News
Defamation: Natasha will appear in court on Tuesday says Lead Counsel, Idahosa
West Idahosa (SAN), the lead counsel to suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has confirmed that she will appear in court on Tuesday, as summoned.
However, he expressed uncertainty about whether the Federal Government planned to arraign her on Tuesday.
He said that whatever the plans of the Federal Government, Akpoti-Uduaghan, as a law-abiding citizen, would comply with the court’s directives.
The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed criminal charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that she made defamatory statements during a live television broadcast and a private telephone conversation.
These statements reportedly targeted the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
According to the charge, filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court and marked CR/297/25, Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of making a statement during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels TV on April 3, 2025, where she alleged that Akpabio and Bello discussed plans to assassinate her.
“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night— to eliminate me… he then emphasised that I should be killed in Kogi,” the charge quotes her as saying.
Additionally, the government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of making defamatory remarks in a telephone conversation on March 27, 2025.
In the conversation with a woman named Dr Sandra Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly claimed that Akpabio was linked to organ harvesting involving the late Iniubong Umoren, purportedly for the benefit of his ailing wife.
Akpabio, Bello, and four others have been listed as key witnesses in the trial.
Idahosa also reiterated the readiness of the legal team to defend Akpoti-Uduaghan in court.
He said, “If the case is called tomorrow, we will respond accordingly with our client.
“The issue of protest is irrelevant to us — we are lawyers, and our focus is on defending charges we believe can be contested. Protests are the domain of civil societies and others in that terrain,” Idahosa said.
He further stated, “Our client is a law-abiding citizen. Why wouldn’t she be there? It’s a summons we have undertaken. Only disrespectful institutions that disregard court orders would fail to appear, and she is not in that category.
”When asked about the possibility of arraignment, Idahosa noted, “We don’t know.
We saw a notice of amended charges. We don’t know what they are trying to do.
They’ve amended the charges once and could do so again—it’s their decision.”
The Nigerian Senate has officially approved the N1.485 trillion budget proposal submitted by the Rivers State government for the fiscal year 2025.
The approval, granted during today’s plenary session, marks a significant step in the state’s financial planning and development agenda.
The budget, which outlines the state’s projected revenue and expenditure for the upcoming year, will now pave the way for the implementation of various projects and initiatives across Rivers State.
Details of the budget’s allocation, including specific sectors and priorities, are expected to be released by the Rivers State government in the coming days.
The Senate’s approval underscores its commitment to supporting the economic growth and development of the states within the federation.
This action enables Rivers State to proceed with its plans for infrastructure, social services, and other key areas crucial for the well-being of its citizens.
Further updates and analysis of the approved budget are anticipated as the year progresses.
News
Lagos Alerts Motorists on 110-Day Ogudu/Ifako Bridge Repairs
The first to fourth phases, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere, will commence from Saturday, June 28 and end on Saturday, August 16 (50 days).
The Lagos State Government has released a diversion plan ahead of the repair of the Ogudu/Ifako Bridge, which will take 110 days.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, revealed this in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
Osiyemi said that the repair, postponed earlier, would begin from June 28, 2025 and end on October 15, 2025.
The commissioner said that the repair was expected to be carried out in eight phases on both lanes.
He said: “The first to fourth phases, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere, will commence from Saturday, June 28 and end on Saturday, August 16 (50 days).
“Phases five to eight, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako inbound Oworoshoki, will be fixed between Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, October 5 (51 days).”
Scores of daredevil terrorists and some military personnel have been killed following a gun battle in Niger and Kaduna States.
Nigerian Army Headquarters made the disclosure in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.
The statement said the operations were carried out in Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka, Niger State, and Aungwan Turai, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
The daredevil terrorists had launched an unprovoked attack on the aforementioned areas.
According to the statement, in response to the attacks, “land and air component troops launched several counter-attacks that eliminated scores of bandits in the encounters.
“Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles, while four wounded in-action troops are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds.
More updates later.”
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