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Why Natasha’s sexual harassment petition against Akpabio won’t stand — Senators
By Francesca Hangeior
The sexual harassment petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a new plot twist after senators disagreed on the grounds through which it was submitted.
Akpoti-Uduaghan formally submitted the petition on Wednesday following the claim of the senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, that the only petition before the senate is the senator’s disobedience to orders of the red chamber.
This action led to wide public debate in the country, with many of the supporters of the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District trooping out en masse to seek justice for the senator and the resignation of Akpabio in the matter.
However, some senators have supported Akpabio while dismissing the petition because it doesn’t follow the order of the Senate, despite the Senate President’s ruling on the hearing of the petition.
Speaking, the senate chief whip, Mohammed Monguno (Borno, APC), while quoting Order 40, rule 7 of the Senate Standing Order, said the issue contained in Senator Natasha’s petition is already in the court of law, and the rules of the senate do not permit deliberation on such matters.
“The matter is in the court of law. Senator Natasha herself has gone to court in respect of this matter, and also the wife of the Senate President has equally gone to court for this matter.
“The Senate, therefore, does not have the jurisdiction to entertain this matter. That the matter should be referred to the ethics and petition committee is not necessary,” he said.
Another senator, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North Senatorial District, APC) subjected the matter to the Ethics committee to decide the appropriate order and the interpretation of the rules raised by Senator Mungono for clarification.
In his remarks, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central District, APC) stressed the senate standing rule’s order 40, sub 4 which notes that no senator bringing in a petition shall be the author of same, adding, “The essence of the rule is to lay petition of behalf of constituents not to be the author.
“Mr President, I sympathise with you, as a man being accused of sexual harassment, but I am not going to comment on that because there will be ample opportunities for the relevant authorities to deal with that but I know that Senator Natasha went to court on the matter then appeared on national TV on the sexual harassment matter and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Uloma Akpabio went to court and parties have been served.”
Countering her colleagues’ claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her harassment petition was not before the court, and that the only matter in the court is that of cyberbullying made by Akpabio’s special assistant on New media, Patrick Udom, who described her “decent outfit” as transparent by depicting that she dresses naked to the chambers.
She further appealed to Akpabio to accept and forward her petition to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for deliberation.
Akpabio had earlier denied allegations of sexual harassment made against him. (https://punchng.com/natasha-akpabio-denies-sexual-harassment-allegations/)
He said, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
Akpabio said he had been receiving calls about the matter since February 25 and was aware of the discussions on social media.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians and the media to avoid making conclusions, asking them to wait for the court’s decision.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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