News
BREAKING: Customs deputy comptroller slumps, dies at N’Assembly
Essien Etop Andrew, the deputy comptroller of finance administration and technical service at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is dead.
The customs officer was fielding questions from members of the house of representatives committee on public account when he coughed and slumped.
Andrew was rushed to the national assembly clinic where he was confirmed dead.
Bamidele Salam, chairman of the committee, said the panel will suspend other hearings for one week to honour the late customs chief.
“It was a very sad incident. He was very eloquent and clearly understood the issues being considered,” the lawmaker said.
“He suddenly said he wanted to drink water, to which we obliged and even asked if he needed some tea.
“It was sad he died in active service. Our committee is suspending other hearings for the week in his honour.”
In a statement, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, said the green chamber will “support efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and is cooperating fully with all relevant authorities to ensure all necessary protocols are followed”.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, expressed his condolences, saying the lower legislative chamber is “deeply saddened” by the officer’s death.
News
TCN Records 42 Incidents of Transmission Lines Vandalisms Within Seven Months
The major effect of the vandalism is the disruption of power supply across the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, as the generated power from the generation station could not be wheeled to the distribution ends.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recorded 42 vandalism incidents on its infrastructures between January to June 2025 and which affected a total of 178 transmission towers nationwide.
The General Manager of Transmission Service at TCN, Mr Ali Sharifa, who made this known yesterday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, lamented that 2024 and 2025 have been the most trying times for TCN concerning vandalism of its transmission line infrastructure by non-state actors.
“A total of 86 towers were vandalized in 2024, with 26 towers completely down, which left affected states in total darkness. While in the first and second quarters of 2025, a total of 42 acts of vandalism were recorded affecting a total of 178 towers,” he said.
He emphasized that the major effect of the vandalism is the disruption of power supply across the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, as the generated power from the generation station could not be wheeled to the distribution ends.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has arrived at the Senate for the hearing on the ₦1.48 trillion budget of the state.
According to reports, Ibas was accompanied by other key officials, including members of the economic team to appear before Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State.
The Senate had weeks ago reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the people of Rivers State were not shortchanged following the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
Details later…
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has granted bail to suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the sum of ₦50 million.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Chizoba Orji dismissed the Federal Government’s request to have the senator remanded in prison custody pending the outcome of her trial. Akpoti-Uduaghan is facing a three-count criminal charge.
Justice Orji stated that the court found no justification to deny bail, noting that the defendant had shown a willingness to stand trial.
In addition to the bail sum, the court ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide one surety—someone of integrity who owns a landed property within Abuja.
The decision was anchored on Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Sections 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The court has fixed September 23 for the commencement of trial.
Senator Natasha is being arraigned on a three-count charge of alleged imputation intended to cause harm to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
TCN Records 42 Incidents of Transmission Lines Vandalisms Within Seven Months
JUST IN: Ibas Appears Before Senate to Discuss Rivers State Budget
Court Grants Senator Natasha N50m Bail, Trial Set for September 23
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