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I’ve no regret insulting Ezekwesili at senate hearing – Nwaebonyi

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By Francesca Hangeior

The senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has defended his clash with former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

The clash occurred during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Ezekwesili was present at the hearing alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the chief petitioner from Kogi Central, Zubairu Yakubu.

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Trouble started when the petitioner urged the Chairman of the Committee, Neda Imasuen, to step down in the case following the ‘controversial’ manner in which he had so far handled the alleged sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio.

He further alleged that some committee members had pre-existing ties to Akpabio, which he said compromised their ability to be neutral.

His remarks angered some lawmakers, who accused him of attempting to undermine the committee’s credibility.

Ezekwesili also came under fire for what they saw as her insistence on forcing herself into the proceedings.

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However, Ezekwesili insisted on being heard out.

She said, “I asked to be put on oath as a witness. I am a citizen of Nigeria.”

This led to a heated argument with Nwaebonyi, who lashed out at her, saying, “You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here.”

Ezekwesili called him a “hooligan,” further escalating the altercation.

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The verbal battle momentarily disrupted the hearing before order was restored.

During the proceedings, tensions flared when Nwaebonyi was heard hurling derogatory remarks at Ezekwesili, referring to her as an “insult to womanhood” and a “hooligan.”

However, in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday evening, Nwaebonyi claimed that Ezekwesili had instigated the confrontation by calling him a hooligan and telling him to “shut up” despite his position as a senator.

“It started when she was asked to take an oath because she said she was a witness. She refused, saying she couldn’t be placed under oath. As I was addressing the presiding officer, she turned to me and said, ‘Will you shut up your mouth? You are a hooligan,’” Nwaebonyi said.

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He insisted that his response was justified, adding that he had no regrets about the incident.

He said, “For a mother like you, a grandmother of your age, a former minister of the Federal Republic to tell a sitting senator to shut up and call him a hooligan, that’s unacceptable.”

Asked whether he regretted the altercation, Nwaebonyi was resolute: “How can I regret the scenario? I gave it to her. Is it fair for her to address me that way? As a former minister and a grandmother, ask her first.”

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Delta Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Arms, Ammunition

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The Delta State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in their fight against crime, arresting suspected kidnappers and armed robbers while recovering a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, a Beretta pistol, and a significant quantity of ammunition.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Edafe Bright, in a statement on Tuesday, said on March 26, 2025, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, tracked down a suspected kidnapper, Chedeye Mohammed, in Rivers State.

Acting on intelligence, officers pursued the fugitive and arrested him at around 6:20 PM. During interrogation, Mohammed led the team to a bush near a trailer park in Rivers State, where they recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with thirteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect and his gang were responsible for multiple kidnappings in Ughelli, Agbarho, and other parts of Delta State, using Rivers State as a hideout. Efforts to apprehend other gang members are ongoing.

In another major operation, officers acting on credible intelligence launched a sting operation in Anyangba Town, Kogi State, where they arrested three suspects: Zakari Mohammed (31) from Olugbujo Community, Ibrahim Mumuni (29) from Anyangba Town, and Mohammed Hamisu (25) from Anyangba Town, all in Dekina Local Government Area (LGA).

A search of their residences led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and an automatic pump-action gun. Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Samaila Mohammed (35) from Udo Community, Dekina LGA, who was found in possession of a Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and cartridges. All suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

In another development, on March 25, 2025, at approximately 6:20 PM, security operatives arrested Emu Lucky (35) in Olomoro Community, Isoko South LGA. A search of his residence uncovered eighty-two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations indicated that Lucky was supplying ammunition to kidnappers in collaboration with Mohammed Bellow, a suspected criminal already in police custody.

Bellow allegedly acted as a middleman, facilitating the sale of weapons between Lucky and various criminal groups. Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

According to Edafe Bright, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, assured residents that law enforcement would sustain its momentum in combating crime.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the mandate set by the Inspector General of Police, ensuring that all residents of Delta State can sleep peacefully without fear of criminal activity.

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CP Olufemi also called on the public to support the police by providing valuable information and maintaining close cooperation with security agencies.

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Kogi Central constituents jubilate as Senator Natasha arrives home+Photos

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Infoemtion from Kogi Central zone indicate that the country home of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at Ihima is agog.

A report by a witness circulated on social media stated: “I live at a close distance to Natasha house. She has a very large compound that can take hundreds of people.

In my opinion, all the activities going on are within her expanded mansion. I really do not see any reason for (any) attack so long all her fans do not go to the extreme.

“At the same time, the situation is not as ugly as being painted outside. They may have advised her to remain within her jurisdiction to prevent outsiders from using her home coming to create violence in central.

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“In all honesty, I still see some level of good character from the government of the day.

“Unless something happens later today, I can say everything is smooth and fine.

“I see security personnel going everywhere peacefully without harassing anybody. I am reporting from a close distance.

“Though, I could see a helicopter hovering around her house possibly she is now flying back to her base. Peace will reign by the grace of God in Kogi state.”

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Report that filtered in about 3 pm that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan beat off security adversaries in Kogi State.

She flew a helicopter into her country home in Kogi Central and hosted a rally in her expansive premises.

She reportedly rubbished the state government’s ban on rallies and congregations targeted at her.

While she was interacting with her constituents, after arriving home by air, thugs were reportedly waiting for her arrival through all road accesses into Kogi State.

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Edo Gubernatorial Election Tribunal Announces Ruling Date(Tomorrow)

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled its judgment for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, according to.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2024 election. Okpebholo triumphed over Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

The tribunal had reserved judgment in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who are challenging Okpebholo’s victory. They are alleging electoral irregularities such as over-voting, ballot non-serialization, improper collation, and computation errors.

Throughout the hearings, the petitioners called 19 witnesses and subpoenaed a Senior Technical Officer from INEC’s ICT department, who presented 154 BVAS machines to support the over-voting claims.

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INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC are the first to third respondents in the case marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024. INEC did not call any witnesses to counter the petitioners’ claims. Okpebholo called one witness, while the APC called four before closing their defense.

The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, announced that the judgment date would be communicated to all parties by the Secretary of the tribunal.

During the hearings, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), formally adopted their final written address. INEC’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the case lacked merit and urged the tribunal to dismiss it, pointing out that the petitioners’ polling unit agents had signed the result sheets and could not distinguish between what they heard and observed.

Agabi further criticized the petitioners for failing to present alternative results or credible evidence to support their claims, describing the allegations of non-compliance as weak. On behalf of Okpebholo, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) emphasized that the APC candidate won through valid votes, countering the petitioners’ claims about non-serialization of materials and over-voting.

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APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, also adopted the final address, stating that the petitioners failed to provide enough witnesses to support their case and criticized their limited focus on just five polling units out of over 4,000 in the state.

In response, petitioners’ counsel, Ken Morzi (SAN), clarified that their complaints were confined to 765 polling units and argued that the case should be assessed comprehensively, not just by the percentage of contested polling units. He stressed that their primary issue was with the transformation of 25 votes into 525 at the collation centers.

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