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Senate committee throws out Natasha’s petition

Published

1 month ago

March 26, 2025

Senate committee throws out Natasha’s petition

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a petition submitted on behalf of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing ongoing litigation on the matter.

The petition, written by Mr. Zubairu Yakubu, a constituent of Akpoti-Uduaghan, was brought before the committee for deliberation.

During the hearing, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi (APC – Ebonyi South) and former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, clashed over the handling of sexual harassment allegations tied to the case.

Dr. Ezekwesili, who accompanied Yakubu as a witness, defended the petition, leading to a tense exchange with Senator Nwaebonyi.

A war of words ensued between Nwebonyi and the former minister, who complained about how the allegation was being handled by senators.

However, the Committee ruled that it could not sit on the petition, in view of a pending case filed against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by Dr. Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Senate President.

Citing Senate Rules, Senator Imasuen noted that the practice of the Senate was to desist from entertaining petitions on any matters pending before the court.

During the proceedings, tension rose as Nwebonyi described Dr Ezekwesili an ‘insult to womanhood’ and a ‘hooligan.’

The senator’s remarks followed the refusal of Dr Ezekwesili and other attendees to take an oath during the hearing.

While one of the senators insisted that either they take the oath or the committee would end the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and her colleagues insisted on not taking the oath, during which Nwebonyi became apparently angry.

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He said: “You are an insult to womanhood, hooligan. People like you are not supposed to be here, hooligan. You are an insult to womanhood.” Ezekwesili, who later spoke with reporters, accused the Senate of violating the Constitution, adding that the Senate Rule cited by the committee was not superior to the Constitution.

She said: “The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy.”

She argued that the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker was denied fair hearing, insisting that it is in clear breach of provisions of the Constitution.

Dr Ezekwesili added: “The Senate placed its own rules above the laws of the land. Now, with this petitioner, they have done the same thing—using procedural loopholes to avoid addressing critical issues

“If a petitioner says they do not believe the Senate committee will give them a fair hearing due to clear bias, it is only just that an independent body reviews the matter.

“The Senate must respect the Constitution. Otherwise, we risk turning our democracy into a system where powerful individuals manipulate processes to silence opposition and suppress justice,” she said.

On the alleged bias by the Senate, the petitioner cited previous remarks attributed to the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Imasuen, where he described Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition as dead on arrival during a previous Committee sitting.

“How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?,” he queried.

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Yakubu expressed disappointment over the objection by the Committee to his request that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been suspended for six months by the Senate be allowed to testify before the panel as principal witness.

He said the suspended senator was in custody of a crucial documentary evidence to support her claims, lamenting that she had been barred from entering the National Assembly as part of her suspension.

Yakubu added: “In my petition, I clearly stated that my witness would present her evidence personally. But she was not allowed into the premises. If my key witness is denied access, how can I proceed with my case?”

Counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Abiola Akinyode also faulted the alleged inconsistencies in the Senate’s handling of the petitions.

She said: “There is nothing in Yakubu’s petition that was not in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s original petition. If the Senate dismissed her petition as ‘dead on arrival,’ then logically, Yakubu’s should also be dismissed.”

“The Senate seems to be operating under its own rules, separate from the Constitution. That is why they can suspend a senator for six months without following due process,” Akinyode said.

She also faulted the defence by the Committee that it could not hear a petition on a subsisting case before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Akinyode said: “If they knew the case was in court, they should have simply written to the petitioner stating they could not entertain it. Instead, they invited him, only to dismiss the petition on the basis that it was already in court.”

Senate committee throws out Natasha’s petition

(Nation)

Related Topics:Featured Natasha petition Senate committee

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23 suspected oil thieves arrested in N’Delta, stolen products recovered

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Trends Admin

23 suspected oil thieves arrested in N’Delta, stolen products recovered

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) in partnership with other security agencies have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and confiscated 180,000 stolen products across the Niger Delta region.

Confirming the development in Port Harcourt on Monday, the acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refineries in the region.

Danjuma said in Rivers State, around Orachi/Okolomade general area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area (LGA), the troops confiscated over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed at different locations in the forest.

He said the operatives destroyed an active illegal refining site around Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) and recovered over 28,000 litres of stolen crude in two reservoirs.

Danjuma confirmed that one suspect was arrested in the area while others fled on sighting troops, saying an 800-meter-long hose and a pumping machine were recovered.

He said the troops conducted an operation around Peterside Community in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site was uncovered, with three pots and receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

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He said: “Similarly, in a snap operation conducted along Obrikom—Omoku, two wooden boats conveying over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were intercepted.

“Meanwhile, seven suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the heinous crime. The ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River are progressing with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers taken out.”

metro

Sultan declares Tuesday first day of Dhu al-Qadah

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Trends Admin

NSCIA President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III

Sultan declares Tuesday first day of Dhu al-Qadah

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Tuesday, April 29, 2025, as the first day of Dhu al-Qadah 1446 AH.

The announcement was made on Monday through a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

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The statement read, “The declaration followed the absence of any positive report from the National Moon Sighting Committee and the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs regarding the sighting of the new crescent on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

“Consequently, Monday, April 28, 2025, will be observed as the 30th day of Shawwal 1446 AH, while Tuesday, April 29, 2025, will officially mark the beginning of Dhu al-Qadah 1446 AH.”

The statement further said the Sultan extended his best wishes to the Muslim Ummah and urged them to continue to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in the country.

Sultan declares Tuesday first day of Dhu al-Qadah

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Sanwo-Olu to Obi: Poverty worsened under your watch in Anambra

Published

4 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Peter Obi

Sanwo-Olu to Obi: Poverty worsened under your watch in Anambra

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticized former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for remarks he made about Nigeria during a recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

In a statement released on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu accused Obi of making “disparaging comments” that could tarnish the country’s image internationally. He emphasized that prominent Nigerians speaking abroad have a responsibility to project a positive image of the nation rather than “de-marketing” it.

Sanwo-Olu called for unity among leaders and urged public figures to be mindful of how their statements could impact Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.

The governor said, “He made the unflattering remarks not just about the incumbent Nigerian government, but also about Nigeria.

“I also find Mr Obi’s pattern of behaviour disturbing. When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively. They do not have to do that for the government. But we all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than de-market her. That is what true patriotism is about.”

Responding specifically to Obi’s criticism of the current administration’s economic policies and claims that they were worsening poverty, Sanwo-Olu defended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, noting that Tinubu had a track record of reducing poverty when he governed Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

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“Now, I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand-alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.

“I say this because the President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is my predecessor, and as Governor of Lagos and now President of Nigeria, has built over 200 schools and provided student loans to more than 200,000 undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu also challenged Obi’s record, claiming that poverty worsened in Anambra during Obi’s time in office.

He stated, “Mr. Obi talks a good game. But was he able to reduce poverty while he governed Anambra? Perhaps we can let the facts speak for themselves.

“Under Peter Obi as a two-term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce. Before Peter Obi became Anambra Governor on Thursday, June 14, 2007, the poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4%.

“But after only two years in office, the poverty rate in Anambra jumped to 53.7%.

“But the interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to 14.8%.”

The governor questioned Obi’s moral standing to criticise the government’s efforts.

“Mr. Obi contributed to the increase in poverty in Nigeria. Governor Tinubu, as he then was, was responsible for lifting millions out of poverty.

“Being that that is the case, who should criticise who?” he concluded.