The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has found an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot to be involved in hard drugs and alcohol, in its preliminary report on the aircraft they flew that was involved in a runway incursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025. The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances in the preliminary report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji. The report was released today, September 12. In the report, NSIB said: “The aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway “All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.” According to the report, the domestic flight, which took off from Lagos, experienced an unstabilised final approach before landing long on Runway 21. The NSIB said that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, well beyond the recommended touchdown zone, and eventually came to a stop at 209 metres into the clearway. While all on board disembarked safely, the incident raised immediate safety concerns. The preliminary reports said that toxicological test results conducted on the flight crew turned out positive. The Tests indicated the presence of alcohol in the system of the crew, while another crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound found in cannabis, colloquially referred to as “India hemp.” The NSIB noted that these toxicology results were being assessed within the scope of human performance and safety management, both critical factors in aviation incident investigations. Recall that the Air Peace aircraft, on 13th June, 2925, had a runway incursion after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport, carrying 103 passengers. An aircraft incursion is the wrongful or unauthorised positioning of an airplane at the runway.
The immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, has been scheduled to deliver keynote address at the 2025 Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) Annual Conference coming up on October 9 in Lagos. Masari, who is also former Speaker of the House of Representatives, will speak on the theme for the ninth edition of the Guild’s confab: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.” The former Governor, who confirmed his availability for the role during a courtesy visit by a GOCOP delegation, led by the Deputy President and Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Danlami Nmodu, mni, was presented with a copy of the newly published GOCOP book. In a statement, GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, said that Masari, who is currently Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), had a distinguished record of service. ● Profile: Masari was Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in Katsina State (1991–1993), Speaker of the House of Representatives (2003–2007), and Governor of Katsina State (2015–2023). Born in Masari village, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State, Masari’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to diligence, honesty, and service. From his early days in the civil service, rising through the Water Board to senior management, to his training at Middlesex Polytechnic in the UK, he has consistently distinguished himself in public life. His political journey and leadership earned him national and traditional honours such as the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), Dallatun Katsina, and Matawallen Hausa, alongside honorary doctorates and international recognitions including the U.S. Congressional Commendation Award. As Governor, Masari focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and workers’ welfare, transforming Katsina into one of the few Nigerian states without salary arrears. His leadership attracted accolades, including The Sun Courage in Leadership Award (2016) and the Zik Leadership Prize for Good Governance (2017). Past GOCOP conferences had featured eminent speakers such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese (2019), who spoke on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.” Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman (2022), who delivered the keynote “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome.” Professor Uche Uwaleke, Capital Market scholar (2023), who addressed “Nigeria: Roadmap for Socio-Economic Recovery and Sustainability.” Founded to uphold the tenets of journalism in the digital age, GOCOP is a professional body of 119 member organisations led by seasoned editors and senior journalists who transitioned from traditional media into online publishing. According to the statement, “the annual conference provides a unique platform for sponsorship opportunities, offering brand visibility, media recognition, and networking with influential journalists, editors, and policy shapers.” Partnering with GOCOP was a strong demonstration of commitment to ethical journalism and responsible media.
The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), has elevated 104 academic staff to professorial rank. The approval for the mass promotion was made at the 78th Extraordinary Meeting of the institution’s Governing Council, held on 9 and 10 September 2025 at the University’s Main Campus. The Council is headed by Senator Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso. A statement by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob, said that 58 of the staff were promoted to the rank of Professor, even as 46 others were elevated to the rank of Associate Professor. According to him, the academic staff were promoted across various disciplines, including agriculture, animal science, Islamic studies, Islamic history and ethics, clinical sciences, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, radiology, ophthalmology, theatre arts, social science education, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, pharmacology, statistics, applied mathematics, nursing, and allied health sciences. The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Mathew Adamu was quoted as having congratulated those that were promoted and acknowledged their dedication to scholarship and the advancement of knowledge. “This promotion is a recognition of your hard work, academic excellence, and commitment to the values and growth of the University. We expect that your new academic status will inspire even greater achievements in teaching, research, mentorship, and community service. “This promotion is particularly remarkable because the number of staff elevated to professorial rank is the highest in the history of this University. It is a great achievement and a credit to the commitment of Council, management, and the entire University community to reward excellence and strengthen our human resource capacity at this point of the University’s development. “Let me also reassure you that, with the stability the University currently enjoys, greater achievements lie ahead. I am certain that both the University and its staff will benefit from this new drive to ensure an improved and timely reward system designed to strengthen our journey towards attaining the heights of world-class institutions. “On behalf of the Governing Council and the Management of the University, I congratulate you on this noble achievement.”
In Nigeria’s political landscape, the National Assembly is meant to be a sanctuary of sober deliberation and a place where rules and processes are observed with discipline, decorum and responsibility. Yet in this same hallowed chamber, the suspended Kogi Central Senatorial District Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has continued to demonstrate a determination not to play by the book but to tear it up altogether.
Her rebuffed threat to resume legislative duties on 4 September 2025, after a six-month suspension, has exposed a troubling mix of arrogance, hypocrisy, and legal incoherence. It is one thing for a politician to fight for survival. It is quite another for a trained lawyer to insult the intelligence of the very system of justice she once pledged to defend. The acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, wrote a letter that has since circulated widely, calmly reminding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that her case is still before the Court of Appeal and that her unilateral announcement to return to the Senate chamber is an exercise in futility. That letter was not a mere administrative formality. It was the institutional voice of the legislature reaffirming a principle as old as democracy itself: that one cannot be both litigant and judge in the same matter. It was the Senate standing firm, refusing to be bullied, and placing fidelity to process above the whims of one desperate politician.
■ The Suspension, the Court, and the Contempt To understand the quagmire in which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan now writhes, one must trace the sequence of her missteps. On 6 March 2025, she was suspended for six months following an unruly behavior towards the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat allocation, a quarrel that she escalated by levelling accusations of sexual harassment without any proof. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions investigated and imposed suspension as a disciplinary measure to preserve the dignity of the hallowed chamber. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to accept this sanction. Instead, she raced to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking judicial intervention. There, she encountered a ruling that should have taught her humility. On 4 July 2025, Justice Binta Nyako delivered an unambiguous verdict. The disciplinary measures and suspension were indeed found to be constitutional and well situated within the prisms of law and order. Yet, in the same ruling, the court fined her five million naira and to apologize in some National Newspapers for civil contempt after finding that she had violated a gag order. To be clear, the very court to which she turned for relief also found her guilty of misconduct. This is where the doctrine of equity becomes relevant. The maxim that he who goes to equity must go with clean hands is not a rhetorical flourish but a cornerstone of legal reasoning, recognised in common law and frequently cited in Nigerian jurisprudence. Cases, such as Awojugbagbe Light Industries Ltd v. Chinukwe (1995), stand as monuments to its enduring power. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s contempt conviction poisoned her entire plea. She sought justice with stained hands. She left the court diminished and shredded. Her response to the judgement was not to acknowledge this taint with remorse but to appeal. She challenged the fine imposed while the Senate simultaneously filed a cross appeal. By their appeals, both sides placed the matter before the Court of Appeal, which has yet to pronounce upon it. Under Section 18 of the Court of Appeal Act, filing an appeal does not itself stay the execution of a judgement unless expressly ordered. Yet, in cases involving parliamentary privileges, a higher principle comes into play. The subjudice rule demands that parties refrain from actions that may prejudice an ongoing case. That is why the Clerk’s letter pointed out to the obvious: until the Court of Appeal delivers judgement, nothing can be done. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is bound by that rule. Her decision to disregard it is not only reckless but also contemptuous of the very system she invoked.
■ Playing Judge in Her Own Case The arrogance of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct lies in her decision to appoint herself as judge, jury, and enforcer. She announced her return to the Senate chamber as though she were the Court of Appeal itself. This is not only laughable but also dangerous, for it undermines the doctrine of natural justice embodied in the principle of __nemo judex in causa sua,_ which holds that no one should sit in judgement over his or her own case. This principle has been enforced repeatedly in the Nigerian courts. In _Garba v. University of Maiduguri_ (1986), the Supreme Court made it clear that fairness requires impartial adjudication. Yet here is Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer no less, choosing to place herself above that principle. Her unilateral declaration that her suspension has expired ignores the fact that the Senate’s cross appeal is still alive and pending. It also ignores the constitutional power of the National Assembly to regulate its own procedures under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution(as amended). The Senate has exercised that power and appealed to defend it. By attempting to circumvent this process, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is attempting to tear apart the fabric of separation of powers. Those who argue that the High Court’s order should have an immediate effect overlook the unique character of this case. This is not a landlord–tenant quarrel or a commercial dispute where execution can run immediately unless stayed. This is a constitutional contest between legislative privilege and judicial oversight. In such matters, courts themselves have traditionally acted with restraint to avoid unnecessary intrusions into parliamentary autonomy. The case of __El-Rufai v. House of Representatives_ (2003) is instructive, demonstrating the caution with which Nigerian courts approach disciplinary decisions of legislative bodies. For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s insistence on barging back into the chamber while the matter is under judicial review is more than procedural error. It is an affront to both the Senate and the Court of Appeal. It is akin to storming the pitch during a football match, while the referee is still consulting the video assistant referee(VAR). It is not only premature, but it is also disruptive. And, in politics, disruption of this kind invites fresh sanctions. The Senate would be well within its rights to impose additional penalties, and the Court of Appeal itself might take notice if it sees her conduct as an attempt to ridicule its authority. ■ Hypocrisy, Partisan Noise, and Lessons from History
The hypocrisy at play here is simply breathtaking. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan claims to be the champion of justice and victim of harassment, yet she herself has been fined for contempt by a court of law. She insists on the sanctity of judicial review, yet now chooses to disregard the same judicial process by cherry picking and acting as though the appellate court’s verdict has already been written in her favour. She wears the robe of victimhood while wielding the sword of impunity. This is not the behaviour of a principled lawmaker. It is the behaviour of a political opportunist who wants sympathy when it suits her and who spits on process when it does not. Her political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has joined the charade by urging her to resume duties regardless of the pending appeal. This exposes the bankruptcy of its legal reasoning. It treats the law like a buffet table where one can select only the dishes that appeal to one’s palate. But the law does not work that way. It is a full meal that must be consumed in its entirety, bitter herbs and all. The acting Clerk’s letter is not an excuse, as her party would claim, but a necessary reminder that institutions must be defended from the tyranny of personal ambition and lure for power. Comparisons from other democracies shed further light. In the United Kingdom, Members of Parliament have been suspended for lesser infractions, and none has dared return without due process. In Canada, suspensions have been treated with the utmost seriousness, with courts declining to interfere in the internal proceedings of Parliament. In India, similar disputes have arisen, and each time, the judiciary has been careful not to usurp the disciplinary powers of the legislature. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s antics, therefore, do not represent boldness but recklessness. They show contempt not only for Nigerian institutions but also for the global traditions of parliamentary governance. ■ The Road Ahead As of 10 September 2025, the Court of Appeal remained silent. That silence is eloquent. It tells the country that the matter is not yet ripe for conclusion. It reminds us that justice takes time and that impatience is not a substitute for law. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat remains empty, and rightly so. She has entangled herself in a legal bind of her own making. She appealed a ruling that never favoured her, yet she now demands the immediate enforcement of a non existent judgement, ignoring the fact that the whole case remains under review. This is the behaviour of a politician who has lost sight of principle. It is the behaviour of a lawyer who has betrayed her calling. By attempting to bulldoze her way back into the Senate chamber, she has deepened her isolation, eroded her credibility, and risked a legacy as the senator who could not wait for the courts to do their job. The question here is not whether the Senate is right to shut its doors against the erring senator. The National Assembly has acted with restraint, dignity, and firmness. It has shown that it will not be cowed by theatrics. Most importantly, it has respected the judiciary by waiting for its verdict. And, it has upheld the constitutional order by refusing to allow an individual to hijack its processes. That is the mark of an institution that takes itself seriously. The right question to ponder now is whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has learned that theatrics cannot upstage set legal procedures. Whatever the answer, she still has a choice. She can pay her fine, show contrition, and await the judgement of the Court of Appeal. Or she can continue along the reckless path of self-aggrandisement, in which case she risks being remembered not as a trailblazing senator but as a cautionary tale. Nigeria deserves lawmakers who live by the law and not by political theatrics. Clean hands remain the only acceptable requirement in the court of justice. Until Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan acquires them, her rightful place is not on the floor of the Senate but in the waiting room of accountability.
Ken Harries Esq is an Abuja based Development Communication Specialist
Move by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her legislative activities in the Senate when it resumes on September 23, having completed her six month suspension, has hit the rock. Responding to her request to resume her legislative duties in a letter to the Senate, the red chamber insisted that her six-month suspension would remain in force until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict on her case. In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Senate acknowledged receiving the senator’s notification of her intention to return on September 4, 2025, which she viewed as the conclusion of her suspension period. But the Senate said that since her suspension began on March 6, 2025, and the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate her return. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended for breaching the Senate’s standing orders. While the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the suspension, the senator has appealed the decision and awaits the Court of Appeal’s ruling. The Senate emphasized that it will only reconsider the suspension once the appellate court delivers its judgment. Until then, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains barred from participating in Senate activities. Both parties now await the court’s decision to determine the future of the suspension and the senator’s legislative role.
President Bola Tinubu has sacked Fegho John Umunubo, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy (Office of the Vice President), with immediate effect.
A statement today, September 8, by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Presidency, Abiodun Oladunjoye, asked members of the general public to distance themselves from him.
The statement read: “Stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy, at home and abroad, as well as the general public are hereby notified that FEGHO JOHN UMUNUBO, who hitherto had served as the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy (Office of the Vice President), has been disengaged with immediate effect.
“Kindly note that he no longer represents this administration in any capacity.
“Henceforth, anyone who interfaces with him in the name of President (Bola) Tinubu’s administration does so at his or her own risk.
“We urge all stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy to be so guided.”
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has once again demonstrated that it is not only a custodian of academic standards but also a forward-looking institution committed to modernizing education in West Africa. Its recent announcement that the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be fully computer-based is a bold and visionary step that deserves commendation. For decades, WAEC has set the benchmark for credibility, transparency, and rigour in examinations. Now, by embracing computer-based testing (CBT), the body is signaling its readiness to align with global best practices in assessment, while also preparing African students for the digital realities of the 21st century. In a world where education and work are increasingly technology-driven, WAEC’s transition is not just timely, it is necessary. The plan to conduct all objective examinations fully online, with three papers written in a single day, promises efficiency and reduced risks of malpractice. Essay and theory papers, to be projected in examination halls without the distribution of physical question papers, will significantly cut down on leakages and logistical bottlenecks. Candidates will simply receive answer booklets, while questions are securely displayed. This model, already in practice in advanced economies, places WAEC among global leaders in secure assessment delivery. The emphasis on IT-compliant supervising teachers for practical exams reflects WAEC’s determination to build digital competence among educators as well. Schools hosting these examinations will be responsible for providing the necessary materials, ensuring shared responsibility and accountability. This approach strengthens the ecosystem of collaboration between WAEC, schools, and teachers, while promoting IT proficiency across the board. Critically, WAEC has emphasized that no school is mandated to buy computers in order for its candidates to sit for the exams. This underscores a deep sense of inclusivity, every student, regardless of their school’s resources, will have the opportunity to participate. Designated centres will host candidates, and schools that volunteer as centres will even receive compensation from WAEC. By setting a clear requirement of at least 50 functional computers for host centres, WAEC ensures reliability and scalability without placing undue financial burdens on schools. WAEC has also made a strategic appeal to schools, particularly in the Lekki, Ajah, and Epe axis of Lagos State, to partner with it in hosting the exams. This call reflects both the demand for more centres in rapidly growing urban areas and the spirit of collaboration that will be crucial for the success of this transition. Schools that seize this opportunity will not only support national progress but also position themselves as leaders in educational innovation. Perhaps the most profound implication of this shift is its impact on the students themselves. By writing their examinations on computers, students are not only being tested, they are being prepared. They are gaining familiarity with the very tools that will define their academic journeys, their workplaces, and their futures. WAEC is, in essence, turning the WASSCE into a gateway to digital literacy, bridging the gap between traditional education and the modern world. Critics may raise concerns about infrastructure and readiness, but WAEC has shown a pragmatic approach, making provisions to ensure that examinations will hold for all candidates, regardless of a school’s immediate preparedness. This is not a reckless leap but a carefully calibrated stride into the future. In embracing computer-based testing, WAEC has taken a stand: Africa’s educational systems must not remain stuck in the past. Instead, they must be bold enough to innovate, adapt, and lead. The 2026 WASSCE will mark not just an examination milestone but a historic turning point in the evolution of education in West Africa. WAEC is not simply moving with the times, it is moving ahead of them. WAEC’s decision to fully digitize the WASSCE is more than an administrative reform; it is a redefinition of how examinations can shape the future of education in Africa. By prioritizing security, efficiency, inclusivity, and technological competence, the Council is building an ecosystem that benefits not just students, but schools, teachers, and society at large. This forward-looking model ensures that the examination process mirrors the digital realities students will encounter beyond the classroom, making the WASSCE a tool of preparation as much as evaluation. In many ways, the 2026 WASSCE will stand as a landmark, not only for WAEC but for the entire region. It signals to the world that West Africa is ready to embrace innovation and to invest in the skills its youth will need to thrive in a competitive, technology-driven global economy. The path WAEC has chosen is ambitious, but it is also necessary, and with collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders, it promises to set a new standard for educational excellence in Africa.
Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, who was Director-General, Kogi State Bureau of Information and Grassroots Sensitisation in the government of Governor Yahaya Bello’s, has commended the political reconciliation between the two former state’s deputy governors at different times, Chief Edward Onoja and Elder Simon Achuba. Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, in a statement today , September 8, said that the reconciliation between the two brothers was worth emulating by those who take pleasure in unnecessary political rivalry. He said that for Achuba to embrace Onoja showed a classical display of elder statesmanship and a recipe for peace as well as promotion of healthy political environment in the state. “Onoja’s visit to Achuba’s Abuja home is one that would attract public discourse, considering the circumstances in which Achuba was removed from office. “Although Onoja, took time to discountenance the insinuation that hitherto made the round that he was instrumental to the impeachment of Achuba, the kernel of the visit remained his high respect for Achuba, who he described as his ‘elder brother’. According to the former top government aide, the reconciliation by the two political giants is a demonstration of high regards and respect for each other. He described Achuba as a respected political strategist and one with a lot of love for the growth and development of the state. He recalled that while Achuba served as Deputy Governor, he had always stood for truth and had always insisted on things that would promote good governance and bring about unity, peace and growth of the state. He quoted Onoja as vowing his commitment to the greater good of the state and its people and that he would henceforth devote his time, energy and resources to work with people of like minds to advance the cause of unity, peace and development of the state. “We have only rubbed minds as brothers, ironed out perceived or misconceived differences and tried to discuss what we can contribute to the development of our state as stakeholders.” Abdulkarim Abdulmalik stressed that the reconciliation of the two politicians should be seen as a challenge to others to eschew political hostility, come together and work for for the growth and progress of the state and Nigeria at large He said that Onoja and Achuba hail from the same senatorial district, recalling that upon Achuba’s impeachment, Onoja that was hitherto the Chief of Staff to Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello, was picked as Achuba’s successor.
The Association of Resident Doctors, Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) have begun a seven-day warning strike. The strike action was announced in a statement today, September 8, by the association’s president, Dr. George Ebong, and other executive members. The resident doctors described the FCT health system as a “long-standing systemic failure” and that it needs immediate and thorough reform. The association said that doctors in the FCT are under immense pressure, frequently covering multiple departments. More details later…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has reiterated the Bank’s commitment to establishing macroeconomic stability, fortifying the banking sector and establishing Nigeria as a top investment destination. At a fireside chat moderated by Andreas Voss, Chief Country Representative, Deutsche Bank Nigeria, at the European Business Chamber (Eurocham Nigeria) C-Level Forum in Lagos on Saturday, September 6, Cardoso said that the recapitalisation exercise for banks is making good progress and will result in even stronger institutions that can withstand shocks and finance growth. According to him, the key drivers of renewed investor confidence were the CBN’s reforms and the stabilisation of the naira, as extolled by members of the EU Chambers. Cardoso observed that headline inflation is currently elevated, and that it is decreasing as a consequence of collective efforts. He said that the advantages of the Bank’s tightening posture will persist, adding: “We will protect the stability that has been re-established in the financial system with the utmost zeal. “Our primary objective is to maintain that stability while simultaneously addressing inflation and ensuring that the financial system is sufficiently resilient to facilitate corporate lending and investment.” About the impact of high lending rates in Nigeria on investment, the CBN Governor acknowledged the concern but linked it to inflation and stability. He said that there is a substantial potential for interest rates to decrease in the future as inflation continues to decline and as markets become more efficient in allocating capital. “That is the environment in which stronger corporate lending and higher levels of investment will naturally follow.” Cardoso observed that the CBN’s recapitalisation directive, which mandates that banks increase their minimum capital, is specifically intended to fortify the financial system and guarantee that it is capable of supporting a wider range of economic activities. He also emphasised the importance of technology-driven solutions in order to deepen access and address poverty, as well as efforts to expand financial inclusion and fortify the fintech ecosystem. He identified a positive development in the form of increased collaboration with the fiscal sector, which includes the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Budget Office. This collaboration, he said, will enable the country to maintain reforms and achieve long-term stability. Regarding Nigeria’s position in the global economy, he said: “The urgency of addressing our own affairs is underscored by the ongoing geopolitical changes.” According to the CBN Boss, Nigeria is a market that is both large and appealing in its own right, and it is also situated at the entrance to the broader continent and West Africa. “This underscores the importance of maintaining stability at home.” In his introductory remarks, Eurocham President, Yann Gilbert described the chamber as a conduit that links European businesses with Nigerian policymakers. “Our members are profoundly dedicated to this nation. “We aspire to establish enduring partnerships, generate employment opportunities, and invest.” He said that the purpose of the forum is to foster engagement, dialogue and solutions that enhance confidence and unleash opportunities between Nigeria and Europe.
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Why Senator Natasha Cannot Resume At Senate Yet, By Ken Harries Esq
In Nigeria’s political landscape, the National Assembly is meant to be a sanctuary of sober deliberation and a place where rules and processes are observed with discipline, decorum and responsibility. Yet in this same hallowed chamber, the suspended Kogi Central Senatorial District Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has continued to demonstrate a determination not to play by the book but to tear it up altogether.
Her rebuffed threat to resume legislative duties on 4 September 2025, after a six-month suspension, has exposed a troubling mix of arrogance, hypocrisy, and legal incoherence. It is one thing for a politician to fight for survival. It is quite another for a trained lawyer to insult the intelligence of the very system of justice she once pledged to defend.
The acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, wrote a letter that has since circulated widely, calmly reminding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that her case is still before the Court of Appeal and that her unilateral announcement to return to the Senate chamber is an exercise in futility.
That letter was not a mere administrative formality. It was the institutional voice of the legislature reaffirming a principle as old as democracy itself: that one cannot be both litigant and judge in the same matter. It was the Senate standing firm, refusing to be bullied, and placing fidelity to process above the whims of one desperate politician.
■ The Suspension, the Court, and the Contempt
To understand the quagmire in which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan now writhes, one must trace the sequence of her missteps. On 6 March 2025, she was suspended for six months following an unruly behavior towards the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat allocation, a quarrel that she escalated by levelling accusations of sexual harassment without any proof. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions investigated and imposed suspension as a disciplinary measure to preserve the dignity of the hallowed chamber.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to accept this sanction. Instead, she raced to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking judicial intervention. There, she encountered a ruling that should have taught her humility. On 4 July 2025, Justice Binta Nyako delivered an unambiguous verdict. The disciplinary measures and suspension were indeed found to be constitutional and well situated within the prisms of law and order. Yet, in the same ruling, the court fined her five million naira and to apologize in some National Newspapers for civil contempt after finding that she had violated a gag order. To be clear, the very court to which she turned for relief also found her guilty of misconduct.
This is where the doctrine of equity becomes relevant. The maxim that he who goes to equity must go with clean hands is not a rhetorical flourish but a cornerstone of legal reasoning, recognised in common law and frequently cited in Nigerian jurisprudence. Cases, such as Awojugbagbe Light Industries Ltd v. Chinukwe (1995), stand as monuments to its enduring power. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s contempt conviction poisoned her entire plea. She sought justice with stained hands. She left the court diminished and shredded.
Her response to the judgement was not to acknowledge this taint with remorse but to appeal. She challenged the fine imposed while the Senate simultaneously filed a cross appeal. By their appeals, both sides placed the matter before the Court of Appeal, which has yet to pronounce upon it. Under Section 18 of the Court of Appeal Act, filing an appeal does not itself stay the execution of a judgement unless expressly ordered. Yet, in cases involving parliamentary privileges, a higher principle comes into play. The subjudice rule demands that parties refrain from actions that may prejudice an ongoing case. That is why the Clerk’s letter pointed out to the obvious: until the Court of Appeal delivers judgement, nothing can be done. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is bound by that rule. Her decision to disregard it is not only reckless but also contemptuous of the very system she invoked.
■ Playing Judge in Her Own Case
The arrogance of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct lies in her decision to appoint herself as judge, jury, and enforcer. She announced her return to the Senate chamber as though she were the Court of Appeal itself. This is not only laughable but also dangerous, for it undermines the doctrine of natural justice embodied in the principle of __nemo judex in causa sua,_ which holds that no one should sit in judgement over his or her own case.
This principle has been enforced repeatedly in the Nigerian courts. In _Garba v. University of Maiduguri_ (1986), the Supreme Court made it clear that fairness requires impartial adjudication. Yet here is Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer no less, choosing to place herself above that principle. Her unilateral declaration that her suspension has expired ignores the fact that the Senate’s cross appeal is still alive and pending. It also ignores the constitutional power of the National Assembly to regulate its own procedures under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution(as amended). The Senate has exercised that power and appealed to defend it. By attempting to circumvent this process, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is attempting to tear apart the fabric of separation of powers.
Those who argue that the High Court’s order should have an immediate effect overlook the unique character of this case. This is not a landlord–tenant quarrel or a commercial dispute where execution can run immediately unless stayed. This is a constitutional contest between legislative privilege and judicial oversight. In such matters, courts themselves have traditionally acted with restraint to avoid unnecessary intrusions into parliamentary autonomy. The case of __El-Rufai v. House of Representatives_ (2003) is instructive, demonstrating the caution with which Nigerian courts approach disciplinary decisions of legislative bodies.
For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s insistence on barging back into the chamber while the matter is under judicial review is more than procedural error. It is an affront to both the Senate and the Court of Appeal. It is akin to storming the pitch during a football match, while the referee is still consulting the video assistant referee(VAR). It is not only premature, but it is also disruptive. And, in politics, disruption of this kind invites fresh sanctions. The Senate would be well within its rights to impose additional penalties, and the Court of Appeal itself might take notice if it sees her conduct as an attempt to ridicule its authority.
■ Hypocrisy, Partisan Noise, and Lessons from History
The hypocrisy at play here is simply breathtaking. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan claims to be the champion of justice and victim of harassment, yet she herself has been fined for contempt by a court of law. She insists on the sanctity of judicial review, yet now chooses to disregard the same judicial process by cherry picking and acting as though the appellate court’s verdict has already been written in her favour. She wears the robe of victimhood while wielding the sword of impunity. This is not the behaviour of a principled lawmaker. It is the behaviour of a political opportunist who wants sympathy when it suits her and who spits on process when it does not.
Her political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has joined the charade by urging her to resume duties regardless of the pending appeal. This exposes the bankruptcy of its legal reasoning. It treats the law like a buffet table where one can select only the dishes that appeal to one’s palate. But the law does not work that way. It is a full meal that must be consumed in its entirety, bitter herbs and all. The acting Clerk’s letter is not an excuse, as her party would claim, but a necessary reminder that institutions must be defended from the tyranny of personal ambition and lure for power.
Comparisons from other democracies shed further light. In the United Kingdom, Members of Parliament have been suspended for lesser infractions, and none has dared return without due process. In Canada, suspensions have been treated with the utmost seriousness, with courts declining to interfere in the internal proceedings of Parliament. In India, similar disputes have arisen, and each time, the judiciary has been careful not to usurp the disciplinary powers of the legislature. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s antics, therefore, do not represent boldness but recklessness. They show contempt not only for Nigerian institutions but also for the global traditions of parliamentary governance.
■ The Road Ahead
As of 10 September 2025, the Court of Appeal remained silent. That silence is eloquent. It tells the country that the matter is not yet ripe for conclusion. It reminds us that justice takes time and that impatience is not a substitute for law. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat remains empty, and rightly so. She has entangled herself in a legal bind of her own making. She appealed a ruling that never favoured her, yet she now demands the immediate enforcement of a non existent judgement, ignoring the fact that the whole case remains under review.
This is the behaviour of a politician who has lost sight of principle. It is the behaviour of a lawyer who has betrayed her calling. By attempting to bulldoze her way back into the Senate chamber, she has deepened her isolation, eroded her credibility, and risked a legacy as the senator who could not wait for the courts to do their job.
The question here is not whether the Senate is right to shut its doors against the erring senator. The National Assembly has acted with restraint, dignity, and firmness. It has shown that it will not be cowed by theatrics. Most importantly, it has respected the judiciary by waiting for its verdict. And, it has upheld the constitutional order by refusing to allow an individual to hijack its processes. That is the mark of an institution that takes itself seriously.
The right question to ponder now is whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has learned that theatrics cannot upstage set legal procedures. Whatever the answer, she still has a choice. She can pay her fine, show contrition, and await the judgement of the Court of Appeal. Or she can continue along the reckless path of self-aggrandisement, in which case she risks being remembered not as a trailblazing senator but as a cautionary tale. Nigeria deserves lawmakers who live by the law and not by political theatrics. Clean hands remain the only acceptable requirement in the court of justice. Until Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan acquires them, her rightful place is not on the floor of the Senate but in the waiting room of accountability.
Ken Harries Esq is an Abuja based Development Communication Specialist