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JUST IN: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to face Senate disciplinary panel following altercation with Akpabio

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The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will face the Senate Disciplinary Panel following a recent heated exchange with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The Panel is expected to report back to the upper legislative chamber in two weeks.

It will be recalled that tensions flared during a heated exchange between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over a sudden change in seating arrangements within the chamber.

The disagreement arose when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned at the start of the plenary session, a move she resisted.

In response, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the decision, citing constitutional provisions and explaining that the adjustment was necessary to accommodate opposition lawmakers who had recently defected to the ruling party.

Monguno further warned that failure to comply with the new seating arrangement could have consequences, including restricting her ability to participate in legislative discussions.

Akpabio supported Monguno’s stance, and when Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to speak from her original seat, she was denied recognition.

The situation intensified as Akpoti-Uduaghan strongly objected, arguing that her parliamentary rights had been infringed upon.

“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” the Kogi lawmaker said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan created a commotion before being surrounded by the sergeant-at-arms, who attempted to escort her out of the plenary session.

Order was eventually restored after the sound system was deactivated, allowing calm to return to the chamber.

Meanwhile, Akpabio has rejected calls from some senators to impose sanctions on Akpoti-Uduaghan for her disruptive conduct during the session.

According to the Senate’s standing rules, the authority to assign seats within the chamber rests solely with the Senate President.

Clearly displeased with the change in her seating arrangement, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of repeatedly showing her disrespect.

Raising her voice in protest, she recalled a previous incident during a plenary session in 2024 when Akpabio remarked, “Senator Natasha, we are not in the nightclub.”

“Since the nightclub incident, you have been disrespecting me. How can you change my seat without my consent.

I am not afraid of you,” she screamed.

A visibly unsettled Akpabio watched as the female senator continued her outburst, while some of her colleagues attempted to pacify her.

Efforts by certain senators to escalate the situation were firmly resisted by Akpabio. Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) urged the Senate President to initiate disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, but Akpabio refused.

At one point, Akpabio warned that she would be removed from the chamber if she persisted in her verbal confrontation. Eventually, order was restored as the lawmaker took her reassigned seat.

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States slashing power tariff must pay subsidy – NERC

In a notice on Thursday, the national power regulator advised state governments to reflect the wholesale costs in tariffs or be ready to pay subsidies for any tariff shortfall.

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has said that state governments do not have jurisdiction over the national grid and over electric power stations established under federal laws or operating under licences it issued.

The commission stated this in its reaction to the controversies generated by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission’s decision to slash the Band A tariff.

In a notice on Thursday, the national power regulator advised state governments to reflect the wholesale costs in tariffs or be ready to pay subsidies for any tariff shortfall.

The commission acknowledged that states that have assumed full regulatory oversight over their intrastate markets are now authorized to create and regulate transactions in their state electricity markets, saying this extends to the development of tariff methodologies that shall apply to end-use customers in their respective states.

(The PUNCH).

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Legal Practitioners’ Committee Elevates 57 New Lawyers to SAN

The list comprised 56 advocates and one from the academia.

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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has unveiled the list of lawyers newly elevated to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The list comprised 56 advocates and one from the academia.

In the document signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Mr. Kanir Eniola Akanbi, the list was approved by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the LPPC’s 169th Plenary Session held on Thursday.

Akanbi stated, “The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is conferred as a mark of professional excellence upon legal practitioners who have demonstrated exceptional distinction either as advocates in the courts or as academics contributing significantly to the development of legal scholarship.

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Ododo Moves to Crush Banditry in Olle-Bunu as Army Deploys 12 Brigade Troops

“Let no criminal feel safe. Let no informer sleep in peace. This is our home. We must defend it together,” Commander Omodara declared.

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In a decisive push against rising insecurity, the Kogi State Government has deployed operatives of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade to Olle-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area to stem the tide of banditry threatening the area and its environs.

The deployment, which followed credible intelligence reports of fleeing armed bandits attempting to infiltrate the community, was formalized during a strategic visit by the State Security Adviser, Commander Duro Jerry Omodara (Rtd), who delivered a clear message: Kogi will not cede an inch of its territory to criminals.

The move is part of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s comprehensive and aggressive approach to securing lives and property across the state.

With major flashpoints like Odo-Ape already sealed off through joint operations of the military, hunters, and vigilante groups, Olle-Bunu had emerged as a potential escape corridor for displaced criminal elements.

Commander Omodara, addressing traditional rulers, youth leaders, and community stakeholders during the visit, warned that anyone aiding or abetting criminals—be it as informants, transporters, or harborers—would be treated as an enemy of the state.

“This deployment is not just about chasing bandits. It’s a strong message that wherever they run, we will follow. Our communities must be safe for development, safe for our children, and safe for our future,” he said.

The Nigerian Army has since established a temporary forward operations base in the community and ramped up patrols and surveillance.

With major flashpoints like Odo-Ape already sealed off through joint operations of the military, hunters, and vigilante groups, Olle-Bunu had emerged as a potential escape corridor for displaced criminal elements

Major Usman Mohammed, who represented the Brigade Commander, reiterated the army’s readiness to confront threats and praised the government for its support.Community members welcomed the intervention.

Speaking on behalf of the Olle-Bunu people, Elder John Ebajemito pledged full cooperation with security forces and thanked Governor Ododo for his proactive leadership.

“This government has shown that security is not negotiable. We will work hand-in-hand with the army to ensure no criminal finds refuge in Olle-Bunu,” he assured.

The Kogi State Government has also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements. According to the Security Adviser, community intelligence remains the soul of effective security, and every citizen has a role to play.

The deployment underscores Governor Ododo’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity, and his unwavering commitment to making every community in Kogi State safe and secure.

“Let no criminal feel safe. Let no informer sleep in peace. This is our home. We must defend it together,” Commander Omodara declared.

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