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Natasha Wins As Court Hits Akpabio With N100k Fine

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio suffered a setback in his legal faceoff with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed two motions he filed challenging her legal action over a controversial suspension from the Senate.

The appellate court’s decision, delivered by a three-member panel headed by Justice Hamman Barka, followed the withdrawal of the motions by Akpabio’s legal team.

The court not only struck them out but also ordered Akpabio to pay N100,000 in costs to the respondents.

The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025 (marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025), were filed by Akpabio in a bid to secure leave to appeal a March 10 ruling of the Federal High Court.

READ MORE: Senate vs. Natasha Akpoti: Abuja Court Fixes June 27 For Judgment

The judgment, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, was in favour of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging the legality of her six-month suspension.

Akpabio had requested “an order enlarging the time within which the Appellant/Applicant may seek leave to appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025… delivered on March 10, 2025 on grounds of mixed law and fact.”

In addition, his lawyers prayed the court for “an order… granting leave to the Appellant/Applicant to appeal against the decision… on grounds of mixed law and fact as contained in the proposed Notice of Appeal attached as Exhibit B.”

They also asked for “an order… staying further proceeding in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025… pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant’s appeal before this Honourable Court.”

However, with the motions reportedly overtaken by events, the court found no basis to continue deliberating on them and dismissed them accordingly.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had approached the Federal High Court after she was suspended by the Senate.

Her suspension stemmed from a plenary session clash with Akpabio on February 20, when she protested the change of her seating position and repeatedly raised a point of order despite being overruled.

The Senate President referred her to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuem. The committee later recommended her suspension.

In an explosive TV interview on February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her confrontation with the Senate leadership began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.

She subsequently asked the court to declare “null, void, and of no effect” any action the Senate or its committee may have taken while her case was pending in court.

Initially presided over by Justice Egwuatu, the case was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako after Akpabio accused the former of bias. Justice Nyako has now scheduled June 27 to deliver a ruling on the legality of the suspension.

 

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Elohor Aiboni Honoured with DTN@100 Changemaker Award

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Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.

She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.

Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”

In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”

Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.

READ ALSO: “8216;The Panic Is Real” Atiku Accuses APC of Plot to Weaken ADC

In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.

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Tinubu Hails Flamingos After Historic World Cup Final Qualification, Urges Team to Win Trophy

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The President commended the team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, describing their achievement as a remarkable milestone that has brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians at home and abroad.

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also praised the coaching crew and everyone whose hard work and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.

SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election

With the Flamingos set to face Japan in the final, the President urged the players to remain focused, confident and determined as they pursue the historic world title.

“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” he said.

Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rally behind the young players, describing them as national ambassadors whose achievements continue to showcase the country’s sporting excellence.

He said the team’s performance would inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams without limitations.

“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” the President added.

 

 

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NNPC Reveals Sokoto Healthcare Intervention as September Profit Hits ₦509bn

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has disclosed its support for healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State through the donation and subsequent handover of an Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) to the state government.

The development was contained in the company’s September 2026 Monthly Operations and Financial Report, which also highlighted its financial performance, oil and gas production, pipeline infrastructure and other operational activities.

According to the report, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health visited the NNPC Foundation and NNPC Limited on September 1, 2026, to present a letter of appreciation to the Foundation for donating the Infectious Diseases Hospital and handing it over to the Sokoto State Government.

SEE MORE: Tinubu Promises to Boost Local Production with NNPC Refineries

The engagement provided an opportunity for the state government to formally acknowledge the Foundation’s intervention and support towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Sokoto State.

The report identified the engagement as part of the NNPC Foundation’s public impact initiatives.

NNPC Records ₦509bn September Profit

On its financial performance, NNPC recorded a profit after tax of ₦509 billion in September 2026, representing an 18.1 per cent increase compared with the previous month.

The company’s revenue also rose to ₦4.608 trillion from ₦3.74 trillion recorded in August, representing an increase of approximately 23.2 per cent.

Cumulative statutory payments to the Federation increased by 17.4 per cent, rising from ₦9.49 trillion between January and August to ₦11.14 trillion between January and September 2026.

Crude Oil and Gas Production

The report showed that average crude oil and condensate production stood at 1.70 million barrels per day during the period.

Natural gas production increased to 7,789 million standard cubic feet per day, while total hydrocarbon production reached 3.04 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The monthly operational summary also presented production and sales trends for crude oil, condensate and natural gas.

Pipeline Infrastructure Records Progress

On infrastructure development, NNPC reported 100 per cent availability of its upstream pipelines.

The company also disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline had reached 100 per cent completion, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline stood at 95 per cent completion.

According to the report, the OB3 River Niger Crossing pipeline had been commissioned and operationalised.

For the AKK pipeline, NNPC said sustained collaboration with stakeholders was helping to accelerate construction and pre-commissioning activities towards achieving early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.

NNPC Reports 54% Retail Station Availability

The report also highlighted the availability of petrol at NNPC retail stations across the country, putting the nationwide Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) availability level at 54 per cent.

A geographical map showing retail station availability across different parts of Nigeria was included in the monthly operational summary.

NNPC Outlines Strategic Production Efforts

On efforts to sustain production growth, NNPC listed accelerated restoration of shut-in wells and facilities, production optimisation and well interventions among its priorities.

The company also highlighted efforts to strengthen facility reliability and preventive maintenance, address infrastructure and operational constraints, improve community engagement and resolve storage, tank-top and export infrastructure challenges.

These measures, according to the report, are aimed at sustaining production growth and improving operational efficiency across its oil and gas assets.

 

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