Natasha Suspension: Senate Set for Showdown Over Oshiomhole’s Signature Claim

• Emergency plenary convened as lawmakers weigh probe into allegations questioning Senate integrity

The Nigerian Senate is bracing for a potentially explosive emergency session on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as lawmakers prepare to address allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the controversial suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Multiple sources within the National Assembly have confirmed that the issue is expected to dominate proceedings when senators reconvene for the emergency plenary summoned by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. While the session was officially called to address rising insecurity across the country, political attention has increasingly shifted to the implications of the growing tension between Akpabio and one of the most influential members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crisis erupted after Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, alleged during a television interview that the signatures of at least three senators were either improperly attached to or appeared on the committee report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. The former Edo State governor claimed that some lawmakers whose names appeared on the document had privately informed him that they neither signed nor endorsed the recommendations contained in the report, and he specifically referenced Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, as one of the lawmakers who allegedly raised concerns about the document. Oshiomhole further suggested that attendance registers may have been attached to the final report in place of actual endorsements.

The allegations immediately triggered an uproar within the Senate, with leadership dismissing the claims as “spurious, bewildering, and unthinkable.” Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, insisted that no senator had officially reported any signature forgery regarding the Natasha matter and stated that the Senate would review any statements made by Oshiomhole and take a cursory look at either extraneous, spontaneous or intentional comments from any senator appropriately. The Senate spokesperson maintained that the business of the Senate is conducted transparently “in the full glare of the media and willing Nigerians,” and that decisions are taken after exhaustive debates, including disciplinary issues, adding that no senator had at any time, either in Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension or any other matter, forged the signature or misrepresented any senator.

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Amid growing backlash, Oshiomhole issued a public clarification, insisting he never accused anyone of forgery and stating in a personally signed statement that his comments had been misrepresented and taken out of context. He explained that his comments were based on a claim allegedly made by one committee member that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the final report, and emphasised that no senator complained to him personally about forged signatures. Oshiomhole agreed absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate that no signature of senators was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension, because no senator complained to him that his or her signature was forged.

The controversy widened following Senator Ireti Kingibe’s comments, which appeared to support aspects of Oshiomhole’s claim, as she disclosed during a television interview that she never saw the committee report that formed the basis for Natasha’s suspension. According to her, she was attending a retreat on tax reform when the report was being considered and therefore had no opportunity to review the document before the matter was concluded, and she had earlier stated that she was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee. Kingibe explained that she attended a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register, and later left to participate in the tax reform retreat, which she believed was more important to the people she represents, and she further disclosed that she complained to colleagues about not having access to the report, specifically mentioning Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and stated that she complained to him very bitterly that she had not seen that report and had not seen it till now.

A source familiar with developments told PUNCH that the emergency session called by the Senate President may provide an opportunity for the chamber to address the controversy and determine its next course of action, explaining that Akpabio called off the recess and summoned an emergency session under the guise of attending to the issue of rising insecurity across the country. Although the Senate leadership has not officially confirmed that Oshiomhole’s comments will be discussed during the plenary, Adaramodu indicated that the chamber would not ignore allegations that question the integrity of its proceedings, describing such an allegation as spurious, bewildering and unthinkable, and stating that the public should disregard and treat this as an ignoble outburst while the Senate would look into it and take a stand.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 after the Senate adopted the committee’s recommendation, finding her guilty of alleged gross misconduct and unruly behaviour, following a highly publicised clash with Senate President Akpabio in which Natasha accused him of victimisation while the Senate insisted its decision was strictly based on violations of Senate rules. The sanctions imposed included the withdrawal of her salaries and allowances, closure of her National Assembly office, and restriction from accessing the legislative complex for six months, and the matter recently returned to public attention after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the suspension episode as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.

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Observers believe the dispute extends far beyond parliamentary procedure, representing an early manifestation of what could become a fierce struggle for influence ahead of the inauguration of the 11th Senate after the 2027 general election, as Oshiomhole has emerged as one of the strongest opponents of amendments to the Senate Standing Orders that sought to restrict eligibility for principal offices to lawmakers who had served at least two consecutive terms. In unusually direct remarks, Oshiomhole argued that Akpabio himself would not have qualified for the office he currently occupies under such requirements, and the emerging lineup for the next Senate includes former governors such as Ifeanyi Okowa and Hope Uzodinma, alongside several experienced lawmakers, suggesting the 11th Senate may be one of the most politically competitive assemblies since 1999.

Whether the Senate will launch a formal probe into the allegations or take disciplinary action against Oshiomhole remains to be seen, however, Senate leadership has made it clear that comments capable of undermining public confidence in Senate proceedings will not be ignored. Oshiomhole has expressed regret if his comments caused embarrassment to any senator or the 10th Senate as an institution, stating finally that he regrets if his comments may have caused embarrassment to any senator or the 10th Senate as an institution.

Natasha Suspension: Senate Set for Showdown Over Oshiomhole’s Signature Claim

Police Name CSP Iniedu Okokon New Force Spokesperson

LAGOS — The Nigeria Police Force has appointed Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Iniedu Okokon as its new Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), in a fresh reorganization that has seen another change in the Force’s communication leadership barely three months after the last appointment.

Okokon replaces Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Placid, who was appointed police spokesperson shortly after the assumption of office of the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, IGP Olatunji Disu.

The development has generated interest within security and policing circles due to the brief tenure of Placid as Force spokesperson. As of the time of filing this report, the police authorities had not issued an official statement explaining the reasons behind the latest change.

When contacted, Placid confirmed the development, acknowledging that he had been relieved of his duties as Force Public Relations Officer. However, he declined to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the decision.

Sources at the Force Headquarters disclosed that Placid has been redeployed to the Lagos State Police Command, where he is expected to assume responsibility as head of the Finance and Administration Department.

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The redeployment is believed to be part of ongoing restructuring efforts within the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu.

The office of the Force spokesperson had witnessed changes following the death of former Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Khan Salihu, who reportedly died after a brief illness. His passing created a vacuum in the police communication architecture, prompting a series of appointments and subsequent adjustments.

As the new Force spokesperson, Okokon is expected to immediately assume responsibility for the management of the Force’s public communication, media relations, and engagement with citizens across the country.

Prior to his appointment, Okokon served as head of the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU), where he was credited with strengthening public complaint resolution mechanisms and enhancing accountability within the Force.

Meanwhile, the recently established Force New Media Unit will continue to operate under the leadership of CSP Aliyu Giwa, who is expected to maintain oversight of the police’s digital communication platforms and online engagement strategy.

Observers say the latest reshuffle underscores the determination of the police leadership to reposition strategic departments as the new administration consolidates its operational and administrative agenda.

Further clarification from the Force Headquarters is expected in the coming days regarding the rationale behind the changes.

Police Name CSP Iniedu Okokon New Force Spokesperson

JUST IN: Iran Reimposes Strait of Hormuz Blockade, Suspends Nuclear Talks With US

Tehran announced a renewed closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz on June 19, accusing Washington of violating a newly signed ceasefire agreement as Israeli forces continue military operations in southern Lebanon, casting doubt over a fragile diplomatic breakthrough. In a statement broadcast through maritime radio channels, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared that the waterway would remain shut until three key conditions are met: Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanon, the full lifting of the US naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American forces from the Persian Gulf and the region. The IRGC warned all commercial and private vessels to avoid the strait, stating that “any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted.” The dramatic escalation came just hours after the planned first round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Switzerland was cancelled, with hardline elements within Iran reportedly opposing participation until Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon. A regional source claimed that hardliners insisted on Israel’s complete withdrawal before any diplomatic engagement could proceed.

The reimposed blockade appears to stem from ambiguities in the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed electronically on June 17 by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The agreement committed both sides to an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” while also requiring the US to “begin the removal of its naval blockade” immediately, with a full end within 30 days. This phased approach has allowed Iran to argue that the blockade has not yet been “completely” lifted. Simcha Brodsky, president of the open-source intelligence organization OSINT613, told the New York Post: “What we’re seeing is a direct result of the wording in the US-Iran MoU. The deal lifts the US blockade in phases, fully within 30 days, so the US is still in the middle of that process by design.” Brodsky added: “Iran has now linked the Israel-Lebanon conflict to that justification, effectively halting the agreement and drawing Israel into a deal it neither approved nor negotiated.” On June 18, the US Central Command had formally announced it had lifted the two-month blockade of Iranian ports. However, it remains unclear why the IRGC believes the lifting is not yet “complete.”

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Despite the ceasefire provisions in the US-Iran memorandum calling for an end to all hostilities in Lebanon, Israeli forces have continued military operations against Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities reported that nearly 50 people were killed and close to 100 wounded in a wave of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley on Friday. The southern towns of Harouf and Haboush suffered the highest death tolls, with nine and seven fatalities respectively, while at least two children were reported killed. Earlier reports from the Health Ministry’s Emergency Operations Center confirmed at least 24 deaths and 33 wounded from intensive strikes across 11 towns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israeli forces “will remain in southern Lebanon for as long as security requires,” directly contradicting the memorandum’s call for an immediate end to hostilities. The Israel Defense Forces have also published a new map showing an expanded zone of occupation, with troops deployed more than 6 miles across the Lebanese border, including areas north of the Litani River. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the latest strikes, saying they undermined efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and represented a “dangerous escalation.” Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, provided that Israel fully complies with its terms.

US President Donald Trump responded to the developments by claiming the conflict had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “The War has diminished Iran! It doesn’t, any longer, have an Air Force, a Navy, Antiaircraft Equipment, Radar, or practically anything else.” Trump dismissed criticism from Democrats over his administration’s handling of the conflict, stating: “We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!” He also described Iran’s signing of the memorandum as “unconditional surrender” in an interview with Axios.

Despite Iran’s announcement of a blockade, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz showed signs of recovery following the signing of the US-Iran agreement. Data from analytics firm AXS Marine showed 25 commercial vessel crossings on June 18—the highest single-day count since mid-April and more than five times the average recorded during the first ten days of June. Four supertankers alone carried at least 8 million barrels of crude oil through the strait, with shipments headed primarily to Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, India, and China. The French-flagged LNG tanker Mraikh transported 169,000 cubic meters of LNG from Qatar to Pakistan. However, traffic remains well below the pre-conflict level of about 120 daily crossings, and the US navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised vessels to avoid the Traffic Separation Scheme because of mine risks as clearance operations continue. Ship broker Braemar noted in a statement: “Risks range from the danger of mines… to that of getting stuck in the Mideast Gulf should tempers flare and Iran block Hormuz once again.”

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