Connect with us

News

Reverse Natasha’s Suspension Or Face Legal Action, SERAP Warns Akpabio

Published

on

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately reverse the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

SERAP described it as “patently unlawful” and a violation of her right to freedom of expression.

Natasha was suspended for six months last week following allegations of “speaking without permission” and refusing to occupy her new seat in the Senate chamber.

Advertisement

Her salary and allowances have also been withheld for the duration of the suspension, and she has been barred from identifying herself as a senator.

READ ALSO: SERAP Sues Tinubu Over Unexecuted N167bn Projects

In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation warned that it would pursue legal action if the Senate President fails to comply within 48 hours.

Advertisement

The letter emphasised that “no one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission’. Being a senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights.”

A Sunday statement titled “Rescind Unlawful Suspension of Natasha Akpoti or Face Legal Action, SERAP Tells Akpabio,” disclosed this.

Violation of constitutional rights

SERAP argued that the suspension infringes on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutionally and internationally recognised right to freedom of expression.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: SERAP To Court: Stop CBN From ‘Implementing ‘Unlawful, Unjust ATM Fee Hike’

Citing Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the organisation maintained that the Senate’s action is both “unlawful and disproportionate.”

“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, not stamping them out,” Oluwadare stated.

Advertisement

The organisation also criticised the Senate for undermining the right of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District to effective political representation.

The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her constituency to participate in their own government,” the letter read.

READ ALSO: SERAP Sues FG, NCC Over 50% Telecom Tariff Hike

Advertisement

Legal consequences loom

SERAP urged the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan and amend its standing orders to prevent undue restrictions on freedom of expression.

The organisation warned that failure to act promptly would leave it with no option but to seek judicial intervention.

The Senate Standing Orders 2023 should not and cannot set aside Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to express herself,” SERAP argued, stressing that any restrictions on free speech must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.

Advertisement

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

on

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

Advertisement

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

Advertisement

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

Advertisement

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

Continue Reading

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

on

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

Advertisement

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

on

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Advertisement

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending