News
Natasha’s Lawyer Warns Senate Against Defying Court Order
Published
3 weeks agoon
By
Editor
Michael Numa (SAN), legal counsel to the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on the National Assembly to comply fully with a recent Federal High Court judgment ordering her reinstatement to the Senate.
The PUNCH reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja, on July 4, 2025, ordered the Senate to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended on March 6, 2025, by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
In the judgment, Justice Binta Nyako described the six-month suspension handed to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—reportedly for addressing the Senate while not seated in her assigned seat—as excessive.
The judge observed that the suspension was unduly harsh, depriving her constituents of representation and the benefits of her legislative service. She, therefore, urged the Senate to recall her to duty.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Court Orders Senate To Recall Suspended Natasha
However, the Senate President has appealed the trial court’s decision, and the Senate has denied Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to resume.
In a rejoinder dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the Director of Litigation and Counselling, Legal Services Directorate of the National Assembly, Mr Charles Yoila, Numa clarified the court’s ruling in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly & 3 Ors.
The senior lawyer referenced the court’s enrolled order, which begins with “IT IS HEREBY ORDERED” and sets out twelve directives.
He specifically noted that Order 12, which states that “the Senate should recall the Plaintiff” — although phrased with the word “should”, must be read within the context of a binding judgment when considered as a whole.
READ ALSO:Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman
Numa explained that the court’s ruling addressed both the substantive issue and a request for a mandatory injunction, ultimately nullifying the recommendations and findings of the Senate Committee that led to the suspension. The judgment, he argued, found the suspension inconsistent with both constitutional provisions and the Senate’s Standing Orders.
He cited Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that all persons and authorities must give effect to the decisions of competent courts. He also referenced Section 318 of the Constitution, which defines a court decision to include a “judgment, decree, order, conviction, sentence or recommendation”.
In further support, the legal team cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Ecobank (Nig.) Ltd v. Tempo Energy (Nig.) Ltd (2025), which held that certain judicial recommendations may carry binding force.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Court Grants Natasha Bail On Self-recognition
Numa urged the Legal Directorate of the National Assembly to carefully review the judgment and guide the Senate appropriately, emphasising that compliance with court orders was a constitutional duty.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has announced her intention to resume her legislative duties on July 22, 2025.
The rejoinder disclosed that the senator may pursue further legal action if necessary to enforce the judgment.
(PUNCH)
You may like
Reactions As 2Face Idibia Weds New Lover, Natasha Osawaru [VIDEO]
Senator Natasha Reportedly Stopped At Abuja Airport
List Of 46 Proposed New States Submitted To House Of Reps
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman
Bill To Establish Federal Oil And Gas Hospital In Delta Scales Second Reading In Senate
JUST IN: Court Finds Natasha Guilty Of Contempt
News
Church Of Nigeria Formally Cuts Ties With Wales Over Lesbian Archbishop
Published
8 hours agoon
August 7, 2025By
Editor
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially cut all ties with the Church in Wales following the appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the 15th Archbishop of Wales.
The decision was announced by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, who described the development as ‘an abomination’ and a serious departure from biblical truth.
The announcement came during the opening session of the 14th Church of Nigeria Conference of Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers, held on Tuesday at the Church’s national secretariat in Abuja.
With the theme ‘Called as a Watchman’, the event brought together legal minds from across the Church to discuss matters of doctrinal integrity, justice, and governance.
READ ALSO:Nigerians, Churches Groaning Under Economic Pressure — Anglican Bishop
Primate Ndukuba delivered the keynote address titled ‘The Decade of the Reign of God: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects.’
Reacting to the Church in Wales’ elevation of a lesbian bishop, the Primate said, “We reject the election of the Right Reverend Cherry Vann as the Archbishop of Wales.”
He compared it to the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson in the Episcopal Church (USA), which had also led to Nigeria severing ties with that province.
“Just as the Church of Nigeria took steps after the election of Gene Robinson in the United States, we are severing every tie and relationship with the Church of Wales,” he said.
Primate Ndukuba also criticised what he described as the growing influence of revisionist teachings within sections of the Western Church.
READ ALSO:Israeli Strike On Gaza’s Only Catholic Church Kills Two
“These individuals have not relented from their evil agenda; rather, they have intensified it. What they call their wisdom and culture is an abomination to God,” he declared.
Despite cutting formal ties with the Church in Wales, the Church of Nigeria reaffirmed its support for orthodox Anglicans in the region through platforms such as the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
“We pray that the Church of God in Wales will rise up, and that the faithful among them will stand strong. We, the Church of Nigeria, alongside GAFCON, will stand with them,” Ndukuba assured.
READ ALSO:Anglican Church Bans Partisan Speeches By Politicians During Services
Looking ahead, the Primate said the Church of Nigeria plans to expand its global mission, with new registrations underway in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.
“We feel that the Lord is calling us back to Europe for mission,” he said.
The Primate also used the opportunity to highlight the Church’s ongoing contributions to the GAFCON movement.
READ ALSO:Church Of England Approves Blessing Of Gay Marriages
He revealed that the Church of Nigeria had recently contributed $2.5 million to the GAFCON Endowment Fund and was planning a local Nigerian GAFCON Endowment worth $2.3 million to support orthodox Anglican work and mission.
On constitutional and legal matters, Ndukuba urged legal officers to strengthen the Church’s internal reforms and national engagement.
“You are to understand yourselves to be watchmen for the Church. You defend the Church against all forms of aggression. As modern-day watchmen, we must first listen to God, then speak His truth in love, knowing our duty lies in obedience,” he said, calling on legal professionals to support the Church’s constitutional review and advocate for a new Nigerian constitution.
News
EFCC Arraigns Six Katsina Revenue, Bank Workers Over N1.2bn Fraud
Published
9 hours agoon
August 7, 2025By
Editor
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday arraigned five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue and a staff of First Bank over an alleged N1.2 billion fraud.
The accused were brought before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court by the Commission’s Kano Zonal Directorate on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and diversion of public funds.
According to the anti-graft agency in a statement on Wednesday, the total sum allegedly diverted is N1,235,330,000, said to be tax remittances from the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action, which were due to the Katsina State Government.
The defendants, Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi, and Adam Alhassan Albashir, a Public Sector Relationship Manager with First Bank, were all docked and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
READ ALSO:UNICEF Advocates Six Months Maternity Leave From Working Mothers In Bauchi
One of the charges reads:
“That you Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi and Adam Alhassan Albashir between January, 2022 to August, 2024 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of the Katsina State High Court, being staff of Board of Internal Revenue Services (BOIRS), Katsina and Public Sector Relationship Manager of First Bank, in such capacity conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: unlawfully converted to your personal uses the tax payments meant for the Katsina State Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State and punishable under Section 298 of the Same Law.”
After their plea, prosecution counsel Musa Isah urged the court to fix a trial date to enable the Commission prove its case.
However, the defence counsels filed separate bail applications for the six defendants, requesting their release pending trial. Isah opposed the applications.
Justice Danladi, after listening to both sides, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N5m with one reliable surety resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
READ ALSO:EFCC Recovers Funds Lost To CBEX Fraud, Forfeiture Process Underway — Olukoyede
The Judge said surety must possess verifiable landed property, with the title documents to be verified by the court registrar.
The case was adjourned to October 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
According to EFCC investigations, Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, allegedly authorised the opening of an account named “BOIRS” with Sterling Bank. Sanusi Mohammed Yaro and Ibrahim Mamman were appointed as the sole signatories.
The commission said the account became the main channel for funnelling the diverted funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company allegedly owned and controlled by Nura Lawal, an Assistant Director in the Career Skills/Staff Welfare unit of the Board.
EFCC findings also showed that NADIKKO and Lawal served as key conduits in laundering the proceeds, which were traced to multiple bank accounts linked to the suspects.
News
FG Urges Nigerians Abroad To Register With Embassies For Emergency Support
Published
9 hours agoon
August 7, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians travelling abroad to register with Nigerian embassies and consulates in their host countries to enable timely intervention during emergencies.
The appeal was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, during a meeting with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria, led by its Chairman, Idehai Frederick, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to DICAN, Amb. Ahmed stressed the importance of informing Nigerian missions upon arrival in foreign countries, rather than waiting until problems arise.
“I advise Nigerians to make it a point of duty to make their presence known to the Nigerian mission in the country they’re visiting.
READ ALSO:FG Approves N4bn For 158 TETFUND Research Projects
“This simple step can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that Nigerians receive the support they need in times of crisis.
“There was a recent case of Nigerians trapped in the Central African Republic, where some Nigerians tried to give the Ministry a bad name,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted the role of timely and accurate information in managing crises and emphasised the need for closer collaboration with media organisations like DICAN to combat misinformation.
“Most of the time, giving the necessary information before they even ask for information is crucial in managing crises effectively.
READ ALSO:FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General
“We are saddled with the role of laundering the image of the country. Hence, the inevitability of a strengthened partnership between DICAN and the Ministry,” Perm. Sec. noted.
He underscored the significance of disseminating accurate narratives about Nigeria’s foreign policy, particularly in the face of growing disinformation.
Ambassador Ahmed also commended DICAN for hosting the maiden Diplomatic and Security International Conference, which brought together about 70 diplomats, security experts, academics, and representatives of civil society to discuss strategies for global safety and peace.
In appreciation of the Ministry’s cooperation, DICAN Chairman said, “The Permanent Secretary has shown commitment to working with DICAN, and we appreciate his efforts in promoting a positive image of Nigeria.”
- Hiroshima Marks 80 Years As US-Russia Nuclear Tensions Rise
- Church Of Nigeria Formally Cuts Ties With Wales Over Lesbian Archbishop
- Nigerian Women Are Built Different, Says Ogoke After D’Tigress Win As Practising Surgeon
- 2027: Jonathan May Get Automatic Ticket, If… – PDP
- PDP Announces National Convention Zoning Committee Inauguration Date
- EFCC Arraigns Six Katsina Revenue, Bank Workers Over N1.2bn Fraud
- FG Urges Nigerians Abroad To Register With Embassies For Emergency Support
- Rare 1937 ‘Hobbit’ Discovered In House Clearance Sells For $57,000
- Fire At Egbin Power Station Damages TCN Transformer
- Court Orders TSTV CEO To Pay ₦938m, $1.42m In Debt Case
Trending
- News5 days ago
JUST IN: NNPCL Boss, Ojulari Allegedly Forced To Resign
- News4 days ago
Seadogs Champions Social Justice Through Inaugural Art Exhibition In Owerri
- Metro3 days ago
VIDEO: Lagos Residents Lament As Flood Overruns Communities
- Metro4 days ago
Hotel Under Construction Collapses In Edo Kills Owner
- Entertainment5 days ago
Popular Nollywood Actress Dies
- Metro5 days ago
My Wife Used To Slap Me, Lock Me In The Room, Man Tells Court
- News5 days ago
Immigration Issues Travel Advisory To Nigerians On US Visas
- News4 days ago
7 Essential Blood Tests Every Adult Should Take Regularly
- Metro21 hours ago
CBN, UBA, Others In Benin Given Ultimatum To Remove Their Buildings Or Be Demolished
- News4 days ago
2025 Recruitment: Immigration, Civil Defence, Others Issue Important Notice To Applicants