News
SENATE: Natasha not suspended over sexual harassment petition, IPU can’t dictate to us
The complaint laid by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the United Nations Inter parliamentary conference in New York on Tuesday has continued to attract reactions.
The Kogi Lawmaker had taken her case before the global institution for them to prevail over what she says is an injustice meted on her.
After listening to her complaint, the IPU told Senator Natasha that it will take necessary steps to address the complaints she brought to the union after listening to the other side.
The Nigerian Senate has however replied to Senator Natasha’s complaint to the IPU through a letter by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
The letter was read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, who is attending the event in an official capacity representing Nigeria.
The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault.
The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
Honourable Ogbara, however, called for a thorough investigation into the allegation by Senator Natasha against the Senator President, Godswill Akpabio.
She maintained that procedures and necessary actions under the Senate rules were observed before Senator Natasha’s suspension.
Last week, the Senate suspended the lawmaker in a move that has continued to generate debates across the country.
She had initially submitted a petition to the Senate accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. But the lawmakers threw it out before suspending her even after submitting another petition.
Senator Natasha vowed to continue the fight against “injustice”.
But in the wake of the suspension, Akpabio denied the accusations and maintained he has never assaulted women.
Her altercation with the Senate president started on February 20, 2025, after her seat was changed during plenary.
That is not the first time both individuals had issues. In July 2024, Akpabio had while trying to correct her for misconduct told her to follow the rules and that the Senate is not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.
The Akwa Ibom lawmaker, however, later apologised to her for the remark.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed the successful containment of two separate fire incidents that occurred overnight in different parts of the state.
The first incident was reported at 22:46 hours on Saturday at Tower Aluminum Village, along Abeokuta Expressway, Dopemu, Agege.
Fire crews from Ikeja and Agege stations responded promptly to the emergency, effectively dousing the fire which affected multiple offices and stores of varying sizes.
The structures, situated on a land area of approximately 2,592 square meters within a premises spanning about four acres, suffered significant damage to affected sections and their contents.
The second incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at about 03:15 hours at a three-storey commercial building located on Oyabiyi Street, opposite the NLC Office, Tejuosho, Yaba. The building, which housed shops and stores containing stacked textile materials, was engulfed by fire.
Firefighters from Somolu, Ilupeju, and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations were swiftly mobilized to the scene and successfully contained the blaze, preventing further spread to adjoining properties.
In both incidents, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service demonstrated professionalism and rapid response, ensuring that the fires were brought under control without escalation and casualty.
The Controller General of Lagos state fire and rescue reiterates the importance of fire safety precautions and urges members of the public to remain vigilant, especially in commercial areas where flammable materials are stored.
Further investigations into the causes of the fires are ongoing to unravel their causes.
News
Police must pay transport fares, says AIG
” No police officer has the right to enter your vehicle without paying. We should assist one another willingly, not by force,” he said.
• The Assistant Inspector-General of Police(AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, speaking with transporters at Obalende garage, Lagos State, on Wednesday.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has declared that officers must pay fares before boarding commercial vehicles, warning against abuse of authority.
Jimoh spoke on Wednesday at Obalende garage during a sensitisation meeting with drivers and transport workers marking National Police Day 2026.
He stressed that relations between police and the public must be based on partnership, not coercion, urging both sides to support each other voluntarily.
“No police officer has the right to enter your vehicle without paying. We should assist one another willingly, not by force,” he said.
Jimoh called for stronger cooperation to maintain safety and order on roads, insisting there was no conflict between officers and transport unions.
“I don’t collect money from officers. We don’t arrest people arbitrarily. If you have issues with any officer, report directly to me,” he said.
(Vanguard)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave for Jos tomorrow to commiserate with the state government and residents over recent deadly gun attacks that lefts dozens dead.
This was following Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s security briefing to the President on the recent violent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State.
During the meeting on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja, Governor Caleb Mutfwang told Mr President that although security forces have restored calm after fresh disturbances involving looters on Wednesday morning, following the deadly Palm Sunday attack that left more than a dozen dead and many others injured.
He said that investigations are continuing to determine the identities or motives of the attackers who are yet to be apprehended .
Presidency source said that President Tinubu was initially scheduled for a planned trip to Ogun State to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport on Thursday.
From Jos, the President will travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday.
On Saturday, April 4, he will visit Ogun State to commission projects including the cargo airport.
He will then return to Lagos during the Easter holiday to commission several state infrastructure projects, including the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge.
Before heading back to Abuja, the president will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission projects completed under Governor Duoye Diri.
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