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Senate orders fresh review of Electoral Act amendments, sets up 48-hour ad hoc panel
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The Senate on Thursday constituted an ad-hoc panel to work with its Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters to re-examine contentious provisions in the report on amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.
The Judiciary and Legal Matters Committee is chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire while the original report under review was prepared by the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters led by Senator Simon Lalong.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision after lawmakers emerged from a three-hour closed-door session where they undertook an extensive review of the Lalong committee’s report.
The report had initially been scheduled for debate on Wednesday, but deliberation was stepped down due to the absence of the committee chairman, Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State.
At the close of plenary on Wednesday, Akpabio informed senators that copies of the report would be circulated to enable them study it ahead of deliberations the following day.
However, proceedings took a different turn at the start of plenary on Thursday when the Senate President called for an executive session to allow members discuss the document privately.
Briefing senators after the closed session, Akpabio said the report would undergo further scrutiny to harmonise differing views and address grey areas identified during the deliberations.
He disclosed that the newly constituted adhoc panel would sit for 48 hours and present its recommendations on the third legislative day for consideration at plenary.
Members of the panel, drawn from ranking senators, include Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam. The Clerk to the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, would serve as secretary to the panel.
Following the announcement, the Senate adjourned plenary till Tuesday next week to await the panel’s report.
Meanwhile, a copy of the report obtained by The Nation shows that top on the amendments to be considered by the Adhoc committee is the provision for the electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission Results Viewing Portal (IREV) after collation.
One of the major proposals in the report is a provision mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) immediately after vote counting.
Also a new clause 3 has been introduced on page 45 of the Electoral Act 2022 (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at curbing result manipulation and ballot box snatching.
The proposed provision states: “INEC shall electronically transmit election results from each polling unit to the IREV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done simultaneously with the physical collation of results.”
The committee further introduced a new subsection (2) to clause 71, making it an offence for presiding officers to fail to sign and stamp ballot papers and the results announced by them.
In addition, clauses 47(2) and (3) were amended to replace the term “smart card reader” with “Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS),” in line with current electoral practice.
To address abuse of the voting process involving persons with disabilities, the report amended Clause 54(1) to bar political party agents, candidates or officials from accompanying visually impaired or incapacitated voters into the voting compartment.
The committee also recommended stiffer penalties for vote trading or the buying and selling of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), proposing an increase in the fine prescribed in clause 22 from N500,000 to N5 million.
On page 9 of the report, clause 10 of the Bill was amended for inclusion of new paragraph “(c) National Identification Number (NIN)” to check registration of illegal immigrants in the continuous voter registration exercise.
On submission of list candidates and their affidavits by political parties, Clause 29 on page 27 of the report was amended with the inclusion of sub clause
(7) and (9) as follows:
“(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause (6), where the election has been held, the court shall direct the Commission to declare the candidate with the second highest number of valid votes who satisfies the constitutional requirement, as the winner of the election.
“(9) A candidate who does not meet the qualification stipulated in this clause, and presents himself to a political party, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N5,000,000.
Clause 31 on withdrawal of candidate contained in page 29, was amended by the redraft of the entire provision to ensure that withdrawal of candidates is done with sworn affidavit in order to check arbitrariness.
On format of ballot papers contained in page 35, clause 42 (3) was amended by increasing the number of days within which a party is expected to inspect its identity appearing on samples of relevant electoral materials proposed for an election from 20 days to 60 days.
On the provision for Polling Agents in page 36, clause 43 now 42 was amended to give candidates power to nominate polling agents: “Each candidate in consultation with his political party may, by notice in writing addressed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state, appoint a polling agent for each polling unit and collation centre in the Local Government Area or Area Council for which it has candidate and the notice.”
On post-election procedure and collation of election results new subclauses (3) – (9) were introduced to ensure the credibility of collation of results.
Also decision of returning officer on ballot paper/declaration and return of candidate, the marginal note of clause 65 was amended and subclause (2) was substituted with new provisions.
For political parties to be bodies corporate, a new subclauses (2) – (7) were introduced to section 77 to ensure that proper records of memberships of political parties are kept.
Also on notice of convention and congress contained on
page 65, Clause 82(2) was amended to make notices very specific.
“The notice shall specify the date, time, venue and names of the members of the congress, convention or conference committee as spelt out in the party’s constitution,” the committee said.
On indirect primaries, new subclauses (2) – (9) were introduced to Clause 87 in order to ensure that all the political actors participate in the nominations of candidates, in line with global standards.
The committee recommended that political appointees will not be eligible as a voting delegate or aspirant in Clause 89 (3) and (4).
Sub Clause (3) was repealed to say “where court finds that a political party failed to comply with the provisions of this Bill in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue.
Subsection (4) was also repealed to say, “A person that financially or materially induces a delegate for the purpose of influencing the conventions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment to a term of two years without an option of fine.”
On limit of election expenses
Clause 93 was amended by increasing expenses to be incurred while vying for different electoral positions and by placing a limit on such expenses.
Also Clause 94 was amended to control election expenses of political parties.
In addition, on offences in respect of nomination contained in Clause 120 (2) on page 115, the punishment for the offences of nomination has been increased from N50,000,000 to N75,000,000 to deter perpetrators.
… As Former CFO Dismisses Missing Funds Claim, Defends Company’s Accounts
A dramatic session unfolded at the Senate on Wednesday as the Senate Committee on Public Accounts ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his failure to appear before lawmakers investigating alleged unaccounted funds amounting to ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
The committee’s directive followed Kyari’s absence from an investigative hearing examining 19 audit queries raised against the national oil company by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Lawmakers insisted that the former NNPCL chief had repeatedly failed to honour invitations despite several opportunities granted to him.
The hearing took another twist when former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Umar Ajiya Isa, strongly rejected claims that ₦210 trillion was missing from the company’s accounts. He argued that the figure being cited as unaccounted for exceeded the total revenue generated by the corporation during the period under review.
During deliberations, some committee members urged restraint. Senator Saliu Mustapha and Senator Tony Nwoye informed the committee that Kyari was reportedly receiving medical treatment in Germany and should be granted another opportunity to appear before lawmakers.
Their plea, however, met stiff resistance from other members of the panel who insisted that verbal explanations were insufficient. Senator Abdul Ningi argued that any claim of illness should be backed by documentary evidence rather than mere verbal assurances.
The strongest push for enforcement came from Senator Victor Umeh, who formally moved a motion calling for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the former NNPCL chief. The motion received immediate support from the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi.
Nwaebonyi told the committee that granting Kyari another opportunity to appear voluntarily would amount to chasing shadows. He noted that the committee had already convened nine separate meetings on the matter, with three of them presided over by him, without securing the former NNPCL chief’s appearance.
“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 audit queries raised against NNPCL. The time to issue a warrant of arrest is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate,” he declared.
Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo announced the panel’s decision, directing security agencies to ensure Kyari’s appearance before the committee.
“Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” Dankwambo ruled.
While the committee intensified pressure on the former NNPCL boss, Isa mounted a vigorous defence of the company’s financial records. He described the allegation of ₦210 trillion in missing funds as impossible, insisting that the figures did not align with NNPCL’s audited financial statements.
According to him, the company generated approximately ₦54.5 trillion in revenue during the period under review, even before accounting for production costs. He argued that it would be mathematically impossible for ₦210 trillion to be missing when the total earnings were significantly lower than the amount being alleged.
“To be clear, if money had gone missing during our tenure, we would not have had the confidence to publish audited accounts. For over four decades, NNPC accounts were either not prepared, not published, or not submitted to the Auditor-General. The fact that audited accounts were released demonstrates transparency,” he said.
Isa also dismissed allegations that ₦5.8 billion was spent on the registration of NNPC Limited, describing the claim as false and harmful. He challenged the committee to verify the matter independently with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Nigeria Revenue Service.
Warning against the consequences of inaccurate financial allegations, the former CFO said unsubstantiated claims could damage Nigeria’s international reputation and affect investor confidence. He recalled how a previous petition allegedly disrupted efforts to secure about $2.5 billion in Chinese financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project, despite sovereign guarantees backing the deal.
He further urged anti-corruption and intelligence agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, to investigate the allegations thoroughly and establish the facts. “When people claim ₦210 trillion is missing, they should be asked where exactly it went,” he stated.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the committee directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to return in two weeks as lawmakers continue their probe into the audit queries and the financial operations of the NNPCL during the period under review.
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday ordered the unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and other detained leaders of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement application, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa granted the order while ruling on a motion filed on May 4, 2026.
The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024: Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo & Ors v. Federal Government of Nigeria & Ors, also has July 13, 2026, fixed for continuation of hearing on the substantive matter.
The court had earlier ordered that the detained persons be produced before it, a directive which was reportedly not complied with by the military authorities.
Counsel to the applicants, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, appeared alongside Andrew Ubido, Esq., while Magdalene Irorere held brief for the 3rd and 5th respondents during the proceedings.
Following the ruling, members of the Okuama community expressed relief and joy over the court’s decision.
Victor Akemor, speaking on behalf of some community members, described the ruling as a welcome development.
“This is great news. Finally, we have reason to celebrate. The court is indeed the hope of the common man,” he said.
He also called on the Delta State Government to assist in facilitating the implementation of the court order and commended community leaders and legal representatives for their efforts.
The detained individuals, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, President General of Ewu Kingdom; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Malaka; and Mabel Owhemu, have been in custody for nearly two years.
One of the detainees, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died while in detention.
The Okuama leaders were arrested by military personnel between August 18 and 19, 2024, following the killing of 17 soldiers near the community.
More than 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in Ethiopia may soon be transferred to Nigeria as both countries conclude arrangements for a prisoner transfer agreement.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, arrived in Addis Ababa for the signing of the pact alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the agreement is scheduled to be signed on Wednesday.
She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died during the lengthy process of negotiations, judicial reviews and ratification of the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she stated in a post on her X handle.
The minister identified Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where the affected Nigerians are being held.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a product of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, anchored on humanitarian considerations, justice and bilateral cooperation.
She said that while the Nigerian government continues to urge its citizens abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and protect the nation’s image, it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas are treated fairly and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
The minister added that the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation in bringing the agreement to fruition.
Senate Orders Kyari’s Arrest Over Alleged ₦210 Trn NNPCL Financial Infractions
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