One Ms. Sandra Chidinma Duru who goes by the pseudo name, Prof. Mgbeke, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu personally appealed to her to forgive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over an ongoing criminal defamation dispute — a claim that, if accurate, raises questions about why the nation’s highest office would be drawn into what many consider a personal legal battle.
In a lengthy statement circulated online and on her Facebook pages, Duru declared: “Last night, I told the President no. Crime is crime. No selective justice.” She insisted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must face prosecution, arguing that the matter is criminal, not personal.
According to Duru, she was approached by “senior Nigerian leaders, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and top government officials,” who allegedly urged her to forgive the senator. She said she “bluntly refused” and demanded prosecution instead.
While the Presidency has not confirmed or responded to the claim, the assertion has sparked debate, particularly given Nigeria’s pressing national challenges — ranging from insecurity and economic instability to diplomatic concerns abroad. Critics argue that it would be troubling for the President’s name to be mentioned in connection with what is essentially a defamation dispute between private individuals.
Duru maintained that “this was not a civil misunderstanding” but “a serious and deliberate act of aggressive criminal defamation.” She claimed that an official police report had indicted Akpoti-Uduaghan and alleged that attempts were made to discredit her through what she described as fabricated narratives pushed to top government officials.
She further alleged that false claims were circulated suggesting she paid individuals to manipulate audio recordings and that another “absurd lie” accused her of receiving two million dollars from the Senate President. “Two million dollars for what?” she asked in her statement, dismissing the allegation as evidence of a wider conspiracy.
Duru also compared her case to that of activist Omoyele Sowore, arguing that if the Nigerian state could prosecute Sowore for defamation, then Akpoti-Uduaghan should not be treated differently. “Is her crime special?” she asked.
The self styled professor, concluded by rejecting calls for forgiveness, stating that “forgiveness without accountability is injustice,” and vowed to pursue the matter relentlessly, including launching an international media campaign.
However, observers note that the Presidency has yet to issue any official comment confirming Duru’s claim that the President personally intervened. Until such confirmation is provided, questions remain as to whether the President was formally involved or whether his name is being invoked in a dispute that many Nigerians would expect to be handled strictly within the judicial system.
For now, the matter remains under police review, while public attention shifts to whether Nigeria’s highest office will respond to being mentioned in what critics describe as a largely private controversy.
A commenter stated, “What insult. Who is this person to bring herself to the level of Mr. President. Those who are sponsoring her are just using her to insult Mr. President. What rubbish. I see how she insults the IG and top policemen she isn’t even worthy to lace their shoes just because she has data and can come on social media.”
See screenshots below.
