Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised the alarm that her official phone line has been cloned by unknown individuals intent on maligning her and using her identity to contact prominent Nigerians under false pretences.
The suspended senator, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, made the disclosure in a formal petition addressed to the Director of the National Cybercrime Centre, Nigeria Police Force, Abuja. The petition, dated 4 June 2025, was filed through her legal representatives, M. J. Numa and Partners.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, unidentified individuals have been impersonating her by making unsolicited phone calls and sending messages that appear to originate from her.
The petition describes the actions as a coordinated cyberattack involving sophisticated tools aimed at compromising her identity and potentially misleading or manipulating high-profile individuals using her name and public standing.
Titled “Disclaimer Regarding Illegal Cloning and Unauthorised Use of Our Client’s (Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan) Phone Number”, the petition was signed by her lawyer, Barrister Michael Jonathan Numa. It decried the development as not only alarming but also a serious violation of her privacy and a possible threat to national security.
Among those allegedly contacted by the impersonators are several prominent figures, including former presidential adviser, Senator Ben Obi; former Edo State governor and ex-APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; CEO of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema; Hon. Emmanuel Ukon; and journalist Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also cited a curious incident in which she received a call from the Area Commander of the Maitama District in Abuja, who claimed to be returning her call. In a separate instance, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, reportedly received a call purportedly from the Senator.
She has since disclaimed any such communications, warning that any message, call, or other communication allegedly emanating from her—unless directly verified—should be treated with extreme caution. The Senator further expressed her willingness to submit her devices for forensic examination to aid in uncovering the perpetrators.
Calling for a full-scale investigation and digital analysis of all activities linked to her number, she urged the authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for what she described as a calculated effort to manipulate public figures and damage her reputation
