A Nigerian journalist and media activist, Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, has been arrested by the police in a move many believe is connected to a recent viral interview where he exposed an alleged plot to defame Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Obinna was picked up around 3:00 a.m. on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State. His arrest followed an interview he gave on journalist Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube channel, where he claimed he was paid to produce damaging content targeting Senator Natasha.
According to Obinna, a woman known as Sandra Duru, also called Prof Mgbeke, hired him for what he initially thought was a normal media project. However, he said he later grew uncomfortable when he noticed inconsistencies in her statements.
“I received money for producing videos but grew concerned after noticing inconsistencies in Duru’s public statements,” he said in the interview. He added that after hearing some of her controversial remarks during a livestream, he felt compelled to pull out of the deal and expose what he called “fabricated lies” aimed at Senator Natasha.
“All the claims made against Senator Natasha were false and part of a broader smear campaign,” Obinna said.
His arrest has raised alarm among civil society observers and media advocates, with some suggesting it could be an attempt to silence a whistleblower involved in a politically sensitive case. The whistleblower’s arrest over the alleged smear campaign against Natasha has now become a trending topic, especially as it ties into ongoing allegations involving high-profile political figures.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment, a charge that stirred controversy across the nation. Some analysts believe Obinna’s revelations may have disrupted a calculated campaign against her.
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Police React
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed Obinna’s arrest.
“Yes, he is confirming a case we are investigating. Initially, he was the complainant in the matter. But then he posted another video on social media which resulted in a defamation of character against one Sandra Duru,” Okoye said.
“We served him an invitation and asked him to come and explain the things he had said. He did not report on time. In fact, he refused to report, and then we arrested him. But there is no cause for alarm. We are going to carry out a diligent investigation, and at the end of the day, justice will be served.”
The whistleblower’s arrest over the alleged smear campaign against Natasha has sparked renewed calls for transparency in politically charged investigations and for the protection of journalists and whistleblowers across the country.
Human rights groups are closely monitoring the situation, warning that targeting individuals who expose wrongdoing sends a dangerous message about freedom of speech in Nigeria. The case continues to unfold with growing public interest in what appears to be a deeply political battle involving some of the country’s most powerful names.
