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JUST-IN: Senate Rejects Live Coverage As Natasha Appears Before Panel Wednesday
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has rejected calls for live television coverage of its proceedings as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central appears before the panel over alleged misconduct on Wednesday.
The chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imasuen disclosed this during an interview on Arise News TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ monitored by our correspondent.
Explaining the committee’s decision, Imasuen emphasised the need to maintain focus on the issue at hand without external distractions.
“On the issue of the media, we also want to be very careful so that we don’t overplay things. It is a matter within the Senate, and to make it a media affair may even be distractive to us. My committee room can only take so many people—not many—and the committee has about 23 or 24 members.
We want to stay focused on the issue before us and not be distracted by any other matter.”
He assured that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would be given a fair hearing, stating: “Distinguished Senator Natasha has privileges just like any other senator, and her privileges will be protected.
She will get a fair hearing in this matter as far as I am there. She is my friend, and no one will trample on her rights.”
When questioned about the ongoing controversy regarding alleged sexual misconduct in the Senate, Imasuen declined to comment, citing legal constraints.
“The issue of sex in the Senate is already before a law court, I believe, and that makes the whole conversation subjudice.
I cannot comment on any matter that is before a law court, and as a lawyer myself, I have to respect that privilege.”
The committee chairman also addressed concerns about sitting arrangements in the Senate, which have reportedly contributed to tensions.
He referenced the Senate’s procedural rules, stating, “The matter before us in the committee is about seating arrangements.
I can only direct you to Order Six of our rule book, which regulates the activities of the Senate.
It clearly states that seats are allocated to senators just like our offices, and from time to time, anything can happen to necessitate the reallocation of seats.”
Senator Imasuen dismissed claims of gender-based discrimination in Senate proceedings, asserting that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, does not single out female senators for unfair treatment.
“There are four female senators in this Assembly, and I will tell you straight up that I am very close to at least three of them. I sit next to Senator Ireti Kingibe, and I consider her a friend.
“The issue in question does not concern sexual harassment. It is a matter of privilege, and I do not believe it was directed at any individual because of their gender.
There are many times I raise my hand to speak, and the Senate President does not recognise me while recognising someone behind me. But he cannot entertain every senator’s opinion at every sitting. It is his prerogative.
“The Senate President, in my opinion, has not made any sexual remarks to any of the female senators, and I don’t think any of the female senators have complained about sexual harassment against him or anyone else.
We joke a lot in the Senate, I must let you know that,” he said.Concluding his remarks, Imasuen urged Nigerians to allow the committee to handle the case without undue interference.
“Everybody should be patient and allow us to handle the case before us,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu will, on Thursday, sign into law four groundbreaking tax reform bills that will transform Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
According to the press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) the four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, were passed by the National Assembly after extensive consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments.
The historic presidential assent to the bills at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, will be witnessed by the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, House Majority Leader, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and his House counterpart.
The Chairman of the Governors Forum, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, the Minister of Finance and Coordination Minister of the Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation will also attend the ceremony.
One of the four bills is the Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business), which aims to consolidate Nigeria’s fragmented tax laws into a harmonised statute.
By reducing the multiplicity of taxes and eliminating duplication, the bill will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce taxpayer compliance burdens, and create a more predictable fiscal environment.
The second bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, will establish a uniform legal and operational framework for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the third bill, repeals the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and creates a more autonomous and performance-driven national revenue agency— the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).
It defines the NRS’s expanded mandate, including non-tax revenue collection, and lays out transparency, accountability, and efficiency mechanisms.
The fourth bill is the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. It provides for a formal governance structure to facilitate cooperation between revenue authorities at all levels of government.
It introduces essential oversight mechanisms, including establishing a Tax Appeal Tribunal and an Office of the Tax Ombudsman.
The Lagos State enforcement squad of the MOE&WR led by KAI operatives on Wednesday burst an illegal abbatoir which was being operated at a private residence at Succo road directly opposite the RRS Barracks and LASTMA Yard in Oko Oba, Agege, arresting some of those found slaughtering animals for public consumption in the location.
The operation followed a tip-off from a whistle blower.
“The enforcement team said, the contaminated meat from cows and goats have been confiscated to prevent it from entering the food chain”.
“This action of the operators of the abbatoir is in defiance of the closure of the Oko Oba Abbatoir and poses great health dangers and environmental risks to the law abiding residents of the area”.
“We need to make it clear that such disregard for public health and sanitation will not be tolerated in Lagos State” .
“Every Government’s primary responsibility is the protection of lives and properties and we will not shirk that responsbbility.”
“We will continue to ensure that only safe and approved public facilities are allowed to operate within our communities.”the statement reads.
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Former Kwara gov, Cornelius Adebayo, dies at 84
Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara, Adebayo was known for his impactful service in both state and national capacities.
Former Governor of Kwara State and ex-Minister of Communications, Cornelius Adebayo, has died.Adebayo died at the age of 84.
He died in the early hours of today (Wednesday).
Born on February 24, 1941, in Igbaja, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara, Adebayo was known for his impactful service in both state and national capacities.
He rose to political prominence in 1979 as a Senator under the Unity Party of Nigeria.
He later became Governor of Kwara State in 1983, a tenure cut short by a military coup.
Years later, he was appointed Minister of Communications under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
President Tinubu signs four TAX Bills into Law Tomorrow
Lagos State Enforcement Team Busts Illegal Abattoir in Agege, Arrests Operators
Former Kwara gov, Cornelius Adebayo, dies at 84
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