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Akpabio’s wife slams N250bn libel suits against Senator Natasha

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Akpabio’s wife slams N250bn libel suits against Senator Natasha

UNOMA Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has filed separate lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, alleging defamation and violation of fundamental human rights.

The legal action stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent claims that her troubles in the Senate began after she refused to have a sexual relationship with the Senate President.

In the first suit on fundamental rights violation (Suit No: CV/814/25), Unoma accused the senator of making false and scandalous statements that caused her and her children emotional distress and fear for their safety.

She asked the court to declare the statements a violation of her right to dignity under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Additionally, she is seeking ₦250 billion in damages and a perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further such claims.

In a separate defamation suit (Suit No: CV/816/25), Unoma challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertion that her husband made sexual advances towards her. She described the allegations as false, malicious, and damaging, stating they had tarnished her family’s reputation and subjected them to public ridicule.

As part of her demands, she requested the court to compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a public apology in The Guardian and Thisday newspapers and pay ₦1 billion in damages.

“The allegations have caused untold pain and emotional trauma to me and my family,” Unoma Akpabio stated in the suit.

The court has yet to fix a date for the hearing of both cases.

The ICIR reports that the dispute between the two lawmakers began after Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered her Senate seating position had been changed without prior notice.

In response, she filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick. Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, claimed that a defamatory statement about her was published on Patrick’s Facebook page under the title ‘Is Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?’

The post accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of reducing senatorial duties to fashion choices, alleging that she was more concerned with makeup and transparent outfits in the chamber.

Giwa described the post as provocative and damaging, arguing that it had lowered his client’s reputation among colleagues and the public.

The controversy escalated on Friday, February 28, when Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television’s Morning Show and accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her. She claimed some colleagues had advised her to accept the seat change as part of a larger scheme against her.

Meanwhile, Akpabio’s wife has denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless.

“My husband is a disciplined man who respects women,” she said.

Trump attacks Zelensky, sends him out of White House

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Trump attacks Zelensky, sends him out of White House

THE President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, has accused his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, of gambling with World War III.

While hosting Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Saturday, 28, Trump accused the Ukrainian president of showing no interest in ending his country’s war with Russia.

Zelenskiy had sought to use the White House meeting to persuade Trump not to align with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a high-devastating war on Ukraine three years ago.

He was also to sign a US-Ukrainian pact that would allow the US to have access to Ukraine’s mineral resources as part of a US-brokered post-war recovery plan.

However, the atmosphere became tense as Trump and his vice, James David Vance, clashed with Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for US support during the three-year war against Russia’s invasion.

Trump, who had sided with Putin since taking over as president, berated Zelensky, telling him to be more ‘thankful’ and that without US support, Ukraine would have been conquered by Russia.

“People are dying, you’re running low on soldiers,” he scowled as he threatened to withdraw U.S. support from Ukraine.

“You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out,” Trump further yelled at his guest.

He dropped yet another blistering remark, “And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty. Once we sign that deal, you’re in a much better position. But you’re not acting at all thankful, and that’s not a nice thing.”

Vance, who had been strongly opposed to US support to Ukraine before his elevation from a senator to the presidency, emphasised the importance of diplomacy in resolving Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.

Vance, whose mien and comments during the meeting fueled the crisis, maintained the US stance against Ukraine continuing with the war.

However, Zelenskiy, with his arms folded, argued that Putin could not be trusted in any negotiations and pointed out that Vance had never visited Ukraine.

Trump would not take any of his arguments. “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards,” the US leader said.

“I’m not playing cards, I’m very serious, Mr. President,” Zelenskiy retorted.

“You’re playing cards. You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War III,” exasperated Trump fired back.

Come back when you’re ready for peace, Trump tells Zelenskiy

While Zelenskiy openly challenged Trump over his softer approach toward Putin, urging him to make no compromises with a ‘killer’, Trump insisted that Putin was willing to negotiate a deal.

However, Vance accused Zelenskiy of being disrespectful by coming to the Oval Office to argue his position.

He slammed Zelenskiy for not appreciating Americans for the support he received during the war.

Zelenskiy countered him. He said, “I said a lot of times thank you to the American people.”

Zelenskiy, who received billions of dollars in U.S. weapons and moral support from the former President Joe Biden administration in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, is now facing a different approach from Trump.

The new president aims to quickly end the three-year war, rebuild ties with Russia, and recover funds spent on supporting Ukraine, among other drastic policies he has initiated.

Trump’s team at the meeting resolved during a break to send Zelenskiy and his delegation away.

A Trump official delivered the message, resulting in the Ukrainian leader cancelling his other schedules in the US, including a joint press briefing with Trump.

The planned agreement was also not signed. Similarly, the meals prepared for the parties were left untouched.

The ICIR reports that the development puts efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron and other European Union leaders to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia in limbo.

CNN reported that never before had a US president addressed his visitor in the manner Trump ‘humiliated’ Zelensky.

Trump consequently took to his Truth Social platform to accuse Zelensky of disrespecting the United States.

“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” he wrote.

Trump has engaged in a cold war with Zelenskiy in recent weeks, criticising his handling of the war, and calling him a ‘dictator’.

 

Relief as Nigerian Government approves N758bn bond to settle pension backlogs

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Relief as Nigerian Government approves N758bn bond to settle pension backlogs

THE Federal Government has approved a N758 billion pension bond to settle all outstanding liabilities under the contributory pension scheme.

Bond issuance is a way a company or a nation raises money as a loan repayable on agreed interest terms to sort out some budgetary or financial burden.

The government also said the bond would be released within three months to fully settle all outstanding pension liabilities under the contributory pension scheme (CPS).

This was revealed at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, February 27, by the Director-General of the National Pension Commission(Pencom), Omolola Oloworaran.

She described the bond as a significant intervention by President Bola Tinubu, making it the first time the Federal Government was making a direct contribution to the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

“A defining milestone in our nation’s pension administration has been achieved through the approval of a N758 billion Federal Government of Nigeria bond to fully settle outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme,” said the director-general.

She added that N107 billion from the bond had been allocated to the pension protection fund, designed to provide financial relief to low-income pensioners who might not have saved enough to support themselves in retirement.

According to the director-general, the N758 billion bond would also clear long-standing arrears, including N253 billion for accrued pension rights owed to retirees from treasury-funded ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

She also disclosed that N388 billion had been earmarked to settle unpaid pension increases dating back to 2007, which would benefit over 250,000 retirees.

Oloworaran explained that N11 billion was set aside to address pension shortfalls for university professors, ensuring that eligible retirees in the academic sector receive their full salaries upon retirement in line with pension reforms.

“N388 billion has been provided to clear pension increases that have remained unpaid for nearly two decades. This long-overdue entitlement, benefiting over 250,000 retirees, reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring pensions remain fair and responsive to economic realities,” she added.

She noted that the commission would focus on expanding the micro pension plan, aimed at providing structured retirement savings for workers in the informal sector since the backlog has been addressed.

She assured that PenCom would work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth issuance of the bond and prompt disbursement of pension payments.

The ICIR reported that the Federal Government announced plans to begin addressing the pension backlog for retired workers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) starting on November 17, 2024.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated this during a rally organised by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS) at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

 

Tinubu signs ₦54.99trn 2025 budget into law

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu signs ₦54.99trn 2025 budget into law

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has signed the N54.99 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill into law, a few days after adjustments by the National Assembly.

The signing took place on Friday, February 28, at the State House in Abuja during a brief ceremony. 

The budget, originally proposed at N49.7 trillion, was increased to N54.99 trillion before being passed by lawmakers.

It would be noted that Tinubu on Wednesday, December 18, presented Nigeria’s 2025 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly with key highlights, adjusting the exchange rate benchmark to N1,500 per dollar.

The budget, titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” aimed at consolidating policies to restructure Nigeria’s economy, boost human capital, and stimulate key sectors such as manufacturing and oil and gas production.

He said the 2025 budget sought to consolidate the key policies his administration had instituted to restructure Nigeria’s economy and boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get the manufacturing sector humming, and ultimately increase the competitiveness of the country’s economy.

The ICIR also reported how the National Assembly had approved different allocations for capital and recurrent expenditures but later revised them to reflect a more balanced spending plan. 

The final budget increases recurrent spending while reducing capital expenditure by over N500 billion from earlier estimates.

A breakdown of the budget showed N3.645 trillion for statutory transfers, N14.317 trillion for debt servicing, N13.64 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and N23.963 trillion capital expenditure (development fund), with fiscal deficit put at N13.08 trillion.

The deficit-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio was put at 1.52 per cent.

Natasha refutes allegations of fund misappropriation as local content committee chair

Abdullahi MURITALA
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Natasha refutes allegations of fund misappropriation as local content committee chair

THE former chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has denied allegation that she misappropriated the committee’s funds and committed other infractions while she led the committee. 

In a recent petition by the Youths Advocacy for Excellence (NOYAD), addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of abusing her office by demanding favours from oil and gas stakeholders, sidelining the committee’s clerk, Edith Ajah, victimising other committee staff, among others.

The petitioners demanded a thorough probe into her tenure and issue sanctions where applicable.

“The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions should thoroughly investigate all illegally, subversive and intimidating activities of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with a view to exerting the necessary legal and disciplinary measures.

“Evidence at our disposal shows that Senator Natasha has corruptly enriched and overreached herself through intimidation tactics, unapproved public outreaches, and by reimbursing endorsements against regulations.

“With the benefit of hindsight, NOYAD is also alleging, with incontrovertible evidence, that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had, ab initio, never had any genuine support for the local content mandate but rather was focused on fleecing businesses,” part of the petition reads.

The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central, took to her social handle after receiving the petition on Thursday, February 27, and promised to appear on Arise Television to shed light on the petition and some of the issues in the Senate.

While agreeing with the planned probe on her, she said the proceedings must be made public.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show” on Friday, February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that she did not meet a dime in the committee’s account but let millions of naira in the account when she was leaving.

She said all attempts by the clerk and committee’s staff to convince her to share the fund she saved in the account fell on deaf ears.

“When I resumed as chair, the account balance of the Senate Committee on Local Content was zero,” she explained.

“By the time I handed over the position, the balance had grown to N13,649,335,” she added.

She said each committee received N950,000 monthly for operational expenses.

“The first month after my resumption, the clerk of the committee, whose name is well listed there, probably the lady who is behind this petition, Mrs. Edith Aja, approached me in January and said, oh, the first month’s payment has gotten in. And I was like, what do you mean by that?

“She told me that every month, every committee in the National Assembly receives N950,000 as running operational costs. And, so, I said, okay, what is the money supposed to be used for? She said, ‘for logistics, mail dispatches, refreshments for meetings that we have, and all that,” the lawmaker said.

 She further alleged that she told the staff and committee members that the money was meant to service the operations of the committee, not to enrich their pockets, and as such, the money must not be shared.

According to her, she directed that the money remains in the account and be used for legitimate expenses, such as purchasing office equipment and printing materials. 

“I said, okay, so if 950,000 Naira has hit the account, we are yet to call for any meetings, so I think leave that money there, or is there a problem? She said, yes. The trend or the norm is that if there is no event or happenstance that utilises the money, we are supposed to share the money.”

While displaying the printed bank statement for the committee, she stated, “Since I left office, the clerk has withdrawn approximately N9.9 million from that account, leaving a balance of just N123,000.”

 

 

 

Power outage hits Presidential Villa, other locations – AEDC

Ehime ALEX
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Power outage hits Presidential Villa, other locations – AEDC

NIGERIAN Presidential Villa, including other locations, have been affected by widespread power outage caused by technical faults in some feeders owned by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The AEDC made this known in a statement on Friday, February 28.

It said the technical fault which affected the power supply to some parts of the city in the Abuja metropolis impacted transmission to the locations.

“We regret to inform you that the power outage is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving these areas,” the distribution company (DisCo) said.

The identified areas include CKC Gwagwalada, Kuje Road, Almat Farms, Kiran Farm, Efugo, Kwali Road, L5 Injection Substation, Chukuku Environs, Premium Farm, El-rufai Estate, Daghiri, Kuje Extension, John Calvin Estate, Kings Court, Karmo District, Idu Industrial, Urban shelter Katampe.

Others are Living Faith Church Katampe, Jahi village, Katampe extension, Jahi by Gilmore, Gishiri, Mabushi, Kadokuchi, Navy Estate, Anan House, Jahi Village, NAF Conference, Lake View Phase 1&2, Custom Quarter, Chida Hotel, Dakibiu, Brains and Hammer City Estate, Today Estate, Dape District, Katsina Estate, Paradise Estate, Ochacho Estate, Kafe District, American Embassy Estate, part of Gwarinpa, Zone C War College, Lateef Jakande, Zone E, Zone D, Bestway Hotel, Eterna filling station.

Also affected are Dantata, R3 Injection Sub Station, R4 Injection Sub Station by Three Arm Zone, Aso Drive, Lugbe FHA 1, Part of FHA 2, Tudunwada, Master’s Lounge, Total Filling Station, Salem Academy, Environmental, Back of Premier Academy, Old Metro Bakery, Video Club, Pack Well, Unity Hospital, Sector F and surrounding areas R5 Injection Sub Station, Naff Valley Estate Injection Sub Station and surrounding areas.

Appealing to its customers to be patient, the AEDC said it is working to restore power supply to the affected areas.

“Our dedicated technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible,” it stated.

Amid this latest outage is that no fewer than 188 locations franchised within the Federal Capital Territory, operating under the AEDC, endured widespread power outages and blackouts caused by various technical faults to its feeders in two months.

These disruptions which occurred within the first two months of this year and affected the power supply to numerous areas,  impacted the living conditions and businesses of the people.

Commenting on power sector under-performance at the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan on Thursday, February 27, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, lamented the continued decay of infrastructure in the electricity sector.

The ICIR reported the minister who blamed DisCos unwillingness  to invest in their networks while also criticised the companies for focusing on short-term profits at the expense of long-term investments.

He further lamented their reluctance to invest in necessary infrastructure and their inability to attract financing due to weak balance sheets have hindered progress.

Adelabu, however, hinted that the ministry is focusing on restructuring the DisCos, and has plans to carry out major reforms to address the poor investment strategies of the DisCos.

In January, The ICIR reported that thousands of Abuja residents faced a two-week outage.
The disruption is due to the relocation of the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

FLASHBACK: Ex-NDDC chief accused Akpabio of sexual harassment in 2020

Mustapha USMAN
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FLASHBACK: Ex-NDDC chief accused Akpabio of sexual harassment in 2020

AMID fresh allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a similar accusation was made against the lawmaker five years ago by former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.

Nunieh publicly accused Akpabio, who was then the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, of attempting to sexually assault her at his guest house in Abuja. 

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, she claimed that she fought back against his advances.

“Why did he not tell Nigerians that I slapped him in his guest house at Apo? I am the only Ogoni woman, the only Nigerian woman that has slapped him. I slapped him because of his plan B. Since he couldn’t get me to take that money, he thought that he could come up on me.

“He didn’t know that I’m a Port Harcourt girl. Port Harcourt girls are not moved by money…by somebody telling me that he will make me the substantive MD. Akpabio’s meetings with me were either at Apo or Meridien…Yes, I am accusing him of sexual harassment.”

Nunieh, during her brief tenure at the commission, had earlier claimed that Akpabio repeatedly pressured her to take an “oath of secrecy” to prevent her from exposing corruption at the NDDC during her tenure. 

She stated that had she agreed, she might have been implicated in financial mismanagement at the commission.

Akpabio refuted the allegations, dismissing Nunieh’s claims as false and politically motivated. 

He also stated that she had “temperament issues.”

“No matter the allegation, I wish that she will go to the hospital, see a doctor, take some injections and relax. I’m not saying there is something wrong with her, I’m saying there is something wrong with her temperament.

“You don’t need to ask me, you can ask about four other husbands that she married…”

Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser Media, Anietie Ekong, further described the allegation as malicious and libellous.

He stated that it is “appalling that Ms. Nunieh never deemed it fit to report the alleged incident to the police at the earliest opportunity she had, before, during or after her tenure as the Acting Managing Director on 17th February, 2020, if indeed the allegation was true”.

The accusations sparked controversy at the time, but no formal investigation was conducted. 

Akpabio and Akpoti plenary saga

Nunieh’s allegations resurfaced following recent claims by a female senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who also accused Akpabio of making several sexual advances toward her, both in private and in the presence of her husband.

She said her stance towards the advances was the reason for her incessant conflicts with the Senate President at plenaries within the National Assembly Complex.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on Friday, February 28, the female lawmaker claimed she had all the evidence for her claims.

She challenged the State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), among others to probe her allegations.

She also said three other female senators among the 109 lawmakers in the Senate had been quiet about her plight.

The ICIR contacted the media aide to Akpabio, Eseme Eyibo, immediately after the interview was over for his boss’ reaction to the accusation. He said he did not listen to the interview and would not respond immediately.

However, a media consultant to the Senate President, Kenny Okulogbo, in a chat with Punch described the allegations as tissue of lies.

He said, “All that Senator Natasha said are all tissue of lies. She is just angry because she was removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content. The Senate President will respond. We will make an official statement soon.”

‘This is not a nightclub’, Akpabio tells Akpoti

Recall that in 2024, Akpabio made what was widely regarded as a degrading comment when Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke on a motion during a plenary without the Senate President’s permission, an action that contravened the Senate standing order.

Akpabio, consequently, asked the senator to follow the house rule, adding that the Senate is not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.

“Senator Natasha, you cannot speak without being asked or invited to speak in the Senate. This is not a nightclub,” Akpabio remarked.

Although he subsequently apologised for the comments, the duo have continued to have a face-off in the chamber since then.

Akpoti and Omokri ‘advances’ saga

The Akpabio and Akpoti controversy also resurfaced another incident.

In 2021, Akpoti stated that Reno Omokri a former presidential aide made advances at her at an event in 2014.

Akpoti had brought up the issue in reaction to Omokri’s post praising his wife while talking down on a woman who had asked to be his sugar baby.

“I rejected your si**y advances in 2014 at the Villa’s banquet hall during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reciprocated visit…

I gave you a fake name and false contact number but…

Weren’t you married then?” she wrote.

She added that Omokri should know that the lady was joking.

Omokri said the allegation was not true, while adding that he was not in the country at the said time.

He provided his passport stamped pages to back his claim. These some netizens said was not sufficient evidence as it proved that he left the country after the said event.

Supreme Court freezes Rivers allocations, sacks LG chairpersons

Bankole ABE
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Supreme Court freezes Rivers allocations, sacks LG chairpersons

THE Supreme Court has stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), and other agencies of the Federal Government from releasing funds to Rivers State Government.

The court has also sacked all the local government chairpersons in the state.

The five-man panel of the court, in a judgment delivered by Emmanuel Akomaye, unanimously disregarded the cross-appeal filed by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Fubara is challenging the validity of the state House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule.

In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court directed Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The court deemed Fubara’s presentation of an appropriation bill before a four-man House of Assembly as absurd.

The court said the action denied 28 constituencies effective representation, violated a court order that mandated Fubara to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before a validly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.

Furthermore, the apex court viewed Fubara’s actions regarding the alleged defection of 28 Rivers Assembly members as authoritarian, aimed at hindering the House’s legitimate functions under Amaewhule’s speakership.

The court also faulted the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal for vacating the initial order that stopped the release of funds to Rivers State from the consolidated revenue.

It held that contrary to the verdict of the appellate court, the Federal High Court in Abuja had the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit the Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers filed to challenge the continued withdrawal and expenditure of funds belonging to the state without the approval of the State Assembly.

“This wrong view influenced it to hold that the subject matter was not within the power of the Federal High Court,” the apex court ruled.

The court maintained that the basis for the case was the refusal of Fubara to obey a subsisting court order requiring him to present the Appropriation Bill to the lawful Assembly.

The court dismissed Fubara’s claim that given the defection of the lawmakers, he had to invoke the doctrine of necessity by presenting the Appropriation Bill to only five remaining members of the Assembly.

According to the court, the doctrine of necessity could not be invoked to explain an illegal action.

Earlier in October 2023, a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the CBN from disbursing federal allocations to the Rivers state government.

The court held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted House of Assembly.

The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, gave the verdict while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Amaewhule.

Abdulmalik held that Fubara was wrong to have presented the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill to a five-member assembly “that was not properly constituted.”.

The ICIR reports that the Rivers State Assembly has been engulfed in a prolonged crisis since 2023, heightened by the defection of over 25 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This development led to contention over the House leadership, with the faction led by Amaewhule being challenged by a rival group loyal to Fubara and headed by Victor Oko-Jumbo.     

Consequently, Fubara has been conducting the business of the state in conjunction with the Oko-Jumbo faction while disregarding the Amaewhule group.

In another judgment on Friday, the Supreme Court sacked all the Rivers’ local government chairpersons elected in October 2024.

According to Channels TV, the judgment delivered by Jamilu Tukur declared the election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) invalid.

The court declared that the election grossly violated the Electoral Act.

Tukur declared the action of the state electoral commission void for lack of substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and guidelines as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing an election date.

The court held that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were breached in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act.   

The ICIR reported that the African People’s Party (APP) won 22 out of the 23 chairmanship seats in the poll, with the Action Alliance (AA) claiming one.        

The election was held amidst accusations of violence, intimidation, and a disrupted political atmosphere.

The ICIR reports heightened tensions in the build-up to the poll across the state.

The ICIR also reported how an explosion rocked the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt just hours before the election.   

Fubara and his predecessor – the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – Nyesom Wike, have been at loggerheads over who controls the PDP structure in the state, with President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to resolve the stalemate yielding no result. 

Bauchi gov’t under fire over five-week Ramadan holiday for schools

Mustapha USMAN
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Bauchi gov’t under fire over five-week Ramadan holiday for schools

THE Bauchi State government is facing backlash following its decision to close all schools in the state for five weeks in observance of the 2025 Ramadan fast. 

The extended break, scheduled from March 1 to April 5, has sparked concerns among parents and many Nigerians, who fear it could negatively impact students’ academic progress.

The closure will affect all public and private primary and secondary schools, as well as higher institutions of learning in the state.

The Ministry of Education, in its approved 2024–2025 academic calendar, had incorporated the break as part of the school schedule. 

According to the official academic calendar, the second term of the 2024/2025 session began on January 5, 2025. However, the term was divided into two phases with phase 1, between January 5 – February 28. 

Phase 2 starts after a five-week break from March 1 to April 5, with classes resuming from April 6 to April 29.

The five-week closure means students will have only about three weeks of learning before the term officially ends, raising concerns about the adequacy of instructional time.

Confirming the development on Friday, the ministry’s Information Officer, Jalaludeen Maina, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the closure would affect all public and private primary, junior, and secondary schools, as well as higher institutions in the state.

“Yes, we are closing all our schools and this is included in our 2024-2025 approved calendar for the academic session that our students are not going to do the Ramadan fasting while in school.

“The five-week holiday is for Ramadan fasting, and immediately after the fasting, they will resume and continue with their academics,” he said.

Backlash from parents, stakeholders

However, the decision has reportedly drawn criticism from parents and Nigerians, who argue that such a long break could further harm the already struggling education system in Bauchi, a state with one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

According to NAN, a parent, Sunita Joseph, expressed frustration over the extended holiday, warning that it could lead to a loss of learning among students.

“Why would Ramadan break be too long like this? The children may have even started forgetting what they had learned before the break,” she said.

Another concerned parent, Ismail Raji called on the state government to reconsider the decision, warning that it could contribute to the rising number of out-of-school children in the state.

Similarly, Mohammed Isa criticised the move, urging the government to focus on policies that promote education rather than disrupt it.

A social media user, Fazza, on X stated, “This prolonged closure seems excessive and may disrupt the academic calendar, ultimately affecting the students’ learning and development.”

Another user with the handle prof Imonokha Enakhena wrote “This is pathetic for a region that is educationally disadvantaged deliberately buzzing the button of self-destruction. Unfortunately, most schools have been closed because of palpable insecurity and are just attempting resumption; then you have this irresponsible and ignorant proclamation that is atrocious and obfuscating putting schools on hold for five weeks.”

Meanwhile, several other users lauded the development, noting that it was a reasonable decision due to the adverse weather during the fasting period.

They referenced some foreign countries that, according to them, close schools during extreme winter or summer conditions.

Akpabio made several attempts to sleep with me – Senator Natasha

Bankole ABE  and  Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Akpabio made several attempts to sleep with me – Senator Natasha

THE senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her severally, which she said she turned down.

She said her stance towards the advances was the reason for her incessant conflicts with the Senate President at plenaries within the National Assembly Complex.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on Friday, February 28, the female lawmaker claimed that some of Akpabio’s love proposals were made with her on the phone and face to face in her husband’s presence.

She further alleged that she had all the evidence for her claims.

She challenged the State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), among others to probe her allegations.

She also said three other female senators among the 109 lawmakers in the Senate had been quiet about her plight.

According to her, the first time Akpabio made sexual advances to her was a day before her birthday and that of the Senate President who shares the same birthday with her.

“It all started on the 8th of December, 2023, which was a day before his birthday and my birthday. We are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom because he had a big fanfare in the stadium. We were at his house at Ikot Ekpene. Then, we all moved to his house in Uyo about 8 pm and he held my hand and said he wanted to show me around his house.

“My husband was walking behind us, just three of us. We were walking around from room to room. He showed me the beautiful interior. I noticed that he hastened his pace, while still holding my hand, and my husband was behind, still on his phone, but he was catching up whenever he could.

“And then he got to this particular sitting room and he said, ‘do you like my house?’ I said, of course, sir. Every room, beautiful, nice interior, quality taste. He said, now that you’re a senator, I’m going to create time for us to come spend quality moments here. You will enjoy it. At that point, I just pulled away and I was like, I don’t understand what exactly that meant. But then, my husband, when I turned around, my husband looked at me and looked at him.”

According to the lawmaker, her husband kept asking her what Akpabio told her but she kept it to herself because of the cordial relationship between her husband and the Senate President.

She said that was not the only time Akpabio had sexually harassed her.

She further alleged that the Senate President made advances towards her when she went to his office in February after failed efforts to get approval to move a motion concerning the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Mill.

“I listed that motion five times. It was the sixth time that it was listed on the order paper that was approved. Many senators can testify to that.

“I went to him in his office and I said, Senate President, you know how important this Ajaokuta Steel Company is to me. You know how important it is to my people and Nigerians.

“I was like, sir, please, why can’t I take this motion? It’s very important. He then said, ‘Natasha, I am the chief presiding officer of the Senate.

“You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.’ At that point, I said, sir, I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear this. He said, ‘Well, the ball is in your court.”

The lawmaker said she pleaded with her husband to help her appeal to Akpabio to allow her to raise her motion at the Senate and her husband had to travel to London to meet him on the issue.

She described the situation between her and the Senate President as a situation where a university lecturer kept failing a student because she refused to sleep with him.

Responding to her most recent conflict with Akpabio, which was about sitting arrangements in the Senate, she said she was not notified before she was ordered to move elsewhere in the chamber.

The ICIR reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio had had conflicts in the chamber. During a plenary in July 2024, Akpoti-Uduaghan commented on a motion without Akpabio’s consent.

In his attempt to correct her, he said the Senate was not a nightclub where anybody could talk anyhow.

Akpabio bowed to pressure as he apologised to Akpoti-Uduaghan two days later for comparing her conduct in the Senate to that of a nightclub.

The ICIR reported that the Senate President’s comment caused social media outrage as women groups criticised him for the action and described his attitudes towards female senators as not only insulting but a denigration of the female gender and an attempt to stifle female voices.

The female lawmaker referred to the ‘nightclub’ saga during her interview on Friday. She said it was a common word Akpabio always used whenever he spoke about the need for both of them to travel and have fun together.

The ICIR contacted the media aide to Akpabio, Eseme Eyibo, immediately after the interview was over for a reaction to the claims. He said he did not listen to the interview and would not respond immediately.

He requested the interview link to enable him to respond.

The ICIR reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan had announced on her social media handles Thursday morning that she would appear on Arise Television to speak on her feud with the Senate President.

 

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