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Natasha vows ‘factual evidence’ against FG criminal suit

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2 months ago

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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Natasha vows ‘factual evidence’ against FG criminal suit

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has promised to counter the Federal Government’s criminal suit against her with what she described as “factual and statutory defences.”

This comes after her legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, confirmed on Friday that it had formally received the summons filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

The suit, marked CR/297/25, was instituted by the Federal Government on May 16, 2025, over comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on April 3. The charges are predicated on Section 391 of the Penal Code, which deals with defamation and imputations intended to harm reputation.

The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.” Key witnesses listed by the prosecution include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, alongside Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Sandra Duru, Maya Iliya, and Abdulhafiz Garba—both identified as investigating police officers.

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In a statement issued Friday night, Dr. West-Idahosa disclosed that the legal team had taken delivery of the court filings on behalf of the senator.

“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement said.

“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry.

“The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan has been embroiled in a series of controversies since her suspension from the Senate on March 6, following a confrontation with Senate President Akpabio over seating arrangements. She described her suspension as “illegal,” “unjust,” and “a deliberate attempt to silence” her.

She also rejected the Senate’s claim that her suspension was unrelated to the sexual harassment allegations she had earlier made. In subsequent weeks, the senator filed several petitions and intensified allegations against Akpabio, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign to remove her from office.

Among her most serious claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that former Governor Yahaya Bello was acting on Akpabio’s instructions to plan her assassination outside Abuja in a manner designed to resemble a mob or local attack.

Natasha vows ‘factual evidence’ against FG criminal suit

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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July 9, 2025

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

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“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

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Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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