US-based Nigerian activist Sandra Duru has launched a fresh attack on Arise News anchor Ojy Okpe and veteran journalist Reuben Abati, accusing them of disrespecting her and distorting her personal and professional history.
Duru made the allegations in a strongly worded statement shared on social media, in which she also accused Okpe of repeatedly attempting to diminish her during an appearance on an Arise TV programme.
In the post, Duru described Okpe in highly personal terms and alleged that she was the “side chic” of the chairman of Arise TV. The allegation has not been independently established by The Bureau Journal.
Duru also directed a substantial part of her criticism at Abati, challenging his account of their professional history and demanding that he correct what she described as a false narrative about their relationship.
Duru Challenges Abati Over HINTS Magazine Claim
According to Duru, Abati was wrong to suggest that the two of them worked together at HINTS Magazine.
“You and I NEVER worked together at HINTS Magazine. Stop rewriting history,” Duru wrote, insisting that she had occupied senior professional positions before Abati’s career at The Guardian.
She claimed that she had already earned her PhDs, served as Executive Director at Zest Media and was working with or at the Presidency before Abati later joined The Guardian.
Duru questioned where the account of their supposed association with HINTS Magazine originated, arguing that the history being presented publicly did not reflect her version of events.
Her claims about the chronology of their careers could not be independently verified from the public sources reviewed by The Bureau Journal.
‘Why Did You Not Correct Her?’
Duru said her anger was heightened by what she described as Abati’s failure to intervene when Okpe allegedly made disparaging remarks about her during the programme.
She accused Abati of allowing what she called an “unprofessional mischaracterization” of her to remain unchallenged, saying the incident was not the first time she believed Okpe had disrespected her publicly.
“You sat there while Ojy attempted, for the THIRD time, to disrespect me on your show. Why did you not correct her?” Duru asked.
She further claimed that she had previously assisted Abati financially and personally during an earlier stage of his career, alleging that he had driven her cars and that she had helped ensure he was financially comfortable while working at The Guardian.
Those claims are part of Duru’s personal account and have not been independently corroborated.
Duru Brings Up Abati’s Past Controversies
Duru also challenged Abati to account for controversies that had surrounded him over the years rather than, in her view, allowing another person to misrepresent her record.
She specifically referred to matters involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, while questioning why Abati would participate in discussions about her history.
These references were made by Duru in her social media statement and should not be interpreted as a new finding or allegation independently established by The Bureau Journal.
The dispute comes amid a broader pattern in which public figures have increasingly taken to social media to challenge how television appearances, interviews and viral clips portray them. The Bureau Journal recently reported a separate case in which a radio station denied responsibility for a viral recording circulated under its identity, underscoring the difficulty of determining the origin and authenticity of online media material. Express Radio Denies Publishing Viral Video.
‘I Have Receipts for My Own Journey’
Duru maintained that she was prepared to substantiate her version of events, telling Abati that she would not accept what she regarded as a manufactured account of her professional journey.
“I have receipts for my own journey,” she declared, challenging Abati to discuss her career using what she described as “FACTS, EVIDENCE and CORRECT HISTORY.”
The statement reflects a recurring theme in Duru’s public interventions: a demand that claims made about her career, relationships and activities be supported by documentary evidence.
Her earlier public disputes have also generated competing claims and counterclaims. In 2025, Arise News reported on allegations made by Duru concerning Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, while the senator publicly disputed Duru’s account. Arise News previously reported on the Sandra Duru controversy. Contemporary reports also documented Duru’s public accusations involving Arise News personalities and other public figures.
Ojy Okpe Allegation Remains Unverified
One of the most explosive parts of Duru’s latest statement was her allegation concerning Okpe and the chairman of Arise TV.
Duru referred to Okpe in derogatory personal terms and alleged that she had a relationship with the chairman of the media organisation. The statement, however, provides no independently verifiable evidence establishing the alleged relationship.
The Bureau Journal has therefore not presented the allegation as fact.
Okpe’s role as a television presenter has previously placed her at the centre of coverage of controversial political and social issues. Arise News has published programmes featuring her coverage of major national controversies, including the 2025 dispute involving Duru and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Duru Invokes Busola Obasanjo and Femi Awoyemi
Duru’s statement also ventured into Abati’s alleged personal relationships and professional associations.
She claimed that Abati had unsuccessfully attempted to date Busola Obasanjo and subsequently became jealous of businessman Femi Awoyemi during their involvement with Fountain Trust Bank.
Those assertions are also unverified allegations contained in Duru’s social media post. The Bureau Journal has found no reliable independent evidence establishing the claims and has not presented them as established facts.
The Wider Problem of Viral Claims
The latest dispute illustrates the challenges facing journalists and audiences when allegations involving prominent personalities spread through social media without accompanying documentary evidence.
Recent cases reported by The Bureau Journal have similarly demonstrated how viral videos and online claims can quickly generate controversy before their authenticity or context is established. In one case, a local government chairman denied that a viral video represented his actual remarks and alleged that the footage had been doctored. Gwandu Chairman Breaks Silence on Viral Video Alleging Threat to Opposition Voters.
Another recent report examined how allegations and media narratives can become contested when different sides accuse one another of selective reporting. Malami Trial: Arewa Group Alleges One-Sided Media Reportage.
Such disputes reinforce the importance of distinguishing between an allegation, a claim supported by evidence and a fact established by an authoritative source. The Bureau Journal’s coverage of controversial public claims follows that distinction, particularly where allegations could affect an individual’s reputation.
Duru Says She Will No Longer Remain Silent
Duru concluded her statement by warning that her decision to maintain a private life should not be interpreted as an acceptance of what she considers attacks on her reputation.
She accused those involved of taking her silence for granted and insisted that she was prepared to publicly defend her record.
“If you want to discuss Sandra Duru, come with FACTS, EVIDENCE and CORRECT HISTORY,” she said.
The latest intervention adds another chapter to Duru’s continuing public disputes with media personalities and political figures. Her previous confrontations have attracted substantial attention online, including allegations concerning prominent politicians and media organisations, but several of the claims remain disputed or unverified.
For now, Duru’s latest allegations against Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati remain claims originating from her social media statement. Neither the alleged relationship involving Okpe nor Duru’s competing account of her professional history with Abati has been independently established by The Bureau Journal.
The Bureau Journal will continue to distinguish between documented facts, public statements and allegations as the controversy develops.
NDUKA OBAIGBENA, SHOULD I PINCH YOU A LITTLE SO YOU CAN BRIEF OJY OKPE YOUR SIDE CHIC PROPERLY?
Prof. Mgbeke pic.twitter.com/d2Y4Ez8IZ7
— Prof. Mgbeke (@ProfMgbeke) September 23, 2026
THIS is the video I was referring to, and this is exactly what I was responding to when that silly Ojy on ARISE TV repeatedly attempted to disrespect and diminish me on your show.
Now, back to you, Reuben Abati. Let us correct the record properly.
You and I NEVER worked… pic.twitter.com/tEwftDhFyp
— Prof. Mgbeke (@ProfMgbeke) September 26, 2026
Read also: Joe Alx Felz Death: How Online Claims and Conspiracy Theories Took Over the Story.
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