Connect with us

News

Falana Describes Natasha’s Suspension As Legislative Recklessness

Published

on

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as the height of legislative recklessness.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana criticized the Nigerian Senate for violating multiple court rulings that have consistently declared legislative suspensions illegal.

He noted that despite a Federal High Court order restraining the Senate Ethics Committee from proceeding against Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate defied the order and went ahead with the suspension.

Advertisement

Falana demanded an immediate reversal of the suspension, warning that silencing legislators at the discretion of powerful figures in the Senate sets a dangerous precedent.

READ ALSO: Women Groups Reject Natasha’s Suspension, Threaten Protest

“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is the height of legislative recklessness. The illegal suspension should be lifted without any further delay,” he stated.

Advertisement

To support his argument, Falana outlined a series of past legal battles where Nigerian courts nullified unlawful legislative suspensions.

Dino Melaye & 10 Others (2010): The Federal High Court ruled the suspension illegal and ordered payment of withheld salaries.

Rifkatu Danna (2012 & 2017): Her suspension by the Bauchi State House of Assembly was overturned by both the State High Court and Court of Appeal.

Advertisement

Abdulmumin Jibrin (2018): Suspended for 180 days for exposing budget padding but later reinstated by the Federal High Court.

Ali Ndume (2017): The court ruled his suspension unlawful and unconstitutional.

READ ALSO: Natasha Breaks Silence On Her Suspension By Senate

Advertisement

Ovie Omo-Agege (2020): His suspension was annulled by the Federal High Court.

Abdul Ningi (March 2024): Suspended for alleging budget padding, but later recalled after legal intervention.

Falana insisted that the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan despite a court order was a violation of the rule of law.

Advertisement

Since the Federal High Court had restrained the Senate Ethics Committee from hearing the complaint against the embattled Senator, the Senate ought to have stayed action in accordance with the rule of law,” he emphasized.

The human rights lawyer concluded by calling for an end to arbitrary suspensions, urging lawmakers to respect legal precedents and protect democratic principles in Nigeria.

Advertisement

News

Tinubu Orders Defence Minister To Relocate To Kebbi State Over Abduction Of 25 School Girls

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:One Of 25 Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls Escapes

Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4am on Monday.

Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

Advertisement

On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.

President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Now Deadliest Place On Earth To Be Christian – Nigerian Bishop Laments

Published

on

Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, says Nigeria has become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.

Bishop Anagbe made this statement on Thursday while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, CPC

Speaking before the US Congress, the Bishop said that the controversy escalated after President Trump designated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Genocide: U.S. Lawmaker Alleges Tinubu Lying, Protecting Own Interest

He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country, saying “Attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified, targeting Christian communities with impunity.

“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined, yet perpetrators face little accountability.

Advertisement

“Violence is spreading, displacing millions and destroying farmland, creating a humanitarian crisis worsened by food insecurity. Without urgent intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.

“Nigeria, already designated a Country of Particular Concern, must now be met with decisive action,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump

Published

on

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in Benue State, Wilfred Anagbe, has appealed to President Donald Trump of the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, with concrete action.

Bishop Anagbe made this call on Thursday, while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC

He said, “On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Trump’s Military Threat To Nigeria Reckless – US Congresswoman

“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country.”

The cleric also called on lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.

Advertisement

Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.

READ ALSO:FG Unveils New Counter-terrorism Strategy

Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised, adding that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack.

Advertisement

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.”

Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending