News
Natasha to serve out suspension as Senate enters recess
Two days after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from resuming her duties, the Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, adjourned plenary till September 23, 2025, for its annual recess.
With the recess now in effect, the embattled Kogi senator is expected to serve out the remainder of her suspension until plenary resumes.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, for six months, following allegations of misconduct and insubordination during plenary on February 20, 2025, when she rejected a change to her designated seat.
The Senate had warned it might revisit her suspension if she failed to issue a formal apology.
The penalty was based on recommendations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty after investigating complaints against her.
The suspension was to last until September 6, 2025. However, with the recess, the embattled lawmaker would serve out her term.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, speaking to journalists on Tuesday after a failed attempt to enter the Senate chamber, described the Senate’s action as contemptuous and said she would seek legal redress at the appellate level.
“Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—the document was faulty,” she said.
“Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”
She also accused Senate President Akpabio of acting beyond his authority.
With the recess, however, the Senate would not reconvene until she had served out the full suspension slammed on her by the Red Chamber.
Announcing the break on the floor, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the decision was based on “chamber reciprocity,” noting that the House of Representatives had already proceeded on recess in line with the legislative calendar.
“We have started a new calendar that will take us to next year, June. And so it has fallen within this period for us to go on for a break to enable us to undertake major oversights,” Akpabio explained.
He clarified that although plenary sessions would be on hold, committee assignments should continue during the recess.
“All necessary committees—the diaspora committee, committee on reparation, committee on interior and others—this is the best time for you to undertake visits to prisons and all that.
“Do all your reports and make them available as soon as we come back,” he directed.
The Senate President urged lawmakers to embark on oversight visits across the country, stressing that their duties must not be neglected.
“You are moving from plenary for the next few weeks, but you are not stopping your legislative functions, because that’s what your people elected you to do. Members are expected to travel to Sokoto, everywhere, to observe the road repairs that are going on.
“By the time we resume, you are expected to bring your reports, committee by committee, for us to look into. I want to wish you safe travels and for all of us to return in good health,” he added.
Akpabio also informed members of the death of Prof Janet Plang, wife of Senator Diket Plang.
He said arrangements had been made for senators to travel to Plateau State on Friday to attend the funeral, with a plane scheduled to depart Abuja at 8 am.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele commended senators for their dedication to legislative work.
“We thank all our colleagues for all they have done to ensure that the business of lawmaking on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria has progressed smoothly,” Bamidele said.
He thereafter moved a motion to defer all other matters on the order paper to the next legislative day, which the Senate adopted unanimously.
Natasha delayed at airport
In a separate development, the embattled senator was reportedly delayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last Thursday while trying to board a flight to the United Kingdom.
A family source said immigration officers claimed she had been placed on a watch list at the instance of the National Assembly leadership.
“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list,” the source said.
“We are wondering why they treated her that way, given there is no court order restricting her movement and she has never missed any of her court appearances.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared distressed and made a series of phone calls before she was eventually allowed to board after her passport was stamped.
When contacted shortly before takeoff, the senator confirmed the incident, saying, “The aircraft is about to take off.”
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A senior police officer attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected a bribe of N800,000 offered in an attempt to secure the release of a suspected armed robber and cover up the crime.
The spokesperson of the command, Timfon John, in a statement said the incident occurred on Wednesday, 30th July, 2025.
According to her, the prime suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung smartphone, reportedly stolen at gunpoint, was traced to him.
Investigations revealed that Isaac is a repeat offender, having previously been arrested and charged to court for a similar offence last year. He reportedly returned to criminal activity shortly after being released.
The second suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter, was apprehended at the SWAT office while attempting to offer the N800,000 bribe to secure Isaac’s release.
“A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected N800,000 bribe offered to him on Wednesday, July 30, 2025,” the statement read.
“The money was intended to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and also cover up the crime. The suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung phone that was gotten at gun point was traced to him.
“Isaac has a history of similar offences as he was arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.
“The other suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter was arrested after he brought the bribe to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect. He was taken into custody after the offer was rejected.
“All officers concerned with this discreet investigation received a commendation letter from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.
“The CP, while addressing officers at the end of the month briefing, charged them to emulate the Distinguished officers.
“Members of the public are therefore warned to desist from compromising police investigation.”
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President Bola Tinubu has called on young Nigerians active in the digital media space to harness their platforms as instruments of national unity.
Speaking at the opening of the Progressives Digital Media Summit, themed ‘Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development,’ the President emphasised the importance of verifying information before amplifying it.
He urged the youth to serve as positive catalysts for societal development by building businesses that create employment and producing content that reflects unifying values.
“I urge you to continue using digital platforms to advance our nation’s progress. Build businesses that employ others. Create content that uplifts and unites. Use your influence to foster unity, not division.
Your generation has recognised this moment. You are using digital tools to innovate, educate, and demand accountability. But as your influence grows, so must our collective sense of purpose and responsibility” President Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga
The President commended the creativity and resilience of Nigeria’s youth, describing digital media as a driving force of economic and social transformation, rather than a mere accessory to life.
‘’From developing innovative platforms to building vibrant online communities, you are demonstrating the determination that is redefining what is possible for this country.
You are not waiting for the future; you are building it. Digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, civic engagement, and social change. It broadens representation for those previously unheard.”
The President, however, said his administration is committed to supporting digital innovation through the National Digital Innovation Fund and policies that promote a thriving startup ecosystem.
He also warned practitioners to remain vigilant against disinformation and cyber threats.
The summit convener, Segun Dada, said that in less than a decade, digital media had evolved from a tool of personal connection into a powerful engine for communication, innovation, and influence.
Dada, who is also the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, stressed the importance of harnessing this force for Nigeria’s good while managing inherent risks such as privacy concerns and threats to social cohesion.
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A grieving mother has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her newborn baby due to complications worsened by her church’s strict doctrine against medical care.
In a now-viral narration, the lady explained that she was born into a church that forbids the use of medicine, medical intervention, or even routine hospital visits. Growing up under this belief, she never questioned it—until she got pregnant.
She shared that she refused antenatal care, took no multivitamins, and avoided the hospital completely because of her church’s teachings. But in her third trimester, she began to feel weak and sick.
Eventually, she defied her family and visited a doctor secretly, only to be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that required urgent hospitalization. When she informed her husband, he was furious she had gone against the church’s teachings. Her family and in-laws backed him, urging her to “have faith.”
Things took a turn for the worse when she fell unconscious one night. She was rushed to the hospital where doctors insisted on emergency surgery (C-section) due to her dangerously high blood pressure. Her husband initially refused medication but eventually allowed the procedure—though not without blame.
Tragically, her baby was born with multiple complications and had to be placed in NICU. After one month, the baby passed away.
Now, she says her husband and his family blame her for the loss, claiming it was due to her “lack of faith.” She, on the other hand, is questioning everything she was raised to believe and says she’s done with the church that cost her child’s life.
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