IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, to present concrete evidence supporting her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Adeyanju emphasized that without verifiable proof, the claims would remain mere accusations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan recently alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence in December 2023. Following this, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions reviewed her actions and recommended a six-month suspension, which the Senate approved.

The suspension includes locking her Senate office, withholding salaries and allowances, withdrawing security details, barring her from official duties, and restricting access to the National Assembly premises.

Addressing journalists on Friday, Adeyanju remarked that the controversy had been overblown and suggested that the matter be taken to court for proper resolution. He urged Nigerians to focus on pressing issues, such as the Tax Reform Bill and its impact on low- and middle-income earners.

He also questioned why the same lawmakers involved in this dispute did not oppose anti-people policies of the current administration.

“The issue has been dragged for too long. I believe the parties should go to court and resolve it. Meanwhile, Nigerians should focus on stopping the passage of the Tax Reform Bill, which is far more critical than this controversy,” Adeyanju stated.

He further pointed out that there was no public outrage when lawmakers shared cars, money, and budget allocations.

“I also believe that since Senator Natasha has made these allegations, she should provide credible evidence to support her claim, especially since the Senate has denied her a fair hearing.

"It’s simple. The Senate President has denied the allegation. If there are messages or any proof, she should make them public. After all, the burden of proof lies with the accuser. Why protect him if he is guilty?” he added. 

A yet-to-be-identified woman lost her life after jumping into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge.  

The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront*. Reports indicate that the woman plunged into the water, prompting an immediate response from the Marine Police.  

Confirming the development, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the Marine Police recovered her body at the UNILAG shore slipway.  

“She was confirmed dead by a team of UNILAG medical doctors in the presence of officers from the Sabo Police Division,” Hundeyin said.  

Her remains have been deposited at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) mortuary in Yaba, while investigations continue to determine her identity and the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its crackdown on fuel smuggling, seizing 34,470 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a heavy-duty transportation truck in a three-hour operation along the Taraba-Cameroon border.

The enforcement, led by the Customs’ Operation Whirlwind unit, targeted smugglers operating through Gembu and Kan-Iyaka in Sardauna LGA, a known smuggling corridor.

Speaking at a public auction in Jalingo, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the operation was carried out with support from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Adeniyi explained that intelligence from the inter-agency intelligence fusion center detected unusual fuel movement patterns in the Sorofi and Kan-Iyaka areas between March 8 and 9, 2025. Acting on this, field teams executed a series of coordinated interceptions, disrupting what appeared to be an emerging smuggling route.

The seizure included 1,149 Jerry cans of PMS, each containing 30 liters, totaling 34,470 liters. A specialized transportation truck valued at ₦4 million was also confiscated, bringing the total duty-paid value to ₦37.78 million.

Adeniyi noted that a significant portion of the smuggled fuel was intercepted in Gembu, while 180 Jerry cans and the truck were seized en route to the Kan-Iyaka border crossing.

Describing fuel smuggling as a threat to national security and economic stability, Adeniyi urged security agencies to remain vigilant. He stressed that petrol is vital to economic activities and warned that shortages could slow down the economy.

He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to tackling smuggling networks and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy sector and economic interests. 

Chelsea have finalized a deal to sign highly-rated Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP, with the youngster set to join the club in 2026.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement on Friday via X, stating that Quenda has signed a seven-year contract with an option for an additional year. His medical has already been completed, ensuring a smooth transition to Stamford Bridge.

Quenda has reportedly approved Chelsea’s long-term project and the vision of new manager Enzo Maresca.

Romano stated: "Chelsea have sealed the deal for Portuguese starlet Geovany Quenda—here we go! Medical completed following a discreet negotiation. He will officially join Chelsea in 2026. The agreement with Sporting is done, and Quenda has accepted Chelsea’s project and Maresca’s plans. His contract will run for seven years, with an option to extend for another year." 

The UK government has announced new visa regulations affecting care workers, employers, and international students as part of efforts to curb immigration and promote local hiring.

Starting April 9, care providers must first attempt to recruit foreign workers already residing in the UK who require new visa sponsorship before hiring from abroad, according to measures introduced in Parliament on Wednesday.

Additionally, the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas will rise from £23,200 to £25,000 per year (£12.82 per hour) to match the increasing minimum wage.

Prioritizing Existing Care Workers in the UK

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, emphasized the importance of international care workers while highlighting the need to crack down on exploitative recruitment practices.

“We must ensure victims of exploitation can rebuild their careers in adult social care while reducing reliance on international recruitment,” he stated.

Tighter Rules on Short-Term Student Visas

The UK government is also tightening regulations on short-term student visas amid concerns of system abuse. Foreign students taking English language courses for six to 11 months will face stricter scrutiny, with caseworkers granted more power to reject applications suspected of misuse.

Crackdown on Immigration Violations

These changes follow tougher enforcement against businesses breaching immigration laws. Between July 2022 and December 2024, the UK revoked over 470 sponsor licenses in the care sector due to repeated violations. Employers failing to comply now face bans on hiring foreign workers.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting international workers from exploitation and ensuring fair recruitment practices.

Drop in Visa Applications

The new restrictions have led to a sharp decline in foreign worker and student visa applications. Between April and December 2024, applications fell by 42%, from 942,500 in 2023 to 547,000.

Health and care worker visas saw the biggest drop, plummeting by 79% from 299,800 in 2023 to 63,800 in 2024. 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) have reaffirmed their partnership to enhance global professional mobility and align accountancy practices with international standards.

In a statement released on Friday via its official X handle, ICAN announced that a high-level delegation, led by its 60th President, Chief Davidson Alaribe, met with ICAEW President, Malcolm Bacchus, to strengthen their collaboration and explore strategic alliances.

Key discussions focused on ensuring ICAN’s qualification framework meets global benchmarks, increasing professional opportunities for its members. As part of the agreement, both institutes will conduct a joint webinar on the Examination of Experience to enhance knowledge sharing.

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was a comprehensive syllabus review aimed at maximizing exemptions for ICAN members, making it easier for them to obtain international audit qualifications. Additionally, ICAN pledged to complete its qualification framework review by March 2025 to ensure full compliance with global standards.

Alaribe reaffirmed ICAN’s dedication to sustainability, capacity building, and international best practices, emphasizing appreciation for ICAEW’s support in advancing the profession.

The strengthened partnership highlights a shared commitment to fostering global professional mobility. By aligning qualification frameworks and promoting cross-border collaboration, both institutions aim to facilitate international recognition for their members and elevate global accounting standards.