₦airaland Forum

Shifting The Goalposts, Stealing The Match: The National Assembly’s Flawed Defence Against Senator Natasha’s Return

In the last couple of days, supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had eagerly counted down to the expiration of her six-month suspension from the Senate, imposed on 6th March 2025.

To them, the effluxion of time seemed to promise an end to months of controversy and exclusion.

The suspension itself had been mired in dispute: critics denounced it as unconstitutional and overreaching, while the Federal High Court, in a judgment described by many as neither here nor there, stopped short of a definite pronouncement that would have settled the matter once and for all.

Thus, while the court acknowledged the excessiveness of the punishment, it left lingering uncertainty in its wake.

Against this backdrop, supporters reasonably believed that the expiry of the suspension period on 6th September 2025 would draw a line under the matter, allowing the Senator to resume her duties and restore representation to the people of Kogi Central.

Instead, they were met with yet another obstacle. The Clerk to the National Assembly declared that Senator Natasha could not return, on the footing that the issue remained sub judice before the Court of Appeal.

The Clerk to the National Assembly’s claim that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot resume her seat because the matter is sub judice before the Court of Appeal is constitutionally and legally indefensible.

The suspension imposed on her by the Senate on 6th March 2025 was for a fixed term of six months. By 4 September 2025, that term had expired.

The question is whether, notwithstanding pending appeals, the Senate or its Clerk can continue to bar her from resuming.
The answer is emphatically no.

In this discussion, we shall shed further light on why the National Assembly’s position is untenable, and why the rule of law, constitutional safeguards, and judicial precedent all compel the immediate restoration of Senator Natasha to her rightful seat.

Constitutional and Statutory Limits
Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution gives each chamber power to regulate its procedure, but only subject to the Constitution. Section 4( reserves to the courts jurisdiction over legislative actions.

The Senate Standing Orders themselves impose a maximum suspension of 14 legislative days. The Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 likewise contemplates only short suspensions in narrowly defined circumstances.

A six-month suspension is therefore ultra vires from inception. The Senate’s own framework and the courts point one way. The Senate Standing Orders limits any suspension to fourteen legislative days, whilst the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, contemplates only brief suspensions in narrow circumstances. A six month exclusion sits far outside both instruments and is therefore ultra vires.

Judicial Precedent, Expiry of Punishment, and Autrefois Convict
In Ndume’s case, a suspension running into months was declared illegal and set aside, with consequential orders for reinstatement and arrears.

In Omo-Agege’s case, the Federal High Court held that any suspension exceeding fourteen legislative days offends the Constitution and deprives constituents of representation.

In Jibrin’s case, a one hundred and eighty day exclusion was condemned as an arbitrary exhibition of power and voided.

Most recently, in July 2025, Justice Binta Nyako characterised Senator Natasha’s six month suspension as excessive and overreaching the Constitution, even if the court did not compel immediate recall.

Even assuming without conceding that the original sanction was lawful, it has expired. A definite suspension is self expiring. Neither the Standing Orders nor the statute requires a further resolution to “reinstate”.

The Senate is functus officio. Its role ended with the imposition and lapse of the fixed penalty. At this stage the Senator can rightly plead autrefois convict. She has been punished.

The sentence has been served. To persist in excluding her is to visit a second punishment for the same alleged wrongdoing, an impermissible shifting of the goalposts that offends the constitutional ethos reflected in section 36, subsection 9 on double jeopardy, by persuasive analogy.

What remains for the Court of Appeal is a backward looking inquiry into the legality and due process of the original suspension.

That pending appeal does not operate as an automatic stay, and it cannot breathe life into a sanction that has run its course. Continued administrative obstruction by the Clerk is therefore extra legal, and indistinguishable from an unlawful, indefinite suspension.

The Misuse of Sub Judice
The Clerk’s invocation of sub judice is misplaced. In parliamentary practice, sub judice is a voluntary restraint on debate of active cases, not a legal bar on routine administration.

Allowing Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan to resume does not pre judge the appeal, it merely recognises that the Senate’s own resolution has expired. It is the continued enforcement of a lapsed suspension that prejudges the appeal, for it assumes the Senate will prevail and thereby extends a punishment without lawful authority.

The Court of Appeal remains free to pronounce on the legality and due process of the original suspension. A pending appeal, absent a specific order for stay, cannot justify ongoing exclusion. The correct course, consistent with constitutional comity and representation, is to restore the Senator’s seat and let the court’s eventual decision guide any future step.

Authority of the Clerk and Comparative Norms
The Clerk to the National Assembly has no independent power to bar an elected Senator. The office is administrative and ministerial, charged with giving effect to decisions properly taken by the Senate or ordered by a court.

There is no fresh Senate resolution extending any sanction, and there is no court order forbidding resumption. By blocking Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, the Clerk has acted ultra vires, assuming a disciplinary power that belongs to the Senate as a whole and only within constitutional limits.

Practice supports this position. In Omo-Agege’s case, once the Federal High Court nullified the suspension, the Senator returned to the chamber despite the Senate’s appeal.

In Jibrin’s case, the member resumed after the one hundred and eighty day term elapsed even while litigation continued. Across the Commonwealth, courts have condemned long exclusions for denying representation, as seen in the Indian Supreme Court’s decision striking down extended suspensions.

The settled norm is simple. When the fixed term lapses, a legislator resumes unless a new, lawful sanction is imposed. Anything else disenfranchises constituents and undermines democratic accountability.

Conclusion
The National Assembly’s position collapses under scrutiny. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was unlawful ab initio; even if it were lawful, it has expired.

The Senate is functus officio and cannot revive or elongate a fixed sanction. She has served the penalty imposed. She now stands on terra firma and may properly invoke autrefois convict: she has been punished, and any further exclusion would be a second punishment for the same alleged offence, contrary to constitutional principles, established authority and the rule of natural justice and equity.

Sub judice is no bar. It is a convention of restraint in debate, not a legal prohibition on routine administration. There is no Senate resolution extending any sanction and no court order staying her return.

The Clerk possesses no independent power to invent one. Persisting in her exclusion would be an extra legal continuation of a lapsed penalty, a shifting of the goalposts that seeks to steal the match after time has been called.

This is the latest in a series of affronts by the Senate to the authority of the courts and to the rule of law.

The only lawful course is immediate resumption. Anything less is a usurpation of judicial authority, a wrongful confiscation of her mandate, and a betrayal of the people of Kogi Central who are entitled to representation in the Senate.

By Teejani Jimoh, Esq.

Hon.Abdulmaleek Ahovi Steve, the chairman of Ahovi Oil and Gas support group for Governor Ododo has sympathize with the executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh Usman Ahmed Ododo on the demise of his father,late Ahmed Momohsanni Ododo

In a condolence message to the Governor,the chairman express sadness and grief as he received the passing of Late Alhaji Ahmed Momohsanni Ododo, the father of the state governor

He join the good people of the state, and the support group in sympathizing with the Governor and the entire family in this difficult moments

He said,the state has lost a great man and an elder statesman who's committed to the progress and development of the state under his son led administration

He pray that God Almighty should grant the departed soul eternal rest and the state governor,Alh Usman Ahmed Ododo,the state and the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

The storm currently shaking Nigeria’s Senate began quietly on December 8, 2023, when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, paid a visit to the residence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to her, that encounter morphed into one of unwanted sexual advances. The matter stayed private for over a year, until late February 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan went public in a televised interview, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstructing her legislative duties.

The waves generated by the disclosure were instantaneous, with the country plunged into debates on gender, power, and transparency within its highest legislative body.

Within days, she brought the allegations into the formal sphere, submitting a written petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Yet, the petition was swiftly dismissed on procedural grounds, a decision that critics decried as prioritizing form over substance.

Undeterred, Akpoti-Uduaghan refiled, this time with constituent endorsements, insisting that the gravity of her claim warranted objective investigation rather than bureaucratic rebuff.

On February 25, 2025, she took her fight to the judiciary, filing a ?100 billion defamation suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Akpabio and an aide, arguing that his public rebuttals had caused irreparable damage to her reputation.

At the same time, she appealed to the police and international parliamentary bodies, underscoring her resolve to escalate the case beyond national politics and into a broader quest for accountability.

Soon after, in early March 2025, the Senate, acting on the Ethics Committee’s recommendation, suspended her for six months, citing breaches of its standing orders unrelated to the harassment claim.

Critics argued the move appeared retaliatory, punishing a complainant whose substantive allegations were yet to be investigated.

Supporters, however, maintained that the Senate was simply exercising its internal disciplinary prerogatives.

The saga took another turn when Dr. Sandra Duru, also known as “Professor Mgbeke”, surfaced via livestream, alleging that Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her ?200 million to produce false narratives about Akpabio, including organ trafficking and other sensational claims. The allegations were brazen and widespread, but quickly challenged.

In rapid response, figures like Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Aisha Yesufu, and Kadaria Ahmed emerged publicly to denounce Duru’s claims.

They asserted the allegations were unsubstantiated and dangerous, characterizing them as smear tactics designed to discredit a woman speaking against entrenched power.

Two other voices added damning weight to the rebuttal: Francess Olisa-Ogbonnaya, a media personality, disclosed that Duru paid her ?300,000 to create a manipulated audio script to defame Akpoti-Uduaghan, but she refused to carry out the fabrication.

Maazi Obinna Oparaku Akuwudike, a journalist and media activist, similarly revealed that Duru offered him ?2.5 million to produce defamatory video content, only for him to withdraw after recognizing the allegations as baseless.

Both testimonies, made public in interviews with Adeola Fayehun, reinforced the perception that a calculated smear campaign was underway.

Amidst the fallout, a surprising twist emerged, a tweet apparently from Ken Okolugbo, Special Adviser to Akpabio, in which he apologized to Akpoti-Uduaghan and admitted regret over the alleged smear.

The tweet went viral, suggesting fractures within the Akpabio camp. Though Okolugbo later denied authoring the apology, labeling it a forgery, the image of internal dissent had already taken root in public perception.

Civil-society actors, especially women’s rights groups, have used the moment to demand an independent, transparent investigation, pointing out the Senate’s inadequacies in handling allegations against its own leadership.

Media campaigns and protests echoed the imperative that Nigeria protect those who speak out, especially women in governance.

The judiciary now stands at the center of the confrontation. In June 2025, the Federal High Court granted leave for substituted service in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defamation case, with hearings now scheduled.

The intricate blur of civil litigation, potential criminal investigation, and legislative discipline poses a formidable legal challenge-touching on parliamentary privilege, evidence standards in harassment claims, and whether internal sanctions can obstruct judicial recourse.

If the courts fail to act impartially, the consequences for Nigeria’s democratic fabric could be devastating.

Political elites may be emboldened to deploy accusations and procedural maneuvers as weapons, driving whistleblowers into silence.

The erosion of judicial credibility in the face of political pressure could crumble trust in the separation of powers and deter citizens from seeking justice.

The broader implications for Nigeria’s polity are equally profound. A compromised outcome risks deepening public cynicism, dampening civic engagement, and stirring social fissures over gender and political partisanship.

But if resolved transparently and fairly, the case could become a watershed, reinforcing that justice is not for the powerful alone, and strengthening the rule of law in a democracy still battling for its soul.

Gov.Ododo score cards will secured his second term in office:by Hon. Ahovi Abdulmalik


As governor Usman Ahmed Ododo continue to administer good governance of his led administration to the good people of Kogi State,the leadership of Ahovi Oil and Gas for Ododo Said,his score cards has secured his second term in office

The chairman of the support group,Hon.Abdulmalik Ahovi made the statement in Lokoja while addressing the journalist nothing that his achievements which forms his excellent score cards has secured his second term in office

He maintained that the governor has performed beyond his manifestos or campaign promises in terms of security architecture, economy,youth inclusion, women empowerment, education, health care,workers welfare and human capital development has earned him his second term in office

He's current performance and achievements will surely serve as a convincing manifestos for his reelection rather than relied on propaganda

The governor has no option than to seek reelection in order to continue in the delivery of dividend of democracy to the people

The current atmosphere in the state is a clear testament that the governor is working and the results is everywhere which even the opposition parties attested to that fact

Ahovi Oil and Gas for governor Ododo will continue to support the governor and will join the well meaning citizens to seek reelection in office

The chairman stressed that there's no vacancy in lugard house as governor Usman Ahmed Ododo has done so much for the state and the people to support for his reelection

We pray for Almighty God to continue to grant his Excellency the sound health, strength and grace as continue to led the state to an enviable height

Crisis of Lawlessness in the Nigerian Senate: A Call for Democratic Accountability

In every constitutional democracy, the legislature stands as a symbol of law, order, and justice. It is not just a law-making body but also a custodian of the nation’s democratic values. In Nigeria, however, recent developments within the Senate have brought these very foundations under serious question, especially with the blatant disregard for judicial authority in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended for six months by the Senate on grounds many deemed politically motivated. Following due legal process, she approached a Federal High Court to challenge the suspension. In a landmark judgment, the court ordered that she be reinstated after fulfilling certain conditions: issuing an apology and paying a fine. Senator Natasha, in full obedience to the court’s directives, complied yet she remains denied access to the red chamber.

What kind of message does this send to the Nigerian public? When the Senate and its leadership the very people entrusted to uphold the Constitution and respect the rule of law openly disobey a valid court order, it signals the beginning of democratic decay. Are our lawmakers telling the nation and the international community that judicial pronouncements can be ignored at will? Is this the legacy they are crafting?

Even more troubling is the conduct of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who reportedly took it upon himself not in his official capacity representing the Senate, but as an individual to approach the appellate court, rather than allowing institutional legal channels to address the matter. This raises a serious constitutional and procedural concern. Does the Senate President have the power to override a decision of the court on behalf of a legislative institution without proper resolution and representation?

This action not only undermines the integrity of the Senate but also disregards the principles of separation of powers a cornerstone of democratic governance. It breeds a culture of impunity and fosters public distrust in our institutions. It shows that when laws are only meant for the ordinary citizens, and not for those in power, anarchy is inevitable.

Let us not forget that Senator Natasha was elected by the good people of Kogi Central. Denying her rightful seat is not just an attack on her person it is an assault on the will and representation of her constituents. It silences thousands of voices and betrays the democratic ideals Nigeria claims to uphold.

Furthermore, the Senate’s suspicious decision to commence a two-month recess conveniently aligns with the timeline of her suspension, as if to artificially extend her exclusion from legislative activities. This reeks of institutional manipulation and vindictiveness.

Key Questions Nigerians Must Ask:

What example are our senators setting for the Nigerian youth and the citizenry at large?

Are the lawmakers above the law, or are they exempt from obeying judicial orders?

What kind of leadership is this, where the legislative arm undermines the judiciary and disrespects its own oath of office?

The world is watching. International observers, human rights defenders, and democratic institutions are taking note of how Nigeria treats court orders and the principle of fair representation. The Senate must realize that it is not above the law, and that democracy cannot thrive where selective justice and impunity are normalized.

As a stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic journey, I call on civil society, the media, and all well-meaning Nigerians to rise and defend the sanctity of our judiciary. The Senate must be compelled to respect the court ruling and allow Senator Natasha to perform her constitutional duties without delay or obstruction.

Let us remember: if the law does not protect the weak against the powerful, then it ceases to be law it becomes tyranny.

Conclusion:

Our senators must choose the legacy they wish to leave behind: that of patriotic lawmakers who defended the Constitution or political opportunists who undermined it for self-interest. History will judge them accordingly.

Prince Amb (Dr) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
PDP Southwest Ex-officio

The Final Hours Before Tuesday: The Senate Must Seek Emergency Clarification, Not Threats, As Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Prepares To Represent Her People

As the clock nears Monday, July 21, 2025, and with Tuesday, July 22, just hours away, Nigeria faces a grave constitutional moment that will test the moral will of its leadership, the courage of its judiciary, and the soul of its democracy. The standoff over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rightful place in the Senate chamber has now evolved beyond legal semantics and political defiance. It is now a question of national identity: are we governed by the rule of law or by the rule of man?

Judicial Pronouncements vs Legislative Defiance

On July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court delivered a nuanced yet firm judgment. She ruled that the suspension of Senator Natasha for six months was excessive, overreaching, and incompatible with the intended purpose of the Senate Rules and the Nigerian Constitution. She declared: "I believe the Senate has the power to and I believe should recall the plaintiff and allow her to same-time represent the people who sent her there to represent them.” Though framed in advisory language, the judgment begins with the commanding phrase: “It is hereby ordered...”—language that underscores its judicial authority. This is the portion many now forget.

Weaponizing Linguistic Nuance to Avoid Compliance

Rather than honor the spirit of the court, the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio and represented by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has fixated on select words—“should,” “believe,” “opinion”—to argue that the ruling is not enforceable. This is intellectual gamesmanship, not governance. The Senate claims the ruling is merely “advisory,” conveniently ignoring its opening phrase: “It is hereby ordered.” The truth is simple: if these same words came from a man in uniform or a ruling in their favor, they would not ask whether it was advisory or binding.

Psychological Implications of a Disputed Mandate

As a clinical and forensic psychologist, I understand the psychological toll of injustice and gaslighting. For Senator Natasha, the refusal to honor her court-affirmed rights is not merely procedural—it is psychological warfare. It sends a message to all Nigerians, especially women and the youth: that courage is punishable, that independent-mindedness will be resisted, and that institutional might can override truth. The trauma of exclusion under false legal pretenses lingers far deeper than any courtroom ruling.

The Judiciary’s Quiet Crisis: The CJN Must Speak Now

Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun must step forward. As the head of the judiciary and Chairperson of the National Judicial Council, she is duty-bound to clarify the scope and strength of Justice Nyako’s ruling. In the past, the judiciary has taken bold stances—even reversing administrative overreach in the Nnamdi Kanu case. Why the silence now? A failure to act decisively will reinforce public suspicion that the courts bend when the political winds blow too hard.

The President’s Role: Prudence, Not Interference

President Tinubu is not a judge, but he is the symbolic head of the Nigerian state. He must not remain mute in a time of such institutional tension. While he must not interfere in judicial matters, he can urge the Attorney General to file for an expedited interpretation and clarification of the court’s decision. This is not interference—it is executive prudence to avoid an institutional breakdown.

The AGF’s Silence: Legal Duty or Political Posture?

Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi has a constitutional role to clarify, interpret, and defend the constitution and rule of law. His silence so far is not neutral—it is a choice, and it is one that contributes to growing instability. If the AGF can defend executive actions in public statements, he can also defend court rulings that protect fundamental rights. Let him lead an urgent request to the court for declarative clarity.

The Senate’s Responsibility: Seek Emergency Clarification, Not Threats

The Nigerian Senate, rather than threaten the judiciary or delay compliance, should file for an emergency judicial clarification. If they are uncertain about the binding force of Justice Nyako’s ruling, the lawful path is not to defy it—but to seek clarification through the same judicial system they are bound to obey. Delay and defiance only reinforce public distrust in the Senate’s integrity and deepen institutional crisis.

Gender Bias and the 'Natasha Exception'

Let us be blunt. In a Senate of 109 members, only four are women. Of those, three generally conform to the traditional expectations of silence, loyalty, and caution. Natasha, the youngest and boldest, is the only one punished so severely. This reeks of gender-based marginalization. In previous cases, male lawmakers who flouted decorum or violated rules received minimal reprimand. But Natasha, who dared to speak, is told not to come back. We must ask: is this about ethics—or is this about silencing a woman who refuses to bow?

Precedents Ignored: Selective Justice in the Legislature's Treatment of Senator Natasha

Other lawmakers from both chambers have been suspended and later returned—some with court orders. We know that in the past, legislators and senators went to court and were reinstated. These individuals resumed their seats with no defiance from the Senate. These rulings were respected without the current level of semantic resistance or political theatre. No one questioned whether those judgments were "opinions" or "recommendations."

These precedents, when juxtaposed with Senator Natasha's ordeal, underscore a troubling inconsistency in institutional response—one that appears to hinge not on legal principle, but on personality and gender. No man was told that a judicial "opinion" was not binding. No man was advised to "stay away" from the chambers. This selective treatment makes Senator Natasha's ordeal more than a procedural controversy—it makes it a case study in gendered suppression and judicial manipulation.

Let's break down how to approach the visuals and voiceover for each message, keeping in mind the distinct characteristics of Facebook and YouTube's short-form video formats (vertical video, quick cuts, trending audio potential).

The Global Optics: Who Watches Nigeria Now?

Make no mistake—Nigeria’s democratic integrity is now under a global lens. The case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is no longer a domestic procedural debate. It has become a test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law, gender equality, and institutional accountability. International observers—ranging from the African Union to ECOWAS monitors, from U.S. and EU embassies to global human rights watchdogs—are paying close attention. What they see is a democratically elected female senator facing strategic obstruction, not based on any fresh misconduct, but on interpretations designed to dilute judicial authority. This has implications not just for justice at home but for Nigeria’s international standing. A country that pleads for foreign investment, development aid, and diplomatic respect cannot afford to publicly undermine its own judiciary.

Respect for judicial orders is a minimum threshold for democratic legitimacy. If this precedent is allowed to stand, Nigeria risks being viewed not as a maturing democracy, but as a state where legality bends to political survival.

Weaponizing Linguistic Nuance to Avoid Compliance

Rather than honor the spirit of the court, the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio and represented by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has fixated on select words—“should,” “believe,” “opinion”—to argue that the ruling is not enforceable. This is intellectual gamesmanship, not governance. The Senate claims the ruling is merely “advisory,” conveniently ignoring its opening phrase: “It is hereby ordered.” The truth is simple: if these same words came from a man in uniform or a ruling in their favor, they would not ask whether it was advisory or binding. They also conveniently overlook the fact that the Court’s penalty for contempt—namely, the ₦5 million fine and the mandatory public apology—was a separate response to a Facebook post. That penalty has no bearing on the directive to recall the senator. The Senate cannot collapse two issues into one as an escape hatch. Justice Nyako drew a clear line: penalty for contempt and restoration of legislative function are different matters.

What Must Be Done—Immediately

It is now nearly Monday. There is no time to waste. Senator Natasha’s legal team must urgently file for an emergency hearing by July 21 to seek direct judicial clarification—preferably before the close of Monday’s court schedule. The aim is not to escalate but to interpret and affirm. Justice Nyako’s language may contain phrases like “I believe” or “the Senate should,” but her ruling also begins with, “It is hereby ordered.” That is not advisory—it is declarative. Let the courts confirm this clearly, swiftly, and publicly. At the same time, the Senate must stop issuing warnings and instead file its own motion for urgent clarification if it believes there is ambiguity. The principle is simple: resolve legal disagreements in court, not in press releases. Let the gavel, not the megaphone, be the final arbiter.

Tuesday: Civil Disobedience with Dignity

If the Senate remains defiant and refuses to admit her, then Senator Natasha must not retreat. She should act with discipline and moral clarity—not through confrontation but through visible, peaceful presence. Let her arrive early Tuesday morning, dressed in her senatorial attire, and take her seat in front of the National Assembly complex. Let her bring a chair, table, and laptop—and conduct her legislative duties in the open. Let her constituents see that she has not abandoned them. Let Nigerians witness a modern example of civil resistance, grounded in law and dignity. Let the world see a woman fighting not for ego, but for electoral representation.

Security Threats and the Use of Force

Any attempt to remove her—whether by DSS, police, or National Assembly security operatives—would be a tragedy. It would send a chilling message: that even peaceful compliance with court judgments invites state retaliation. It would confirm that fear, not law, governs public space. Tanks, barricades, or forced removals should have no place in the resolution of a constitutional dispute. This is not a matter of national security; it is a matter of national dignity.

Let the Law Speak Louder Than Power

Justice Nyako’s judgment was careful, considered, and constitutionally grounded. It must not be read selectively or weaponized into ambiguity. The Chief Justice of Nigeria must issue a public clarification to stabilize this moment. The Attorney General must guide both the Senate and the executive toward compliance through lawful means. President Tinubu, as head of state, must discreetly encourage institutional harmony, not public silence. Each has a duty to help the law—not political brinkmanship—prevail.

Final Reflection: I Stand With Justice, Not Sides

Let me be clear from the start: I take no sides. I do not write for any politician, nor do I speak for any party. I write as a clinical and forensic psychologist. I write as someone born on Nigerian soil, shaped by its spirit, and still deeply connected to its struggle for fairness. I write as someone who believes that justice must not depend on who holds the microphone—but on what is right.

This is no longer about one woman or one seat. What is unfolding before us touches the very core of Nigeria’s legal and moral fabric. When a clear court ruling is reduced to a game of semantics, and the powerful begin to debate whether “ordered” means optional, we should all be concerned. Because if the law can be bent this easily today, who will be safe from injustice tomorrow?

Tuesday will not just pass as another day. It will become a message. It will speak to history. It will echo in the hearts of young Nigerians who still want to believe in this country, who still ask if honesty and courage have a place in public life.

Let us not play with what is sacred. Justice is not a tool for delay or debate—it is the soul of any nation that wants to endure. The people know the truth. The world is watching. And history, as always, is listening.

There is a saying: “No matter how long darkness stays, the morning must come.” That morning can begin with us—if we choose to do what is lawful, not what is comfortable.

Again, I take no sides. I stand only with justice. With the rule of law. With the hope that Nigeria still has what it takes to lead itself with dignity.
Let Tuesday speak well of us.

Prof John Egbeazien Oshodi
Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American psychologist, educator, and author with deep expertise in forensic, legal, and clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, and police and prison science. Born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, and the son of a 37-year veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, his early immersion in law enforcement laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to justice, institutional transformation, and psychological empowerment.

In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology to Nigeria through the National Universities Commission and Nasarawa State University, where he served as Associate Professor of Psychology. Over the decades, he has taught at Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Broward College (as Assistant Professor and Interim Associate Dean), Nova Southeastern University, and Lynn University. He currently teaches at Walden University and holds virtual academic roles with Weldios University and ISCOM University.

In the U.S., Prof. Oshodi serves as a government consultant in forensic-clinical psychology and leads professional and research initiatives through the Oshodi Foundation, the Center for Psychological and Forensic Services. He is the originator of Psychoafricalysis, a culturally anchored psychological model that integrates African sociocultural realities, historical memory, and symbolic-spiritual consciousness—offering a transformative alternative to dominant Western psychological paradigms.

A proud Black Republican, Professor Oshodi is a strong advocate for ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and renewed bonds between Africa and its global diaspora—working across borders to inspire psychological resilience, systemic reform, and forward-looking public dialogue.

A massive wave of defections hit Kogi Central on Sunday as thousands of members and key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a dramatic show of growing support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The political earthquake shook the APC stronghold of Ihima in Okehi Local Government Area, where Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan formally received the defectors, including former Okehi Council Chairman, Hon. Hassan Yusuf; Special Adviser to the Council Chairman, Hajia Rafatu Haruna; and APC stalwart, Hon. Omuya Longman, alongside their teeming supporters.

Addressing the jubilant crowd, the Kogi Central Senator declared that grassroots engagement remains her core strategy. “Politics is local, and that’s exactly how we are playing it,” she said. “We are not only building the PDP in Kogi Central but contributing to making it a formidable force across Nigeria and Africa.”

She reaffirmed her resolve to deepen the party’s reach. “My responsibility is to strengthen the PDP and bring more people into our fold,” she said, urging all political parties to adopt philosophies that reflect the people’s values.

“I hope we get to a point where each political party defines its beliefs and truth. When ideology fails, parties turn to violence and intimidation,” she warned.

PDP State Chairman, Hon. Enemona Anyebe, described the mass defection as a powerful endorsement of Senator Natasha’s leadership. “Your defection is a significant boost to our team. The PDP is your new home,” he said, while praising Akpoti-Uduaghan for her courage and legislative impact.

Adding his voice, former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abdulrahman Badamasiu, said, “Senator Natasha’s achievements convinced us. She stands for service and compassion. Even her opponents are drawn to her.”

Also present to welcome the defectors were key PDP leaders including Deputy State Chairman Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, State Secretary Sunday Olufemi Ibrahim, Publicity Secretary Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, State Auditor Hon. Jude Sule, and Women Leader Mrs. Esther Albert Soje.

The mass movement signals a deep shift in the political landscape of Kogi Central ahead of future elections, with Senator Natasha fast emerging as a rallying figure for progressive change.

Senator Natasha Trains, Empowers 250 Constituents on Drone Technology, Data Analytics, Others

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has successfully trained and empowered 250 youths from her constituency with in-demand digital and technical skills.

The training and empowerment programme covered the following areas:

Drone Security and Environmental Sustainability/Remediation Initiatives –80 beneficiaries.
Advanced Welding and Fabrication Techniques –50 beneficiaries
Renewable Energy Installation –50 beneficiaries.
Data Analytics and Digital Transformation –70 beneficiaries.
This brings the total number of empowered youths to 250.

The trainings which were held at her residence in Kogi Central, were designed to promote self-reliance by equipping people and learning institutions with employable skills and tools to create sustainable learning and livelihood.

Speaking during the event, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the initiative as a set of strategic human capacity development programmes aimed at bridging the technology and skill gap.

"Our people deserve to be empowered with the very best of technology for self-reliance," she said.

The senator revealed that her decision to deploy drone technology was inspired by countries like South Africa, Egypt, Malawi and Ethiopia that have adopted drone innovations to drive industries like mining, agriculture and infrastructure monitoring.

“Drone technology is the new frontier of socio-economic development not only in Africa but globally. Furthermore , by freely distributing 80 drones to individuals and learning institutions sets a standard for Nigeria as a leader in innovative capacity-building technologies”.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that while drone technology is relatively new in Nigeria, it holds significant potential for both security and entrepreneurship. Traditionally used for photography, videography, she described a range of expansive ways drones can be deployed such as the construction, oil & gas, agriculture, delivery services, environmental monitoring, geographically mapping, telecommunications etc.

As part of the initiative, departments of Geology and Environmental Science of the following 10 tertiary institutions nationwide were invited to benefit from the drone technology empowerment;

1 Federal College of Education, Okene
2 Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara
3 Kogi State University, Anyigba
4 Federal University, Lokoja
5 Federal Polytechnic, Idah
6 Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
7 University of Ilorin
8 Bayero University, Kano
9 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
10 Federal University of Science and Technology, Minna.

According to her, the aim is to equip educational institutions with modern tools that will enhance students’ learning experiences and provide hands-on training in emerging technologies.

Moreover, Senator Akpoti - Uduaghan reiterated that the DJI Neo drones distributed were in compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority regulations as they are sub -250g in weight.

This empowerment initiative comes just days after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan flagged off the construction of two smart markets in Kogi Central, with a combined capacity of 160 shops and also distributed 700 computers to students of Abdul-Azeez Attah Memorial College, Okene (AAAMCO).

Senator Natasha reiterated her commitment to continually empower her people with modern technologies and innovation-driven opportunities, emphasizing that "they deserve the best."

Legal counsel to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has faulted the National Assembly’s interpretation of a Federal High Court’s judgment which ordered her reinstatement to the Senate, insisting that the judgment was binding and must be complied with in full.

In a rejoinder dated July 14, and addressed to the Director of Litigation and Counselling, Legal Services Directorate of the National Assembly, Mr. Charles Yoila, Natasha’s legal team, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Michael Jonathan Numa, accused the Senate of misinterpreting the decision of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of National Assembly & 3 Ors.

The lawyers responded to an earlier correspondence from the National Assembly dated the same day, in which the Senate purportedly treated the court’s judgment as advisory. They argued that the enrolled judgment was not suggestive, but declaratory and mandatory in nature.

“The preamble of the enrolled order begins with the words ‘it is hereby ordered’ and proceeds to enumerate 12 distinct and substantive orders,” the letter stated. “Of particular relevance is Order 12 which directed that the Senate should recall the plaintiff. While the word ‘should’ is used, the context of the full judgment supports a binding construction.”

The legal team noted that the plaintiff had sought, among other reliefs, an order nullifying the recommendations and findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which had led to her suspension.

They further referenced that the plaintiff’s application for a mandatory injunction was heard alongside the substantive matter and was incorporated into the composite judgment.

Referencing Order 4 of the enrolled judgment, Numa, maintained that the court had adjudged the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as unconstitutional, excessive and ultra vires. He contended that, pursuant to Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate’s action was null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with constitutional provisions.

The letter made reference to Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which mandates all authorities and persons to give effect to the decisions of courts. It also invoked Section 318, which defines a court decision to include judgment, decree, order, conviction, sentence or recommendation.

To reinforce the legal position, the letter cited Ecobank (Nig.) Ltd v. Tempo Energy (Nig.) Ltd (2025) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1994) 125 at 144-145, where the Supreme Court held that recommendations arising from adjudicated disputes may constitute binding judicial acts.

“The judgment in this case falls squarely within the definition of enforceable judicial determinations,” Numa argued, urging the Legal Services Directorate to revisit the enrolled order and advise the Senate to comply accordingly.

He emphasised that compliance with the judgment was not optional or discretionary, but a constitutional obligation binding on the Senate under the principle of separation of powers and judicial supremacy.

In a final note, the legal team informed the National Assembly that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on July 22, especially in light of the recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the development as a moment of national transition.

The letter concluded with a caution that the Senator reserves the right to pursue all legal avenues to enforce her rights should the Senate continue to defy the judgment.

This development sets the tone for a potential legal showdown between the judiciary and the legislature over the enforcement of court orders, especially in politically sensitive matters involving elected representatives.

The National Assembly has responded to a notification from the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, regarding her intention to resume duties on July 15 following a Federal High Court ruling on July 4.

In the ruling, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate as excessive and a denial of representation for her constituency.

The court also stated that the Senate should recall the suspended lawmaker to resume her legislative duties.

However, in its response to the senator’s letter, the National Assembly clarified that the court did not issue a direct order compelling the Senate to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

A letter signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling, stated that Justice Nyako did not make any specific order directing the President of the Senate or the National Assembly to act.

It added that, rather, the declaratory judgment advised the defendants to consider exercising their discretion to recall the senator, in order to continue representing her constituents who sent her to represent them.

The letter concluded by noting that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should await further action from the Senate, which retains the discretion to implement the court’s advisory decision.

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as excessive and unconstitutional.

The court, in its July 4th ruling by Justice Binta Nyako, maintained that although the Senate holds disciplinary powers, the six-month suspension denied the people of Kogi Central effective representation.

However, Senator Akpabio, in a Notice of Cross-Appeal lodged at the Court of Appeal, argued that the lower court erred in law by assuming jurisdiction in a matter it had no constitutional authority to entertain. He contended that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to determine disputes relating to internal legislative matters as provided in Section 251 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Akpabio further submitted that Senator Natasha’s suit was premature, as the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions had not concluded its investigation or submitted its report to the Senate at the time she filed the case. Therefore, he said, the cause of action had not fully matured for litigation, making the suit incompetent.

In addition, Akpabio insisted that the court violated legislative privileges by entertaining a case founded on words spoken during a Senate plenary session. He cited Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which protects lawmakers from civil or criminal proceedings over their utterances or actions in the chamber.

The appeal also faulted the lower court for raising and determining issues, such as the excessiveness of the suspension, on its own without any request or relief to that effect from Senator Natasha. Akpabio maintained that such a decision violated the principle of fair hearing and amounted to judicial overreach.

The Senate President further argued that the court granted reliefs not sought by the plaintiff when it recommended that the Senate should recall Senator Natasha to continue her legislative duties. According to the Senate President, this was an unlawful overstep of judicial boundaries.

Akpabio is now seeking to have the decision of the Federal High Court set aside, insisting that the lower court occasioned a gross miscarriage of justice by interfering with legislative procedures and exceeding its constitutional limits.

A certified true copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court ruling delivered on July 4, 2025, has confirmed that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is required to apologise to the court—not the Nigerian Senate—for contempt. Justice Binta Nyako, who issued the ruling in Abuja, found the senator guilty of violating a subsisting court order and directed her to pay a N5 million fine to the Federal Government and publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.

The ruling came in response to a suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension from the Senate. Justice Nyako also ordered the Senate to recall the lawmaker and allow her to resume her duties representing Kogi Central. However, the judge did not direct that the senator apologise to the Senate, nor did the ruling make any apology a prerequisite for her reinstatement.

Despite this, a July 5 report by The Nation quoted Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, as saying the Senate would only consider recalling Akpoti-Uduaghan after she had tendered the apology ordered by the court. He suggested that the Senate retained its authority to discipline members and would decide on further action after reviewing the senator’s compliance.

The CTC of the court judgment, obtained on July 11 and signed by court officials Kanu Ngozi and Ifeanacho Amarachi, makes it explicitly clear that the apology is to the court alone. The document reads: “An order is hereby made for the Plaintiff to pay a fine in the sum of N5 million to the Federal Government Treasury and to publish a public apology to the court in two (2) national dailies and on her Facebook page within 7 days of today to purge herself of the contempt.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has since filed an appeal challenging the ruling. In her notice of appeal, she argues that the trial court lacked the legal authority to punish her for a comment made outside the courtroom, specifically on her Facebook page. She is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn Justice Nyako’s judgment in its entirety.

….. Flags Off Smart Markets in Kogi


The senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said that despite her suspension, she never stopped working for the people she represents, as she remained constantly engaged in delivering democratic dividends and pursuing their welfare.

The Senator made the remark on Sunday as she flagged off the construction of smart markets in Okene and Okehi Local Government Areas, a project designed to uplift local traders, particularly women, and strengthen grassroots economic development.

“Even during the wrongful suspension, we kept working. Leadership doesn’t pause outside the walls of the chambers. Leadership is about service and being responsible for the people, and that’s why we’re gathered here for the commencement of the markets construction” she told the enthusiastic gathering during the ceremony.

The project, which consists of 80 modern shops at each location, including two blocks of 40 lock-up shops and two blocks of 40 open stores, marks a major infrastructural boost for rural commerce in the senatorial district.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said the initiative is part of a broader commitment to transform trading environments and provide market women with safe, accessible, and dignified spaces to do business.

“These women are the economic engine of our rural communities,” she said. “The goal is to provide safe, functional, and dignified spaces where they can trade and thrive.”

She further addressed her recent six-month suspension by the Senate, which was nullified by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court ruled that the suspension was unlawful.

“There was no reason why we should not be representing you,” she said. “Even when I was unjustly kept away from plenary, I remained with you, working, listening, and planning.”

The smart markets are being constructed at the Ihima Central Market in Oboroke, Okehi LGA, and at the new Community Market in Okene LGA. Senator Natasha noted that initial consideration was given to Bariki and Manaka markets, but the absence of sufficient expansion space led to the new locations.

Each market will feature solar-powered electricity, boreholes for water supply, electrical sockets in shops, modern toilets, streetlights, and truck-friendly loading bay, all aimed at making the markets secure and efficient.

“Each decision we make is in the best interest of all our people,” she emphasized.

Highlighting her inclusive approach to governance, she added: “I represent all the good people of Kogi Central at the Senate. Politics happened during the election. After that, it’s performance —and leadership delivering measurable impact for everyone, irrespective of political differences.”

She assured that the markets will be completed and commissioned by November 2025, to coincide with her second anniversary in office.

“These projects are part of many more coming. We’re just getting started,” she said.

The event was attended by traditional leaders, women groups, and youth organizations, who lauded the Senator’s resilience, commitment, and continued service despite political hurdles. Her constituents hailed the projects as timely and transformative.

For the umpteenth time, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has proven to be a leader who doesn't just listen to the plights and needs of her people but talks less and brings solutions.

Amidst the ongoing persecutions, one would have thought Senator Natasha would focus solely on fighting for her political survival like the average Nigerian politician, but she chose to be different.

While her adversaries were busy sponsoring campaigns of calumny against her and deploying schemes to extinguish her light and stop her return to the hallowed chamber, Distinguished Senator Natasha was busy fighting for her people and ensuring that the senatorial district is well captured in the 2025 budget.

For the first time in Kogi Central, a senator has not only listened to the cries of market women but has also taken steps to address them. The ongoing construction of smart markets in Kogi Central, influenced by Senator Natasha, is coming at the right time.

The lawmaker understands the maximum support she enjoys from her constituents and continues to influence projects that will positively impact their lives, despite the several attacks being sponsored against her and the failed recall attempt where locals were deceived into participating as a form of empowerment.

The construction of smart markets in Okehi and Okene local government areas is only the first of numerous constituency projects that will be executed for the benefit of the people in 2025.

The smart markets aren’t just about building shops, the scope of the smart markets in each location includes:
40 open market stalls
40 closed shops
Toilets
Water supply
Car parks for loading trucks
Solar grid
Sockets in shops and stalls
Street lights for security, amongst others.

The lawmaker recognizes the fundamental roles played by market women as socioeconomic drivers in rural communities, from job creation to revenue generation to ensuring food security, and has pushed the government to support and build conducive, functional, and safe spaces for them.

The lawmaker had earlier disclosed that Okehi's location will be at the existing Ihima Central Market, Oboroke, "The existing Oboroke market has a large expanse of land, and with the collaboration of the market union leaders, we agreed to build the new market right there. This will give all market women access to the amenities that will be provided.

"Okene’s location shall be a brand-new market in an entirely new area because both Obehira and Bariki markets are fully saturated and have no land for expansion. Hence, we graciously secured a fantastic flat land right beside the new Okene General Hospital in Okuanatahu, Okene LGA. Opposite the market is where our proposed fire service station will be constructed," she said.

Senator Natasha will surely be remembered for her love for her people, a woman who, amidst all persecutions, still stands tall, fighting for what will benefit the larger masses.

Slurs, smears, slander… how gendered disinformation targets high-profile Nigerian women

In the early hours of April 15, 2025, armed men wielding firearms and cutlasses attacked Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s residence in her Kogi hometown. They shattered windows, vandalised property, and tore through the compound searching for the senator representing Kogi central.

But the suspects had received false intelligence about her location.
The attack marked the peak of a campaign that had begun online: a rising tide of digital slander, coordinated smears, and personal attacks triggered by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political fallout with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s third most powerful public official.

The tension between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio had been brewing long before the attack. On March 24, 2024, both lawmakers attended the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, alongside other Nigerian senators. A selfie Akpoti-Uduaghan posted on Instagram would later be plucked from context and weaponised online. 

Social media users fixated on her proximity to Akpabio, spinning it into supposed “evidence” of a romantic entanglement with the senate president — a rumoured affair that quickly curdled into an ugly mess.

Some four months later, the duo had a public clash. During a senate sitting, Akpabio shut Akpoti-Uduaghan’s speech down, asking her not to speak like she was in a “night club”. His comments drew ire from the public, especially as weeks prior, Ireti Kingibe, a senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), was silenced when she protested that she was being excluded from the affairs of the nation’s capital. 

Akpabio apologised only after blogs made numerous posts linking him to several women in a string of alleged extramarital affairs. Things quieted down for about a year until February 20, sparking a targeted abuse that spilled beyond social media timelines into her real life.

POLITICS, POWER, AND RETALIATION 

Senate seating arrangements have been a topic of dispute in the past. Lawmakers positioned in front-row seats near principal officers, elevated sections, or aisle spots are more likely to catch the presiding officer’s eye during plenary sessions, increasing their chances of being called to speak.

After a wave of defections to the ruling party, some seats were reassigned, and Akpoti-Uduaghan was among those affected. But during the February 20 plenary, she ignored her new placement and returned to her original seat, citing a refusal to be “bullied”.

At the height of the disagreement, Akpabio called for security officers to remove her from the chamber. The senate later condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat reassignment protest, accusing her of using the red chamber for “content creation”.

In a media interview the following day, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed she had been subjected to intimidation, exclusion, and a denial of official travel privileges since joining the senate. Then, on February 28, the senator publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment in an explosive interview. The reactions were swift, sharp, and biting. 

The first consequence was Akpoti-Uduaghan’s referral to the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review for sparring with the senate president. The Kogi senator later tendered a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio to the upper legislative chamber, but the senate panel rejected the petition, citing due process breaches and legal limitations.

On March 6, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months as a lawmaker, with her office locked and her allowances and security details withdrawn for the time being.

Refusing to stay silent, Akpoti-Uduaghan has since granted multiple media interviews locally and internationally and has taken her case to the IPU, a global organisation of national parliaments.

THE WAVE OF ONLINE ATTACKS

Born to a Ukrainian mother and a Nigerian father, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appearance has often been used to draw parallels with her perceived competence — a subtle yet persistent form of bias.

In a defamation suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan frowned at Akpabio’s comments over her visage when he said, “she thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers”. Pancake is a local parlance for makeup.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the senate president’s comments were defamatory, provocative, disparaging, and lowered her dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and the right-thinking public.

The senate president’s words reverberated beyond that moment; soon, other lawmakers began parroting the same language, embedding ridicule into their description of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“And I don’t know what is wrong with this lady. Does she think that she’s the most beautiful woman on earth? Or is it because she’s that chocolate colour. In my own assessment, she’s not among the beautiful women in Nigeria, and it is high time we come hard on her,” Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, deputy chief whip, said in an interview.

On X, the video was viewed more than 440,000 times, reposted 1,000 times, with another 1,000+ comments, and over 300 bookmarks.

Soon, the rhetoric leapt from the senate floor to the minds of social media users, where it took on a life of its own.

Chigozirim Emeakayi, a Facebook user, took on the task of spreading this content. 
Between the time of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s clash with Akpabio till May 2, Emeakayi made over 20 posts hurling abusive words at the Kogi senator.
“Natasha Akpoti is a good example of beauty without brain. If this nuisance of a woman is not recalled and replaced before six months, we have failed as a nation,” one of his Facebook posts reads.
It gathered over 144 comments with some 100 “mocking” reactions. “Meet Natasha Akpoti, the most beautiful liar on earth!” another post with over 200 comments and reactions said.

The smears spread into her marital life with Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Uduaghan had accompanied his wife to the upper legislative chamber when she went to submit the sexual harassment petition against Akpabio. Before she made her way to the plenary, the couple shared a brief kiss. 

Yemi Adaramodu, senate spokesperson, said his stomach churned when he watched clips of the kiss. He said the couple’s display of affection, in the full glare of television cameras and a battery of reporters, was “unthinkable and unspeakable” and morally wrong.
Nwaebonyi was very vocal in his criticism of not only Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appearance but of her marital life.

The senate deputy chief whip accused Uduaghan, a monarch, of marrying her out of pity, labelled Akpoti-Uduaghan a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer”, and claimed she had six children from different men.

Opinions about Akpoti-Uduaghan’s private status have often taken centre stage. A Google Trends analysis showed that searches around the topic during the height of the controversy superseded insights into her career.

A Google Trends query into Akpoti-Uduaghan showed that insights into her private life dominated searches. On the left are search queries, and on the right are search interests over time, scaled on a range from 0 to 100.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said Nwaebonyi’s comments were false, malicious, and defamatory, and had caused her emotional distress and reputational damage during a turbulent time. She sued the senator for N5 billion, but the damage had been done.

Sentiments spread like wildfire on social media, and sensationalist reports began to seep into mainstream media.

One X user urged Akpabio to spin the table on Akpoti-Uduaghan and accuse her of sexual advances without evidence. The tweet was viewed 181.8k times, had 1.1k likes, 560 comments, and 259 reposts.

EZEKWESILI CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

Very few people publicly sided with Akpoti-Uduaghan in her standoff with Akpabio. One of the few who did was Oby Ezekwesili — a former vice president of the World Bank and two-time minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

But Ezekwesili was no stranger to the vitriol. During her time in government, she endured her share of gendered attacks — from whispers about her closeness to Obasanjo, to outright attempts to question her legitimacy and authority in male-dominated spaces.

Ezekwesili (sitting) attends the autobiography launch of Obasanjo (standing) in 2014
In March, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a fresh petition to the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions.

Ezekwesili joined Abiola Akiode, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the petitioner, Zubairu Yakubu, at the senate committee hearing.
Yakubu had made efforts to speak while Neda Imaseun, the senate committee chairman, was speaking, but he was asked to turn off his mic.

When Ezekwesili tried to intervene, Nwaebonyi — who appeared as Akpabio’s witness — interrupted her. She then told him to “shut up”, “compose himself and stop making noise”, which immediately sparked an outburst from the senator.

“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,” Nwaebonyi replied Ezekwesili. 

The shouting match degenerated into vulgar name-calling and gender-based humiliation. Nwaebony said he did not regret insulting the former minister.
Ezekwesili said her dispute with the senator brought to light the challenges women face in society, particularly in spaces of power and accountability. She insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan deserved justice and said she would not stop seeking accountability.

But amid her public show of support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ezekwesili got caught in the crossfire of gendered attacks, again.

“Former national side chick,” an X user replied to a post lauding Ezekwesili’s achievements. The post made 2.8k impressions and was accompanied by a picture of the former World Bank official with Obasanjo.

As with Akpoti-Uduaghan, the criticism Ezekwesili faced followed a familiar script, eventually zeroing in on her appearance. 

“Being ugly on the outside is not the Problem. The main problem is being ugly both on the outside and inside. Oby Ezekwesili is a perfect definition the above definition. A woman who eats and drinks from the plate of hate and vile,” an X user tweeted.

NO WOMAN LEFT BEHIND

In Nigeria’s hyper-online culture, fame is rarely a shield, especially for women. Whether in politics, literature, or music, even the most celebrated figures are not immune to the gendered crossfire. 

While Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ezekwesili found themselves dodging digital spears, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the internationally acclaimed author and feminist, and Ayra Starr, the music sensation, were embroiled in accusations disguised as moral outrage and disinformation attacks.
In an interview on May 1, Adichie admitted that she regretted publicising having her twins through surrogacy. 

Adichie admitted regret in publicising the birth of her twins through surrogacy
Attacks on the author’s personality were not unfamiliar. During the 2023 elections, she faced heavy criticism for her political views.

The same sentiment echoed across Facebook users. Ayra Starr found herself in a similar position. However, unlike the others whose backlash stemmed from a specific decision or action, the attacks against the 22-year-old seemed to emerge without clear provocation.

In early May, as online attacks against the other women reached a fever pitch, a narrative about Ayra Starr having bad breath suddenly began circulating on social media.

Multiple screenshots pulled from videos of the artiste interacting with other celebrities, including Rihanna, Tems, and Rema, her co-label star, were posted across multiple accounts to “prove” the narrative true. 

But the screenshots were taken out of context.
For example, in a 27-second video clip, Tems and Ayra Starr are seen miming to Commas, Ayra’s hit song. At the 14-second mark — the moment that later went viral — Tems briefly holds her nose while Ayra makes a playful gesture, as if waving off a smell.

THE OSINT TRAIL

Using X’s advanced search function, multiple tweets were scraped from the platform using Boolean search queries containing keywords and hashtags to assess whether the hostility stemmed from random users or was part of a coordinated campaign.

After preprocessing, the cleaned tweets were loaded in Gephi, an open-source network analysis and visualisation software, where the Louvain modularity algorithm and ForceAtlas2 layout algorithm were used to cluster users and generate interaction network graphs. The Louvain modularity algorithm is a method for identifying groups, or “communities,” within large networks. It looks for areas where nodes (or users) are more connected to each other than to the rest of the network, and checks how strong these groupings are compared to what might happen by chance.

The ForceAtlas2 algorithm, on the other hand, is handy for network visualisation.

CableCheck could establish that several networks of accounts spun conversations around these women. It is important to note that an account’s presence in the network graph does not automatically mean it was spreading disinformation or involved in a coordinated activity.

The graph only shows participation in the broader conversation, not the specific content or intent, which would be difficult to determine. For instance, the appearance of credible media outlets simply reflects that the topic was prominently featured in their coverage.

Conversely, CableCheck found accounts in the clusters that actively posted about these attacks. For example, in Ayra Starr’s interaction graph, tweets from users linked to @societyhatesjay (in the purple cluster) and @WarrenGhod (in orange) were mostly negative conversations about the topic.
On May 2, @societyhatesjay tweeted in Pidgin English, asking his 46.9k followers if Ayra Starr smells. The post was accompanied by two screenshots from suggestive angles. The tweet gathered 2.4m views, 22k likes, 1.9k reposts, 1.7k bookmarks, and over 800 comments.

A visual representation of the overall interactions on X.
Jay’s campaign against Ayra started as early as February. In a tweet, he mocked Ayra and @lotoscuffs_, a video vixen, who also recently suffered attacks to her appearance, for “smelling”.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conversations were mostly driven by journalists and media houses, but were intercepted by pockets of disinformation peddlers.

CableCheck also observed that many social media users actively engaged Grok, the generative AI chatbot developed by xAI, either to seek clarification or to make mischievous and provocative requests.

For example, under a post showing a woman who “disgraced her life time generation”, an X user asked Grok who Akpoti-Uduaghan was. 

Ezekwesili’s interaction graph had a similar pattern to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s.Adichie’s interactions were driven mostly by activists and CSOs who are against surrogacy. They dismissed the author’s beliefs and used them as a point of attack.

CRAFTED TACTICS SETTING BACK PROGRESS

The smear campaigns targeting Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ezekwesili, Adichie, and Ayra Starr do not exist in isolation; they are part of a broader pattern of gendered disinformation engineered to discredit, distract, and ultimately silence women in high positions, especially those who do not conform to gender-based expectations. 

Nigeria’s persistently low female representation in politics has long been a point of concern — a striking contradiction in a country where women make up half of the population.

According to the IPU, Nigeria ranks 179 out of 183 in terms of women’s representation in national parliaments globally, despite being Africa’s most populous democracy.
Few women constitute Nigeria’s lawmakersLawmakers in the senate chamber

Akpabio said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s escalation of the sexual harassment claim was “unnecessary” and warned that her actions may block women from getting political appointments.  

A state of online harms survey from Gatefield shows that 58 percent of Nigerian women experience the highest rates of online harms. Gatefield, alongside partners that include big tech platforms and regional institutions, advocates and creates campaigns that bring about positive social change.

In the survey, X was noted as the platform where most Nigerians experience online harms (34 percent), followed by Facebook (29 percent) and WhatsApp (12 percent). The report has yet to be made public, but its preliminary findings were shared with CableCheck.

Hannatu Asheolge, spokesperson for the national online safety coalition, told CableCheck that gendered attacks are “very strategic”.

“We’ve seen it again and again where powerful women are targeted with disinformation to tear them down,” Asheolge said.
“We saw what happened with Senator Natasha…people talking about how many sons she has from how many fathers as if that is important, trying to cast doubt on her character and credibility,” she said, also adding Aisha Yesufu, an activist, and Kadaria Ahmed, veteran journalist to the list of other women who have suffered targeted attacks to their character.
She noted that it is used as a tool to shrink women and scare others from also being as bold or as unapologetic. 

“This means that women are actively pushed out of politics, economics, governance, or business. And we all lose because women’s full participation is essential to progress,” Asheolge added.

“When disinformation sidelines women, it doesn’t just affect them; it holds back the entire country. It blocks talent and reinforces the very systems that we’re trying to dismantle.”

WHEN PROTECTION FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS

Despite the clear escalation of gendered disinformation targeting women in public life — from senators to cultural icons — institutional responses have been alarmingly absent or muted. 
In Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, the Nigerian senate failed to follow global best practices for handling sexual harassment allegations, especially those involving individuals in positions of power. 

In many other democracies, officials facing such serious accusations temporarily step aside, allowing for an independent and transparent investigation to take place.

In 2022, Chris Pincher, a UK Conservative MP and former deputy chief whip, resigned from his position after allegations of sexual assault surfaced. Following a parliamentary standards commission report recommending an 8-week suspension, Pincher lost his appeal and resigned his seat in parliament in September 2023.

David Van, an Australian senator, faced multiple sexual harassment allegations and resigned from the Liberal Party in June 2023 amid the scandal.
In many cases, the accused steps down while the accuser is given a fair hearing. In Nigeria, the reverse played out, revealing a troubling institutional tolerance for retaliation against women who speak out.

In mid May, the federal government instituted a defamation suit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, with Akpabio as one of the complainants.
On June 19, she stood before the court—not as the defamed, but as the alleged defamer.

Lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commenced the construction of smart markets in Okehi and Okene local areas.

In a recent announcement on her official social media platforms, the senator revealed that despite being illegally suspended from the Senate, she successfully facilitated the inclusion of several key projects including the smart markets in Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas in the 2025 national budget.

She emphasized that this initiative is part of her broader commitment to supporting market women, whom she described as essential drivers of socioeconomic development in rural communities. Her goal, she said, is to create safe, functional, and conducive spaces for their operations.

Her post reads:


The post reads:

"Congratulations Kogi Central District, we have two new markets underway.

"The need to construct new markets? Our market women play fundamental roles as socioeconomic development drivers in our rural communities. From job creation to revenue generation to ensuring food security. It’s no doubt our women must be supported and building conducive functional and Safe spaces is the least the government can do.

"Thus, in the 2025 budget, as your beloved Senator, even though being illegally suspended, amongst other interesting projects, I was able to facilitate the construction of smart markets in Okene and Okehi LGAs.

"Okene’s location: This shall be a brand new market in an entirely new location because both Obehira and Bariki markets are fully saturated and have no land for expansion. Hence, we graciously secured a fantastic flat land right beside the new Okene General Hospital in Okuanatahu, Okene LGA . Opposite the market is where our proposed fire service station will be constructed.

"Okehi’s location: The existing Oboroke market has a large expanse of land and with the collaboration of the market union leaders, we agreed to build the new market right there. This will accord the entire market women to access the amenities that would be provided.

"Scope of the New Markets.

Each market shall have :
40 open market stalls
40 closed shops
Toilets
Water supply
Car parks for loading trucks
Solar grid
Sockets in shops and stalls
Street lights for security, amongst others.

"These projects are fully funded by the Federal Government and we shall ensure they’ll be distributed FREELY on merit to the market women NOT SOLD.

"We anticipate completion by our second year in office; November 2nd 2025. I’m excited and hope you all are too.
Senator Natasha H Akpoti- Uduaghan
Proudly Kogi Central", she said

The Abuja Federal High Court has postponed the ruling on the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan slater for tomorrow June 27, 2025.

The case has been further adjourned to the 4th July, 2025 to deliver judgement on the suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to quash the six-month suspension that was slammed on her by the Senate.

Recall that Justice Justice Binta Nyako had slated the judgement for June 27 during the last sitting on May 13, in the suit seeking to nullify her suspension for being illegal and unlawful.

However, less than 24 hours to the June 27 date for judgment, a notice of a new date of July 4, has been sent to lawyers representing parties in the suit. No reason was however given for the change in the date.

On Thursday, efforts to have the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, remanded by a High Court sitting in Abuja collapsed to the chagrin of her detractors who are bent on seeing her behind bars.

Justice Chizoba Orji dismissed the Federal Government’s application seeking to remand Senator Natasha in prison custody, pending the determination of a criminal case against her.

The court ruled that there was no sufficient reason to deny her bail, noting there was clear evidence that the lawmaker was ready to face trial.

The court, subsequently, granted the defendant bail and instructed to produce one surety who owns a landed property in Abuja beside the N50 million bail.

However, political analysts believe the real battle lies ahead on June 27 when the Abuja Federal High Court is expected to rule on her controversial six-month suspension from the Senate.

There are growing indications that the ultimate aim of her adversaries is to erase her presence from the National Assembly entirely. Multiple failed attempts point to a consistent pattern of desperation.

First, there was the rush on the illegal recall process, reportedly costing billions of Naira. Locals were deceived into signing recall documents, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later rejected for not meeting constitutional requirements.

Next came attempts to entangle her with multiple legal charges. The Federal Government was dragged into the case and filed criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja under CHARGE NO: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 – Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, this arraignment is scheduled for June 30—after the court ruling on her suspension.

Unsatisfied with the timing, her detractors swiftly filed a separate case through the same Federal Government. A fresh charge, CHARGE NO: FCT/CR/297/2025—was brought against her at the Abuja High Court on 19th June. Once again, Senator Natasha was granted bail and her detractors failed to achieve their ultimate goal.

This sequence of events paints a clear picture: there is a coordinated effort to ensure she is jailed before the June 27 suspension ruling. But with both attempts now failed, attention shifts to the judiciary to determine whether her six-month suspension—widely regarded as illegal—will be overturned.

In a desperate attempt to further delay the Federal High Court’s ruling on her suspension, it is worth recalling that the first judge assigned to the case, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, recused himself after a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio was submitted to the NJC and DSS, alleging bias. The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako, who fixed judgment for June 27, 2025, in the suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

Her political opponents know what’s at stake. Precedents have shown the judiciary has a well-documented history of reversing similar suspensions deemed unconstitutional.

In 2017, Senator Ali Ndume was suspended for 90 legislative days. A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the action illegal and ordered his reinstatement.

In 2018, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege faced a similar fate after accusing colleagues of working against then President Buhari’s re-election. The court also declared his suspension illegal.

Likewise, in 2016, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin was suspended for 180 days after accusing the leadership of the House of Representatives of alleged budget padding. The Federal High Court not only nullified his suspension but also ordered the payment of his withheld salaries and allowances.

These precedents are why Senator Natasha’s enemies fear the outcome of the June 27 ruling. They are aware that her suspension lacks legal standing—and should the court follow past rulings, she will be reinstated.

Their goal appears to keep her away from the Senate chamber by any means before that verdict. But they have failed again.

Concerned Nigerians are urging the judiciary to uphold justice and protect the sanctity of the law. They call for a ruling that not only reinstates Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan but also sends a strong message, no Nigerian woman—should be silenced for speaking out against abuse, corruption, or sexual harassment.

The Kogi Mineral Conspiracy: How Nigeria's Political Elite Weaponized Power against Senator Natasha Akpoti

At the core of the mineral-rich state of Kogi in Nigeria is the story that reveals the dirty dealings in the world of Nigerian politics- a well-orchestrated witch-hunt against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who committed the cardinal sin of daring to inquire about the mineral bounties that Kogi State is endowed with. This report sheds light on how influential political players, namely, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the former Governor Yahaya Bello, undertook a well-orchestrated move to shut out a Senator whose investigations jeopardized many decades of mismanagement and possible abuses of mineral resources.

There is consistent evidence that the retaliation came swiftly as they deprived Senator Akpoti of political positions and suspended her in the Senate, and finally charged her with crimes when she initiated research about the solid mineral resources of Kogi State. This is not just political competition, but it is the use of the state to defend vested interests of billions of naira value.


Chapter 1: The Mineral Goldmine That Changed Everything


Kogi State: Nigeria's Hidden Treasure Trove
The state, Kogi, which is also referred to as the Confluence State because of the intersection of Niger and Benue rivers, is located on the surface of one of the most important places of the mineral store of Nigeria. Modern geological explorations show the frightful magnitude of this treasure:


The Mineral Inventory:


In its 2024 in-depth mineral potential assessment all over Nigeria, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency estimated that the mineral wealth of the state of Kogi is worth in excess of N50 trillion (USD 65 billion). That is why Kogi is ranked as one of the most mineral-rich states of the country.


Kingdom of the Iron Ore
Coined as the crown jewel of Kogi mineral wealth is the Agbaja Iron Ore Project, within 15km northwest of Lokoja. The mineral deposit is a shallow, flat-lying channel deposit of iron of the following composition:

- Proven reserves: 200 million metric tons

- Predicted supplies: an extra 100 million metric tons

- Iron content: It can have more than 67 per cent after beneficiation


The project was to supply Ajaokuta Steel Complex, a potential money spinner worth billions of dollars in a year. However, even after decades of progress, the untapped potential has never been achieved, and this fact would become one of the focuses of investigation by Senator Akpoti.


Chapter 2: The Senator Who Dared to Ask Questions


Background: From Lawyer to Legislator
The latest generation of Nigerian politicians is represented by Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, born December 9, 1979. She was the daughter of a Ukrainian mother and a Nigerian father and had her fresh ideas on Nigerian politics. Naturally, her education in law and her history as a civil rights activist made her a person who is ready to disrupt the status quo.

A former state House of Assembly candidate, and known as a dynamic young politician, is one of the few profiles that emerged as an outspoken leader calling attention to transparency and good governance in the politics of Kogi Central Senatorial District, when she was elected in the year 2023. Her appointment to the Senate Chairman of the Senate committee on local content was regarded as a reward for her legal experience and devotion to industrialisation in Nigeria.


When Curiosity was a Crime: The Fatal Inquiry
Sources in the senate have said that the origin of the troubles faced by Senator Akpoti started late in 2023 when she initiated penetrating inquiries as to how mining licenses were managed and distributed in Kogi State. Her questions concentrated on several areas:

1. Revenue Transparency: Why were the revenues from minerals not reflected in the state projects in development?


2. License Allocation: What were the distributions of the mining licenses, and to whom?


3. Federal vs. State: So, what was the correct governing body of mineral resources?

4. Community Benefits: What were the locals gaining through the mining of minerals?

Such questions went to the core of a system that had been working in the shadows over the decades.


The Timeline of Retaliation
September 2023: After repeated inquiries, Senator Akpoti becomes formal with investigations into the management of mineral resources in Kogi State.

October 2023: Informal requests by senior colleagues to take cognizance of other things.

November 2023: According to sources, there is more pressure from the Senate leaders to drop the investigations into the mineral resources.

December, 2023: No explanation of the committee of Senator Akpoti on the Local Content budget cut.

January 2024: Threats by anonymous senders start, such as messages telling her to remember to stay in her lane.

February 2024: Her chairmanship in the Senate Committee on Local Content is reviewed.


March 2024: More accusations of sexual harassment and bullying methods are reported.

June 2024 - February 2025: Persecutions continue, and efforts are aimed at marginalising her authority in the senate.

March 6, 2025: Senator Akpoti is told by the senate to step aside for six months over a charge of, among other things, misconduct.

June 2025: The Federal Government plays its part by bringing criminal defamation counts against her.


Chapter 3: The Web of Power - Key Players in the Conspiracy


Senate President Godswill Akpabio: The Enforcer
Akpabio, who is the president of the senate, becomes the principal member in the fight against Senator Akpoti. According to sources in the Senate, they were subjected to a pattern of behavior that aimed at isolating and marginalizing the Kogi Central Senator:


The Akpabio Connection to Mineral Resources:
- Past Akwa Ibom State Governor (2007-2015)

- The-Former minister of Niger Delta Affairs (2019-2022)

- A great experience of managing and allocating resources

- Reputable for preserving well-set interests in the extractive business

Insiders have claimed that Akpabio considered the inquiries by Senator Akpoti of the senate as a threat to the formalities regarding the handling of mineral resources. Her inquiries on transparency and accountability dented a system that was run with very little supervision for more than 50 years.


Evidence of Systematic Marginalization:
- According to the report, the committee assignments of Senator Akpoti were downgraded

- This did not allow her much speaking time in the plenary sessions

- Motions to increase motions on the management of mineral resources were blocked


The measures that she introduced in the legislature were referred to committees that were opposed to her programs


Former Governor Yahaya Bello: The Local Strongman
The historical representation of the local power structure that the investigations of Senator Akpoti posed a threat to is represented by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello (2016-2024). In his eight years of tenure, Bello exercised strong control over the mineral resources of the state in one way or another:


The Bello Mineral Empire:
- Formed exclusive tie-ups with some mining companies

- Installed a network of local government officials who were prepared to support his mineral busybody agenda

According to him, embezzled mineral revenues were used to finance political affairs


Constructed a patronage system for the selection of mining licenses
Insiders of the Kogi State government point out that Bello also regarded Senator Akpoti as an existential challenge to the system he had carefully set up until then. Her status and power on the federal level, as well as her legal experience, provided her with arsenals that the local resistance lacked.

The Intimidation: According to various sources, the Intimidation Campaign entailed the following:

- Monitoring of her activities in the state of Kogi

- Threats against her relatives and people she knew

- Business coercion directed against those businesses that relate to her

- Transmission of fake news regarding her personal life and political reasons


Corporate Interests and Shadow Networks: The Non-State Actors
The probe points to the presence of a maze of corporate interests that is tied to the preservation of the status quo involving the mineral resources of Kogi State:


Dubious-Licensed Mining Companies:
- A number of businesses run without a thorough analysis of the impacts on the environment

- Opaque-owned foreign organizations

- Local firms that are known to be associated with political personalities

- The informal mining organizations that are not subject to regulatory measures


Financial Networks:
- Banks that enable off-putting dealings regarding mineral incomes

- Shell firms that are party to mineral export deals


- Local business societies were lost in the course of the established patronage systems

- Families under the constraints of traditional authorities that benefit from the existing arrangements


Chapter 4: The Sexual Harassment and Victimization Campaign


The Personal Becomes Political
The most disturbing element of the character assassination of Senator Akpoti was the alleged gender-based sexual harassment/intimidation. There is also what multiple sources describe as a clear strategy to undermine her credibility and respectability.


Documented Incidents Include:
- Comments about her appearance and personal life on the floor of the Senate

- Efforts to separate her from male peers by suggesting that her motivations are less than pure

- Propagating fake news about her affairs

- Invoking traditional gender stereotypes to raise doubts about her fitness for office


The Larger Context: This bullying was one step in the plan to:
- Distract her from her sleuthing

- Deter other women from seeking to challenge entrenched pillars of power

- Establish a hostile enough workplace that she would tender her resignation.

- Create an air of illegitimacy around her leadership


Effects on Her Legislative Clout
The intimidation took a heavy toll on Senator Akpoti's overall disposition to her legislative responsibility:

- Attending fewer committee hearings

- Raised security risks linked to her movement

- Psychological trauma is affecting her legislative priorities

- Isolation from other potential allies who didn't want to get involved


Chapter 5: The Loss of the Local Content Committee - The Turning Point


Understanding the Strategic Importance
And Senator Akpoti , as the Chairperson on the Committee on the Senate Committee on Local Content, had an active and not omnibus role to play when she investigated the Mineral Resources. The Local Content Act provides that:

- Nigerian businesses are given preference in the extractive sector

- Resource extraction projects contribute positively to local communities

- Local Capacity Building Technology transfer is carried out for local capacity building.

- Environmental standards are also kept up

It was this Committee that had oversight over issues that Senator Akpoti was investigating in Kogi State.

Akpoti’s suspension on March 6, 2025, is a classical case of the use and abuse of legislative power in the history of Nigeria. Adding on Suspension for 'Misconduct' Section 6.1 and 6.2 are the basis for the suspension, but it is based on robot rules violations.


The Orchestrated Removal


How They Booted Her: A Real Power Play
Okay then, here is the way the whole thing broke. Rumor has it that her forced exit was not a mere fight, but a straight-out conspiracy attack.


The Process:
1. Pressure Cooker: Senators with big names began piling on leadership, and hinting that her appointment was some secret that had to be kept in the bathroom like a black tissue.

2. Whispers and Gripes: And all of a sudden, there were hordes of faceless gossipers who would complain about her talent. Coincidence? Please.


3. Committee Shuffle: The next thing you know, they are shuffling members of committees, ensuring that she has fewer friends on her side.

4. Slicing the Purse Strings. They cut the budget of her committee into small pieces, they cut the cash to dig deep, and the bullets to do a real investigation.

5. The Axe Falls: Then, blast. She’s out. There was no concrete cog. Just gone.


Money Talks—and They Knew It
It was not only a slap in the face to lose that gig. It crashed the entire enterprise of Senator Akpoti. Without a budget, there is no research, no hearings, no nothing. Staff? Disappeared or chopped. Travel finance to see what things are really like? Forget it. Expert advice? Unattainable. It was down-and-out sabotage-he had fixed it so that she could never dig around anymore in the mineral resources confusities.


Chapter 6: Suspension—Senate Rules as a Blunt Weapon
March 6, 2025. The Senate is going to live with that date for a bit. This is democracy faceplant day. That is why Senator Akpoti is slapped with a suspension-reason cited is misconduct. The official version? It would be a breach of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the 2023 Senate rulebook. Yeah, okay.


The Charges against Her:
- Breach of decorum in the senate (translation: she humiliated them)

- Destroying the reputation of the Senate (as though anybody needed any help at all in doing that)

- Disregarding the so-called procedures that were proper

- Communicating with the media without having the green light

- The Real Reasons: Analyzing the timing and circumstances shows the true motivations were:

- Her ongoing questions about mineral resource management

- Her refusal to be quieted by earlier intimidation tactics

- Her rising public profile as an anti-corruption advocate

- Her potential to encourage other senators to ask similar questions


The Procedural Irregularities
There are key anomalies identified about her suspension, as it has been raised by legal watchers:

1. Due Process Problems: She did not receive a fair hearing that would allow her to state her case.

2. Selective Enforcement: Other senators who had similar accusations did not face any consequences.

3. Suspicious Timing: The suspension came right after her recent mineral resource investigation- there is no chance in that.

4. Committee Bias: It is reported that a bias existed on the Ethics and Privileges Committee before it even started.


The Six-Month Suspension: A Strategic Action
Let us be direct about it--the six-month suspension was not arbitrary. This is what it achieved:

- Pushed her out of the voice just before the budget sessions.

- Denied her any opportunity to play supervisory roles.

- Issued a warning to other potential whistleblowers.

- Provided opportunity for some interests to redouble and coalesce.


Chapter 7: The Criminal Charges - The Final Assault


Defamation as a Weapon
In June 2025, everything turned to the next level: The Federal Government, through the Department of Public Prosecutions, charged Senator Akpoti with criminal defamation, to be heard on June 19 and June 30.


Her situation is like this:
- Criminal defamation against her utterances on the management of mineral resources.

- Claims of filing false information concerning corruption in mining.

- Alleged character assassinations against her for damaging the reputation of the government.

- Incitement charges based on her speeches and interviews.


The process of taking the criminal, rather than the civil, route marks a serious step-up:
- Criminal claims and prosecution present the danger of a prison sentence.

- They lead to short-term political dilemmas.

- The menace makes the media houses fear reporting her story.

- The method gives the green light to the government to muzzle opposition.


Judiciary Pushback
The Federal High Court in Abuja was caught in a rare throttle of the government in power as it turned down the government's request to issue a bench warrant against Senator Akpoti to be arrested. Although there is a problem with the system, this ruling demonstrates that there is also certain judicial awareness of considerations on a political agenda.


Chapter 8: The Broader Implications - What This Means for Nigeria


The Cost of Silence
The pushback against Senator Akpoti is not only political and has become highly personal, and serves as a stark reminder for all those who might challenge entrenched interests in Nigeria’s resource sector. Considering that Kogi State alone holds approximately ₦50 trillion worth of natural resources, the incentive to play the politics of patronage goes far beyond normal political posturing. I am talking about determining the key growth path for Nigeria’s economy for decades.


Key Issues at Play:
- This could mean an additional billion for governments.

- Thousands of jobs could be created in the mining industry (and associated industries).

- “There are opportunities for tech transfer to be meaningful and for wider industrial development”.

- The local communities themselves are the most direct beneficiaries, and have the potential to reduce poverty.

- And there is the expectation to raise environmental standards via more sustainable practices.


Precedent and Risks:
But if the attempt to discredit Sen. Akpoti succeeds, then there is a disconcerting message:

- Challenging powerful interests can lead to personal and professional reprisals.

- The Senate could be internally weaponized, losing its capacity to operate as an independent legislative organ.

- There is a serious threat of silencing those who oppose through the legal system.

- This ‘normalizing’ of gender-based harassment as a legitimate political strategy is troubling.

International Outlook:
This has garnered international attention:

- Nigeria’s response to demands for transparency is being followed closely by major mining companies on a global level.

- Foreign investors are re-evaluating the risks of entering Nigeria’s extractive industries.

- All developments are being followed by international anti-corruption groups.

- Nigeria’s good governance credentials are in jeopardy.


Evidence and Financial Oversight:
Based on all the evidence presented, ie documents, statements, financial documents, etc, one can identify the following disturbing trends:

- The Local Content Committee used to be active but has been completely silent since the appointment of Senator Akpoti.

- Funding for oversight committees has been cut.

- Membership on major committees has changed during sensitive investigations, thus bringing intent into question.

- Critical reports on mineral resource management have been silenced or overlooked.

Financial analysts have also highlighted several red flags:
The concerning inconsistency of reports on Kogi State’s mineral revenue is difficult to overlook.

There are discrepancies in the federal/state mining licensing fee records.

On top of that, offshore transactions linked to profitable contracts for mining suggest a possibility of financial crime.

In short, it becomes much more than a political tussle, but a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability and sustainable development of its resource sector. The result will be critical at home and abroad.

PRESIDENT TINUBU ARE YOU AWARE?

As it stands now, l want them to send Senator Natasha H Akpoti to jail since they're blindly bent on doing so. With the turn of events, contrary to their state of mind,
sending her to jail 'II not humiliate her, it will rather make her a hero. A national hero, a global hero, a social hero. They're about to spark a national and global movement over a case that ought to have died down by now if someone hadn't gone sourcing for one Professor Mgbeke.

In a country being governed by the very person who stood still, organized protest, funded The News Magazine and other media houses from exile when Gen. Sani Abacha was closing print media houses and seizing printed publications. The Nigeria Police Force is being tossed around like a toy and being used to arrest and detain anyone that stepped out criticize one Sandra Duru AKA Professor Mgbeke a national who ran to USA abandoning criminal cases against her in court here. Obinna and Francess has been arrested.

They were arrested for stepping out to encounter the fact that Senator Natasha never mentioned about overthrowing Yoruba government. Once that was mentioned their initial plan of using Professor Mgbeke's lies to charge Natasha for felony changed.

That leaves me with the question.
Why is the Nigerian Police Force not investigating this?
Are they not aware that such false accusation is a serious security issue?
Why is the presidency treating such serious false information likely?
Why is the INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE treating Sandra Duru that brought about this false allegation lightly?
Why is Sandra Duru openly making posts on social media and boasting that everyone that said anything about her will be arrested by Nigerian Police and few days later the person will receive an invitation from the same Nigerian Police.
Why?

At period when over 200 Nigerians were slaughtered at Benue State, at a period when insecurity is spreading everywhere, all that interest the Nigerian Senate, the police, the Nigerian justice system is to send Senator Natasha to jail. President TINUBU, is this the democracy you fought for?

There's something those planning this don't understand, Senator Natasha is about to be turned into a symbol of the struggle, the pains, the hardship, the insecurity and the high cost of foods items. When that happens most of these people cheering will join the social movement demanding for her freedom.

Most importantly Mr. President, long after all these people planning to jail her has disappeared, the history book will record, the international social discussion will be that at the TIME TINUBU WAS PRESIDENT, a Nigerian Lady politician was sent to jail for freedom of speech. This instance might be sited by the authors and designers of this crude art because those there who clapped for Abacha later turned around to deny him.

Make that record, send a sitting Nigerian Senator to jail in your anger and bitterness let other legislative arms and members stay there and watch their highly respected office reduced. But, your anger you think it's just about punishing Natasha. I dey laugh.

What is even the issue?
Man toast woman that was mishandled that's why the entire Nigerian Senate, the office of Attorney General, the Nigerian Police, the office of the Inspector General of Police, the presidency are being dragged at a time we're having this state of insecurity.

Does this mean there's not a single senator with respect enough to call these two people together and make peace? I mean, these are two families that has been the best of friends for years.

Does it mean that the rush to jail Natasha outweighs everything else in the country now?

Nigerians could have been clapping if we heard one terrorists leader has been arrested and the process of justice against him is being fastened. But there's none in detention even.

Nigerians could have been happy to hear that Senator Natasha stole so, so, and so billions of naira and the process to jail her is being fastened. No! If it's about stolen Nigerian money the process to jail the person will take over 20 years.

Go Jail Natasha!
To rush her to jail in such a hurry thinking you're humiliating her is to jail the voice of every single woman that has cried and will ever cry about sexual harasment. Why should they complain when they will end up in jail?

Then you will see some ignorant people jump in here, who don't even know that they abandoned the sex harasment case and prompt up other charges and are rushing it to extract revenge, screaming let her proof it in court. I wrote this last because they're normally lazy readers. They won't get to this point, even if they scrapped through they will still be confused in understanding the entire narrative.

By Peter Agba Kalu

Did you know that the Federal Government filed similar charges in two different courts against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central?

Rights activists who have condemned the federal government for aligning with Senate President Godswill Akpabio to persecute Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan are questioning the rationale for this abuse of the court process.

On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja rejected the Federal Government’s request to issue an arrest warrant against the suspended senator over her failure to appear in court for arraignment in an alleged defamation suit.
Hearing in the action filed at the FCT High Court comes up for hearing on Thursday.

Justice Muhammed Umar, who presided at the Monday hearing, delivered his ruling after the federal government’s counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that the charge had been served on her lawyer earlier that morning in the courtroom.

However, Justice Umar stated that, since the senator had not previously been served with the charge or a hearing notice, it was inconceivable for her to have appeared in court.

On that basis, he refused the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

The Federal Government’s counsel, however, argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan should have been aware of her arraignment since her legal counsel had been served.

The judge, in response, dismissed this argument, stating that serving the charge on her legal counsel was not sufficient to presume the senator’s awareness of the arraignment.

Following the court’s ruling, the prosecution applied for substituted service of the charge through her counsel, Johnson Usman.

The application was granted, and the court subsequently scheduled her arraignment for June 30.
The charge was filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, on behalf of the Federal Government.

In the criminal charge, which names Senator Akpoti-Uduagahn as the sole defendant, the FG accused her of making defamatory statements during a live television broadcast.

The charge, which names Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as the nominal complainants, alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Bello of conspiring with Akpabio to orchestrate her assassination outside Abuja and framing it as a mob or local attack.

According to the Federal Government, these allegations were made during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.

The FG argues that
Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly or recklessly made these imputations, fully aware that they could harm the reputation of the individuals involved.

She is alleged to have said, “Let’s
ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks? He then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi. What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales. Who is going to get justice for me?”

The charge also cites her statements during the programme,

“That you, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on or about the 3rd day of April 2025, during the same Politics Today programme on Channels Television in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, made the following imputation concerning Yahaya Adoza Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.

“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night, to eliminate me. When he met with him, he then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi.’

“You knew or had reason to believe that such imputations would harm the reputation of Yahaya Adoza Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.”

The senator is also accused of making defamatory statements about Senate President Akpabio during a telephone conversation with Sandra C. Duru in Abuja on 27 March 2025.

The Federal Government contends that Akpoti-Uduaghan knew or ought to have known that this claim would harm the reputation of Akpabio.

Also, the Senate President, Bello, and four others have been listed as witnesses for the trial.

SERAP To Tinubu: Direct AGF To Withdraw Case Against Natasha Akpoti

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has asked President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the government’s case against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).

The rights group made the call, Monday, via their X (Twitter) account.

Earlier in the day, the Federal High Court, Abuja, rejected an application by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant against Senator Natasha in an alleged defamation case against her.

SERAP said: “Following his expressed commitment on June 12, we call on President (Bola) Tinubu to promptly direct Nigeria’s Attorney General to immediately discontinue the case(s) against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is targeted simply for the peaceful exercise of her human rights.”

The government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.

When the matter was called on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr D.D. Kasue told the court that the matter was for arraignment but that the defendant was not in court.

Kasue told the court that he served the charge on the defendant’s counsel, which meant that the defendant was well aware of the matter.

The prosecutor prayed the court for a bench warrant to be issued against the defendant for failing to appear in court in spite of being aware of the charge against her.

“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel, but the defendant is not in court".

https://guardian.ng/news/serap-urges-tinubu-to-end-defamation-case-against-senator-natasha/

At approximately 9:00a.m. today, the Federal High Court in Abuja became the centre of an unusual and tense scene as no fewer than ten trucks of armed policemen were deployed around and inside the court premises. This development coincided with a suit filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by lawyers representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Sources indicate that neither Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan nor her legal representatives had been served with any court process regarding the suit prior to the scheduled court session today. The legal team for the senator reportedly remained unaware of the case until the arrival of a lawyer who happened to be present in the court for an unrelated matter.

Upon noticing the substantial police presence and the readiness of the opposing legal team to move a motion for the senator’s arrest, this lawyer intervened by stepping in to represent Senator Natasha in court. The motion before the court sought to obtain an order for the immediate arrest of the senator at her residence.

During proceedings, the presiding judge queried the counsel for the plaintiffs on the service of court papers. The plaintiffs’ lawyers claimed Senator Natasha was evading service. However, no evidence of such evasion was presented, and the claim was refuted by the senator’s legal team who confirmed her availability within the country.

Further inquiries by the judge revealed that service was purportedly effected only at 9:00a.m. today, concurrent with the court session. There was no record of substitute service or alternative legal procedure to inform the senator or her lawyers before the court sitting.

Additional scrutiny uncovered that the suit filed today mirrors another suit scheduled for arraignment on Thursday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The difference lies in the witness list attached to each suit, suggesting duplicity in the legal filings.

The intervention of the lawyer who appeared at the court prevented the immediate execution of the arrest motion. The case was halted pending further legal processes.

This incident raises critical questions about procedural propriety and respect for legal protocols in high-profile cases. The Federal High Court has yet to issue further statements regarding the matter.

Efforts to reach Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the legal representatives for Senate President Akpabio for comments have so far been unsuccessful.

This report will be updated as more information becomes available.

Despite the relentless attacks, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, continues to stand firm, much to the dismay of her detractors.

Her suspension from the Senate came shortly after she boldly spoke out about her alleged sexual harassment by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

The move defied a valid court order marked by questionable tactics, including alleged photocopying of committee members’ signatures on the Senate Ethics report.

In a move that shocked many Nigerians, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months, far beyond the constitutionally permissible limit of 14 days under the guise of violating Senate rules. Her security details were withdrawn, amongst other stringent punishments, all in clear disregard of multiple court rulings.

A coordinated media smear campaign followed, driven by a known propagandist and blackmailer whose sole job seemed to be tarnishing her hard-earned reputation and manipulating public perception.

Determined to confine her to the dustbin of history, and erase her presence at the hallowed chamber,
they launched a recall process but failed woefully despite the stolen resources committed into it. Despite dragging the federal government into this mess, they have continued to fail miserably.

What they didn’t anticipate was that divine justice often champions the cause of the oppressed.
As we await the court’s ruling on June 27 regarding her suspension, we are hopeful that the judiciary will overturn this illegal action, even though four valuable months of representation would have been lost.

They have tried and failed and they will continue to fail. Their schemes, like desert sand caught in a storm, will scatter and collapse before their eyes.

With the support of her constituents who value her courage and giant strides in such a short time, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains unbroken. She will continue to triumph. It’s Natasha till 2027 and beyond.

The Federal Polytechnic Damaturu has matriculated 2,504 new students admitted to the institution for 2024/2025 academic session to study various National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

The Rector, Dr Ibrahim Bashir, however, assured the new students of conducive learning environment during the school’s 28th Matriculation ceremony on Friday in Damaturu.

Dr. Bashir urged them to see the opportunity as both a privilege and a challenge to strive toward academic excellence and moral uprightness.

“The Polytechnic is not just a place of academic learning, but
also of character building.

“I urge you to remain focused on your studies and uphold the values of integrity, perseverance and innovation,” he said.

The rector announced that of the admitted, 2,504 had completed all processes and were duly qualified to take the matriculation oath.

He assured the students that the management, in collaboration with the Governing Council and Academic Board, would do everything within available resources to provide a secure and conducive environment for learning

“Despite our financial constraints, electricity has been restored after three years of blackout.

“Plans are at an advanced stage for the establishment of a solar mini-grid to augment power supply on campus,” he said.

The rector also disclosed that efforts were ongoing to renovate student hostels, improve water supply through reticulation, and enhance the landscaping of the campus.

He warned students against vices such as examination malpractice, drug abuse, vandalism, and other acts of indiscipline.

“You must be good ambassadors of this great institution within and outside the campus,” he added.

The Registrar, Alhaji Mu’azu Iliyasu, in his vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to all invited guests, stakeholders and staff, who contributed to the success of the event.

He reiterated the rector’s message, calling on the students to take his advice seriously to excel in their academic journey.

“I urge you to make your Heads of Department, Lecturers, the Student Affairs Office and the Guidance and Counselling Unit your close allies throughout your stay,” he said.

Also speaking, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Hafsat Abubakar, described the event as a significant milestone in the history of the institution, especially in view of the increased enrollment.

She expressed optimism that the new students would enjoy a peaceful and supportive learning environment that fosters community building and academic development.

Recently uncovered court documents have revealed that pro-Akpabio media personality and alleged blackmailer, Sandra Duru—also known as "Prof Mgbeke"—is a fugitive in Nigeria.

Duru, who has been vocally supporting Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the ongoing case against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is now exposed as having fled Nigeria to avoid arrest.

According to the documents, a warrant for her arrest was issued in 2017 based on serious charges including fraud, threats to life, and character assassination.

The court detailed how, in August 2015, Sandra Duru fraudulently obtained ten million Naira from a respected Nigerian religious leader and businesswoman, Mrs. Edith Adefunke Okubanjo.

Duru allegedly deceived the victim under false pretenses, then issued life-threatening messages and defamed her character through a series of text messages—actions considered criminal under Section 230 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011 where the crime was committed.

Following the issuance of the arrest warrant, Duru allegedly fled to the United States, where she sought asylum under the claim of being a Biafran freedom activist—alleging that the Nigerian government was persecuting her.

Now, concerned Nigerians are questioning, how can a fugitive serve as a witness for the Federal Government in a criminal case against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?

Shockingly, Sandra Duru has been listed as one of the prosecution witnesses in the case, testifying on behalf of the same government she claimed was threatening her life—claims used to support her asylum request in the U.S.

In light of these revelations, citizens are calling on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to immediately enforce the standing warrant of arrest against Sandra Duru and ensure she is held accountable for her alleged crimes.

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for for a strengthened democratic process—one that goes beyond the routine of periodic elections to deliver real development, empower the vulnerable, uphold the rule of law, and protect the dignity of all Nigerians.

She made the call on a press release personally signed by her on the occasion of the 2025 democracy Day.

The press release reads:

"Fellow Nigerians,

"Today, as we mark June 12 – Democracy Day, we commemorate not only a date in our history, but a journey defined by the resilience, sacrifices, and aspirations of our people. This day reminds us of the price paid for freedom, the power of the ballot, and the enduring strength of the Nigerian spirit.

"June 12 stands as a symbol of our collective struggle for democratic governance. It is a tribute to the courage of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and to the countless Nigerians—known and unknown—who stood firm in the face of oppression to defend the sanctity of the people’s will. Today, we honor them by renewing our commitment to the ideals they fought for: justice, equity, inclusion, and national unity.

"As a legislator and proud daughter of the nation from Kogi Central, I am deeply conscious of the responsibilities that democracy places on all of us—leaders and citizens alike. Our democracy must deliver more than periodic elections; it must bring real development, empower the weak, uphold the rule of law, and protect the dignity of every Nigerian.

"I urge all Nigerians, particularly our youth and women, to remain engaged in the democratic process. Our participation, our voices, and our vigilance are essential in shaping a Nigeria that works for all—regardless of tribe, religion, gender, or class.

"Let us not lose hope in our nation. Let us continue to build bridges across divides and work together towards a future where democracy is not only a system of government but a lived reality in the everyday lives of our people.

"On this historic day, I reaffirm my commitment to promoting transparency, good governance, and inclusive legislation that uplifts the lives of every Nigerian.

"Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria.

"God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Signed:
Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan
Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District
12th June, 2025."

AkpabioGate: Appeal court strikes out Akpabio’s appeals against Natasha’s suspension, Award damages to Natasha

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out two appeals filed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio against the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension suit at the High Court.

In a unanimous decision delivered by Justices Hamma Barka, Adebukunola Banjoko, and Okon Abang, the appellate court struck out the motions dated 20th and 25th March 2025, following a formal application to withdraw them.

The court further awarded the sum of ₦100,000 in costs to the 1st respondent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Additionally, the court ordered that Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be deleted.

The Senate President had sought multiple reliefs from the appellate court, including:

1. An order enlarging the time within which he could seek leave to appeal the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. The judgment was delivered by Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu on 10th March 2025.

2. An order granting leave to appeal against the High Court's decision in the same suit.

3. An order extending the time within which the appellant could file a Notice of Appeal against the said judgment.

4. An order staying further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of his appeal.

However, with the withdrawal and subsequent striking out of the motions, the reliefs sought by the Senate President are effectively nullified at this stage.

This ruling marks a significant legal win for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her ongoing legal battle surrounding her controversial suspension.

Mr. Ken Okolugbo, Media Adviser to Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been tasked to take full responsibility for the now-deleted confessional statement he made on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

The Action Collective, a non political group made the call on Okolugbo to prove his innocence on where he admitted to being part of a coordinated plan to malign Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, adding that denial is not enough.

The call was made in a statement signed by Teddy Onyejuwe, the National Coordinator, Action Collective on Sunday noting that Okolugbo’s subsequent claim that his account was hacked was insufficient and lacked credibility.

He stated that the controversial post which remained live for over an hour before being pulled down, included an emotional apology, a detailed confession of involvement in meetings in London with Sandra Duru, and allegations of phone cloning and manipulation of Senator Natasha’s voice recordings.

Also, the statement read: “Okolugbo wrote that the plan orchestrated alongside Akpabio and his associates, was a desperate attempt to discredit the senator.

“He further pleaded for forgiveness in the spirit of the Eid El-Kabir celebration and wished Nigerians a happy Sallah before deleting the post and claiming a hack.”

Meanwhile, the Action Collective has raised serious doubts about the hacking narrative, asking how a compromised account could be recovered in under two hours and why the post was left active for over an hour if it was indeed unauthorized.

“You must prove your innocence. Denial is not enough. Nigerians need more than vague excuses. Where is the evidence that your account was hacked? Why did it take someone else to alert you before you took action?” the group queried.

Furthermore, Onyejuwe suggested that Okolugbo may have been pressured by higher political powers to retract his confession and hide behind a hacking claim. “This reeks of political intimidation. Your confession was detailed, personal, and reflective.

“It bore the weight of someone seeking redemption, not a random attacker. If you were bold enough to admit your role, be man enough to stand by your words and move on with integrity.”

The group also noted the danger of using cybersecurity claims to avoid accountability, warning that such tactics erode public trust and trivialize genuine issues of digital security.

“If the post was genuine, and we believe it was, you owe it to Nigerians and Senator Natasha to be truthful. If it was not, then prove it conclusively. Anything less is unacceptable,” the statement continued.

Action Collective concluded by reaffirming its solidarity with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and called on relevant authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.

“Mr. Okolugbo must either present irrefutable evidence to support his claim or be prepared to answer to the public. The truth must not be buried under political pressure or digital excuses,” the statement read.

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has extended her felicitations to the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the 2025 Eid al-Adha celebration.

Recognizing the spiritual significance of the sacred festival, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, unity, and peace in their everyday lives.

She emphasized that Eid-el-Kabir serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring values of selflessness, sacrifice, devotion and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), and the unshakeable trust of his son, Prophet Ismail (Ishmael).

The Senator noted that the celebration offers a unique opportunity for personal reflection, especially on how the virtues can be embodied in daily interactions and community building.

She encouraged the Muslim faithful to uphold the teachings of love and compassion that the season represents, by fostering understanding, promoting goodwill, and strengthening bonds.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wished everyone a joyous Eid-el-Kabir, filled with happiness, peace, and harmony. "May this special day bring us closer to our faith, loved ones, and nation at large,” she said.

THE suspended Nigeria Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President asked her to harass ministers and heads of agencies in exchange for kickbacks and favours for his personal benefit.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with US-based Nigerian journalist Adeola Fayehun, Akpoti-Uduaghan detailed what she noted as systemic coercion within the National Assembly, alleging that as the then chairman of the Senate committee on Local Content, she was expected to extract returns from ministries and agencies under her oversight, including the Minister of Petroleum,Gas, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

She disclosed that her relationship with the Senate President began to sour when he demanded her to “report progress”.

Believing this to mean a formal presentation of her work, she said she prepared a PowerPoint document outlining meetings, action plans and timelines, but Akpabio laughed off the report.

“I was like, oh, why are you laughing, sir? He said don’t I know the meaning of reporting progress. And then he now referred me to a senior Senator. He said, why don’t you go meet this person and let him educate you on what report progress means”, she recounted.

According to Natasha, the senior Senator told her that reporting progress meant “I should return, I should give kickbacks to him. Money, projects, other perks.”

“So it’s more like the Senate president tasking the chairman of all the committees that periodically, they’re supposed to bring money to him or jobs. And for me, since I was in content, that means I have the minister of petroleum, I have also the minister of gas.Then I also have the executive secretary, engineer Felix. So that means I’m supposed to harass them for returns to periodically give money to the Senate president or jobs”, she said.

“I was like, I can’t do that. And they were like, well, that’s the norm under him,” she added.

She claimed that Akpabio himself confronted her saying, “If you don’t know how to harass the ministers and the executive secretary of local content, that means you’re not capable of running the committee.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the Senate President’s idea of deliverables are not tied to objectivity and performance, but more like what returns come to him.”

Natasha also alleged that Akpabio repeatedly asked her to bring the executive secretary to meet with him, requests she said she refused.

“To date, I never took or I never forced or coerced any of the ministers to meet with him. If they met the Senate President on their own, I don’t know about that. That’s just to give you an idea of the coercion that happens behind the scenes that people don’t know.”

She further distanced herself from widespread public suspicion that lawmakers engage in budget padding. “I don’t know about it. I’ve never padded budget, but I’ve seen the unnecessary pressure that a number of senators have to face, not because they were willing to do it for themselves, but because they have to satisfy some political lords right in the Senate.”

The senator reaffirmed her earlier allegations of sexual harassment, which she said she is still seeking an opportunity to formally present before a court or investigative panel.

“I stand by my sexual abuse. I will never apologise. I’m not afraid of what will happen, and I will not apologise.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate in March 2025 for allegedly violating parliamentary rules. Following her suspension, she publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment which has since escalated into a series of legal battles.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has granted an order for substituted service on Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing N5 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over explosive claims that she allegedly had six children for different men.

Justice Angela Otaluk issued the ruling on Wednesday after hearing a motion ex parte brought by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Yahuza Mohammed Zakari. The motion, dated April 10, 2025, sought the court’s permission to serve Senator Nwaebonyi by publishing the notice in a national newspaper or delivering it through the Clerk of the National Assembly or Clerk of the Senate.

The defamation suit, which has already captured national attention, stems from public statements allegedly made by Nwaebonyi, the Senator representing Ebonyi North Central Senatorial District.

Akpoti-Uduaghan claims the statements were not only false but deliberately crafted to tarnish her image, subject her to widespread ridicule, and inflict emotional and psychological harm.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate currently under six months suspension, is pushing back hard against what she describes as a politically motivated smear campaign.

She has also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, calling for an immediate investigation into the defamatory claims. Her petition, dated May 15, 2025, named Senate President Godswill Akpabio and US-based Nigerian activist Sandra Duru, also known as Professor Mgbeke, as key figures allegedly involved in the scandal.

The petition has been copied to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, further raising the stakes in what is shaping up to be one of the high-profile political defamation cases in recent memory.

With the court now allowing substituted service through newspaper publication, all eyes are on the June 25th hearing date when the case will resume. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not just for the parties involved but for the larger political landscape as the 2027 elections inch closer.