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Document reveals Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded N10b damages from husband before marriage, firm reacts
A document that surfaced, showed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Peoples Democratic Party’s senatorial candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial district in the 2023 elections, had disagreement with husband Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan before their union.
The letter, dated November 19, 2020 from her attorney, Indemnity Partners and signed by Chief B. C. Igwilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, revealed that she threatened legal action and demanded N10 billion from her current husband in the letter for, among other things, “breach of marriage promise, poisoning, and foeticide.”
The letter surfaced amid controversy over the Kogi State Government’s charge that she was reinserting terrorists into the state’s political arena.
She said in the letter sent through her attorneys to Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, that the respected Delta chief was supposed to get a divorce from his first wife in order to get married to her, but he refused to do so.
In the leaked letter, the Kogi State politician expressed dismay that Uduaghan, who is a cousin of past Governors of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was still married to his estranged wife as at September 2020.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was instrumental to Uduaghan’s successful acquisition of a gas asset, worth about $105 million, a hotel and other investments, adding that she lost her reproductive organ after Uduaghan allegedly served her poison in a bid to abort her ectopic pregnancy.
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The letter, titled: “In The Matter of Breach of Promise Of Marriage, Poisoning, Foeticide, Inducing Loss Of Amenities, Assault, Causing Financial Loss And Indebtedness To Natasha Akpoti,” also revealed that the sum of N10 billion she demanded was for the “services” she rendered to Uduaghan, including “loss of financial opportunities and earnings, loss and impairment of reproductive organs, feticide, pain and suffering, assault occasioning harm and breach of promise of marriage”.
The female politician also claimed in the leaked letter that Uduaghan had outrightly repudiated his much avowed resolve and promise to marry her, after subjecting her to slavery and servitude for about three years, “coupled with virtual loss of esteem and identity”.
The Solicitors’ letter reads in part: “We are Solicitors to Ms Natasha Akpoti (“Client”) and write on her instructions.
“We are instructed that sometime in 2018, you (Uduaghan) made persistent amorous advances to our Client, who capitulated only after you repeatedly made promises of marriage to her.
“At the material time, she was already firmly established as an entrepreneur, innovator and politician of acclaim. Amongst her enterprises was a duly signed N7,000,000,000,00 (Seven Billion Naira) NDDC and SMEDAN project to establish a technology development and business growth hub in Akwa Ibom State.
“You demonstrated the assurance of marriage by parading her before the world and notable personalities as your wife. Corroborative evidence of this abound.
“In reciprocation, our Client dutifully became subservient to you in anticipation of marriage. With a law degree and MBA under her belt, she also became your financial and business adviser and was particularly instrumental in your successful acquisition of a gas asset worth about $105,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Five Million US Dollars), a hotel and other investments. She has competence in oil and gas.
“By your insistence, you curbed her interest in the N7,000,000,000,00 (Seven Billion Naira) NDDC/SMEDAN project and made her to virtually cease all economic and business pursuits except with your whimsical approval.
“We are instructed that in the cause of the relationship, our Client conceived an ectopic pregnancy which led to rupture and loss of her left fallopian tube and ovary. She had a near death experience from this occurrence. As you may be aware, loss of ovary potentially compromises the menstrual cycle. It was in this state of poor health that you savagely beat her up by raining severe blows on her body and strangling her neck, thereby inflicting injuries on her. Time was around 8pm on 6th May, 2020 at your Port Harcourt residence. Video and other evidence of this are available.
“We are further briefed that on the heels of recovering from the agonising ectopic experience, she, nevertheless, took in on September 2020 and happily notified you. Contrary to her expectation, you displayed a cold and undisguised displeasure by insisting on an abortion of the pregnancy. Further, you announced to her utter shock that you were still married and in the throes of a divorce which you hoped will be through by December, 2020 to pave way for marriage and having children. For once, you were flatly turned down by our Client.
“Undeterred by her refusal, you conspired with your steward, one Mr Monday and served our Client a ‘special’ vegetable meal with a view to inducing an abortion of her pregnancy. It was a typical buffet dinner setting with a number of your friends and associates on the 18th September, 2020 at Port Harcourt, but, Monday, out of character and without prior solicitation by out Client, emerged from the kitchen with the vegetable dish solely for her consumption. Unsuspectingly, she ate out of the vegetable. It was a poisoned chalice and the deadly effect led to a medical emergency, miscarriage and loss of twins by her on 27th October, 2020 at Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos.”
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan firm in a statement distanced itself from the letter while it claimed that the information is ‘Inauthentic’.
The statement reads; “We are solicitors for Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Our attention has been drawn to a letter trending on social media purporting to have issued from our law firm in respect of our client and her husband. We categorically distance ourselves from the purported letter and its alleged contents.
“That letter is INAUTHENTIC and of dubious origin. Accordingly, we urge the discerning public to ignore it.”
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
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PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has called on Nigerians to avoid publicly criticizing their leaders, instead urging citizens to place their trust in God to address leadership concerns as He deems fit.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, the Sultan emphasized faith and patience in navigating the country’s challenges.
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Acknowledging Nigeria’s current economic and social hardships, the Sultan encouraged continuous prayer, not only for the nation but for its leaders as well.
“Even though many feel times are particularly hard, we believe relief will come. Let’s increase our prayers for our leaders, trusting God to address them in His way,” he said, expressing hope that divine intervention could bring stability and prosperity.
The Sultan reminded political leaders of their ultimate accountability to God, cautioning that they will stand alone on the Day of Resurrection, with only their deeds to support them.
“On that day, every leader will stand alone. Governors, advisers—none will have support except their own deeds. Let us act with a deep sense of responsibility and fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing religious leaders, he warned against misleading their followers for personal gain, underscoring the trust many place in their religious guidance.
“Only God can save any human being,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to remain faithful and discerning in their spiritual beliefs. “Focus on worshiping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Don’t follow those who might lead you astray.”
With leaders from various religious communities, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in attendance, the Sultan called for unity, resilience, and communal effort to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and insecurity in the northern region.
He praised the North’s history of unity and resilience, warning against divisive narratives that threaten communal harmony. “When we are united, we can face any challenge and build a prosperous community,” he asserted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid ongoing social and environmental issues in the region, including a recent surge in climate-related challenges that have exacerbated poverty and security threats.
In light of these issues, he called on both Muslims and Christians to intensify their prayers, saying, “Our country faces many challenges, and we must turn to God in prayer. Let us intensify prayers in our mosques and churches.”
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
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Idris confirmed that President Tinubu’s directive prioritizes the welfare of detained minors, instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate their safe reunification with their families.
A committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to oversee the welfare of the released minors and ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Additionally, President Tinubu has directed a formal investigation into the actions of law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
The president emphasized that any misconduct uncovered during the investigation will result in disciplinary action, affirming his administration’s dedication to accountability within law enforcement.
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