Just in: Senate Committee wants Senator Natasha suspended for six months, apologise to Akpabio

The Senate Committee on Ethics has recommended that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be suspended for six months over controversy around her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The committee on Thursday also advised that the Kogi Central senator should apologise to the Senate for disrespecting the institution.

It recommended the withdrawal of her salary and security details during the suspension period.

Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had through her constituents led by Zubairu Yakubu submitted another sexual harassment petition against Akpabio during plenary.

Akpabio directed her to formally lay the petition before the Senate at 12:38pm.

The petition was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), with a mandate to report back within four weeks.

This move follows a similar petition Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the previous day, which sparked controversy.

Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) had raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40, arguing that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife.

He also contended that the petition should not be considered since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it.

Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has begun an investigation into an explosion at Quantum Steel, located along the Sagamu-Ikorodu Road in Ogijo, which left seven workers, including three expatriates, severely injured.

The explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, was reported at the Ogijo Police Division by a staff member of the company, Joseph Adewale.

Those injured include four Nigerians—Daniel Bala, 28; Mutiu Olajide, 39; Godwin Solomon, 27; and Maduabuchi Onwe, 27—as well as three expatriates, Ajun Kumar, 37; Chandan Kumar, 50; and Rakash Kumar, 30.
Omolola Odutola, the state police public relations officer, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, saying the explosion was caused by machinery failure.

The statement read, “According to the report, on March 2, 2025, at about 6:30 pm, a blast from one of the factory’s machines resulted in severe injuries to seven individuals, including both Nigerian and expatriate workers.

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“All the injured victims were rushed to Rolayo Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding well.”

Odutola stated that investigators went to the location, made an initial examination, and documented evidence, including photographs. She also stated that a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the explosion and ensure compliance with industrial safety standards.

The police department also asked businesses and sectors to emphasize worker safety to avoid similar incidents.

Steel factory explosion injures seven in Ogun

Soldiers invade Ikeja Electric offices in Lagos, attack workers 

Some military personnel on Thursday morning stormed the head office of an electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric and other offices in Lagos and assaulted its workers.

Newstrends learnt the personnel in uniform forced their way into the Ikeja Electric office on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo, Lagos and Alausa, Ikeja.

Videos were shared online showing the military personnel wielding arms, destroying offices, locking up some workers, which crippled operations in the company.

Some seven staff members were seen kneeling while the military personnel assaulted others.

A similar occurrence reportedly took place at the Ikeja Electric head office in Ikeja.

The assault on Thursday instilled fear among the company workers including senior staff members, with many hiding for safety.

Some said they had decided to stay away as those who resumed early for work on Thursday could not be reached on the phones.

There are fears that many of them were attacked, wounded and hospitalised.

There were reports earlier that Ikeja Electric disconnected the power supply to the Nigerian Air Force logistics base in Ikeja.

There has been growing tension between Ikeja Electric and the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, over the disconnection of power supply, which many fear may escalate.

The Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, has been without power for two weeks following its disconnection by Ikeja Electric over an unpaid debt running into millions of naira.

An agreement was reportedly struck for the Nigerian Air Force to pay a monthly sum of N60 million to ensure a daily electricity supply of 10 to 12 hours to the base.