Prof. Sandra Chidinma Duru and Sen. Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan
Justice Not Optional: Natasha Akpoti Must Face Prosecution Despite Akpabio’s Forgiveness – Prof. Duru Insists
By Yahaya Idris
Professor Sandra Chidinma Duru has vowed to pursue justice against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring that Senator Godswill Akpabio’s decision to forgive the Kogi Central senator does not end her own legal battle over alleged criminal defamation and grave organ harvesting claims.
In a statement issued on her Facebook page, Prof. Duru emphasized: “Forgiveness by one party does not extinguish the constitutional rights of another. Where matters touch on criminal defamation, human dignity, and issues of national and international concern, justice must take its full course. I am not opposed to peace or reconciliation, but my constitutional rights must be protected, respected, and never violated.”
The professor, who filed petitions in April 2025, said her complaints were investigated by Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede of the IGP Monitoring Unit. She noted that statements were taken from her, Akpoti, and other parties, making the matter an official record.
Prof. Duru stressed that Akpabio’s personal forgiveness of Akpoti over his private petition does not affect her independent rights or those of her legal team and partners.
“Justice is not monopolized by any one individual or institution,” she declared, adding that she holds sensitive evidence on the allegations.
She warned: “Should this matter be trivialized or suppressed, I reserve the right to present this evidence in competent courts and international forums.”
Professor Sandra Chidinma Duru
Prof. Duru gave Akpoti two options: face due prosecution or publicly admit wrongdoing with an unreserved apology.
