News

JUST IN: Senate Rejects Live Coverage As Natasha Appears Before Panel

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

Editor

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.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.