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Akpabio Gate: Lawyer gives Senate President 7 days to step aside for probe
Nigerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been asked to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a letter dated March 3, 2025, human rights lawyer, Myson Nejo, Esq demanded that Senator Akpabio step aside to allow for a thorough investigation by the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition Committee.
The allegations against Senator Akpabio surfaced after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s interview on Arise Television on February 28, 2025.
According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator Akpabio made inappropriate comments and advances towards her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023.
Senator Akpabio’s alleged actions have sparked widespread concern, with many calling for his resignation.
However, Nejo, a pro-democracy campaigner, maintained that “pending the commencement and conclusion of investigation, it is required that you step aside as the Senate President and allow the Deputy Senate President to preside affairs in the red chambers. This is the prudent and appropriate thing to do in the interest of our country”.
Nejo who said he wrote on behalf of millions of concerned Nigerians passionate about democratic governance and ethics, stated that their attention was drawn to an Arise Television Interview granted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (“Senator Natasha”) on February 28 2025.
“In the said interview, Senator Natasha made allegation suggesting that you sexually harassed her and crossed the line decency in the discharge of your duties as the Senate President of Nigeria. Senator Natasha stated as follows:
“My issue with Senator Akpabio commenced on December 8, 2023, when my husband and I visited Akwa Ibom to attend Senator Akpabio’s birthday celebration. During our visit, Senator Akpabio was escorting me around his residence, holding my hand while my husband followed behind, and remarked that he would like me to visit his home regularly to share special moments. My husband overheard the comment and subsequently advised me to refrain from traveling alone or being in the company of the Senate President without accompaniment.
“Godswill Akpabio wanted to spend quality time with me ALONE in his Ikot Ekpene home. I’m the chief presiding office of the Senate and you can enjoy a lot of you take care of me”
“As you are aware, these allegations levelled against you are damning. They have, without doubt, brought shame and ridicule to the highest legislative body in Nigeria. The institution of the Nigerian Senate is sacred and allegations of this nature diminishes the sanctity of the Hallowed Chambers.
“This allegation of national importance requires immediate and thorough investigation by the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee (“Ethics Committee”) of the Nigerian Senate. This allegation demands that you appear before the Ethics Committee and make presentations in respect of the allegation in the interest of fair hearing and the sanctity of the Nigerian Senate.”
He added, “You will recall that in 2017 when former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was accused of importing bullet proof car by one of his colleagues, he stepped aside and gave room for transparent investigation, the outcome of which absolved him of any wrongdoing. This is an admirable precedent that must be followed.
“On the strength of the foregoing, we hereby demand that you step aside as Senate President pending the conclusion of investigation, in order to save the institution of the Senate from ridicule of this magnitude.
“We are confident that you will accede to our demand within 7 days of receipt of this letter. In the unlikely event that same is not done, we will be compelled to take all appropriate legal and revolutionary actions against you which include protest, mass action, petition to foreign embassies and public interest lawsuits.”
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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