IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Abuja Federal High Court has issued an interim order preventing the Senate Ethics Committee from proceeding with its investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, effectively suspending the probe.

Presiding Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by the senator’s legal team.

The Senate committee had been preparing to deliberate on the matter and potentially impose an indefinite suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.

This ruling puts all proceedings on hold pending further judicial review.

The controversy began on February 20, 2025, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat had been reassigned without prior notice during a Senate session.

Believing this was an attempt to diminish her role and silence her contributions, she refused to take the new seat, sparking a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the reassignment, citing Senate rules and recent party realignments as justification. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground, leading to a heated exchange.

Following the disagreement, the Senate unanimously referred her to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary action. The committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun, was expected to submit its findings within two weeks.

In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick. The suit alleges that a Facebook post, written at Akpabio’s direction, contained defamatory remarks about her legislative competence and personal appearance, damaging her reputation.

She is demanding damages and a public apology, arguing that the publication subjected her to public ridicule. 

Security operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have forcefully dispersed supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as they attempted to access the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The protesters, who gathered at the assembly gate as early as 8:00 am, coinciding with the Senate plenary session and the scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, were met with tear gas as police moved to prevent a possible disturbance.

Following the dispersal, the demonstrators relocated to the Unity Fountain in Abuja to continue their protest.

The demonstration follows growing tensions after a February 20, 2025, clash between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a seating arrangement dispute, which led to her referral to the Senate Ethics Committee.

The situation escalated further last Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleging she was being targeted for rejecting his advances—an accusation that has intensified public scrutiny.

The Rivers State Government says it is yet to receive the resolutions of the State House of Assembly regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on February 28, 2025. On Monday, the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led assembly had during its sitting issued Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget of the State before it.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the government clarified that as of close of work on March 4, neither the governor’s office, the deputy Governor, nor the office of the Accountant-General had received the document. However, the letter did not specify any individual by name as the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Danagogo referenced a recent state broadcast by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on March 2, where he reaffirmed his commitment to respecting the rule of law. He said despite any personal opinions on the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Governor had assured the people of Rivers State, that his administration would abide by and implement the court’s decisions in the best interest of the state. 

The government further revealed that its legal team is still awaiting a certified true copy of the judgment, and assured the public that once received, the governor would act accordingly without delay. The letter read, “I hereby refer to you to a letter dated March 3, 2025, on the above subject matter, which we came across on social media and notify you that:

“As of the close of work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the state, has received the letter. “Please, recall that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, had in a broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court judgements, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of the state.”

This development comes amidst heightened political tensions in the state, with many stakeholders keenly observing how the Supreme Court’s decision will shape the state’s governance. 

The Nigerian government has announced that the Treasury Management & Revenue Assurance System (TMRAS) will replace REMITA as the official revenue collection platform starting March 4, 2025.

A memo from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed the transition, stating that TMRAS will enhance revenue collection, payment management, and tax remittance across government agencies.

The rollout will occur in two phases:

Phase One (March 4, 2025): Covers naira transactions, tax deductions, and payment tracking.

Phase Two (June 1, 2025): Introduces foreign exchange transactions and budgetary controls.

A transition period from March 4 to May 4, 2025, will allow REMITA to run alongside TMRAS, after which all government payments will shift to the new system. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation after a rigorous selection process.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga said his appointment, approved on Tuesday, takes effect from 7th March 2025, the same day the incumbent Oluwatoyin Madehin will retire.

Ogunjimi, 57, was first named as Madehin’s successor last December. “A selection committee later chose him through a competitive, rigorous, and merit-based process involving Directors of Accounts in the Federal Civil Service. The committee conducted the process through three stages: a written assessment, an ICT proficiency test, and oral interviews.

“The selection process underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to promoting transparency, excellence, and competence in key public service positions,” the statement read in part.

Ogunjimi graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. He also obtained a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos. 

A 47-year-old Nigerian, Darlington Akporugo, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in a U.S. court over a large-scale romance scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $3 million, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that Akporugo was a key player in a Houston-based scam that targeted individuals across the United States, from Chicago to Kentucky. Working with accomplices, he posed as a romantic partner online, gaining victims’ trust before persuading them to send money to bank accounts under his control.

Details of the Scheme

Akporugo, an illegal immigrant in the U.S., pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy.

The scam involved over 25 victims, mostly elderly or retired individuals.

He used fake identities on social media platforms like Facebook to lure victims, convincing them to send money for fraudulent business ventures or fake personal emergencies.

Victims also opened credit lines in his name, and one even purchased a luxury vehicle for him.

Much of the stolen money was transferred overseas.

Law Enforcement Response

ICE Special Agent Chad Plantz condemned the scam, stating:

“This individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerable, defrauding them of their hard-earned savings. Thanks to victims who bravely came forward, we were able to expose this scheme and hold them accountable.”

Authorities arrested Akporugo just a month before his wedding, during an extensive multi-year investigation led by ICE.

Legal Consequences

Sentencing Date: June 6, 2025

Potential Penalty: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine

He remains in custody pending the hearing

Previous Arrest of Akporugo and Fiancée

In May 2024, Akporugo and his fiancée, Jasmin Sood, were arrested just days before their wedding in Houston, Texas. The couple allegedly ran a seven-year scam, primarily targeting widowed victims through dating sites and social media.

Authorities continue to encourage victims of romance scams to report such crimes, emphasizing that public awareness can prevent future victimization.