Headlines

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the reopening of the Ogbo-Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, following a one-month closure.

The South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with Anambra State government officials, led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, and market leaders at the market premises. He confirmed that the market would resume operations on Friday.

Iluyomade stated that the decision followed persistent intervention by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and an agreement signed by market leaders to halt the sale of fake, expired, and substandard drugs.

“During the enforcement exercise that lasted three weeks, the agency uncovered 50 trailer loads of fake and expired drugs, a large volume of narcotics capable of destabilizing the country, and numerous drugs banned since 2007,” he said.

He emphasized that the market’s reopening would not stop ongoing enforcement operations, noting that 4,000 shops had been sealed for various violations and would only reopen after proper profiling.

Iluyomade further revealed that the confiscated fake and expired drugs were valued at over N1 trillion.

He commended Governor Soludo for his support in combating the sale of counterfeit drugs and acknowledged the cooperation of market leaders throughout the enforcement period.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Obidike, also expressed appreciation to NAFDAC on behalf of the governor and urged traders to strictly adhere to the terms of their agreement with the agency.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled August 9, 2025, for fresh local government council elections in the state.

RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the date during a stakeholders’ meeting and the official unveiling of the 2025 local government election timetable and guidelines at the commission’s headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, Justice Enebeli reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, and impartial election. He also urged political parties to adhere to the established guidelines.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, formally submitted a petition to the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. This action follows her previous allegations made during a national television interview.

In response, Senate President Akpabio denied the allegations, stating, “I will like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment on the said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman for that matter.”

Earlier in the day, protests erupted at the National Assembly complex, with supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan calling for Akpabio’s resignation, while a pro-Akpabio group dismissed the allegations.

Prior to the formal submission, the Senate had stated that it could not investigate the allegations without a formal petition.

The Senate is expected to review the petition and determine the appropriate course of action in response to these allegations.

For further insights into the reactions surrounding these allegations, you might find the following video informative:

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday dispersed supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as they attempted to access the National Assembly Complex.

The protesters, who arrived at the assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., coincided their demonstration with the resumption of plenary and the scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

However, police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, citing security concerns and the need to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.

Following the intervention, the demonstrators reportedly relocated to the Unity Fountain in Abuja, where they continued their protest.

The demonstration comes amid rising tensions following a February 20, 2025, dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. The disagreement led to her referral to the Senate’s ethics committee.

Last Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging that she was being targeted for rejecting his advances. The claims have intensified public scrutiny of the Senate leadership.

Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and members of civil society organizations staged a protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

The protesters arrived at the National Assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., ahead of the day’s plenary session. Holding banners with inscriptions such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “Protect Women’s Rights”, they demanded accountability and urged the Senate to launch a probe into the allegations.

The protest follows accusations by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged that Akpabio harassed her and retaliated after she rejected his advances. She made the claims during a live television interview, intensifying tensions within the Senate.

The controversy erupted after a seating arrangement change on February 20, 2025, which Akpoti-Uduaghan described as an act of retaliation.

A spokesperson for the protesting groups emphasized the need for an impartial investigation.

“We are here to demand justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensure accountability. No one is above the law,” the spokesperson said.

As of press time, neither Akpabio nor the Senate leadership had issued an official response to the demands.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with security operatives monitoring the situation.