The Action Collective has challenged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to explain Sandra Duru’s role as a prosecution witness in Federal Government’s ongoing case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group in a statement on Friday, signed by Mr. Teddy Onyejuwe questioned the morality of using an alleged fugitive who was declared wanted by the police since 2017, describing her role as witness in the case as an embarrassment on Nigeria’s justice system,
According to the statement, Sandra Duru, who is also known as Prof Mgbeke, reportedly fled to the United States to evade arrest when a warrant for her arrest was issued over allegations of fraud, threat to life, and character assassination.
It noted that Duru sought asylum in the U.S., claiming persecution by the same Federal Government that now appears to be using her as a key witness.
The group recalled that in a criminal case between the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and Sandra Duru, she was accused of fraudulently obtaining the sum of ₦10,000,000 from one Mrs. Edith Adefunke in July 2015 and also threatened to kill her on the same date.
It further pointed out that Sandra Duru was formally declared wanted in August 2017 after she failed to appear in court to face these serious charges.
It questioned how the Nigeria Police, under the watch of IGP Egbetokun and his officers, could engage with Duru while a valid warrant of arrest remains active.
The Action Collective also expressed dismay that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation would allow a fugitive to stand as a prosecution witness, describing it as a disgrace that undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
“Is the arrest warrant not addressed to all police officers? How is she freely conversing with senior officers of the Force without consequence?”
“Is this the same Federal Government Sandra Duru told the U.S. authorities was after her life when she applied for asylum?” Onyejuwe asked.
The group therefore urged AG Fagbemi IGP Egbetokun to act swiftly to address what it termed a clear abuse of the judicial process.
It warned that the involvement of such questionable characters could tarnish the image of the Federal Government and compromise the case against the Kogi Central Senator.
