ABUJA/Nigeria: The Action Collective has raised alarm over what it described as an embarrassment to Nigeria’s justice system, questioning how a fugitive declared wanted since 2017 is being used as a Federal Government witness in an ongoing case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a statement signed by Mr. Teddy Onyejuwe, the group called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to explain the role of Sandra Duru, who reportedly fled to the United States to evade arrest.
According to the statement, Sandra Duru, also known as Prof Mgbeke, has been on the run since a warrant for her arrest was issued over allegations of fraud, threat to life, and character assassination. The Action Collective noted that Duru fled the country and sought asylum in the U.S., claiming persecution by the same Federal Government that now appears to be using her as a key witness.
The group highlighted that in a criminal case between the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and Sandra Duru, she was accused of fraudulently obtaining the sum of ₦10,000,000 from Mrs. Edith Adefunke Edidot in July 2015 and threatening to kill her on the same date. It further pointed out that Sandra Duru was formally declared wanted in August 2017 after she failed to appear in court to face these serious charges.
Mr. Onyejuwe questioned how the Nigeria Police, under the watch of IGP Kayode Egbetokun and his officers, could engage with Duru while a valid warrant of arrest remains active. “Is the arrest warrant not addressed to all police officers? How is she freely conversing with senior officers of the Force without consequence?” the group queried.
The Action Collective further expressed dismay that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation would allow a fugitive to stand as a prosecution witness, describing it as a disgrace that undermines the integrity of the judiciary. “Is this the same Federal Government Sandra Duru told the U.S. authorities was after her life when she applied for asylum?” Onyejuwe asked. The group urged the Attorney General and the IGP to act swiftly to address what it termed a clear abuse of the judicial process, warning that the involvement of such questionable characters could tarnish the image of the Federal Government and compromise the case against Senator Natasha.
