring to your urgent attention a matter of grave national security and public interest. Recent revelations, particularly a now-viral audio recording involving Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, point to an alarming and premeditated attempt to destabilize the Federal Republic of Nigeria and incite civil unrest against the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In the said audio, Senator Natasha Akpoti is clearly heard coercing a journalist to manufacture damaging narratives intended to blackmail government officials and sway public opinion against the legitimate authority of the Nigerian state. This is not only reprehensible but, more importantly, meets the legal threshold for incitement to violence, conspiracy to subvert democracy, and treasonable felony under Nigerian law.
“This is no longer a case of political rhetoric or mere propaganda. What we are witnessing is a carefully orchestrated plot to undermine national stability, using media manipulation as a tool to provoke civil disobedience and weaken public trust in government institutions.
“In addition to this, it is on record that Natasha Akpoti has, on multiple occasions, made inflammatory public statements that flirt dangerously with sedition and direct provocation of national unrest, locally and internationally.
“I hereby recommend the following immediate actions:
“Interrogation and Statement from the Journalist Involved: The journalist who participated in the recorded conversation must be invited for immediate questioning by the DSS and Nigeria Police. Given the content of the leaked audio, he should be considered a whistleblower and provided state protection. He holds vital intelligence that may assist in the unraveling of a broader conspiracy against the state.
“Arrest and Prosecution of Natasha Akpoti and Emmanuel Uduaghan: In light of the overwhelming prima facie evidence, Natasha Akpoti must be placed under arrest without delay and subjected to a comprehensive criminal investigation. Her husband, Mr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, whose role in this conspiracy must also be scrutinized, should likewise be interrogated and investigated under relevant security and criminal statutes.
“Preservation and Forensic Analysis of Audio Evidence: The DSS, IGP’s Office, NSA’s Office, and NIA must act swiftly to forensically authenticate and preserve all existing audio and digital evidence. It is imperative that all persons of interest be placed under watch to prevent interference with investigations or potential flight from justice.
“Immediate National Security Briefing and Warning to the Public: The Presidency should be formally briefed and a public statement issued to reassure the Nigerian populace of the government’s commitment to the rule of law, while discouraging any form of incitement or propaganda from individuals seeking to destabilize the country.
“Referral to the Federal Character Commission and NUJ: The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) should urgently investigate the ethical breach by the journalist involved and issue appropriate sanctions or referrals.
“Likewise, the Federal Character Commission must review any implications for public officers mentioned in this treasonous affair.
“Let it be known that this is no longer a political spat nor an online controversy, it is a serious criminal conspiracy with the potential to provoke a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.
“As legal professionals, journalists, and patriots, we must not permit such brazen acts of subversion to be swept under the carpet.
“To remain silent in the face of such overt acts of destabilization is to embolden impunity. A single word when weaponized can fracture a nation’s peace.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti’s utterances and conduct, as captured in this audio, are not protected by parliamentary immunity. They constitute a betrayal of the Nigerian people and a direct threat to our national sovereignty.
“I trust that your offices will act swiftly and judiciously in the interest of national security, democratic integrity, and the preservation of our constitutional order.”