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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The suspended Nigerian Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over allegations that her mobile phone number has been cloned. The Senator, through her legal counsel, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, also called for a formal investigation of the issue in order to unmask those behind the act.
It’s been discovered that the cloned phone number of the lawmaker is randomly used to carry out fraudulent activities and making of unsolicited calls and sending of messages to certain individuals in order to discredit and tarnish her image.
In a letter dated June 4, 2025 and signed by Michael Jonathan Numa (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) on behalf of M.J Numa & Partners LLP, the official legal representative of the Senator said his client’s phone number is being used to commit crimes.
“Our client’s phone number is being fraudulently used by unknown individuals to impersonate her. These individuals are making unsolicited calls and delivering audio messages purporting to be from the Senator.
“By way of illustration, Ifedayo Adams Adedipe, SAN, DSSRS, a senior member of the Inner Bar, recently contacted the undersigned to report a suspicious telephone call he received from our client’s known phone number. During the said call, the voice at the other end claimed that someone would contact him shortly thereafter. Similarly, the Area Commander of the Maitama Area Command placed a call to our client, stating that she was returning a call earlier received from her number. Our client unequivocally denies initiating either of these communications.
“Further reports have now been received from Mr Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, who confirmed receiving a call ostensibly from our client. In that instance, the caller not only used her number but also employed voice mimicry techniques to replicate her speech patterns and inflections, thereby heightening the level of impersonation.
The letter, which was sighted by Pointblank, states that the law firm states that “This development is not only alarming but also constitutes a gross violation of her privacy and a potential breach of national security.
He also alluded that several prominent individuals have reportedly received suspicious calls from the cloned number.
“Ifedayo Adams Adedipe, SAN, DSSRS: A senior member of the Inner Bar, Mr. Adedipe received a call from the Senator’s known number where the voice claimed someone would contact him shortly thereafter. Area Commander of the Maitama Area Command. The Area Commander called Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating she was returning a call previously received from the Senator’s number.
“Mr. Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, Mr. Okinbaloye confirmed receiving a call from the Senator’s number where the caller not only used her number but also employed voice mimicry techniques to replicate her speech patterns and inflections, escalating the level of impersonation.
Additionally, the following distinguished individuals have also been targeted with fraudulent calls originating from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s number.”
Others are, “Honourable Emmanuel Ekon of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Ben Obi, former Vice Presidential Candidate, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Allen Onyema, Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace.”
M.J Numa & Partners LLP suggests that the reports are indications to compromise their client’s identity and manipulate citizens against her.
“It is a sustained and coordinated attempt to compromise our Client’s identity and possibly mislead or manipulate prominent individuals using her name and reputation.”
The law firm further urged the National Cybercrimes Centre to launch a full-scale investigation, including forensic analysis of all suspicious activities linked to the Senator’s phone line, to identify and prosecute the culprits.
“We therefore issue this formal disclaimer on our Client’s behalf. For the avoidance of doubt:
Any phone call, audio recording, message, or communication which appears to emanate from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s number or which purports to be made by her but is not directly verified by her or through this law firm should be treated with extreme caution and discarded.
“We respectfully request the urgent intervention of your esteemed office to initiate a full-scale investigation into this matter, including forensic analysis of all suspicious activities linked to our Client’s phone line, with a view to unmasking and prosecuting the culprits. Our Client is prepared to make her device and relevant communication data available for expert examination should your office so require.
“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is prepared to provide her device and relevant communication data for expert examination if required.”