Fresh details revealed in Senator Natasha’s petition against Godswill Akpabio
Fresh details revealed in Senator Natasha’s petition against Godswill Akpabio
There are new information regarding a petition that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan filed with the Senate, alleging Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, official abuse, and obstruction of legislative duties.
The petition, which was filed on March 4, 2025, and was formally sent to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 10th Senate on Wednesday, lists a number of grave accusations against Akpabio.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, on December 8, 2023, when she was with her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, in Akpabio’s home in Akwa Ibom, he made unwanted approaches. Akpabio allegedly requested that she “spend quality time” with him, she remembers.
The petition further details an incident in May 2024, when Akpabio invited Akpoti-Uduaghan to his private residence in Abuja, ostensibly to discuss legislative matters.
During the meeting, Akpabio allegedly told her, “You know I am the Senate President; I will give you whatever you want, all you have to do is make me happy.”
He reportedly added, “Senator Natasha, you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.” Akpoti-Uduaghan claims that after rejecting these advances, she found her motion to discuss the Ajaokuta Steel Company consistently removed from the Senate’s Order Paper.
Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan accuses Akpabio of calling her a “nightclub girl” on the Senate floor, a remark he later apologized for, but she insists it was part of a larger pattern of intimidation.
She also alleges that Akpabio abused his office to orchestrate her removal as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content, accusing him of undermining her efforts to establish mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in Ajaokuta in favor of projects in the Niger Delta.
The petition also highlights previous accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, notably from Dr. Joi Nunieh, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in 2020.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is calling for a thorough investigation into these ongoing allegations, urging the Senate Committee to take action and ensure accountability.
The petition also referenced a tense confrontation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio on February 20, 2025, during a plenary session. Akpoti-Uduaghan claims Akpabio maliciously refused to let her respond to a point of order, eventually calling for her removal by the Sergeant-at-Arms and suspending her from the Senate.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions dismissed the petition as “dead on arrival.”
In response to the allegations, Akpabio denied ever abusing any woman during the plenary session, stating, “I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women.”
Nafiu, while taking over from his predecessor, Brig.-Gen. Yu’shau Ahmed, stated that the core of his mandate was to provide transparent and effective leadership for the advancement of the scheme.
He also emphasised advancing the job-matching programme for graduates, enabling more corps members to enter the private sector during their service year.
“It will also be aimed at incentivising employers to retain a significant number of our corps members after their service year.
“Under my leadership, the well-being of corps members will always be a top priority.
“We will work hard to ensure that their service is one of the most memorable experiences of their lives,” he said.
“My team and I shall work tirelessly to enhance camp feeding and hygiene.”
He acknowledged that the establishment of the NYSC scheme in 1973 was a well-thought-out strategy that had greatly contributed to the socio-cultural integration of the country.
“The scheme has fostered mutual understanding and trust among the people, regardless of origin.”
He also lauded the scheme’s significant contribution to promoting national unity through community development engagements by corps members.
“The corps members are the only qualified educators, health providers, legal advisors, and many other professionals that some of our communities have ever known.
“They are a beacon of hope, inspiration, and a symbol of hard work for future generations in many rural areas,” he said.
Nafiu sought the understanding and support of the staff to drive the programmes he intended to introduce to boost the common welfare and career development of the scheme.
He urged staff to be good role models for corps members, stressing the importance of rethinking strategies to fulfil the purpose of the scheme.
Nafiu also assured them that his leadership philosophy would focus on repositioning the NYSC to meet the demands of contemporary society and tackle future challenges.
The outgoing director-general, Ahmed, said Nafiu’s appointment was a testament to his career and unwavering dedication to national service.
He expressed optimism that Nafiu’s leadership would bring a transformative era of progress and innovation to the scheme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nafiu holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
He also has a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
Nafiu, an alumnus of three Army War Colleges, has served in various capacities in Nigeria and international peacekeeping missions.
Prior to his appointment as NYSC director-general, he served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.(NAN)
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Military officers invaded our premises destroyed properties over power disconnection – Electricity Distribution Company
Military officers invaded our premises destroyed properties over power disconnection – Electricity Distribution Company
Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has confirmed that its headquarters in Lagos was invaded by personnel from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday morning.
Mr Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications for Ikeja Electric, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the incident followed the disconnection of electricity to a NAF facility due to unpaid bills and operational concerns.
Okotie explained that the disruption took place in the early hours of Thursday when uniformed Air Force officers forcefully entered the premises of the utility company, demanding immediate reconnection to the power grid.
He said that when their demands were not met, the officers resorted to damaging property and causing chaos within the Ikeja Electric office, prompting concerns over the safety and security of the premises.
Okotie clarified that the disconnection was not solely due to financial issues but was also prompted by other operational concerns.
He emphasised that there were significant safety concerns regarding the safety of Ikeja Electric personnel, particularly due to the high level of hostility towards staff members within the Air Force base.
“The disconnection was not just about non-payment. There are operational factors at play, including serious safety concerns for our staff.
“We have faced incidents of harassment, making it increasingly difficult for our staff to work in such conditions,”Okotie explained.
NAN recalls that on March 3, NAF had raised alarms about a prolonged blackout at its Ikeja base, which had been without stable electricity for 12 days in spite of consistent payments to Ikeja Electric.
NAF had warned that the prolonged blackout was exposing sensitive military equipment, including bombs and rockets, to dangerously high temperatures, raising fears of a potential explosion.
“These bombs are not meant to be exposed to extreme heat. The longer this blackout continues, the higher the risk of an explosion,” NAF stated, making reference to the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment bomb blast. (NAN)
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BREAKING: Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months
BREAKING: Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been suspended by the Nigerian Senate for six months. This development is coming amid the sexual harassment allegation she levied against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions recommended her suspension on Thursday, March 6, 2024.
During the period of the suspension, the committee stated that her salary and security details will be withdrawn.
The committee also recommended that Senator Natasha should not be seen anywhere around the National Assembly during her suspension period.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stems from a controversy surrounding her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The dispute began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, formally accused Akpabio of misconduct, submitting a petition before the Senate.