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Tension At NASS As Sen. Natasha Defies Suspension, Returns To Chamber
There was heightened tension at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a dramatic return to the legislative grounds despite her ongoing suspension by the Senate.
Crowds of her loyal supporters gathered at the entrance in anticipation of her arrival, while security operatives enforced strict control measures.
Vehicles were thoroughly searched, and visitors were barred from entering beyond the outer car park.
At least five police patrol vans were visibly stationed at the main gate in what appeared to be a preemptive security strategy.
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The increased presence of law enforcement followed the Kogi Central senator’s public declaration that she would return to the red chamber, citing a recent judicial pronouncement in her favour.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended in March, insisted over the weekend that she had informed the Senate leadership of her intention to resume legislative work.
“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision,” she told reporters during a constituency training session.
Although the suspension has not prevented her from executing constituency projects, the senator argued it has significantly hindered her role in lawmaking.
She lamented her inability to sponsor bills or raise motions since the disciplinary action took effect.
Her legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria West Idahosa, backed her position. Speaking in a phone interview, he said, “Let me be honest with you. Attendance is a legislative action. As far as we are concerned, we are focused on the appeal and other issues before the court.
“I think the decision to go back to the Senate will be determined by the constituents. Now that she said she wants to go and resume, let us see what the reaction of the Senate will be. But the most important thing is that she is still a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
When contacted for clarity, her aide, Isah Bala, said he could not confirm her exact movements at the time.
“It is not something I can immediately confirm now because we just returned from a programme in Okene,” he stated, adding that further details would be provided later. However, as of the time of filing this report, no updates had been received.
Despite her insistence on resuming, the Senate appears unwavering in its decision.
Speaking on behalf of the Upper Chamber, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, reaffirmed that the suspension remains in effect.
He emphasized that there is no judicial order compelling the chamber to reinstate her immediately.
In an expression of solidarity, well-known activist Aisha Yesufu has vowed to accompany Akpoti-Uduaghan to the chamber on Tuesday.
During an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme, Yesufu slammed the Senate’s decision and described the suspension as unlawful.
She criticized what she called the Senate’s “continued disregard for judicial decisions,” and added, “The court has spoken. It’s time the Senate respects the rule of law.”
The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Awwal D. Tukur, has identified intelligence gathering, timely information sharing and proactive security strategies as key priorities for tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Tukur stated this while delivering a welcome address on behalf of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the opening ceremony of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday.
Welcoming delegates to the state, he said, “It is my honor and privilege to welcome you all on behalf of the government and the good people of Adamawa State to the capital city of Yola for this federal and state security administrators’ meeting.”
He described the gathering as an important platform for collaboration between federal intelligence institutions and state and local government administrations.
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“As a premier security engagement forum, the FSSAM plays an indispensable role. It provides a unique, highly collaborative platform where federal intelligence frameworks meet the practical day-to-day realities of state and local government administration,” Tukur said.
The Adamawa SSG noted that Nigeria faces evolving security challenges, including insurgency, cross-border criminality and internal civil cleavages.
“No doubt, our nation is facing evolving and fast-moving security challenges, ranging from complex insurgency and cross-border criminality to internal civil cleavages. The mandate of this initiative is therefore, the more pressing,” he said.
Tukur outlined three key tasks for participants during the two-day meeting, stressing the need to identify emerging threats, improve intelligence sharing and develop practical strategies to address security challenges.
“To my mind, the collective task of this forum over the next two days is clear,” he said.
He listed the priorities as identifying and evaluating emerging security indicators; reviewing methods for generating actionable intelligence and sharing it with relevant authorities in a clear, precise and timely manner; and proposing practical strategies to anticipate and contain present and future security threats within communities.
Tukur also highlighted Adamawa State’s efforts to prioritise intelligence gathering under Governor Fintiri’s leadership.
“Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State has consistently prioritized intelligence in the sector. Community-centered intelligence networks and robust logistical support for our security formation,” he said.
He added that hosting the meeting reflected the state’s commitment to supporting national security efforts.
“Host of this meeting reflects the test part of the commitments on unwavering commitment to contributing meaningfully to the national security architecture,” Tukur said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.
Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.
“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.
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“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”
Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.
“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.
“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.
Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
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In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.
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