Media personality Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya has publicly accused Professor Sandra Duru, also known as Prof. Mgbeke, of offering her a bribe to create doctored audio content intended to malign Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The allegation was made during an in-depth interview with investigative journalist Adeola Fayehun, where Ogbonnaya claimed she was approached by Duru during the Easter holiday and paid N300,000 to produce falsified audio clips targeting the suspended Senator of Kogi Central.
Ogbonnaya explained that Duru provided her with a script to record using her voice, instructing her to produce a narration that suggested the senator had made divisive and inflammatory comments.
However, Ogbonnaya said she refused to include the most damaging parts of the script, noting that they lacked credible evidence and could potentially put her reputation and that of her registered media company at risk.
According to her, “I couldn’t put myself or my company in a position where we would be liable for promoting what was clearly falsehood,” she said. The recordings, she added, were designed to mislead the public and further undermine the image of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Central to the script, Ogbonnaya revealed, was a fabricated claim that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made derogatory remarks aimed at what was referred to as the “Yoruba government.”
She noted that such statements were never made by the senator and that she could not, in good conscience, be part of such misinformation.
When asked if Duru was acting alone or with backing, Ogbonnaya disclosed that Duru claimed she was promised a political appointment in exchange for successfully executing the smear campaign. “She told me she had once been offered the position of deputy governor in Imo State and believed this effort could help her regain political relevance,” Ogbonnaya stated.
Fayehun, the journalist who conducted the interview, acknowledged the risks Ogbonnaya took by coming forward with the information. She described the act as both courageous and perilous, given the political nature of the accusations. “This is a dangerous position for Francess to be in,” Fayehun said. “But it’s important that the public hears this. It underscores just how far some people are willing to go to destroy reputations for political gain.”
The interview has since attracted attention from both the media and political observers, many of whom have called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
It has raised fresh concerns over the apparent intriguing political scheming and media manipulation.
The development has further complicated the ongoing controversies surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has recently faced a string of political and personal challenges, including her suspension and allegations she linked to personal vendettas.
Ogbonnaya’s claims not only bring a new dimension to the saga but also raise broader questions about ethics in political communication and the role of media figures in enabling or resisting manipulation.
As public interest grows, there are mounting calls for the relevant authorities to examine the claims and take appropriate action to uphold accountability and truth in both media and politics.
