Latest News
The Osun State Government has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the immediate past governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over the alleged misappropriation of a $20m World Bank health grant.
The government also accused Oyetola of money laundering, financial misconduct and violations of the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of the grant meant for health sector improvements in the state.
According to an acknowledged copy of the petition dated March 7, 2025, and obtained by our correspondent on Friday, Oyetola, during his tenure as governor, chaired a special Health Intervention Committee tasked with allocating and applying the grant funds.
The committee, whose members included former government officials such as Remi Omowaye, Dr. Rafiu Isamatu, and Bola Oyebamiji, decided to use the entire $20m for renovating 320 primary health care centres across the state.
According to the petition written by the government’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, “This so-called renovation of primary health care centres involved building, renovation and adjustments/restructuring of some of these centres in order to attain the position of modern health centres. Having made these decisions, the Oyetola-led committee decided to award the contracts for the renovation.
“In flagrant violations of the above clear provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, Oyetola did not call for bidding as mandatorily required under the PPA, let alone allowing competition which would have afforded the state the best qualified contractors to handle the projects.
“Rather, the former governor in observing the provisions of the Act in breach, awarded the contracts to individuals who were either his cabinet members, head of one agency of government or the other, his proxies and cronies who claimed to have incorporated business names/inactive companies.”
The government noted that the beneficiaries of the contract allegedly included businesses with no construction experience, such as food vendors, salon operators, supermarket owners, and web designers.
Among the companies named in the petition are Poshpreneurs Nig., owned by the children of the former Head of Service, Olowogboyega Oyebade; Dotfam Multiventures Ltd, linked to the siblings of the former APC State Chairman; The Ice Firms Nig. Ltd, allegedly owned by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke; and Afamoks Web International, linked to former Amotekun Field Commander, Amitolu Shittu.
The state government alleges that the companies, lacking the expertise for construction, executed substandard renovation works while receiving full contract payments, thereby leading to the misappropriation of the $20n grant.
On the allegations of money laundering, the state government alleged that over ₦1.5 bn, was funneled through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria between January and October 2022.
The petition named former ALGON Chairman, Abiodun Idowu, Secretary, Olubisi Oladosu; 28 former local government caretaker chairmen; and the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Yekeen Adebayo Adeleke, as key actors in the alleged scheme.
“In a similar vein, the government equally laid its hands on some financial records which clearly show a clear case of money laundering of huge magnitude by the past administration of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
Financial records cited in the petition indicate that funds “were repeatedly transferred from the ALGON account at Zenith Bank (Account Number: 1016607858) into the private account of one Akeem Ibitoye, a local government employee and Director of Finance at Ejigbo Local Government.”
The state government alleged that withdrawals ranging from N30m to over N10m per day were made in cash, with no records of the funds being used for any official projects.
However, Adebayo dismissed the allegations, describing them as frivolous.
The former commissioner who requested for more details on the petition, said, “EFCC has not invited me and I have not seen a copy of the petition for me to know what it is all about.
“If there is no proof, then the allegations are frivolous and of no stance.
“I have bec6ome a torn in the flesh of Gov adeleke and PDP and I won’t be surprised if some baseless allegations are levied against me.
“Anyway, they think trying to dirty my white garment will make me keep mute about their fraudulent ways of governance.”
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has explained that there were no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February 2025.
The OAGF said the salaries that workers received in January and February 2025 were their normal salaries after the various arrears that were paid from October to December 2024 were exhausted.
The OAGF said it was imperative to make clarifications on the purported shortfall in January and February 2025 salaries in order to ease any anxiety in the minds of workers.
According to the OAGF, “Various salary arrears were paid in the last quarter of 2024, namely: minimum wage arrears, 25%/35% increase in salary arrears and wage award arrears. All these arrears were paid from the month of October 2024 to December 2024. This made salaries increase abnormally over the last quarter of 2024”.
The Office said, “payment of normal salaries after exhausting the various arrears began in January 2025, which made some workers think that they were shortchanged, when in actual sense, it was their real salaries. A glance at the current salary table will substantiate this further”.
The OAGF noted that barring any other salary arrears in the future, what was paid in January and February 2025 shall continue to be the salaries, until such a time that the federal government reviews the salaries.
The OAGF revealed that there were cases of overpayments in the month of December 2024 due to system error, adding that the error has been corrected and deductions in respect of the overpayments from the salaries of affected workers was on-going and shall continue until such overpayments were fully recovered.
On the payment of promotion arrears, the OAGF said the exercise is handled by a Standing Committee on Promotion and Salary Arrears in the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) which compiles and vets all salary and promotion arrears from various MDAs before such is channeled in batches to IPPIS for payment.
The OAGF said IPPIS has fully paid batches 1 to 6 and is awaiting more batches from the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) for payment.
The Office reiterated its determination to efficiently manage the IPPIS in view of its importance to workers and advised workers with genuine complaints about their salaries to follow the formal processes to get such resolved as quickly as possible.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Zonal Directorate has successfully obtained a conviction against Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim, who was arrested while allegedly attempting to smuggle an undeclared total of $1,154,900 and SDR135,900 Saudi Riyals from Saudi Arabia into Nigeria.
Naija News understands that the woman received a prison sentence after admitting guilt to two counts of money laundering before Justice S. M. Shuaibu at the Federal High Court in Kano.
Her arrest occurred when officers from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted her at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while she was trying to bring in undeclared funds from Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Ibrahim failed to declare the money as mandated by law, leading to her immediate arrest.
Following her detention, the Nigeria Customs Service transferred her to the EFCC for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The EFCC subsequently charged Ibrahim with two counts of money laundering under Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During her court appearance, she pleaded guilty to both charges as they were presented to her.
In light of her admission, the prosecution’s counsel, Musa Isah, reviewed the case details and submitted evidence, including the undeclared funds, requesting the court to impose a conviction.
Justice Shuaibu, however, permitted an allocutus, allowing Ibrahim to share her account with the court. She revealed that a person named Nafiu in Saudi Arabia had approached her, asking for her help in transporting a box to Nigeria, claiming it contained dates and a small amount of cash.
Taking Nafiu at his word, she reportedly agreed to accept the box.
She also mentioned that Nafiu provided her with a contact number for a woman who would retrieve the box from her upon her arrival in Kano.
Upon arriving at Kano airport, Ibrahim indicated that she called the number Nafiu had given her, and the woman came to meet her, at which point she handed over the box.
However, after leaving the airport, she was summoned back by airport officials who requested her international passport to clear the box, as she was the individual who had brought it into Nigeria.
Upon her return, she was arrested and shown the contents of the box she had transported.
She appealed to the court for leniency, asserting that she was unaware of the box’s contents and had been misled by the sender, who claimed it contained only dates and a small sum of money.
In light of her plea for compassion, Justice Shuaibu found the defendant guilty as charged and mandated the forfeiture of the undeclared funds to the Federal Government in accordance with Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
An official of the American International School, Abuja, testified on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including an advance payment of $845,852 for future enrollment.
Naija News understands that Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, disclosed this while testifying as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He confirmed that the payments covered the children’s tuition until graduation.
According to Ojehomon, the payments were made in two tranches, with one part allocated as an advance for future school fees. The testimony came as part of Bello’s ongoing trial over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud case filed by the EFCC.
During the proceedings, the prosecution presented financial records, including statements from the American International School, detailing the transactions. At a previous hearing on January 29, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, testified under subpoena and submitted documents related to the payments.
The EFCC had earlier alleged that shortly before leaving office, Bello paid $760,000 in advance for his children’s school fees, which was later refunded following an investigation.
Ojehomon testified that Bello’s brother, Ali Bello, facilitated the payments, stating: “Mr. Ali Bello contacted the American International School, Abuja, on Friday, August 13, requesting to pay the Bello children’s school fees until they graduate. The school management accepted his offer.”
He revealed that the payments covered four of Bello’s children in Grades 8, 6, 4, and 2, with additional payments made for future enrollment, subject to availability from August 2022.
Providing details of the tuition fees, he noted that payments included $90,074 for a daughter in Grade 8, $87,470 for another in Grade 6, $26,241 for a daughter in Grade 4, and $18,707 for a child in Grade 2. The witness also identified a contractual agreement between the school and Ali Bello regarding the prepayment arrangement.
The EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), presented the school’s admission and prepaid tuition fee documents as exhibits.
Ojehomon confirmed that the school refunded $760,910.84 to the EFCC and that the commission provided an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the refund.
Further testimony was given by UBA compliance officer Williams, who submitted additional financial documents, including statements from accounts linked to Bello’s administration.
She detailed multiple withdrawals made through cheques from the Kogi State Government House account, often processed in ₦10 million tranches to individuals named Abdulsalam Hudu and Aminu J.O.
Williams confirmed that on December 12, 2018, “Ten transactions of ₦10 million each were processed in favor of Abdulsalam Hudu.” She also identified key account signatories, including Christopher Enefola (Permanent Secretary), Onekutu Daniel (Chief Accountant), and Abdulsalam Hudu (Accountant).
Under cross-examination, however, she admitted that Bello’s name did not appear in any of the transactions related to the Kogi Government House account.
“The name Yahaya Bello does not feature in exhibits P1 to P27,” defense counsel Daudu noted, to which Williams responded, “The name Bello did not appear anywhere.”
She further acknowledged that she was not the account officer managing the Kogi Government House account, which was overseen from Lokoja rather than her branch in Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the trial to Friday, March 6, for continuation of proceedings.
The Senate has pledged its commitment to ensuring 35% affirmative action for women in parliament and across governance processes.
Speaking at a three-day event held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reaffirmed the legislature’s dedication to gender equality.
He vowed to push for legislative reforms aimed at eliminating obstacles hindering women’s socio-economic and political progress.
The 2025 International Women’s Day was commemorated under the theme Economic and Political Inclusion: Walk the Talk to galvanize collective action and shared ownership in advancing gender parity in the country.
Affirmative action and legislative reforms
According to Akpabio, this commitment aligns with the country’s National Gender Policy (NGP) and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
He emphasized that lawmakers would work to remove all obstacles hindering women’s socio-economic progress and gender equality.
Call for constitutional amendments to support women
Akpabio further explained: “We are discussing how women will have a solid stay not only in the National Assembly, but also in the country. We will do all we can to promote gender equality in this country even if it means amending or tinkering with the 1999 Constitution.
“Credible evidence has shown that women are better managers the world over. Sometimes, they can work harder than men. We must go back to where we have women in all spheres of life contributing to our collective progress and prosperity.
“We must, also, decisively condemn all issues of sexual harassment that are not founded. At the 10th National Assembly, we will promote legislation that will ensure 35% affirmative action in the country,” the president of the senate assured women at the commemoration.
- Also, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s support for women’s empowerment, noting the increased budget for the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“We have made significant progress as women in this country, with women now excelling in various sectors,” she said.
- She urged women to continue working on initiatives that promote their progress and gender equality.
- In her welcome address, Ms. Tabitha Sallah, Director of Administration, Office of the Senate Leader, lauded the National Assembly for its pro-women legislations.
- She also called for swift action on the pending gender parity issues currently before both chambers.
The event was attended by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, and the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele.
[Nairametrics]
Guns Drawn, Tension Escalates As Customs, FAAN Security Operatives Clash At Lagos International Airport
Admin
The confrontation, which lasted for hours, was triggered when FAAN’s Director of Aviation Security Services, Afegbai Albert Igbafe, was overseeing the installation of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) machines at the Ajantako Terminal around 2:30 PM.
How the Conflict Escalated
Customs officials, claiming they had not been informed about the equipment installation, reportedly locked the FAAN security director inside a shed.
In response, Igbafe called for reinforcements, prompting an armed FAAN security unit to arrive. The situation escalated further when Customs officers summoned reinforcements from their Ikeja barracks, creating a volatile standoff.
According to sources, Customs officials asserted control over the airport, a claim FAAN officials dismissed as “baseless”.
“The Nigerian Customs Service is merely a security agency; the airport and its operations are managed and controlled by FAAN,” a FAAN official told SaharaReporters.
The confrontation highlights a longstanding jurisdictional dispute between the two agencies, with FAAN repeatedly accusing Customs of disregarding aviation protocols.
One source emphasized that Customs’ frequent non-compliance not only disrupts airport operations but also compromises safety standards.
Adding to the tensions, Customs officials allegedly assaulted FAAN personnel who attempted to record the incident on their mobile devices. Witnesses described the attack as unprovoked and reflective of Customs’ disregard for aviation regulations.
History of Conflicts Between FAAN and Customs
This is not the first time such disputes have arisen between the two agencies:
- January 25, 2022 – FAAN and Customs clashed publicly on Twitter after FAAN accused Customs officers of forcefully accessing a restricted area at the airport.
- 2020 – Customs officials were accused of bypassing security checks to facilitate illegal cash smuggling through the tarmac. SaharaReporters previously exposed how Customs officers moved large sums of money through the airport without proper clearance.
- 2015 – Customs officers allegedly attempted to access the airport tarmac without proper accreditation and assaulted a FAAN security officer. The incident occurred while International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) officials were inspecting the airport.
NAHCO Sides with Customs Over ‘Inadequate Notification’
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), which owns the NAHCO Shed, claimed that they were not informed about the installation of the ETD machines. NAHCO’s stance aligned with Customs’ claim, further justifying their actions.
“Today’s confrontation underscores the deteriorating relationship between the two agencies and raises urgent concerns about Customs’ respect for aviation protocols,” a source stated.
“These ongoing jurisdictional conflicts pose significant risks to public safety.”
[NaijaNews]
Football’s governing body FIFA will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the centenary of the sport’s marquee event, it said on yesterday.
The 2030 World Cup will be held in Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, where the inaugural edition was staged, set to host three games.
The World Cup has already been expanded from 32 to 48 teams for next year’s edition in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
“A proposal to analyse a 64-team FIFA World Cup to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup in 2030 was spontaneously raised by a FIFA Council member in the ‘miscellaneous’ agenda item near the end of the FIFA Council meeting held on March 5 2025,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
“The idea was acknowledged as FIFA has a duty to analyse any proposal from one of its Council members.”
Earlier on Thursday, the New York Times said the proposal was made by Ignacio Alonso, a delegate from Uruguay.
[Leadership]
Elon Musk’s Mars rocket program recorded another setback on Thursday as SpaceX’s Starship exploded soon after take off.
The 400-foot Starship, powered by 33 Raptor engines, took off at 6:30 p.m. ET from SpaceX’s launchpad at its Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas.
The ship started to spin out of control about nine minutes into the air as its engines flamed out, and mission control lost contact.
SpaceX stopped the video feed of the launch, and explained that the mega rocket “experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly.”
In a post on X, the company said the data from the flight test will be reviewed to better understand the root cause.
“As always, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship’s reliability,” the post added.
Thursday’s incident was the second consecutive failed launch, occurring weeks after an explosion dispersed pieces of a Starship vehicle into the Atlantic.
[DailyPost]
Rising Nigerian promoter in the UK, Adenike Adeniji aka Anik Entertainment has opined that there is no real love on the Nigerian entertainment scene.
In a recent chat, Adeniji opened up about the challenges she faced when starting out as an entertainment promoter saying, “Promotion is a very tough job and you have to be strong, and also be a very hard working person to delve into this type of profession or business. It’s tough getting other promoters to support you when you are new in the business. You barely see someone that will genuinely love you, support you or your brand especially when you are upcoming and you are just starting.”
Explaining her foray into show promotions, a predominantly male dominated industry, Adeniji said, “I’m a lover of good music and I’m so much in love with entertainment. Right from onset I’ve always loved entertainment. I once acted in about two home video movies in 2005 but I got discouraged by my parents who did not encourage me so I quit. Right now, I promote events. I bring in artists into the UK for shows. I still love acting, but I’m planning to go into movie productions and become a producer. I’m currently working on some movie projects.”
Speaking about her visions for her brand, Anik Entertainment, Adeniji said, “I’m just taking things one step at a time, especially when it comes to this entertainment industry. Promoting, acting, movie production, I want to take things easy as much as I can, because I realized that the industry is mostly filled with fake people. They don’t love you, it’s mostly about fake love. And me, I’m a lover girl. I love love, and me, I like to be real and transparent with people. But I see myself doing more movie productions.”
[TheNation]
The Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will challenge in court the six-month suspension slammed on her following her face-off with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seating arrangements in the red chamber.
The legal counsel to the Kogi lawmaker, Victor Giwa, dismissed the Senate resolution as a violation of a court order.
Giwa spoke with The PUNCH on Thursday after the Kogi lawmaker was suspended by the senate and walked out from the National Assembly complex.
The Nigerian Bar Association and opposition parties similarly berated the red chamber for not giving Akpoti-Uduaghan ample time to present her sexual harassment complaint against Akpabio.
Giwa said the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges acted in violation of a court order that allegedly restrained it from taking further action on the matter pending the determination of a motion on notice.
“The suspension is void, it cannot even take any effect. The suspension is illegal because there is a court order that restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking further action.
‘’The committee disobeyed a valid court order that was served on them, making a mockery of the chamber that is supposed to uphold the law,” Giwa said.
He argued that if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had not sought legal intervention, the suspension might have stood.
The lawyer also expressed conviction that with a court order explicitly directing the Senate to halt disciplinary actions, the decision to suspend her was null and void.
Giwa further revealed that legal action would be taken against those responsible for violating the court’s directive.
“We are going back to court. The case is coming up in about two weeks, and we will inform the court that despite being served, including the Senate President, they still acted in violation of the order by suspending the plaintiff,” he stated.
When asked if there were plans to escalate the matter to international organizations, Giwa said, “For now, we are handling it locally. But, of course, the world is watching. The Senate must adhere to international best practices, which dictate that once a case is in court, no further action should be taken on it.”
He highlighted that the Nigerian Constitution supersedes the Senate Standing Orders, stating that every citizen had the right to seek redress in court when their civil rights are breached.
“Section 6, subsection 6 of the Constitution grants every citizen the right to seek redress when their civil rights are violated. Senator Natasha has done exactly that. Her suspension is an attempt to silence her for alleging wrongdoing against the Senate President, which amounts to a breach of her right to a fair hearing,” he added.
The Senate imposed a six-month suspension on the lawmaker without pay over what it called the breach of its Standing Orders following her claim of sexual harassment, an allegation that Akpabio denied.
In an earlier interview with Arise Television on February 28, the Kogi senator, who made headlines the previous week after a public dispute with the Senate President over seating arrangements in the Senate, accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her.
Her sexual harassment complaint was referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review, which later recommended her suspension.
The resolution of the Senate followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the committee during plenary on Thursday.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South) presented the report on the floor of the red chamber.
The report, signed by all 14 members of the committee, offered seven recommendations against the Kogi Central senator.
The committee found her guilty of all allegations against her as she did not attend the investigative hearing to defend herself.
In its recommendations, it proposed that Akpoti-Uduaghan may have the six-month suspension reduced only if she tenders a formal apology to the Senate President for her outburst during last week’s plenary session.
As part of the suspension, the legislator’s salary and security details will be withdraw and her office locked but her legislative aides would receive their remuneration throughout the period.
Meanwhile, the Senate rejected the Imasuen-led committee’s recommendation of an apology, saying such would only be entertained at the end of the six-month suspension.
The seven-point recommendations by Imasuen read, “One, that the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of Senate standing rules, bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate to public opprobrium.
“Two, that for the Senate to consider lifting or reducing the duration of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before reconsideration.
‘’Three, that the Senate suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from March 6, 2025, from all legislative activities.
“Four, that her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and that she hands over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
“Five, that for the duration of her suspension, she must not be seen within the vicinity of the Senate or the National Assembly, including her staff.
“Six, that her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended, and that all security details assigned to her be withdrawn for the period of her suspension.
“Seven, that during her suspension, she be barred from representing herself locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Whip, others commend panel
In his contribution, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno; Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; and Senators Jimoh Ibrahim, Sunday Karimi, Francis Fadahunsi, Mohammed Dandutse, Cyril Fasuyi, and Adams Oshiomhole commended the committee for a job well done.
This is just as they condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disobedience of the Senate Rules, which in their opinion, brought the law-making body into disrepute.
They called for the enforcement of the sanctions, arguing that anything short of that would lay a dangerous precedent for the parliament.
On his part, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North) sought the protection of the aides of the embattled lawmaker as he called for the amendment of the prayer concerning them.
Kalu said, “We cannot punish the aides of Senator Natasha for an offence they did not commit. They are staff of the National Assembly and they have no other farm or means of livelihood apart from the salaries they earn from the Senate.
“As such, it would be wrong for us as a Senate to deny them and their families their salaries. I move that we should please amend that recommendation and allow them to earn their salaries.”
The Senate agreed with Kalu’s suggestion and saved the Kogi Senator’s aides from losing their salaries for six months.
In a debate featuring lawmakers elected on the platforms of different political parties, the Senate adopted all the recommendations, albeit with an amendment to prayer six, allowing the Kogi lawmaker’s aide to draw their salaries and allowances during the suspension period.
Effort by a former president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, to stop the red chamber from withdrawing the security aides of the suspended senator failed as the Senate President rejected it.
After the adoption of the report, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted the proceedings.
She said, “This injustice against me will not be sustained. I will fight against it.”
The Kogi politician was, thereafter, escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms personnel in the chamber.
She rebuffed efforts by journalists to speak with her as she drove away in her black Sports Utility Vehicle.
Earlier before her suspension, she had resubmitted a sexual harassment petition against Senator Akpabio during plenary, this time, on behalf of her constituents, led by one Zubairu Yakubu.
After confirming there were no legal barriers, Akpabio directed her to lay the petition before the Senate.
Her petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Imasuen with a mandate to report back within four weeks.
Natasha’s husband, my close friend – Akpabio
Meanwhile, Akpabio has disclosed that he slept in a hotel located within the premises of the Dangote Cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State when Akpoti-Uduaghan wedded her heartthrob, Mr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
He said, “The person we are talking about here is the wife of my very good friend, or so I thought. I slept in Dangote Cement Factory in Obajana, Kogi State on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state.”
The former governor disclosed that as the Senate President, his responsibility is to protect the institution, relying on the rules.
“The rules give me the power to give a ruling on points of order. I’m in the best position to interpret the rules of the Senate,” he added.
In the same vein, the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, denied threatening Akpoti-Uduaghan during a midnight conversation with her and challenged security agencies to investigate his claims.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s colleague from Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Sunday Karimi also apologised to Akpabio for backing her for a leadership role.
The Senate, thereafter, warned the suspended senator to stop violating the Senate Standing Rules.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Monguno, gave the warning after reporting to the Senate that the embattled lawmaker had persistently refused to stand to her feet anytime the Senate President led the procession to commence the day’s plenary in clear violation of the Senate Standing Orders 55(1).
Monguno said Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot hide under a session of the rules to air her opinions and at the same time disregard other provisions in the Standing Orders.
“Senator Natasha has been consistently and persistently in breach of this rule. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. We urge her to study the rules and comply in observance and not in breach,” Monguno said.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has continued to reverberate across the polity with the NBA, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi expressing displeasure over the handling of the case.
The Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, queried the manner in which the matter was handled.
She stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which is a build up on the dispute between her and Akpabio, might not have been the right decision to take in the interest of justice.
Stressing that in the interest of justice, she deserved fair hearing before such decision should have been taken.
She said, “To start with I will say on the suspension, we are all lawyers and would like to see fairness across board. We know the allegation is very big and he who asserts must prove so we will want her to prove the allegations and we expect fairness in it.
“I see her suspension as a kind of intimidation; you cannot be a judge in your own court. If something affects you, slide by the side and let justice take its course because we need to see fairness.
‘’We as citizens we would like to see a fair level ground for everybody. She is alleging and proving and peradventure she is unable to prove what she has alleged, she knows what would come to her. We are in a democracy, suspension is not the answer.’’
Speaking further, Muhammad noted, “The question here is: Did the committee call her before suspending her? Did she refuse to come? Did she send a representation? If she was not called then what was the yard stick used in suspending her and if she was called and she refused to go that will be very wrong of her because she was called to prove her innocence and her refusing to honour the invite will be wrong.
‘’ Those who suspended her should know there are people out there watching and we all want justice because as far as we are concerned, the Senate is a sacred place and what is happening right now should not be happening.’’
Professor Itsey Sagay (SAN) stated that since the matter was already before a court of law, it should have been left for the courts to decide.
‘’The matter is in court as I know and I’m surprised they didn’t leave it at that stage. I feel very sympathetic towards her because in an assembly full of men there’s a tendency towards self-defence but the men rather than looking at the matter objectively, they didn’t.
‘’I think very seriously she is at a disadvantage in that type of circle. It can never be right because everybody is saying I could be the one. My advice to her is to put the matter behind her and carry on with her life totally ignoring all those things and do her job for her people of Kogi knowing that they elected her,’’ he counselled.
Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, believed the Senate was too hasty in their decision, saying, “My comment on the decision of the Senate is that it is hasty.”
Like the NBA, Wale Balogun (SAN), argued that there are procedural steps that should be followed before the lawmaker was suspended.
“Legally, it is an internal affair of the legislators and they have their rules of engagement provided exercising their right and rules of engagement which they comply with as their own internal rules and regulations and then in addition to that, exercising such actions in compliance with the Constitution.
‘’For instance, was she heard? This is a fundamental constitutional provision. The Constitution requires that your internal procedure notwithstanding, should ensure that the person is invited. She should have been heard.’’
Another senior lawyer, Lekan Ojo (SAN) also questioned the suspension stating that she has a right to cry out to the public.
“They suspended her for what? For crying to the public. But again, there are certain things in life when you get to a particular stage or you attain a particular status in life, there are ways and manners in which you must go about particular things,’’ he noted.
Atiku, PDP caution Senate leadership
The former Vice President, speaking through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, told The PUNCH that Nigerian leaders are not creating an environment that enables women to thrive and contribute to the country’s development.
The Waziri Adamawa expressed concern over the Senate’s decision against Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it an attack on affirmative action.
He stated, “Has there been an investigation? No. So, Atiku’s position hasn’t changed. Whichever way you look at this, there is a concern. Any society that does not optimally use the assets available to it, particularly by giving women the opportunity to thrive, is failing.
“About half of our population is women, and if we don’t deliberately create an environment conducive to promoting women’s interests—whether in politics, business, or any other human endeavour—we are underutilizing our potential.
“We’re not providing half of our population the opportunities to thrive and add value to society. With International Women’s Day coming up on March 8, it raises serious concerns. The Senate’s action of suspending Natasha for six months without conducting an investigation is an attack on affirmative action.”
Obi, who spoke through his former media aide and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, also frowned on the development.
“The situation is quite disappointing,” he lamented.
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticised Akpabio for not stepping down to allow an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against him.
Osadolor described the six-month suspension imposed on Uduaghan-Akpoti as shameful.
The PDP youth leader equally dragged opposition lawmakers for failing to speak out and make their voices heard when it mattered most.
He stated, “The Senate President should have excused himself; he wasn’t truly a man of integrity. He should have stepped aside and allowed the investigation to proceed. I was deeply moved by this, and I’m sure every person of goodwill would be as well.
“Natasha could have been our sister, our wife, our daughter, or our mother. To see them all gang up and use state power and bureaucracy to silence her voice is shameful. For me, it was even more shameful for the opposition members on the floor of the Senate. They failed to speak up when it mattered.
“They were trying to stay in Akpabio’s good books. Looking at the whole situation, no one could stand up to be counted because they didn’t want to be kicked out or labelled as rebels. It’s a shame. But I believe Natasha has made her points. Though the majority will have their way, the minority will also have their day.”
The leadership of the Labour Party on called on the Nigerian Senate to reconsider the suspension of the legislator.
In a telephone interview, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, described the verdict as a disheartening and shoddy arrangement.
He said, “The suspension is draconian. The woman, I am told, was not given the opportunity to properly defend herself. That is where I and most Nigerians have issues. Don’t forget she is representing an entire senatorial zone with eight or more local governments.
“Asking her not to be in the senate for six months is undemocratic. The Labour Party stands for gender inclusivity. If the woman said that injustice was done, then they should critically look at the woman’s complaint. But unilaterally suspending her without hearing her out is injustice.
“The Labour Party does not support that. So, I think they should bring her back and revisit her case. If she says that there was an allegation of sexual harassment, at least, you should look into it and whoever is involved should clear himself of that.
“But we discovered the person is even the judge in a matter that concerns him. Where is that done? So, I think that matter should be revisited.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, expressed shock at the outcome.
According to him, the complaint brought to the floor of the Senate should have been properly investigated before an action was taken.
“Well, should someone be suspended for raising an issue fundamental to her well-being and others? That’s one question. There’s another argument about her sitting position. When Akpabio argued about his sitting position in the past, was he also suspended?
“If a person is saying that certain thing happened to me, and you strike it out on a technicality, saying that she signed it herself or something. You haven’t even gone into the details or the merits of the matter to know whether she lied or she was right.
“Instead, you punished the person by suspending her for six months and withholding her allowances, salary and other benefits. It doesn’t seem straightforward to me. That’s all I’ll say,” he stated.
[Punch]
More...
Tension has heightened in Rivers State, as the dreaded militant group, Niger Delta Rescue Movement, NDRM, warned the Federal Government not to withhold the allocation meant for the state or face a total cut in the oil production.
It also issued a directive to all non-indigenes to consider their safety and leave Rivers State as hostilities were about to escalate.
The group also declared that, except the Federal Government and all the players involved in the crisis do the needful by sheathing their swords, it would hit the nation’s oil production if the allocation due to the state was not released timely.
Recall that the Supreme Court on Friday upheld the decision of the lower court by stopping the state allocation until a valid House of Assembly which has Martin Amaewhule as Speaker, is constituted.
In a follow up to the judgment, Amaewhule on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget before the House. The ultimatum had since expired on the midnight of Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, the Amaewhule-led House directed the state governor to sack all commissioners and political appointees and re-submit for screening, a list of new commissioner nominees.
A trending video on a social media platform featured the militants numbering about eight armed with AK-47 and other assorted riffles in an unknown forest, yesterday, chanting “asawana, asawana,” a common slogan among the Ijaw people of the Niger delta region.
A supposed leader of the group declared in a letter he read, “We the Niger Delta Rescue Movement wish to express our deep concern regarding the recent development in Rivers State threatening the smooth governance of our beloved state under the leadership of Governor Fubara.
“It has come to our attention that certain individuals proclaim as lawmakers have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state governor to present the 2025 state budget. This blatant attempt to destabilize the state is not only alarming but also a clear attempt and coordinated effort to incite hell, potentially to lead to a state of emergency or even an impeachment.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately and put a stop to the action of the minister, Nyesom Wike and his associate, whose intent is to drag Rivers State to avoidable crisis. The people of Rivers state like stability, progress and a conducive environment for governance.
“Furthermore, we must make it abundantly clear that the youths of Rivers State will not sit idly while our state is dragged into turmoil. If the federal allocation due to Rivers State cannot be released promptly, we will have no choice but to take a decisive action including hitting oil production.”
The three minutes, 28 seconds video also showed the militants saying, “We can’t generate money into the Federation Account and not have our own share. Our workers deserve their salaries, our government needs the necessary resources to carry out essential development projects.”
They went on to urge the non-indigenes to leave the state for their safety, saying “We urge all non-indigenes in Rivers State to consider their safety and leave the state promptly as the situation may escalate. We cherish the safety of all residents and urge for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Enough is enough. We stand united for the rest and future of Rivers State. We demand respect from our leaders and focus on the development of our region,” they warned.
Acts against Fubara contain elements of treason – CISLAC
Meanwhile, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has described as treasonable felony, the actions perpetrated against Governor Fubara since he assumed office.
Legal Manager of the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, CISLAC, Mr Gimba Hassan, in a statement in Abuja, said: “It is my belief that some of the actions against Fubara contain elements of treason under Section 37 of the Criminal Code Act and treasonable felony under Section 40 of the same Act.
“When you examine the use of violence against the governor, the burning of the state House of Assembly, the withdrawal of his security, and the deployment of thugs to take over local government councils during elections, it becomes clear that these acts were intended to intimidate and overpower the governor, which falls within the legal definitions of treason and treasonable felony.
“This is especially worrisome in a country where even peaceful protests by minors are sometimes treated as treason,” Hassan said.
He added that the Rivers State House of Assembly’s 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the budget was unlawful and lacked legal backing.
Citing El-Rufai vs. House of Representatives (2003) and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, he explained that a minimum of seven days’ notice was required for a valid legislative summons.
He emphasised that the 48-hour ultimatum was a clear violation of established legal and parliamentary procedures.
“With its judgment, the Supreme Court has effectively stalled governance in Rivers, and the state Assembly is worsening the crisis by proceeding on a 12-week recess.
“This is despite the fact that the House had virtually no legislative activity for months while the matter was in court.
“Our constitution begins with the phrase “We the People…It is the people who gave power to our institutions, elected the governor and his deputy, and voted for the members of the state Assembly.
Further, he said: “It is time for all parties to come together, resolve their disputes, and move the state forward.”
[Vanguard]
Shehu Sani, a former senator, says he was nearly suspended for six months in the upper chamber for disclosing the remuneration of federal lawmakers in 2018.
In a post published on his X handle on Thursday, Sani said he would have been suspended if not for the “immediate rescue” of Bukola Saraki, then senate president, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu,
The former senator from Kaduna stated that any senator who “blows the whistle too loudly” will have to face the consequences of their actions alone, without support from fellow members.
“When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the senators, it nearly earned me a SIX months suspension if not for divine intervention, Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue,” he wrote
When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the Senators, it nearly earned me a SIX months suspension if not for Divine Intervention,Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue.Just know that if you are there and you blow whistle too loudly,you will be “On your Own”,no…
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) March 6, 2025
In March 2018, the former senator revealed that he and his colleagues received N13.5 million monthly as running cost.
Sani had also disclosed that the senator received N200 million as constituency project fund.
The former senator’s revelation was met with strong disapproval from many of his colleagues, as the salaries of federal lawmakers are usually kept confidential.
Sani’s comments come on the heels of the decision of the senate to suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, for six months.
The decision followed the adoption of the report by the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions.
The Kogi senator was suspended following an altercation she had with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.
On February 28, in an interview on Arise TV, the Kogi senator alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from the senate president.
[TheCable]
The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated Simon Ekpa, 14 other persons and two entities, for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities and terrorism financing.
The committee further directed financial institutions to freeze their assets and report any transactions related to the individuals and entities to the Sanctions Committee and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The designations were part of Nigeria’s efforts to comply with international standards on combating terrorism financing, as outlined in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The full list of designated individuals and entities include: Simon Ekpa Njoku – Born 21 March 1985, with accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank; Godstime Promise Iyare – Born 20 May 1996, with accounts in Access Bank, UBA, and Moniepoint; Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi – Born 27 September 1987, with accounts in Ecobank and Fidelity.
Others are John Anayo Onwumere – Born 5 March 1987, with accounts in Sterling and Zenith; Chikwuka Godwin Eze – Born 5 May 1975, with accounts in First Bank and Access Bank; Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo – Born 27 May 1983, with accounts in Union and Ecobank; Chinwendu Joy Owoh – Born 10 February 1982, with accounts in First Bank and GTB; Ginika Jane Orji – Born 5 October 1995, with accounts in Blueridge and Opay; Awo Uchechukwu – Born 11 December 1978, with an account in First Bank.
The committee also listed Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali – Born 7 July 1998, with accounts in Access and FCMB; Ohagwu Nneka Juliana – Born 15 August 1985, with an account in UBA; Eze Chibuike Okpoto – Born 12 January 1989, with accounts in Access and FCMB; Nwaobi Henry Chimezie – Born 12 June 1991, with accounts in Access and UBA; Ogomu Peace Kewe – Born 27 June 1997, with accounts in Access and Zenith; Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises – With accounts in Access Bank and GTB; Seficuvi Global Company – With accounts in Access Bank and Ecobank; and Lakurawa Group are those indicted.
While giving details of the designations, the committee said: “Simon Ekpa: Known for his role in facilitating about 49 fundraisers across different countries between October 2023 and September 2024, Ekpa allegedly used social media platforms to orchestrate attacks on government facilities, particularly military and paramilitary formations in Nigeria’s southeast. These actions resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.
“Godstime Promise Iyare: Linked to local fundraising activities for IPOB, Iyare was identified through an account at United Bank for Africa used to collect funds from members in Nigeria. His mobile phone number was associated with multiple National Identity Numbers, raising concerns about identity manipulation.
“Francis Chukwuedo Mmaduabuchi: Accused of using a Moniepoint account to receive donations from IPOB members in Nigeria, Mmaduabuchi’s activities were uncovered through intelligence sources.
“John Anayo Onwumere: Born on March 5, 1987, Onwumere was linked to a Sterling Bank account number 0026224269, which was reportedly used to receive donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria.
“Chikwuka Godwin Eze: Born on May 5, 1975, Eze was associated with an Access Bank account number 0108595489. This account was used by members of the BRGIE local chapter from ‘Odumegu State Defactor’ and ‘Urhobo Isoko State Defacto’ based in Anambra State and Delta State respectively, to contribute to the group.
“Edwin Augustine Chukwuedo: Born on May 27, 1983, Chukwuedo was involved with a Flutterwave account number 9461730261. Similar to Eze, this account was used by BRGIE members for contributions.
“Chiwendu Joy Owoh: Born on February 10, 1982, Owoh was identified with a Moniepoint MFB account number 6474876289. This account was part of a structure created by BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.
“Ginika Jane Orji: Born on October 5, 1995, Orji was linked to an Opay account number 8039231985, which was reportedly used to receive donations from members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria.
“Awo Uchechukwu: Born on December 11, 1978, Uchechukwu is identified as a Commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). He was reported to have received funds directly from Simon Ekpa to finance the activities of the group through his First Bank account number 3060144916.
“Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali: Born on July 7, 1998, Ali was associated with an Access Bank account number 1612608952. This account was used by the BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.
“Ohagwu Nneka Juliana: Born on August 15, 1985, Juliana was linked to a UBA account number 2147559148. Similar to Ali, this account was used by BRGIE for fund collection.
“Eze Chibuike Okpoto: Born on January 12, 1989, Okpoto was linked to an Access Bank account with account number 0071127599. This account was reportedly used to receive funds from members of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) to support Biafra self-referendum via its Telegram groups.
“Nwaobi Henry Chimezie: Born on June 12, 1991, Chimezie was associated with a Moniepoint Micro Finance Bank account number 8276850931. This account was used by BRGIE to collect funds from its members in Nigeria.
“Ogumu Peace Kewu: Born on June 27, 1997, Kewu was involved with First Bank accounts, including account numbers 3180578127 (NGN) and 3180578127 (USD). These accounts were used to facilitate USD donations to Nigeria.
“Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises: Owned by Okudah Uchenna Anthony, this enterprise used a Zenith Bank account with account number 1226773554 to collect donations for BRGIE.
“Seficuvi Global Company: Owned by Godswill Ogborin Nwaodun, this company’s bank accounts were reported to be used by BRGIE to collect funds from members in Nigeria.
“Lakurawa is part of Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), a militant group active across Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, and Nigeria. Since 2016, Lakurawa has established a presence in Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto and Kebbi States. The group engages in violent attacks, assassinations, and enforcement of radical Islamist rule, imposing strict governance on communities. It also finances its activities through extortion, forced taxation, cattle rustling, and ransom from kidnappings.”
‘This Injustice Will Not Be Sustained’ - Natasha Hails Self, Says Senate Decision Mere Suspension, Not Expulsion
AFOLABI
The suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has once again reacted to her suspension for 180 days from the Upper Legislative chamber, reiterating that the action was an injustice that will not stand.
She also said that it was a mere suspension from the Senate and not an expulsion.
Recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was earlier on Thursday suspended by the Senate for a period of six months over violation of Senate rules and other misconduct after a face-off with the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement in the Red Chamber penultimate week.
Natasha
The crisis took a new twist when the female Senator days after accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office and deliberate frustration of her legislative rights because she refused to yield to his advances.
Taking to her social media handles later this Thursday night, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed what she told her colleagues earlier in the day on her way out of the Red Chamber after her suspension was pronounced, when she posted that ‘This Injustice Will Not Be Sustained!’
She further hailed herself, saying: “Suspended, not expelled.
“Pierced but not broken.
“The voice may be temporarily tamed but cannot be silenced.
“I salute your courage, my distinguished Senator Natasha H. Akpoti, in the face of this storm
“My confidence is in the fact that, just like the other Storms, you will come out victorious and better prepared to serve your people.”