Senator Natasha phone number cloned in alleged cyber impersonation scheme

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised a serious alarm over the cloning of her official mobile phone number, warning that it is being used in a coordinated cyber impersonation campaign aimed at misleading prominent Nigerians.

The development came to light following a formal complaint submitted to the National Cybercrimes Centre by her legal counsel, Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, who described the situation as “not only alarming but also a gross violation of her privacy and a potential breach of national security.”

In the letter dated June 4, 2025, Numa wrote, “It has come to our attention that our Client’s official mobile phone number has been cloned and is presently being fraudulently used by unknown persons to impersonate her identity, make unsolicited calls and deliver audio messages purporting to originate from her.”

He cited several instances of suspicious calls, including a report from senior lawyer Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, DSSRS. “Mr. Adedipe 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,” the letter noted.

Similarly, the Area Commander of the Maitama Area Command allegedly called the senator to return a call she reportedly never made. “Our Client unequivocally denies initiating either of these communications,” Numa emphasized.

Perhaps more disturbing was a call received by Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television. The letter revealed that the caller “not only used her number but also employed voice mimicry techniques to replicate her speech patterns and intellections, thereby heightening the level of impersonation.”

The list of those allegedly targeted by the fraudulent scheme includes Honourable Emmanuel Ekon of Akwa Ibom State; Senator Ben Obi, former Vice Presidential candidate; Chief John Odigie Oyegun, former APC National Chairman; and Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace.

“These reports collectively suggest that there 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 letter stated, adding that “we strongly suspect the deployment of advanced cyber impersonation tools in this regard.”

As a precaution, the law firm issued a formal disclaimer: “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.”

The letter concluded with a call for “the urgent intervention” of the National Cybercrimes Centre to launch a full-scale investigation. “Our Client is prepared to make her device and relevant communication data available for expert examination should your office so require,” Numa added.

At the time of publication, the Nigeria Police Force had not yet issued a formal response to the complaint.

This case underscores the rising trend of cybercrime in Nigeria, particularly the use of cloned numbers and voice impersonation tactics to deceive and manipulate key figures in the political, legal, and media sectors.