The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, for six months, effective March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate rules 2023 (as amended).

Society Reporters reports that the controversy leading to her suspension dated back to February when a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The disagreement has since evolved into allegations of misconduct, raising concerns about decorum within the legislative body. However, Akpabio denied any wrongdoing, stating on Wednesday that he had “never harassed or disrespected any woman.”

During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, presented its findings, making seven recommendations. According to the committee, Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to adhere to Senate rules and also disregarded the committee by refusing to honour its invitation.

Reading the committee’s recommendations, Senator Imasuen stated, “One, that the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of Senate standing rules, bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate to public opprobrium.

“Two, that for the Senate to consider lifting or reducing the duration of the suspension, Senator Natasha Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before reconsideration.

“Three, that the Senate suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with effect from March 6, 2025, from all legislative activities.

“Four, that her office be locked up for the duration of her suspension and that she hand over all Senate properties in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

“Five, that for the duration of her suspension, she must not be seen within the vicinity of the Senate or the National Assembly, including her staff.

“Six, that her salaries and allowances, including those of her legislative aides, be suspended, and that all security details assigned to her be withdrawn for the period of her suspension.

“Seven, that during her suspension, she be barred from representing herself locally and internationally as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Senator Imasuen expressed the committee’s appreciation for the opportunity to serve, stating, “On behalf of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, we appreciate the President and our distinguished colleagues for the opportunity granted upon us to serve Nigerians through this committee. Respectfully submitted for consideration and approval. Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues.”

After a lengthy debate on the report by Senators, all the recommendations were adopted by the Senators through a voice vote with a slight amendment to the 6th recommendation, allowing Senator Natasha’s aides to receive their salaries and allowances in order not to suffer unduly.

Society Reporters reports that all the Senators who spoke expressed their support for the outcome of the investigation.

Meanwhile, after the adoption of the report, Senator Natasha briefly interrupted the proceedings, saying the injustice against her won’t be sustained. She was thereafter escorted out of the chamber.

After spending about seven weeks in Canada, the Alaafin of Oyo-designate, Oba Akeem Owoade, arrived at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, on Wednesday evening.

He is expected to make his way to his hometown, Oyo, today (Thursday).

Owoade’s return comes just a month before his official coronation as the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, scheduled for April 5.

On January 13, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented Owoade with his certificate and staff of office at the Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Ibadan.

At the event, Governor Makinde announced that the coronation of the new Alaafin would take place within four weeks.

As the countdown to the coronation began, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Owoade had left Nigeria just hours after receiving his staff of office, travelling back to Canada, his base.

The PUNCH then reported that Owoade had yet to begin the traditional rites before leaving for Canada where he had to officially resign from his workplaces and engagements.

Owoade is based in Canada as a real estate investor, and financial services businessman, and is the Project Coordinator at one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada, Manitoba Hydro.

Confirming his return, the Chief of Staff to the Alaafin-designate, Rotimi Osuntola, urged Oyo indigenes to turn out in large numbers to welcome their new king.

“He arrived safely in Nigeria on Wednesday evening. Alaafin will be in Oyo town by noon on Thursday (today) and looks forward to seeing the people of Oyo come out en masse to receive him,” Osuntola said.

Stakeholders in Oyo town also confirmed receiving news of the monarch’s arrival.

Some noted that they would travel to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to welcome him and accompany his entourage to ensure his grand entry into Oyo today.

In the coming days, Owoade will commence traditional rites leading up to his April 5 coronation.

The Alaafin-designate is to perform certain enthronement rites at the Baba Iyaji residence, Ona Isokun, Ilemole, Bara before he proceeds to the Koso chamber accompanied by his chiefs and priests.

Documents relating to the Alaafin installation indicate that the divinely selected candidate goes to Ipebi for traditional rites and is installed as the new king after the completion of all the traditional rites.

The Ipebi (seclusion) ritual involves several individuals and groups playing key roles in guaranteeing the spiritual well-being and authority of the Alaafin.

Among them is the Oluawo (Ifa priest) who serves as the spiritual guide and advisor to the Alaafin through the Ipebi ritual.

The Oyo Mesi, priests and priestesses also play roles in offering prayers, performing sacrifices and providing spiritual support.

In the Koso chamber, the Alaafin-elect will be crowned with his royal headdress, symbolising his renewed spiritual authority.

He also would perform additional rituals and make offerings to the Orishas and his ancestors solidifying his connection with the divine.

Meanwhile, both the state and local organising committees have intensified preparations for the April 5 coronation.

These preparations continue despite ongoing legal challenges to Owoade’s emergence as Alaafin.

One of the lawsuits was filed by Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, a contender for the throne, who argues that Owoade’s appointment violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Filed on February 12, Gbadegesin’s suit seeks to nullify Owoade’s appointment and prevent him from assuming the throne or performing any royal duties.

The lawsuit names Governor Seyi Makinde, the Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants.

Similarly, another Oyo prince and former aspirant to the Alaafin throne, Ismaila Owoade, has filed a separate lawsuit against Governor Makinde and 19 others.

His suit challenges his exclusion from the selection process, which he claims was abruptly truncated with the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade.

A Nigerian citizen residing in Mexico has been extradited to the United States for his involvement in a scheme to infiltrate the computer networks of Massachusetts tax preparation firms and file fraudulent tax returns.

Matthew A. Akande, 36, was arrested in October 2024 at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom at the request of U.S. authorities. He was extradited to the U.S. on March 5, 2025, and appeared in federal court in Boston on Wednesday.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Akande was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 on multiple charges, including conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to protected computers to facilitate fraud, theft of government funds, and money laundering.

The charges also include one count of wire fraud, four counts of unauthorized access to protected computers, 13 counts of government money theft, and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.

His co-conspirator, Kehinde H. Oyetunji, 33, a Nigerian national residing in North Dakota, pleaded guilty in December 2022 to conspiracy charges related to computer fraud, government money theft, and money laundering. A sentencing date for Oyetunji has not yet been set.

Between in or about June 2016 and June 2021, Akande, Oyetunji and others are alleged to have worked together to steal money from the United States government using taxpayers’ personally identifiable information (PII) to file fraudulent tax returns in the taxpayers’ names.

In addition, between in or about February 2020, the scheme involved stealing taxpayers’ PII from Massachusetts tax preparation firms via phishing attacks and computer intrusions.

To carry out the scheme, Akande is alleged to have caused fraudulent phishing emails to be sent to five Massachusetts tax preparation firms.

The emails purported to be from a prospective client seeking the tax preparation firms’ services but in truth were used to trick the firms into downloading remote access trojan malicious software (RAT malware), including malware known as Warzone RAT.

Akande allegedly used the RAT malware to obtain the PII and prior year tax information of the tax preparation firms’ clients, which Akande then used to cause fraudulent tax returns to be filed seeking refunds.

The tax returns directed that the fraudulent tax refunds be deposited in bank accounts allegedly opened by Oyetunji and others.

Once the refunds were issued, Oyetunji and others withdrew the stolen money in cash in the United States and then transferred a portion to third parties in Mexico, allegedly at Akande’s direction, while keeping a portion for themselves.

In total, Akande and his coconspirators are alleged to have filed more than 1,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking over $8.1 million in fraudulent tax refunds over approximately five years. They are alleged to have successfully obtained over $1.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds.

The charge of conspiracy can result in up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

The charge of wire fraud can lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

The charge of theft of government money can lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

The charge of aggravated identity theft mandates a sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, along with one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs coordinated with authorities in the United Kingdom to secure the extradition of Akande. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.