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Natasha Suspended For Misconduct, Not Harassment Claim, Senate Replies IPU

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  The Nigerian Senate has defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union, stating that her suspension was not related to allegations of sexual harassment but due to gross misconduct. Speaking before the IPU on Wednesday, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, dismissed claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a United Nations event that she was suspended for raising allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ogbara said she has been mandated by the National Assembly to present a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s speech delivered at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the status of women. “In response to the call by the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson to hear both sides of the matter, I have received a letter from the Nigerian Senate in my capacity as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development of our parliament in Nigeria and the parliamentarian representing Nigeria at this conference,” she stated. She said, “Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved and that justice is neither predetermined nor one-sided. “Nigeria remains firmly committed to upholding women’s rights and combating gender-based violence through strong legal frameworks and institutions. Our Parliament and Judiciary continue to undergo reforms to strengthen these efforts. “The ongoing legislative initiatives seek to address historical imbalances in women’s representation in our Parliament, including the Reserve Seats Bill and other crucial proposed constitutional amendments aimed at safeguarding the rights and privileges of women. These efforts underscore our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable political space.” Addressing the allegations against Akpabio, Ogbara said, “It is important to recognise that both the allegations made and the responses provided are serious matters that require careful and unbiased scrutiny. This issue, which remains subjudice, involves multiple elements, including allegations of sexual harassment and potential violations of Senate rules. While it is necessary to engage in introspection and understand any potential connections, these matters must also be considered separately. “It is imperative that we uphold the principles of fairness and ensure that no individual is prematurely judged without a transparent and impartial process. Therefore, I call for the following actions: A thorough and unbiased investigation, ensuring that all claims and defences are examined fairly and transparently. “Protection of all parties involved, safeguarding the rights of all individuals, and preventing any form of intimidation or retaliation, accountability and transparency and upholding institutional integrity by ensuring that due process is rigorously followed.” She then read the position paper of the Senate by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault. “The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan. “Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.” According to the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate rules, which led to her suspension. “If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed its guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice, noting that she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” Bamidele said. The statement further explained, “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.” The Senate accused her of “refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025, despite multiple pleas from the leadership and other ranking senators,” engaging in “unruly and disruptive behaviour,” and making “abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.” She was also accused of “defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct.” The Senate maintained that her suspension was necessary to restore order and uphold the integrity of the legislative body. “No senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules of the Senate. “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a direct consequence of her actions and nothing else,” the statement added. The Senate called on media organisations to “correct the misrepresentations” and refrain from spreading “falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process.” Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute with Akpabio on Tuesday by presenting her case at a United Nations forum. The senator representing Kogi Central called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable. Punch

Fubara Denied Entry Into Rivers Assembly Quarters

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  Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was on Wednesday denied access to the official quarters of the state House of Assembly along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, where lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have been holding their sittings. Fubara, who arrived at the complex in the company of top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, met a locked gate, effectively preventing his entry. Speaking to journalists at the scene, the governor accused Speaker Martin Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him, stating that several calls placed to the lawmaker went unanswered. He stated, “Before my arrival here, I made several attempts to speak to the Speaker. I also sent a letter which was transmitted for this particular invitation. “Unfortunately, at the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today.” The governor insisted that his actions were in the interest of the people, stressing that he remained committed to fulfilling his constitutional duties. “The reason why we are doing this, I have always said, is in the interest of our people, which is the most important thing. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. I expect to hear from them after today,” he added. After addressing the press, the governor and his entourage left the premises.

Police Scrap Law Allowing Dismissal Of Unmarried Pregnant Officers – AIG

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  The Nigeria Police Force has abolished regulations that previously mandated the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in service. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Aishatu Baju, who is the most senior female officer in the Force, confirmed this development on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. Baju explained that all discriminatory sections of the Police Act, including Section 127, which was used to justify the dismissal of pregnant unmarried officers, had been expunged in line with ongoing police reforms. She said, “That section, along with any other part of the Police Act that discriminates against female officers, has been removed under the Police Act 2020. “The Inspector General of Police has also introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure full inclusivity and equal opportunities for all officers.” When asked directly whether unmarried female officers would still be dismissed if they became pregnant, Baju responded firmly, “No.” The issue gained national attention in 2021 when a police corporal, Omolola Olajide, was dismissed from the Force in Ekiti State after she became pregnant. The move sparked public outrage, prompting the Nigerian Bar Association to challenge the regulation in court. Although the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the dismissal, ruling that officers were aware of the regulation before joining the Force, the NBA pursued the case to the Court of Appeal in Lagos. In May 2024, the appellate court nullified Sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, effectively putting an end to the policy. With the latest reforms, Baju reaffirmed that the Force is committed to eliminating gender-based discrimination and fostering a more inclusive institution. Punch

Protesters burn Benue monarch’s palace, LG secretariat over killings

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  Angry youths in Naka, Benue State, on Tuesday, set fire to the palace of Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, and parts of the Gwer West Local Government Secretariat while protesting the killing of three people. The violence erupted after suspected armed herders reportedly killed three operatives of the Benue Civil Protection Guards at Garuwa community in the local government. The bodies of the victims were brought to Naka in the early hours of Tuesday, triggering protests that escalated into destruction. The Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Omirin, and Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Online on Tuesday. “Yes, they burned down the secretariat and the Ter Naka palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums,” the chairman said. Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful, as her phone was not connecting. More details later…

Tinubu Mourns As Legal Icon Kharisu Chukkol Dies At 79

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  President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Prof. Kharisu Chukkol. The father of Karim, the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s immediate past acting chairman was a renowned legal scholar and expert in criminal law He passed away in Abuja on Sunday evening at the age of 79. This was disclosed in a Monday statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Describing the late professor as a “towering figure in Nigerian legal scholarship,” the President lauded his immense contributions to legal education and practice in Nigeria, particularly through his work at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. “A native of Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State, Professor Chukkol dedicated his professional life to teaching and advancing law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. “He specialized in criminal law and held various positions at ABU, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Director of the Institute of Administration,” the President stated. Highlighting his influence on generations of legal practitioners, Tinubu noted that the late Chukkol’s students include sitting justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, senior advocates, and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the current National Security Adviser. He also praised Chukkol’s seminal 1988 book, Law of Crimes in Nigeria, which he described as “a cornerstone reference for legal practitioners and scholars.” In addition to his academic legacy, Tinubu reflected on the professor’s influence through his family, particularly his son, Abdulkarim Chukkol, who served as the immediate past Acting Chairman of the EFCC. Tinubu concluded his tribute with heartfelt prayers and words of comfort. He wrote: “I urge the family, students, and all touched by Professor Chukkol’s life to find solace in his remarkable achievements and the enduring impact of his work. May Allah grant him eternal peace.” Punch

Saraki to Akpabio: don’t politicise calls for due process

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  Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for what he called a deliberate attempt to politicise and trivialise the serious concerns Nigerians have expressed about due process in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Saraki’s reaction followed Akpabio’s claim that recent calls for accountability over the allegations Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan leveled against him were part of a plot to remove him from office because he is from the Niger Delta. In a statement yesterday by his media office and shared on his X handle, Saraki said: “The attention of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office has been drawn to the statement made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio while addressing the leaders of some ‘youth ethnic groups’ on Friday that certain individuals from Kwara and Adamawa states want him removed because he is from the Niger Delta region.” Saraki emphasised that at no point did he call for Akpabio’s resignation but only advised that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations be thoroughly investigated in a manner that would ensure transparency and protect the integrity of the Senate. “Dr. Saraki, in his last comment on the Akpabio-Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan crisis, never called on the Senate President to resign or step aside. Rather, he urged the Senate President to be conscious of the fact that perception is a reality and, therefore, he should avoid treating the allegations by the (Kogi Central) senator in a manner that will create the perception that the Senate as an institution is trying to cover up issues bordering on sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office,” the statement said. The former Senate President explained that his stance on the matter was rooted in the importance of safeguarding the credibility of the legislative institution, not personal or political rivalry. “This issue is definitely not one in which Akpabio should exploit ethnic sentiments, political division, or regional proclivity. This will neither be in his own interest nor that of the institution over which he is presiding. He should face the reality on ground and do what is right,” Saraki said. He said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations touched on issues that resonate deeply with women across the country, making it imperative that they be handled with utmost seriousness. “The former Senate President believes that when a sensitive matter suggesting sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and mistreatment of women comes up anywhere, it evokes the pains that thousands of women across the nooks and crannies of our society experience daily. “Thus, when it is raised in a place like the legislative institution, it is an opportunity for us to handle it with utmost openness and transparency to ensure that justice is not only done but glaringly seen to be done,” the statement added. Vanguard

Catholic Bishops Warn Of Looming Crisis, Demand Action On Youth Unemployment

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  Catholic bishops in Nigeria have raised the alarm over a looming national crisis, warning that worsening youth unemployment and widespread frustration with governance could push the country towards chaos. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 first plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, the clerics urged political leaders to take decisive action before the situation spirals out of control. The CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, painted a grim picture of the country’s economic and social challenges, stressing that the high rate of youth unemployment—currently at 53 percent—is a ticking time bomb. According to Ugorji, the surge in criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, internet fraud, drug abuse, cultism, and ritual killings is directly linked to the despair faced by millions of jobless young Nigerians. “The situation is even worsened by mass layoffs due to the collapse of many companies under the weight of a harsh and hostile economic climate,” he said. He further lamented that many unemployed youths now resort to pagan shrines, ritual killings, and human sacrifices in search of instant wealth, while others are easy recruits for violent gangs and terror groups. “We cannot be tired of urging the government at all levels to take youth unemployment seriously. Until there is a massive, ongoing creation of jobs, the government may continue to lose the war against insecurity and violent crime,” the CBCN President warned. Beyond economic hardship, the bishops also raised concerns about Nigeria’s worsening security situation and the deplorable state of correctional centres across the country. Ugorji recalled that the 2019 Nigerian Correctional Services Act, which aimed to transform prisons into true rehabilitation centres, has failed to yield the desired results due to poor implementation. “The government must rise above these challenges and provide necessary solutions,” he urged. On his part, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, called for a shift from mere religious displays to genuine spirituality and national transformation. He condemned the competition for religious supremacy, extravagant places of worship, and empty symbols that have done little to address the country’s moral and economic decay. “As we journey towards Easter, let us pray for our country. But beyond prayers, we must lead by example in honesty, service, and love. We must demand justice, advocate for the poor, and reject all forms of oppression. A new Nigeria is possible if we, as God’s people, take responsibility for building it,” he said. Kaigama also described as an embarrassment the tragic incident where people were crushed to death while scrambling for food in Abuja last Christmas, lamenting that such occurrences should not be happening in a country blessed with abundant resources. In his remarks, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, lamented that many Nigerians have reached their breaking point due to hunger, poverty, insecurity, and disease. He urged religious leaders to rekindle hope and provide courageous leadership in addressing the country’s moral and economic decay. “As you deliberate on the way forward for the Church and our nation, I pray that the Holy Spirit grants you wisdom, strength, and renewed courage to be bearers of hope in these difficult times,” Okoh said Punch

Tyre Spikes Now In Place To Discourage One-Way Driving In Oyo

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  IBADAN – The Oyo state government has installed one-way tyre spikes to deter motorists from driving against traffic, reinforcing its commitment to road safety and traffic regulation enforcement. The spike barrier was recently installed at Idi-Ape, Ibadan North East Local Government Area, drawing commendation from motorists. A viral video showcasing the functionality of the spikes demonstrated how they puncture the tyres of vehicles attempting to drive in the wrong direction. A source, speaking anonymously, revealed that the initiative is part of broader efforts to enforce traffic laws, curb reckless driving, and reduce accidents caused by one-way violations. Beyond preventing violations, authorities hope the measure will instill greater discipline among road users. As of the time of this report, the state government had not issued an official statement on whether more spike barriers would be installed in other locations. However, commuters see the move as a strong stance against traffic violations and a step towards safer roads in Oyo State.  

Senate Rules Out Live Coverage Of Natasha’s Hearing

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  The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has rejected calls for live television coverage of the proceedings against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s programme, The Morning Show. PUNCH Online reports that the Kogi lawmaker had called for live coverage of the committee’s hearing over her clash with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seat allocation. Explaining the committee’s decision, Imasuen emphasised the need to maintain focus on the issue at hand without external distractions. “Regarding media coverage, we want to be very careful not to overplay things. This is a matter within the Senate, and turning it into a media affair could be distracting. My committee room can only accommodate a limited number of people, and the committee itself has about 23 or 24 members. We need to stay focused on the issue before us without unnecessary distractions.” The lawmaker also assured Nigerians that Akpoti-Uduaghan would be given a fair hearing during the proceedings. He said, “Distinguished Senator Natasha has the same privileges as any other senator, and her rights will be protected. She will receive a fair hearing in this matter for as long as I am in charge. She is my friend, and no one will trample on her rights.” When asked about the ongoing controversy regarding alleged sexual misconduct in the Senate, Imasuen declined to comment, citing legal constraints. “The issue of sexual misconduct in the Senate is already before a court of law, which makes the matter sub judice. I cannot comment on any case that is before a court, and as a lawyer, I must respect that legal principle.” Punch

Power Generation Hits 5,713MW — TCN

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  The Transmission Company of Nigeria has disclosed that the nation’s power generation hit 5,713.60 megawatts on Tuesday, the highest since four years ago. In a statement on Tuesday, the TCN announced that the power sector had achieved a new peak generation for the year 2025, which was successfully transmitted. It stated that the feat was recorded on Tuesday, surpassing the 5.543MW recorded on February 14. “This was recorded on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 21:30 hours, with the new generation peak of 5,713.60 megawatts (MW), surpassing the previous peak generation of 5,543.20MW achieved on February 14, 2025, by 170.40 MW,” the TCN stated. It clarified that though this new peak is 88MW lower than the all-time maximum peak generation of 5,801.60MW recorded on March 1, 2021, it remains a notable achievement. It added that the maximum daily energy also rose to 125,542.06 megawatt-hours, up from 125,159.48MWh achieved last month. “Furthermore, a new record for the maximum daily energy ever attained in the history of the electricity industry in Nigeria was also set yesterday, with a total of 125,542.06 megawatt-hours (MWh). This surpasses the previous record of 125,159.48MWh achieved on February 14, 2025, by 382.58 MWh,” the statement added. The PUNCH reports that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, promised Nigerians that power generation would rise to 6,000MW by December 2024. However, this could not be achieved due to vandalism, grid collapses, and poor power infrastructure. At the moment, over 50 per cent of Nigerians lack access to electricity. Punch

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