In a startling revelation, journalist and activist Francess Olisa-Ogbonnaya has accused popular social media personality Sandra Duru, widely known as Prof. Mgbeke, of orchestrating a financial inducement scheme to produce and disseminate a damaging media campaign against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
Speaking candidly during an in-depth interview on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube Channel, Olisa-Ogbonnaya alleged that Duru approached her with an offer involving substantial sums of money to fabricate content aimed at discrediting the embattled senator. According to Olisa-Ogbonnaya, the plot entailed creating doctored audio files and false narratives as part of a coordinated N30 million smear campaign.
The journalist revealed that Duru first contacted her on the Saturday before Easter, gifting her N100,000 as an initial incentive. Subsequently, on Easter Monday, Olisa-Ogbonnaya received an additional N300,000 along with a prepared script and two audio recordings. She was instructed to produce a voice-over in her studio, fabricating a storyline designed to sway public opinion against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“She played an audio clip and said it proved her claims, but there was nothing in it to support the allegations,” Olisa-Ogbonnaya stated firmly. “The Senator never denied any sexual harassment, nor did she make any statement about bringing down the Yoruba government. These are all fabrications.”
Olisa-Ogbonnaya described the entire scheme as a calculated attempt to mislead Nigerians and undermine the credibility of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through orchestrated online propaganda.
She further dismissed Duru’s bizarre accusations against the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, labeling them as baseless fabrications with no evidence in the audio recordings.
Highlighting a pattern of manipulative behavior, Olisa-Ogbonnaya branded Sandra Duru a serial blackmailer. She alleged that Duru even used a manipulated audio voice clip of Senate President Godswill Akpabio to falsely suggest sponsorship by him.
According to Olisa-Ogbonnaya, Duru has previously attempted to extort prominent figures, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Olisa-Ogbonnaya also revealed that Duru reached out to activists Deji Adeyanju and Omoyele Sowore, attempting to rope them into the smear campaign.
When Adeyanju declined, Duru reportedly called him “arrogant.” Additionally, Duru had plans to involve social media influencer Verydarkman (VDM), allegedly setting aside N30 million for the operation.
“I know how the video was made and the manipulation behind it,” Olisa-Ogbonnaya asserted. “Sandra is always scheming, but I challenge her to release our audio recordings to counter my claims as I have my version with timestamps, and I’m ready to release it to the public.”
Olisa-Ogbonnaya condemned Duru’s actions as damaging not only to individuals but to the nation’s democratic integrity. “This is not just political mischief, it’s a national embarrassment,” she said.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, Olisa-Ogbonnaya reaffirmed her readiness to cooperate with any official investigation. “I am willing to honour any official invitation to testify. Speaking out is both a civic responsibility and a moral obligation. I couldn’t stay silent in the face of such dangerous tactics. Silence would mean complicity,” she declared.
As the controversy unfolds, the public awaits responses from Sandra Duru and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as well as any formal inquiries into the alleged smear campaign. The incident raises critical questions about the use of media manipulation and financial inducements in political rivalries within Nigeria.
