Lawyers fault Senate’s suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Legal experts have condemned the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) for six months, describing it as illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of her fundamental rights.
The lawyers argue that the suspension disregarded a valid court order and set a dangerous precedent for legislative overreach.
The suspension, announced on Thursday, came a day after Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja barred the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with an investigation against Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct. The court also ordered the Senate to justify its probe within 72 hours, but the legislative body went ahead with the suspension.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Edun, described the action as a clear violation of the law, noting that legislative suspensions cannot override constitutional rights. He stated: “I do not agree with the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The suspension was an aberration by a Senate that ought to know better. Order 67(4) of the Senate Rules states that a senator can only be suspended for a period not exceeding 14 days. This provision, which is unconstitutional, was breached by the same Senate.”
“The fact that the matter is in court makes it sub judice. The Ethics Committee cannot, on one hand, admit that the subject matter of her petition is sub judice and then, on the other hand, contradict that position by suspending her in relation to the same matter or a similar matter that is before the court.“
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“The contention that the court lacks the power to interfere in legislative affairs due to the principle of separation of powers does not justify the Senate’s decision to disregard an interim court order.
“All the reasons the Senate may have had for disobeying the court order should have been presented in court as a basis to set aside the interim injunction. It is lawless for a legislature to disobey a court order, whether they consider it valid or not.
“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan rightly refused to appear before the Ethics Committee in light of the court’s order. The Senate was wrong to proceed with the hearing despite the court order. This was sheer legislative rascality.”
Another lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, criticized the Senate’s move, calling it a violation of democratic principles. He noted that the suspension was not only illegal but also a blatant attempt to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan amid her petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over allegations of sexual harassment.
“I am deeply saddened by the illegal suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate. This act is not only a blatant violation of her rights but also an affront to the very foundation of democracy and transparency that our nation claims to uphold,” Adeyanju said.
He also raised concerns over the handling of the matter by the Senate Committee on Ethics, stating that the chairman of the committee had previously defended Akpabio, raising a conflict of interest.
Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a key role in the victory of the late Chief MKO Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Omokri argued that Tinubu’s influence and political acumen stretch far beyond recent elections, noting that opposition figures such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi lack the momentum to challenge Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
“The recent seismic political realignments in Nigeria in favour of President Bola Tinubu should not surprise students of history,” Omokri wrote.
“Historical context is required to understand President Bola Tinubu. He did not start winning almost impossible-to-win elections in 2023. He is a veteran of such odds stacked against you elections.”
Omokri emphasized Tinubu’s pivotal role in Abiola’s 1993 campaign:”Many people forget or do not even know that then-Senator Bola Tinubu was Chief MKO Abiola’s right-hand man, helping him strategise and win the famed June 12, 1993 election upset.”
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He continued, “For roles requiring trust, with perhaps the exception of his son, Kola, and his late wife, Kudirat, there was nobody Chief Abiola looked to politically above then-Senator Tinubu. Even his political foe, Alhaji Sule Lamido, recently and grudgingly admitted it during an interview.”
Omokri described Tinubu as a uniquely skilled politician:”Hate him or love him, President Bola Tinubu is the best politician in Nigeria. He understands human nature, anticipates betrayal before it happens, and plans ahead for it.
“He also forgives easily, where there is repentance, and is able to work on the basis of no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interests.”
According to Omokri, Tinubu’s strength lies in his personal approach to politics:”But perhaps his biggest selling point is his relationship building abilities. The man knows how to reach out and touch people at the point of their need instead of waiting to get them by appealing to their greed, like his opponents.”
Looking ahead to the next general election, Omokri expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political future:”As long as God spares his life, I do not see anyone who can stop his reelection in 2027. Certainly not Nasir el-Rufai, who could not deliver his state to the APC when he was in office, how much more now that he is an out of office has been.”
He concluded with sharp criticism of Obi’s political approach:”And neither can Peter Obi, who has been exposed as an Islam-hating ‘Yes Daddy’ opportunistic politician.”
US indicts Oladapo Fadugba over $690,000 scam, false citizenship
Chronicle NG gathered this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.
According to Kehoe, Fadugba was charged with various counts, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false claims throughout his naturalisation process.
According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly stole $690,000 in money from the US Department of Veterans Affairs that was intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider.
It was also stated that Fadugba utilised another person’s identity to arrange transfers to various bank accounts under his control.
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The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.
“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”
In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely claiming that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.
According to Kehoe, if the defendant is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum term of 27 years in federal prison and a forfeiture of $400,000, which represents proceeds from the alleged offences.
“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.
“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.
Kehoe concluded by mentioning that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
The wedding scheduled to have been held on the 12th of April, 2025, in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, was called off after the bride was discovered to be pregnant.
Our correspondent gathered that the bride was discovered pregnant after a series of tests were conducted by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA).
It was gathered that the doctrine of the church stipulates that every couple is mandated to carry out several tests by the church medical team in a bid to ascertain their compatibility and to ascertain if the ”bed has been defiled”.
A source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that Miss Afiniki was discovered pregnant after the tests were carried out.
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However, the groom-to-be distanced himself from the pregnancy, saying he did not have any knowledge of her throughout their courtship.
The discovery prompted Henry to call off the wedding.
In a dramatic twist, it was gathered that the secretary asked the disgruntled groom to marry Miss Godiya, a member of the church who had once rejected his love advances.
The secretary it was gathered, spoke to Godiya, who, in turn, expressed her readiness to marry Henry.
With her acceptance, Henry and Godiya tied the nuptials on the same date, same venue he was to marry his pregnant ex-fiancée.
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