The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has denied any connection with a viral audio and video purportedly featuring her in a conversation with a journalist where she claimed that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, blackmailed President Bola Tinubu to have her imprisoned.

In a statement personally signed and released in Abuja, last Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan categorically dissociated herself from the contents of the recordings, urging the public to disregard them entirely.

She described the viral materials as “a deliberate act of misinformation” crafted with malicious intent to tarnish her reputation and destabilise the leadership of the National Assembly.

Her statement partly read, “I categorically and unequivocally dissociate myself from this video and audio recording. At no time did I grant such an interview or hold any such conversation with a journalist or anyone else. The voice in the recording is not mine — it has been cloned and manipulated with clear malicious intent.

“This is a calculated attempt to mislead the public, damage my reputation, and stir division within the leadership of the National Assembly and the Federal Government. It is not only mischievous and criminal but also a dangerous abuse of technology to spread falsehood.”

Continuing, the Kogi politician reaffirmed her commitment to truth, justice, and responsible democratic engagement.

She further disclosed that her legal team and relevant security agencies have been instructed to investigate the origin of the doctored content and ensure that those behind it are held accountable.

“The general public is advised to treat the circulating video and audio as entirely false and misleading. This is the work of desperate individuals intent on smearing the image of a law-abiding, peace-loving public servant.

“I remain steadfast in my service to the people and urge Nigerians to remain vigilant against coordinated campaigns of disinformation and digital impersonation aimed at creating unnecessary political tension.”

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said that no oil licensing guidelines violations occurred during the 2024 oil block licensing round.

The commission stated that the process was conducted in strict compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and its own licensing guidelines, ensuring a transparent, competitive and technology-driven bidding exercise.

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive of NUPRC made the explanation in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

Komolafe said that eligibility was determined by a rigorous assessment of technical expertise, financial strength and legal compliance.

He said, contrary to claims that a particular company registered days before the commencement of bidding and was improperly awarded oil blocks, guidelines did not restrict participation based on a company’s incorporation age.

“The technical and financial capacity of a bidder was assessed not merely by the date of incorporation of the bidding entity, but by proven track records of its promoters, affiliated companies or parent organisations.’’

This approach, he said allowed newly formed Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), when backed by credible and experienced industry players, to compete effectively and fairly.

“The 2024 licensing round involved multiple stages, including pre-qualification, technical evaluation and commercial bid evaluation.

“Applicants were required to demonstrate financial capability, technical expertise and legal compliance by submitting detailed documentation, such as incorporation papers, tax clearances and proof of operational experience.

“The pre-qualification window was open with no restrictions on company age. The commercial bidding phase was carried out digitally using encrypted technology to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the data.

“The results were announced transparently and publicly, featuring live televised sessions that were observed by stakeholders, including the Nigerian Extractive Industry Initiative (NEITI) and relevant government ministries.

“The commercial bid evaluation was conducted using a transparent, digital and point-based assessment system, which included signature bonus, proposed work programme financial commitments and work performance security,’’ he said.

He highlighted that indigenous oil companies aggressively participated and out-bided some national and international players, reflecting strong investor confidence following the enactment of the PIA 20211.

Komolafe said that the 2024 oil block licensing round, adhered fully to all statutory provisions and guidelines, with no discrimination or corrupt practices involved.

“The NUPRC remains committed to transparent regulation aimed at optimising Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources and attracting investment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission to maintain an open dialogue, while upholding a strong and transparent regulatory regime that would benefit all Nigerians.

Komolafe, underscored the importance of ensuring that reports on the operational activities of the commission were contextual, fact-checked and aligned with the statutory provisions under the PIA, 2021 and its regulations.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has raised the alarm over the alleged growing misuse of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by individuals and faceless groups posing as civil society and non-governmental organisations without any track record, known address, or institutional credibility.

Speaking at a high-level roundtable commemorating 14 years of the FOI Act, held at NEITI House in Abuja, yesterday, NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, described the trend as “a dangerous weaponisation of a noble democratic law to blackmail, harass, and extort public officials and government institutions.”

“Let there be no mistake: this is not activism; it is sabotage,” Orji declared in his keynote address.

“These fake NGOs and touts parade false identities, file FOI requests under misleading pretences, and then engage in media blackmail and threats to extort money. They have no interest in facts or transparency. Their only mission is extortion. And it must stop,” he said.

A statement signed by NEITI’s Deputy Director of Communications and Stakeholder Management, Chris Ochonu, further quoted Orji as saying that the FOI Act, passed in 2011, remains a landmark law in Nigeria’s democratic journey, safeguarding citizens’ right to know and empowering them to hold government accountable.

He, however, warned that unless urgent measures are taken to safeguard the Act, it risks becoming a tool for intimidation and abuse rather than an instrument of transparency and accountability.

“At NEITI, we have responded to 72 FOI requests in the last decade, operate a dedicated FOI portal, maintain a proactive disclosure platform on our website, publish annual progress reports, hold regular media briefings and stakeholder forums, and submit annual compliance reports.

“Our reports, Beneficial Ownership Register, procurement processes, and implementation data are all proactively disclosed and freely accessible to the public.

“We are currently completing work on the NEITI Data Centre to enhance public access to credible information.

“But these fake NGOs ignore these disclosures and instead resort to threats aimed at coercion and extortion,” he said.

To address this growing menace, NEITI called for urgent legal and institutional reforms.

The agency proposed several recommendations, including: amending the FOI Act to criminalise false claims, blackmail, and identity fraud; establishing an independent oversight and redress mechanism to verify the legitimacy of FOI requests; setting up FOI Units staffed with trained professionals in all MDAs; accelerating implementation of the FOI Act at the state level; and launching civic education campaigns to promote responsible use of the Act.

NEITI also urged all anti-corruption agencies — including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Code of Conduct Bureau — to remain focused on their mandates and resist being distracted by the activities of faceless NGOs and fake CSOs.

Orji stressed the importance of distinguishing between genuine civil society oversight and fraudulent campaigns disguised as activism.

He called on law enforcement agencies, media regulators, and civil society platforms to collaborate in rooting out impostors who threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s accountability ecosystem.

“The FOI Act is not a blackmail licence. It is a promise of truth, openness, and democratic empowerment.

“We must protect that promise from abuse. NEITI will not be intimidated, and we will continue to expose and resist such unethical conduct,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Faith Nwadishi, reaffirmed NEITI’s reputation as a model of proactive disclosure and institutional responsiveness.

“NEITI’s reports are vital instruments of transparency. They guide FOI implementation and provide facts that expose corruption and support accountability,” she stated.

In her remarks, Civil Society Representative on the NEITI Board and National Coordinator of Publish What You Pay, Dr. Erisa Sarki, called for stronger multi-stakeholder vigilance and sustained advocacy to protect the FOI Act.

“We must not allow faceless actors to erode public trust in the FOI. Citizens deserve tools that empower, not harm them. The FOI Act must remain a shield for truth, not a sword for deception,” Sarki said.

NEITI commended the Centre for Transparency Advocacy for its leadership in convening the roundtable, as well as the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, which co-organised the event under the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria initiative.

In his remarks, Programme Manager of RoLAC, funded by the European Union, Emmanuel Uche, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law through initiatives that promote access to information and transparency.

“The FOI Act is central to empowering citizens, ensuring justice, and strengthening governance. RoLAC, with EU support, is proud to partner with NEITI, CTA, and other institutions to promote responsible access and institutional accountability in Nigeria,” Uche stated.

NEITI reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s extractive industries and beyond.