Nigerian Senate suspends female senator who made sexual harassment claim

The Nigerian Senate has suspended a female senator after she accused its presiding officer of sexual harassment.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from office from Thursday and will have her allowances and security withdrawn for six months after she made an accusation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who denied the claims against him.

On Wednesday, the Senate ethics committee rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition about the alleged harassment, citing procedural rule violations. Her subsequent suspension was justified over an earlier argument that erupted in the Senate about a change in her seating arrangement.

In a TV interview on February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan – one of only four women in the 109-seat chamber – alleged that Akpabio made unwanted sexual advances towards her in 2023.

“This injustice will not be sustained,” she said on Thursday after she was prevented from speaking in the Senate and escorted out of the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.

Akpabio has publicly denied any wrongdoing. “Since the 20th of February, I have been inundated with phone calls from various Nigerians. I would like to state that at no time did I sexually harass Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” he said, speaking at the start of a plenary session on Wednesday.

*Letter to the Nigerian Senate*

The Petition of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Must Be Independently Investigated and Openly Discussed in a Public Hearing that the Accused Does Not Preside.

Two Demands:

1. Swiftly Appoint an Independent Investigator on the Petition of… pic.twitter.com/rdUkDoR7uU

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) March 6, 2025

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Nigeria’s north-central Kogi Central district, shared a statement on her Facebook page in reaction to the suspension.

“Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity,” she said.

“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond.”
Ethics committee ‘not fit for purpose’?

Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said Akpoti-Uduaghan should use her suspension to “learn the rules of the Senate”.

“I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the Senate president down,” Bamidele said during the consideration of the petition on the Senate floor.

Critics like Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of the women’s rights organisation TechHerNG, condemned the ethics committee’s handling of the case, alleging bias.

“The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose,” Agwuegbo said.

Many prominent Nigerian figures and groups have called for a transparent investigation. Many women also expressed their anger over the expulsion on social media with some calling it “oppression”.

Two groups of protesters gathered at the National Assembly ground on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja, one in support of Akpabio and the other for Akpoti-Uduaghan, chanting ”Akpabio must go.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against the Senate president, seeking 100 billion naira ($64,000) in damages.

While rare in Nigeria’s National Assembly, this is not the first time a case involving sexual harassment or assault has emerged. Senator Dino Melaye was accused of threatening to sexually assault Senator Remi Tinubu, the country’s current first lady, but was never charged.

Al Jazeera

Related story: Sexual harassment petition against Nigeria's senate president dismissed

China seeks rights protection for its arrested citizens in Nigeria

Troubled by the incessant arrest of its citizens for fraud and other criminal activities in Nigeria, the Chinese government is stepping in.

Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai has asked Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of Chinese citizens arrested in the country. Yu, who led a delegation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also suggested the idea of a Chinese team working with the agency to tackle cybercrime.

He expressed regret over the alleged involvement of Chinese citizens in crime in Nigeria.

The Africa Report revealed the mass arrest of Chinese nationals, especially in Lagos and Abuja, for cybercrime and illegal mining activities in January, with sources stating that the Nigerian government’s push for Chinese investments had opened the door to illegal activities.

“As the Chinese ambassador, I would also request that the legitimate right of the Chinese citizens, even if they committed a crime, should be well protected,” he was quoted in a statement issued by Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog.

“We understand that over the past couple of months, the EFCC uncovered some cybercrime and telecom frauds which involved some Chinese. As a Chinese ambassador, I feel much regret for that, but as a country that has a big population, there are always some bad apples,” Yu said.

Bola Akinterinwa, the Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo, tells our correspondent that China’s demand for the protection of the rights of the citizens is not out of order but anything more that that would be strange especially because acts of corruption in China carry the death penalty.

Akinterinwa, who is a former head of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, adds that even though Nigeria is bound to enforce its own local laws, it could make exceptions for China in pursuit of its own goals which could have larger benefits for millions of its citizens.

“Nigeria could close its eyes (to infractions) if it wants to get certain deals from China like loans, technology transfer for the sake of its larger interest and then give them soft landing to the Chinese citizens. It is solely within the right of the Nigerian government on what steps to take,” he adds.

Fundamental human rights

He also expressed China’s zero tolerance for corruption, adding that available intelligence suggested that those involved in crime came to Nigeria from other countries.

Responding, EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede said the anti-corruption agency will continue to respect the rights of all suspects, including Chinese citizens.

“While we’re preparing for prosecution, they were giving your people Chinese food. That is to show you how we respect fundamental human rights and due process,” said the anti-corruption czar.

Olukoyede said mutual respect and benefit have been the bedrock of the Nigeria-China relationship and this will remain so. He stressed that not all Asians arrested by the EFCC and prosecuted are from China.

Working relationship

China is the largest investor in Nigeria’s solid minerals, especially lithium. However, there have been accusations that a handful of Chinese nationals coming under the guise of investing had been engaged in illegal mining.

Some Nigerian senators had a few weeks ago called for a full investigation and invited immigration officials to explain the influx of such visitors.

However, Nigeria’s foreign ministry downplayed the issue when China’s foreign minister Wang Xi visited in January.

“We shouldn’t single out China and say everything they’re doing is bad. Suffice it to say, Chinese citizens are doing more good than harm in Nigeria,” said Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s foreign minister.

Nigeria’s debt to China exceeds $5bn. The sum is more than the bilateral loans owed to all other countries combined, according to the debt management office. Abuja has also been seeking favours from Beijing especially regarding full membership of BRICS, joining the G20 and getting a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

However, some illegal activities had become too big to ignore, officials said.

Speaking to The Africa Report, David Aworawo, a professor of international relations at the University of Lagos, says the relationship between Nigeria and China will remain cordial as long as citizens’ rights are respected.

“I don’t see a division in the Nigeria/China relations over the arrests. What needs to be done is what China has said. Let there be respect for human rights and fairness. Once this happens, there shouldn’t be any friction,” Aworawo says.

By Eniola Akinkuotu, The Africa Report

Priest kidnapped and murdered

A Catholic priest has been kidnapped and murdered in the Diocese of Kafanchan, in Nigeria's Middle Belt.

Father Sylvester Okechukwu was taken from his residence on the evening of 4 March, according to a statement released by the diocese. He was found murdered in the early hours today, Wednesday, 5 March.

No reason has been given for his murder at the hands of his abductors.

A statement sent by the diocese to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) states: "The untimely and brutal loss has left us heartbroken and devastated.

"Father Sylvester was a dedicated servant of God, who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord, spreading the message of peace, love and hope. He was always available and accessible to his parishioners.

"His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends and all those who knew and loved him."

The murder of Father Sylvester comes at a time when another two Nigerian priests - Fathers Matthew David Dutsemi and Abraham Saummam - are still missing, having been abducted on 22nd February in the Diocese of Yola.

This year, five priests and two religious sisters have been kidnapped in Nigeria.

In 2024, 13 priests were kidnapped in Nigeria, all of whom were eventually released.

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, with Christians complaining about discrimination and persecution in many parts of the country, especially in the north. Besides inter-religious tensions, criminal gangs have kidnapped citizens who are then held for ransom.

ACN has joined the Catholic authorities of Nigeria in calling for prayers for the repose of Father Sylvester and also in their appeal to the government to increase security.

By Filipe d'Avillez, ICN

Sexual harassment petition against Nigeria's senate president dismissed

The petition filed by a Nigerian senator alleging sexual harassment by the senate president has been dismissed.

Godswill Akpabio, one of the country’s most senior politicians, on Wednesday denied the allegations made against him by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The ethics committee which was mandated to look at the petition cited procedural violations and legal constraints at a hearing afterwards.

"The petition runs contrary to Senate rules and cannot be entertained," said chairman of the ethics committee senator Neda Imasuen.

He added that Uduaghan had personally signed the petition instead of having it endorsed by another individual, violating an order of the senate.

In an interview with Arise Television on Friday, Senator Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio had made inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his residence in southern Akwa Ibom state, on 8 December 2023.

She further alleged that Akpabio had, on a separate occasion, insinuated that she should "take care of him" if she wanted her motions to receive favourable consideration in the senate.

The senator alleged that Akpabio was behaving like a university lecturer who consistently failed his student who had refused to sleep with him.

But this was denied by Akpabio.

"At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria," he noted.

The issue has generated huge debate in Nigeria with many calling for an independent investigation.

In a social media post, one of Akpabio's predecessors as senate president, Bukola Saraki, said the issues raised were too serious to be simply brushed aside.

Earlier on Wednesday, two groups of protesters gathered at the assembly ground in the capital, Abuja - one backing Akpabio and the other in support of his colleague, chanting ''Akpabio must go.''

Senator Uduaghan used Wednesday's plenary session to submit the petition calling for an investigation into Akpabio's behaviour.

As the president, it was Akpabio who allowed Uduaghan to submit the petition.

Before becoming senate president less than two years ago, Akpabio was governor of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom state for eight years and also minister of Niger Delta affairs under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

By Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Nigerian Watchdog Sues MultiChoice Nigeria Over Price Hike

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of Nigeria has initiated legal proceedings against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, for breaching regulatory guidelines. According to a statement released on Wednesday, the action comes after MultiChoice Nigeria ignored a directive issued by the FCCPC regarding a proposed price increase for its pay-TV services.

Last month, the FCCPC instructed MultiChoice Nigeria to maintain its current pricing for its pay-TV services, including DSTV and GOtv, until a review of the proposed price hike was completed. Despite this directive, the company proceeded with the planned price adjustment on March 1, 2025, an act the commission describes as a clear violation of its oversight.

In response to this defiance, the FCCPC filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The lawsuit includes three counts of offenses, with the agency accusing the company of deliberately obstructing its inquiry by going ahead with the price hike despite the explicit order to refrain from doing so.

A post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the FCCPC emphasized the agency’s stance, stating, “Following this blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts of offenses for willfully obstructing the commission’s inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives.”

At the time of reporting, MultiChoice Nigeria had not provided any immediate response to the charges.

This legal action is the latest in a series of regulatory challenges the company has faced. In 2024, MultiChoice reached a settlement with Nigerian tax authorities, agreeing to pay approximately $37.3 million in taxes for its local subsidiary.

Reuters