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A heated exchange erupted on Tuesday between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, during a Senate hearing.

The altercation occurred at the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions session, which was considering a fresh petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Present at the hearing were Ezekwesili, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel Abiola Akiode, and petitioner Zubairu Yakubu.

Tensions flared when Yakubu attempted to speak while Committee Chairman Neda Imaseun was addressing the room. He was asked to mute his microphone, but when Ezekwesili tried to intervene, Nwaebonyi interjected.

Ezekwesili responded by telling the senator to “compose himself and stop making noise,” prompting an angry reaction.

“You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here,” Nwaebonyi retorted.

Ezekwesili fired back, calling him a “hooligan,” further escalating the confrontation.

The verbal clash momentarily disrupted proceedings before order was restored. Shortly afterward, Imaseun announced that the matter was already before a court, leading to an abrupt end to the session

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday re-arraigned former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) General Manager, Aminu Baba-Kusa, along with two companies, over an alleged N33.2 billion fraud.

The defendants appeared before Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where they faced charges of criminal breach of trust, dishonest release, and receipt of public funds. The case, filed by the federal government, also lists Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited as co-defendants.

Dasuki was initially arraigned on December 14, 2015, alongside Shuaibu Salisu, former Director of Finance and Administration at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on a 19-count charge relating to an alleged N15.5 billion fraud. The charges were later amended, and Salisu’s name was removed.

On May 11, 2018, Dasuki and others were re-arraigned on a 32-count charge involving the alleged misappropriation of N33.2 billion. The prosecution had called only one witness before the case was indefinitely adjourned.

In a separate case, Dasuki was also charged alongside former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, in a case marked FCT/HC/CR/42/2015. They are accused of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of N19.4 billion. This case, previously before Justice Baba-Yusuf, was later transferred to Justice Yusuf Halilu.

Dasuki, a retired military officer, served as National Security Adviser under former President Goodluck Jonathan. His legal battles have faced multiple delays and adjournments since 2015.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, citing a lack of credibility.

INEC’s National Commissioner for Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, stated that after reviewing the signatures submitted, the petition failed to meet the required standards.

According to Olumekun, out of the 474,544 voters who purportedly signed the petition, no addresses or phone contacts were provided.

“The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s), or e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition, as required by Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines,” he said.

He further noted that the address provided simply stated “Okene, Kogi State,” which is not a specific location for correspondence. Additionally, only the telephone number of the “lead petitioner” was included, rather than the contacts of all representatives.

INEC’s decision effectively nullifies the recall process, citing procedural deficiencies in the petition submission.

The Senate has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of violating the Federal Character Principle in their recruitment, appointments, and promotions.

In response, the Senate directed its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to investigate alleged cases of imbalance in the public service.

The resolution followed the consideration of a motion titled “Urgent Need to Address Systemic Abuse and Ineffective Implementation of the Federal Character Principle in Nigeria’s Public Sector,” sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu during plenary.

Leading the debate, Ngwu cited Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibit the dominance of individuals from a few states or ethnic groups in federal institutions. He expressed concerns that while recruitment opportunities are scarce, promotions are often based on years of service rather than merit, marginalizing certain regions.

He further noted that the lack of accountability in enforcing federal character principles has undermined fairness in the public sector, with senior-level appointments allegedly influenced by favoritism rather than competence.

Ngwu stressed that while the Federal Character Principle aims to ensure balanced representation across states, its poor implementation has negatively impacted institutional discipline, morale, and efficiency.

“The Federal Character Principle, entrenched in the 1999 Constitution, mandates fair representation in federal appointments to reflect Nigeria’s linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity,” he stated.

Ngwu listed several MDAs allegedly failing to comply with the principle, including NNPCL and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), PENCOM, NDIC, the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).

He lamented that despite legislative oversight powers granted by the Constitution and Senate Standing Orders, these institutions have consistently failed to adhere to federal character mandates, often bypassing regulations in their recruitment processes.

The Senate has tasked its committee with conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions.

The Senate has confirmed Sylvester Nwakuche as the new Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

Nwakuche’s appointment, made by President Bola Tinubu on December 13, 2024, follows the retirement of his predecessor, Haliru Nababa.

His confirmation came after the Senate Committee on Interior, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, presented its report for consideration. Lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendation during plenary on Tuesday, officially approving his appointment.

Announcing the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio tasked Nwakuche with strengthening security across correctional facilities nationwide. He expressed confidence that under Nwakuche’s leadership, the frequent jailbreaks witnessed in the country would be addressed.

The confirmation follows a recent jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, where 12 inmates escaped in the early hours of Monday, resulting in the death of a correctional officer.

The Organised Labour has strongly opposed the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it may take decisive action capable of disrupting national economic activities if the decision is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe.

In a joint statement signed by the Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor; State Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ikechukwu Onyefuru; and Chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Chuku Emecheta, the labour unions expressed concerns over the legality, economic implications, and consequences of the federal government’s move.

The unions described the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly as unconstitutional and premature. They argued that the officials were duly elected by the people of Rivers State and that their removal outside constitutional processes undermines democracy.

Labour leaders further decried the hardship caused by the emergency declaration, particularly for local government workers who have yet to receive their salaries. They stated that the withholding of wages has subjected workers to unnecessary economic difficulties at a time of rising living costs.

The unions warned that the decision could have far-reaching economic consequences, citing Rivers State’s strategic role in the national economy and the Niger Delta region. They noted that Nigeria is already facing inflation, currency devaluation, high exchange rates, and unemployment, and further instability in the state could exacerbate these challenges.

Additionally, the statement highlighted concerns over the loss of investor confidence due to political uncertainty, which it said is negatively affecting the state’s internally generated revenue and economic development.

While acknowledging the need for law and order, the Organised Labour stressed that any actions taken must align with constitutional provisions. It condemned the suspension of elected officials and the disruption of workers’ salaries as violations of fundamental rights that could further escalate security and economic tensions.

The unions urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to intervene by reversing the state of emergency and reinstating the suspended officials. They also called for constructive dialogue with relevant stakeholders to resolve the situation peacefully.