Voice Cloning scandal: Akpoti-Uduaghan fights back against fake Akpabio-Tinubu jail plot

By Jethro Ibileke

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has firmly denied involvement in a viral video circulating online, which falsely suggests she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of blackmailing President Bola Tinubu to orchestrate her imprisonment.

In a statement, the Kogi Central lawmaker condemned the video as a fabricated and malicious attempt to damage her reputation, incite public mistrust, and stir discord within the leadership of the National Assembly.

Describing the footage as part of a wider campaign of digital impersonation, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed her voice was cloned to create the fake recording, which portrays her in a supposed conversation with a journalist making serious allegations.

“My attention has been drawn to a video currently trending online purporting to feature me alleging that Senate President Akpabio blackmailed President Tinubu to ensure I was jailed. I categorically deny this. I never granted such an interview, nor did I make those statements,” she said.

She noted that this is not the first instance of digital manipulation targeting her, saying that in previous incidents, cloned audio recordings falsely linked her to fabricated conversations with prominent figures such as Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Ben Obi, and a police officer in Maitama, ACP Olabisi Davis.

In the most recent escalation, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her mobile line had been hijacked to make fraudulent calls to high-profile individuals including Hon. Emmanuel Ekon, Minister of Health Dr. Tunji Alausa, Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema, and former Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.

“These calls were not from me,” she stated. “Hackers infiltrated my communication systems and used cloned audio of my voice to perpetrate these deceptive acts.”

The Senator described the situation as a dangerous abuse of technology with serious consequences for personal privacy, national security, and Nigeria’s democratic process.

“I view this as not just a criminal act but a deliberate attempt to weaponise technology to spread falsehood, sow division, and silence critical voices,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the public to disregard the video, urging Nigerians to remain alert to the growing threat of cyberattacks and disinformation.

She confirmed that her legal team and relevant security agencies have been tasked with investigating the matter and bringing those responsible to justice.

“I remain undeterred in my commitment to truth, justice, and active participation in democratic governance. I will not be intimidated or distracted by orchestrated campaigns of impersonation and digital deceit,” she concluded.