A suspected robber identified as Sheriffo Sanneh, accidentally fell into the soakaway while fleeing after stealing from a house in Busumbala, Gambia.
According to reports, one Saidou Cham from Busumbala was shocked to find the thief trapped in an uncovered soakaway.
He immediately alerted the police and the fire service arrived to rescue the suspect.
Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, has described the six-month suspension slammed on the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate as a “vicious abuse of power.”
She took to X on Thursday, March 6, and said instead of probing the sexual harassment allegations levelled by Natasha against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the red chambers “decided to choose the ignoble path of vicious abuse of power and desecration of our public institution”.
She wrote: “Did I just hear a voice of a Senator say: ‘She’s not coming back’ to Senator @NatashaAkpoti? Wonderful.
“When men because of little power fleetingly acquired start speaking like they are God, we all must remember what History reveals of their kind.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. You have inspired a Generation. You have inspired all credible citizens. You. Will. Never. Walk. Alone.”
Ezekwesili added: “* Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Won Today*
“That was the most they could do- collectively abuse their powers. As always.
“Natasha is holding strong. Really strong.
“*Today is NOT Forever* as I have always said in this country and been proven right often enough.
“All reasonable Nigerians should be proud of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
“She sat dignified to the end, in a room filled with men who collectively bullied her for daring to speak up for herself.
“Nigerian Women and all Real Men of goodwill should draw profound inspiration from her stoicism.
“There’s plenty of work ahead for all who believe in this Cause of unearthing the Truth on this issue.”
By Tonye Clinton Jaja
The first part of the title of this article borrows an expression from the Bible (Romans 6:23) that says: “The Wages that sin pays is Death..”
It now appears that the wages that comes from speaking the truth (to power or any form of truth) on the floor of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is automatic suspension!!!
The second part of the title: “there is no comfort in the truth on the floor of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” is culled from the lyrics of a song.
“There’s no comfort in the truth” is a lyric from the song “Careless Whisper” by George Michael, essentially meaning that facing the harsh reality of a situation often brings pain rather than solace; it’s often easier to remain ignorant than to confront the truth, even if it’s painful.”
These statements are based on a pattern of suspensions and near-suspensions of Senators who dared to speak truth.
In no particular order, below is a record as follows:
In the year 2018, Senator Shehu Sani, “A former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the Nigerian Senate, Shehu Sani has warned that whistleblowing in the Red Chamber is usually not tolerated by the leadership or the lawmakers.
Citing the challenges he faced during his time as a lawmaker, Sani on Thursday, suggested that there is an unwritten law in the Senate that prevents members from engaging in any form of whistleblowing.
Sani said only “divine intervention” can save a lawmaker from the wrath of the leadership of the Red Chamber in such a situation.
He said, “When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the Senators, it nearly earned me a SIX months suspension if not for Divine Intervention, “Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue.
“Just know that if you are there and you blow whistle too loudly, you will be “On your Own”, no senator go bring him head or neck to support you,” Sani wrote on X.”.
According to Premium Times newspaper, in the year 2014, which carried out a forensic, investigative journalist report, the allegations of Senator Abdul Ningi were the truth and accurate, however, for speaking this truth, he was suspended by the Senate for a period of 90 days, which was later commuted to 75 days.
“Abdul Ningi (2024)
The Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi on March 12, 2024, for three months after he alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by ₦3 trillion.
His claims, made in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, suggested that Nigeria was operating two different budgets: one approved by the National Assembly and another being implemented by the presidency.
Ningi’s allegations led to intense debates in the Senate, prompting a motion by Senator Solomon Adeola, which resulted in his suspension.
Following his suspension, Ningi resigned as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.”
In the year 2018, Senator Omo-Agege was suspended for speaking the truth that some Senators were deliberately delaying and attempting to frustrate the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2010 for their selfish aims of winning the forthcoming 2019 elections.
By virtue of certain international treaties to which Nigeria is signatory to, Electoral laws are supposed to be enacted at least six months before any elections.
So in view of the 2019 general elections that were scheduled to commence from February 2019, Senator Omo-Agege was speaking the truth but he was suspended for 90 days by the Senate.
Senator Ali Ndume narrowly escaped suspension in the year 2024, for truthfully using the term “klepotcrats” during an interview on TV to describe some of his colleagues. He had previously been suspended by the Senate in the year 2017 when he made allegations of tax evasion against the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
“Senator Joseph Waku (2000)
Joseph Waku, a senator from Benue State, was suspended in 2000 after making a controversial statement suggesting that a military coup would be preferable to allowing former President Olusegun Obasanjo to continue in office.
His comments were widely condemned, leading to his suspension.”
It was later revealed by concrete evidence that the said President had dictatorial tendencies such as trying to “persuade” the National Assembly to alter the Nigerian Constitution to enable him serve a third term of four years!!!!
Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
A husband who killed his wife after suffering years of abuse at her hands has been jailed for three years.
Charles Graham, 78, strangled his wife of nearly 50 years, Davinia, 67, in their home in Cheltenham after she threatened to stab him.
The retired paramedic snapped and killed her before phoning the police to admit what he had done.
Bristol Crown Court heard Mrs Graham had suffered from mental health problems for many years and had been abusive to her husband and family.
Adam Vaitilingam KC, prosecuting, said Mrs Graham had been admitted to hospital on August 22, 2024, after taking an overdose.
On August 30 doctors determined she was medically fit for discharge, and she was collected by her husband
After an argument between the pair that led to the police being called, Mrs Graham was readmitted but sent home in a taxi hours later.
In a 999 call made in the early hours of the following day, Graham explained he had killed his wife, who was known as Dee, after she had threatened him.
He told call handlers: “Good morning. I might as well just say it. I’m afraid I killed my wife. I str@ngled her.
“She was in hospital for overdosing, and she has got mental health issues, and it happened before more than once.
“I was waiting to take her home in the car, and all she did was shout abusively in the street and walk down the middle of the road.
“I called the police, I tried to track down where she had gone, but she turned up tonight, very aggressive, very abusive, threatening me to stab me, and I sort of, well, I lost it, that’s all I can say.
“She literally walked in the door and tried to push past me on the way to the kitchen, threatening that she was going to stab me.
“So I started hitting out, I’m afraid. I’ve always said that if ever I hit her, I wouldn’t be able to stop.
“I’ve got many years of frustration anger inside me. I hit her a couple of times to try and stop her getting past me, and then I pushed her, I put my hands around her throat, and next thing I know, I’m strangling her.”
The court heard the family had suffered several tragedies which had contributed to Mrs Graham’s declining mental health, including the death of a grandson and a daughter.
“The prosecution evidence shows a long history of abusive behaviour by the deceased towards the defendant, much of it likely triggered by a developing mental illness that she had, particularly following the death of one of their daughters a few years ago,” Mr Vaitilingam said.
“But the evidence does paint a significant picture of domestic abuse.”
Paula White, 43, Mrs Graham’s surviving daughter, broke down in tears in court as she described growing up as a child.
“I did not have the best relationship with my mum. She was not the easiest person to get along with,” she said.
“However, since her death, there have been occasions where I missed my mum and the things she used to do for family.
“What I am not missing is the fear I lived in when my mum was alive. I was in fear of visiting or contacting other family members because unfortunately, my mum would not be happy if I contacted them.
“This had a big impact on my life and feel a sense of freedom that my mum is no longer here.
“My mum had very complex mental needs and it was my dad who bore the brunt of this for over 40 years.
“He protected my sister and me from many of the things that my mum did.”
Graham, of Fairfield Road, Cheltenham had denied murd£r but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of loss of control.
Mark Cotter KC, defending, said the couple had married in 1975 and had two daughters.
“It’s a very, very sad history, I’m afraid,” he said.
“The defendant tells me that there were so many incidents, it’s just hard to order them and hard to remember the details of it.
“This is a man who was faced with truly dreadful circumstances over an extended period of time, and it seems simply came to the point where it was too much.”
Judge Peter Blair KC, The Recorder of Bristol, jailed Graham for three years.
“I’ve read much about your case and your barrister has set out some of the history within your family of tragedies to people dy!ng far too young, and most particularly of your wife suffering from complex mental health difficulties,” he said.
“I’ve heard many good things about your usual patience and your management of that extraordinarily difficult situation.
“I pay my respect to your daughter who has described how you bore the brunt of her complex mental needs, she thinks for more than 40 years, and that you protected her and her sister from many of the things that her mum did.”
Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, from Gloucestershire Police, said: “My thoughts remain with everyone who has been affected following this sad and upsetting incident.”
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a police officer, Inspector Musa Nasiru.
The suspect identified as Alhaji Sabo Manigi attacked and stabbed Inspector Nasiru to death in Mashegu Local Government Area of the state on February 4, 2025.
Intelligence sources told security analyst, Zagazola Makama that Alhaji Sabo was tracked and arrested in Ilorin, Kwara State, on March 3, 2025.
He has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
According to a source, Alhaji Sabo stabbed the officer to death because he married the lady his son was reportedly dating.
“Before the marriage, parents of the lady asked her who she wanted and she mentioned Nasiru. Alhaji ‘s son fainted as his dream was to marry her. Alhaji confronted Nasiru while returning from work, telling him his son had been on a fainting spree since he married the lady,” the source narrated.
“He told Nasiru he must kill him, some of his friends thought he was joking. The man brought out a knife and stabbed Nasiru.
“He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Bida where he was pronounced dead.”
The Nigeria Police Force has compulsorily retired six high-ranking officers, including the former Commissioner of Police (CP) for the Federal Capital Territory, Bennett Igweh. Two of the officers were also demoted ahead of their retirement.
The directive, confirmed through a wireless message dated March 4, 2025, was issued by the Force Secretary. It revealed that Igweh, who had recently been promoted to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) and was assigned to head Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja, was demoted to Commissioner of Police before his forced retirement.
Likewise, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and the first serving policeman to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria Simon Lough, was demoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police ahead of his departure.
Other affected officers include AIG Idowu Owohunwa, who retired as of February 10, 2025, CP Bennett Igweh, who retired effective May 1, 2023, CP Aina Emmanuel A., retired as of February 10, 2025, CP Salama Wakili Abdul, who retired on February 26, 2025, ACP Simon A. Iough (SAN), retired August 1, 2022, and ACP Dakon Philip Sarpiya, retired on December 12, 2023.
The retirements came after an extraordinary meeting of the Police Service Commission on February 20, 2025, which led to the decision. A message detailing the retirements was marked “CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/346” and titled “Discharge and Retirement,” directing the immediate removal of the officers’ names from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The official message ordered the deletion of the officers’ names from the payroll and instructed that their retirements be recorded accordingly.
When asked for a comment, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi directed inquiries to the Police Service Commission (PSC). However, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani stated he had not yet been briefed on the issue at the time of contact.
Sequel to an earlier report that over 300 police officers including DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN); AIG Abdul Yari; AIG Idowu Owohunwa; AIG Ben Igwe; CP Peter Ukachi Opara; CP Obo Obo Ukani; and ACP Akpan Brown have been linked to an age falsification scandal within the Nigeria Police Force, Lough, the Head of Chambers, Legal Section of the Nigeria Police Force and the force first Senior Advocate as denied the allegation of backdating his police records to delay his retirement levelled against him by a civil society group, The Integrity Youth Alliance.
He also demanded a retraction of the libellous report.
Prior to his demand, a source close to the officers named in the scandal described the publications about age falsification as false.
The source who does not want his name in print said: “Both the issue of falsification and retirement are false. None Of the officers forged or backdated his age. I know most of them.
“The facts are that they joined the Police Force as constables, some in about 1986. In 1992 the Police Force Management Team advertised for those who had become graduates after joining the Police Force up to that 1992 to resign and rejoin the Police Force and train afresh as ASP graduate cadets.
“All of them mentioned there among others resigned and rejoined as ASP Cadets, went through the required training and at the end were issued new employment letters and redeployed to serve at various formations and units.
“Before the 35-year due date for their retirement from the 1992 date, a new set of Police Management team asked them to retire from service based on the earlier 1986 date that they joined the Police Force as Constables. They refused since that no longer counted. When the Police Authorities insisted and tried to force them out, they went to Court and won.
“The Police Authorities had no choice but to implement the Court’s judgment and uphold a terminal date for their retirement from 1992.”
Counsel to DCP Lough, SAN, Adeleke Agboola, SAN in a 24 January 2025 letter, addressed to The Integrity Youth Alliance, Trojan Insight News and Sahara Reporters said: “We are instructed by DCP Simon Lough, SAN, the first police officer in Nigeria elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2021, and we have his instructions to write this letter.
‘’Our client’s attention has been drawn to the above-referenced story which has been published by different online media houses, like the TROJAN INSIGHT which tagged the defamatory statement thus:“SIMON LOUGH, NIGERIA POLICE LEGAL HEAD, OTHERS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR BACKDATING RECORDS TO DELAY RETIREMENT.
“Published online on the 19th January 2025 via https:/trojaninsights.com/simon-lough-nigeria-police-legal-head-others: under-investigation-for-backdating-records-to-delay-retirement.
“The Sahara Reporters also headlined the defamatory statement as: ‘Simon Lough, Nigeria Police Legal Head, Others Under Investigation For Backdating records To Delay Retirement’ via https://saharareporters.com/2025/01/19/simon-lough-nigeria-police-legal-head-others-under-investigation-backdating-records.
“It is our client’s express instruction that the above-captioned story as it relates to him at the material time is false. Our client was born on 14th May 1969 and joined the Police as a Cadet ASP on the 1st of May, 2000.
“Our client was never enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on January 8, 1987, and therefore could not have retired on January 8, 2022, as maliciously published by you, with the intention to besmirch his reputation.
“You published the defamatory and injurious story against our client without seeking his side of the story in accordance with the media principle and ethical responsibility of news balancing.
‘’Thus, DCP Simon Lough has requested a retraction of the defamatory statement made against him wherein he was listed among the police personnel engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their history records.’’
By Douglas Ogbankwa Esq
The Law now is that a Legislative House cannot suspend a Member of the House as doing so will deny his constituents representation as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). Again, the relationship between a Member of House and the House is not that of a Master-Servant Relationship, instead, the Member is a representative of his people whose Membership of the House is guaranteed by the Constitution and no other person or persons. The House Rules being in conflict with the Constitution is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with the Constitution. The representation of the Legislator is guaranteed by the Constitution and the House Rules is subject to the Constitution.
This was the position of the Court of Appeal in the case of:
SPEAKER BAUCHI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY v HON. RIFKATU SAMSON DANNA (2017) 49 W.R.N
This case above is the locus classicus decided by the Court of Appeal on the issue of suspension of a Member of a House of Assembly. The following are the facts of the case:
*The Respondent in this case was a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and she was indefinitely suspended. She filed a Suit at the Bauchi State High Court questioning the Resolution of the House. Judgment was delivered in her favour, the House appealed the issue to the Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the decision of the High Court.
The court of Appeal states that the lawmaker, not being an employee of the House can neither be suspended nor withheld of his entitlements i.e. salary and other allowances. The court while making decision on the provision of section 111 CFRN 1999 states: “The fixing of salaries and wages of the respondent lies within the province of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission under section 111 of the constitution, certainly not the 1st and 2nd appellants. The 1st and 2nd appellants have no right to interfere with the salaries and allowances of the respondent serving as a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.
No Rules or Standing Order of Bauchi State House of Assembly can derogate these rights and privileges conferred on an elected member of the House of Assembly…” The Court further had this to say about the illegality of the suspension:” Any member of the Bagoro constituency could have timeously challenged the indefinite suspension of their choice representative in the Bauchi State House of Assembly on the grounds that their accrued rights had been violated or breached by the appellants. The conduct of the appellants is the tyranny of the majority against an elected minority of the Bauchi State House of Assembly”.
The position above are the Laws on the twin issue that are subject of this exposition. The fact that some Legislative Houses are engaging in naked illegality does not obviate from the sanctity of the position of the Law which grinds slowly but surely. It is therefore my humble contention that it is an utter illegality for any Legislative House to impose on any member an indefinite suspension, as same is a gross violation of extant laws of the land and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.It is important we are follow the law on issues to build systems. If you protected the rule of law while in office, the rule of law will protect you, while you are out of office.
About the Author:
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., a former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, is the Convener of Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary, is a Nigerian Legal Practitioner, Writer and Policy Analyst.
By Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja
There is a particular scene in the Godfather III movie that reminds me of the recent actions of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule.
In that scene a Reverend Father of the Catholic church took the protagonist, Michael Corleone to a fountain of water inside the Vatican. He picked up one of the stones/pebbles from inside the pond.
The Reverend Father cracks the said stone/pebble and although the outside is wet, the inside is dry as harmattan.
Then the Reverend Father tells Michael Corleone that this is how majority of the Cardinals of the Catholic church at the Vatican are like that stone/pebble.
Even though they have resided inside the Vatican for years, the waters (teachings and practices) of the Catholic church have not penetrated into their hearts and minds enough to influence and affect their words and actions!!!
Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule was first elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly in the year 2011.
So this year makes it 14 (fourteen years) of his continuous membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly (apart from the brief period that this Governor Fubara refused to recognise him as a legitimate member of the said Assembly following his defection to the APC in December 2023 until February 28th 2025)!!!
However, it appears that the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule is like that proverbial stone/pebble that has been inside a pond filled with water but not allowing the water to penetrate inside him.
In this instance, it is even more worrisome because since the demolition of the premises of the Rivers State House of Assembly in December 2023, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule literally lives and sleeps inside both the Rivers State House of Assembly staff quartets which doubles as both his residence and the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt.
The evidence that Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule has ever the course of these 14 years not mastered the legislative practice and procedures is evident by the series of ultimatums that he is issuing since his resumption after the Supreme Court of Nigeria judgment of 28th February 2025.
Even a first year law student or a secondary school student who studies Constitutional law or Government knows that the issuances of ultimatums is not the constitutionally recognised method of communications between the legislature and the Executive Arms of government!!
Even more revealing of his shallow or absolute lack of understanding of legislative procedures are two letters authored by the Clerk to the Rivers State House of Assembly and Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule respectively. Both letters are dated 5th February 2025 and addressed to the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and His Excellency, Governor of Rivers State respectively.
For those who are acquainted with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018 and the litany of Supreme Court of Nigeria judgments on the subject matter, at least seven days from the date of the letter is usually regarded as sufficient notice for the recipients. And also, an attachment of the referenced Resolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly (in the form of an extract of the Hansard which is a verbatim report of the debates on the floor of the plenary of the said House or legislature) is required.
In the said letters, none of such Legislative practice and procedures is complied with by either the alleged Clerk or the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly respectively.
Another evidence of his lack of understanding of the ambits of the legislative powers conferred upon both himself and the Rivers State House of Assembly is his insistence on usurping the powers of His Excellency, Governor of Rivers State to take the initiative to appoint and terminate the Commissioners and political appointees of the those serving in the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the Rivers State Government.
In one instance, he purportedly amended the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission to confer upon himself and the Rivers State House of Assembly the power to appoint the members of the said Commission. Of course, a competent court of law has since repealed the said amendment by Amaewhule for being in conflict with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution which confers such powers of appointment upon His Excellency, Governor of Rivers State.
Amaewhule’s uncommon hurry and rush is also worrisome and again reveals his lack of understanding of legislative practice and procedures!!!
Ideally, the enactment of laws by the Rivers State House of Assembly ought to undergo the seven stages of the Law-making process such as first reading, second reading, Third reading, Public Hearing and engrossment and submission of a clean copy to His Excellency for assent.
However, a study of majority of the Bills enacted by Amaewhule’s tenure before his defection were characterised by uncharacteristic hurry which cuts off the public hearing stage.
And majority of these laws were not in the public interest but to protect and promote the interests of his political friends such as the erstwhile Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State whose tenures were extended by Amaewhule through an illegal amendment of the Rivers State Local Government Law, 2018.
One worrisome aspect uncharacteristic hurry is his refusal to exercise patience and wait for the final determination of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the issue of whether himself and the 26 others are still legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly after their defection to the APC in December 2023.
During this period, Amaewhule ought to take the time to acquaint himself with the legislative practice and procedures by taking time to attend courses on legislative practice and procedures. Amaewhule is supposed to embark on study visits and exchange programmes at the Parliaments of the United Kingdom or even African countries like South Africa to observe first-hand how legislative sessions are conducted.
Amaewhule is supposed to invest money on buying and reading such authoritative books like Erskine May Parliamentary Procedure (2019) published by Lexis Nexis.
Even time spent on YOUTUBE watching the live sessions and streaming of the plenary sessions of the National Assembly can benefit Amaewhule a lot.
For example, during today’s plenary of the Senate of the National Assembly, Senator Orji Kalu made a compassionate appeal for the salaries and allowances of the Aides and support staff of Senator Natasha not to be affected during the six months suspension.
That is a master-class in Legislative diplomacy that Amaewhule can learn from.
Even when dealing with a so-called enemy, a wise legislator would exercise caution so as not to inflict collateral damage.
Amaewhule ought to learn and apply this Legislative diplomacy in his dealings with His Excellency Governor Fubara whom he perceives as an enemy!!!
By Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS)
By Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja
In the past few days including today, I have been inundated with telephone calls, and messages on WHATSAPP.
Nobody is calling me to ask how I am faring, all calls and messages are questions about:”Dr. Jaja when are you going to write something about what is happening at the Rivers State House of Assembly or the suspension of Senator Natasha by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”!!!
Today, I received two telephone calls on WhatsApp by two serving Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Both of them are lawyers but one of them is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria-SAN.
They both spoke about the issue of Senator Natasha’s suspension.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria-SAN admitted that it is true that there is a lacuna within the Standing Orders of the Senate, 2023 (as amended) considering that it does not specifically provide for how to handle issues of sexual harassment.
The Learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria-SAN suggested that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ought to enacted and institute a Sexual Harassment Policy which should deal with the circumstance when a FALSE ALLEGATION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS MADE AGAINST ANY SENATOR.
The Learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria-SAN did not permit me to ask him a vital question before he went off the phone.
Since it is admitted that the current Standing Orders of the Senate, 2023 does not contain specific provisions regarding allegations of sexual harassment against serving Senators, is it constitutional, legally correct, fair and equitable to penalise Senator Natasha for an offence that is not yet defined in any written law?
Section 36 (12) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 is very clear on this matter when it states that: “no person shall be penalised for any offence, unless such an offence is defined in a written law and the penalty prescribed therein”.
This constitutional provision was upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Aoko vs. Fagbemi (1962) wherein it was stated that one of the parties cannot be penalised for the offence of bigamy (marrying two husbands) since there is no written law to that effect.
On the other aspect of the “crime” of Senator Natasha of not sitting in a seat allocated to her and speaking out of turn, without approval of the Senate President, it is a known principle of justice that the penalty should not outweigh the alleged crime.
In the case of Senator Ali Ndume vs. Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018), the Court of Appeal held that it is unconstitutional to impose a suspension exceeding 14 days upon any Senator. The reason is because the constituents would suffer from lack of representation by the suspended Senator during the said period of suspension.
Another principle of justice and fair hearing that was not observed during today’s plenary of the Senate is the opportunity for a PLEA OF ALLOCUTUS by the accused person or their representative!!!
Senator Abba Moro is the only person that is on record to have pleased for a reduced sentence of three months instead of six months.
When Senator Natasha raises her voice to appeal to the Senate President to allow her to speak, she was not allowed by the Senate President to speak.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB) is the person who was given enough time to ventilate.
During his long speech, which turned out to be a Felix culpa, he revealed a lot of behind the scenes motivations for the punishment meted out against Senator Natasha.
The dictionary defines “Felix Culpa” as “an apparent error or disaster with happy consequences.
“he presents the revolt as a felix culpa”.
So the speech by Senator Bamidele was a “Felix Culpa”, a “happy fault” that revealed the motivations behind the whole saga.
He admitted that he had phoned Senator Natasha at around midnight and in the presence of both the Senate President and Natasha’s husband, he asked Natasha: “what will you gain, (what do you intend to achieve) if you bring down the Senate President with all these your talks on TV and social media?”
That statement is very DEEP AND REVEALING!!!
So during the said phone call the focus was not on the “crime” of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to sit on the seat allocated to her inside the chambers of the Senate?
It was not about the shouting of Senator Natasha and raising a point of order without waiting for the Senate President to call on her?
Apparently, the egos of both the Senate President and Senator Bamidele were DEEPLY HURT by Senator Natasha’s refusal to back down with her allegations of sexual harassment especially after the said telephone call.
Moreso, as Senator Bamidele himself admitted the Senate President had offered Natasha’s husband a nomination to a very important position. A gesture that was usually reserved for Governors and other high ranking members of the same political camp as the Senate President himself.
To conclude, Senator Bamidele’s speech sounded like the speech by the biblical character named Pontius Pilate. Ironically, instead of succeeding in persuading the mob to set Jesus Christ free, it had the opposite effect of inciting the mob to demand with renewed vigour the execution of an innocent man, Jesus Christ.
It would have been better if Senator Bamidele had not spoken because the Senators were previously considering the option of imposing a reduced suspension of three months upon Senator Natasha.
However, in accordance with the acronym MOB, Senator Bamidele incited the mob to go for the maximum penalty!!!
Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS)
By Mabel Adinya Ade
The horrifying discovery of yet another human trafficking den in Oyo State—where over 200 decomposed bodies, human skulls, and butchered remains of innocent victims lay abandoned—is a clear testament to the growing horror of modern-day slavery and organ harvesting in Nigeria. This is not just a crime; it is a genocide against our people, an unforgivable atrocity that has become too frequent to be ignored.
Oyo State has once again been thrown into mourning, as families continue to search for loved ones who have disappeared into the deadly grip of traffickers. Yet, despite this unrelenting horror, the government’s response remains slow, and the legislation that could effectively curb human trafficking is still gathering dust.
In less than a year, this is the second time such a gruesome discovery has been made. How many more mass graves must be uncovered before we recognize the urgency of this crisis? How many more innocent men, women, and children must fall victim to this monstrous trade before the government takes decisive action?
The Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) Bill, championed by stakeholders under the committee constituted by the Honourable Attorney General of Oyo State, has the potential to be a game-changer in the fight against trafficking. Yet, its delay in being passed and implemented means that traffickers continue to operate freely, abducting and slaughtering human beings for profit.
Nigerians and indeed, the people of Oyo State deserve better. The government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from this heinous crime. We, therefore, demand the following immediate actions:
This is a war against humanity, and Oyo State cannot afford to lose. The Honourable Attorney General must rise to this challenge and act swiftly to ensure that traffickers no longer find safe ground in Oyo State. The eyes of the nation are watching, and history will judge whether this administration stood for justice or allowed impunity to reign.
The Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF) and the CTIP Commission Cluster Project stand ready to support the government in tackling this menace. But the time for rhetoric is over this is the moment for real action.
Oyo State, act now before more lives are lost.
Mabel Adinya Ade, Executive Director, Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF) & Anchor, CTIP Commission Cluster Project
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