Nigerian journalist and media activist Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike was arrested by police early Thursday morning in Owerri, Imo State.
The arrest appears to be linked to an interview he gave on Adeola Fayehun’s YouTube channel, where he alleged involvement in a smear campaign against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the interview, Obinna claimed he was contracted by Sandra Duru, also known as Prof Mgbeke, to create defamatory content targeting Senator Natasha.
He said he initially accepted the assignment as part of his routine media work but later withdrew after identifying inconsistencies in Duru’s narrative.
“I was paid for the videos but became uneasy when Sandra’s statements during a livestream didn’t add up,” Obinna explained. He said the contradictions compelled him to speak out against what he described as “orchestrated falsehoods.”
His arrest has raised concerns about potential political interference and efforts to silence dissenting voices. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has previously accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, further complicating the situation.
Police Response
DSP Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, confirmed the arrest, stating: “He initially filed a complaint but later published material defamatory to Sandra Duru. After failing to respond to our invitation for questioning, we proceeded with his arrest.”
Okoye emphasized that the investigation remains active and assured the public that “justice will be served.”