Politics

Natasha: Akpabio, Others Risk Jail Over Alleged Contempt, Served Form 48

Published

10 months ago

March 13, 2025

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio risks jail for allegedly disobeying an order of the Court as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan commenced her contempt proceedings against the Senate.

In a notice of disobedience of Court Order signed by the Registrar of the Court pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004 and notice of consequences of disobedience of order of the court made on 4th March, 2025, the court urged the defendants/contemnors to take notice of their wilful disobedience of the order of the court given by Justice Justice O.A. Egwuatu J, made on the 4th day of March 2025.

The Form 48 was issued by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem as 1st. 2nd. 3rd and 4th Defendants and Contemnors.

The court noted that the disobedience rendered Akpabio, Senator Imasuem and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, for which they might be committed to prison unless they comply with the said order.

The court said that despite being duly served with the enrolled order on the 5th day of March 2025, the defendants/contemnors, deliberately and contumaciously disregarded its binding directive, and proceeded with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of the Court.

Part of the Form 48 reads: “Take notice that pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, your wilful disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court, Coram: Hon. Justice O.A. Egwuatu J, made on 4th day of March 2025, renders you liable for contempt of court, for which you may be committed to prison unless you comply with the said order.

“Take further notice that despite being duly served with the enrolled order on the 5th Day of March 2025, you, the defendants/contemnors, have deliberately and contumaciously disregarded its binding directive, proceeding with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of this Honourable Court. A copy of the said order is annexed hereto for ease of reference.

“The court in an enrolled order upon a motion exparte dated 28th February, 2025 but filed on the 3rd day of March, 2025 coming before the Honourable Court on the 4th day of March, 2025, prayed for the following reliefs: An order of this honourable court granting leave to the plaintiff/applicant to serve the 2nd defendant/respondents with the originating summons and all other accompanying processes on this suit by substituted means to wit: by serving same through the 1st Defendant; Clerk of the National Assembly or Pasting same on the Premises of the National Assembly or by publishing same on two national dailies.

“An order of this honourable court granting an interim injunction restraining the 2nd defendant/defendant’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct headed by the 4th defendant from proceeding with the purported investigation against the plaintiff/applicant for alleged misconduct sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary of the 2nd Defendant on the 20th day of February, 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on 25th February, 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

“An order of this honourable court directing the 1st -4th Defendants to come and show cause; why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them restraining them from proceeding with purported investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affecting her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023 and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

“An order of this honourable court declaring that any action taken during the pendency of this Suit is null, void and of no effect whatsoever among others.”
(DAILY POST)

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

13 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.