Nigerian Senate suspends female Senator over s.e.xual harassment allegations! The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The suspension, which takes effect from Thursday, includes the withdrawal of her allowances and security privileges.

Akpabio has denied the allegations, and the Senate ethics committee dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, citing procedural violations. However, the suspension has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the Senate of silencing a female legislator instead of addressing her concerns.

Accusation and Senate Ethics Committee Ruling

The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four women in the 109-seat Senate, accused Akpabio of unwanted sexual advances in 2023.

In a television interview on February 28, she publicly claimed that Akpabio had sexually harassed her. Following this, she formally petitioned the Senate ethics committee, hoping for an investigation. However, on Wednesday, the committee rejected her case, ruling that her petition violated procedural rules.

Female Senator

Senate Session Turns Chaotic

After the rejection of her petition, a heated argument erupted in the Senate over changes to her seating arrangement. Some lawmakers interpreted her protest as disruptive, and this was later used to justify her suspension.

On Thursday, she attempted to speak in the Senate but was prevented and escorted out by the sergeant-at-arms.

“This injustice will not be sustained,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said as she was led out of the chamber.

She later issued a statement on Facebook, condemning the decision:

“Against the culture of silence, intimidation, and victim-shaming, my unjust suspension invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity.”

She also reaffirmed her legitimacy as a duly elected senator and vowed to continue serving her constituents in Kogi Central until 2027 and beyond.

Akpabio Denies Allegations

Akpabio has dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims as baseless. Speaking at a plenary session on Wednesday, he stated:

“Since the 20th of February, I have been inundated with phone calls from various Nigerians. I would like to state that at no time did I sexually harass Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

His supporters in the Senate have defended the decision to suspend her, arguing that she violated Senate rules by bringing up the allegations in a manner they deemed inappropriate.

Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan should use her suspension to “learn the rules of the Senate.”

“I asked her what she will gain if she tries to pull the Senate president down,” Bamidele added.

Public Outrage and Protests

The suspension has sparked nationwide debate, with many Nigerians criticizing the Senate’s handling of the situation.

Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of the women’s rights group TechHerNG, condemned the ethics committee for its bias, stating:

“The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for purpose.”

On Wednesday, two groups of protesters gathered at the National Assembly grounds in Abuja—one supporting Akpabio and the other backing Akpoti-Uduaghan. Chants of “Akpabio must go” echoed through the streets as demonstrators demanded a transparent investigation into the allegations.

Legal Battle and Historical Context

Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Akpabio, demanding 100 billion naira ($64,000) in damages.

While sexual harassment cases are rare in Nigeria’s National Assembly, this is not the first time a similar scandal has surfaced. In a past incident, Senator Dino Melaye was accused of threatening to sexually assault Senator Remi Tinubu, the current First Lady of Nigeria. However, he was never charged.

What’s Next?

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has raised concerns about gender discrimination and the silencing of female voices in Nigerian politics. The question remains whether the Senate will reconsider its decision or if the legal battle she has initiated will bring her back into the chamber.

As calls for justice and transparency grow louder, Nigeria watches closely to see whether this case will challenge the status quo or fade into history like previous cases of alleged misconduct in high office.

Jihadist group Lakurawa torches 7 villages in Northwest Nigeria! A newly emerged jihadist group, Lakurawa, has escalated violence in northwest Nigeria, launching a revenge attack over the weekend that left 11 people dead and seven villages burned. The militants targeted Birnin Dede and six other villages near the Nigerian-Niger border, following the killing of their commander by security forces, according to a police spokesperson.

Retaliation for Commander’s Death

Kebbi state police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar confirmed the attack, stating:

“The Lakurawa terrorists shot dead 11 people and injured two others… (and) set fire to the seven villages.”

The attack is believed to be in retaliation for the death of their senior commander, Maigemu, who was killed by security personnel on Thursday. His killing came just days after Lakurawa fighters murdered six civilians in separate attacks on two nearby communities.

“The attack was apparently a reprisal for the killing of their commander, who was notorious for attacks on communities in the area,” Abubakar added.

Jihadist group Lakurawa

Rising Jihadist Influence in Northwest Nigeria

For years, northwest and central Nigeria have suffered from violent “banditry”, where criminal gangs raid villages, loot homes, kidnap residents for ransom, and rustle livestock. Unlike Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province)—jihadist groups that operate in northeastern Nigeria—these bandits have historically been motivated by economic gains rather than religious ideology.

However, the emergence of Lakurawa jihadists in the northwest is shifting the region’s security crisis.

“The recent appearance of Lakurawa jihadists in the northwest has worsened the violence in the region,” security analysts warn.

Who Are the Lakurawa Jihadists?

The Lakurawa group is a newly identified faction with foreign fighters from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—three countries that have been hotbeds for Islamist insurgencies. These militants have crossed into Nigeria and established bases in Kebbi’s Tsauni forest, which extends into neighboring Niger Republic.

From these remote camps, Lakurawa militants:
✅ Launch deadly attacks on villages
✅ Enforce strict sharia law
✅ Impose “taxation” on local communities
✅ Recruit young men by offering them financial support

“The group urges communities where it operates to rebel against secular authorities, while imposing its own strict interpretation of sharia law,” said an intelligence source.

This strategy mirrors the tactics used by Boko Haram and ISWAP in northeastern Nigeria, where jihadists exploit economic hardship to win local support.

Foreign Fighters and Cross-Border Threats

The presence of foreign jihadists in northwest Nigeria raises new security concerns, as it suggests growing regional coordination between extremist groups across West Africa.

The Lakurawa group’s ability to:
🔴 Move freely across Nigeria-Niger borders
🔴 Establish safe havens in remote forests
🔴 Sustain long-term insurgency campaigns

…makes it a significant new threat to Nigeria’s fragile security landscape.

What’s Next?

As Lakurawa militants expand their operations, experts warn that the group could transform into a major insurgent force, complicating counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria.

Authorities have yet to fully assess the scale of the group’s operations, but with its growing local recruitment efforts and links to jihadist movements in the Sahel, urgent action is needed to prevent further escalation.

With the recent killings and destruction, the question remains: Can Nigeria’s security forces contain this rising jihadist threat before it spirals out of control?

Nigeria moves to regulate cryptocurrency amid fraud and volatility concerns! Nigeria, home to Africa’s largest cryptocurrency market, is taking cautious steps toward regulating digital assets after years of uncertainty. However, fraud, scams, and economic instability continue to complicate the process.

Nigeria’s Growing Crypto Adoption

Despite skepticism from government officials, Nigeria ranks second globally—after India—on the crypto adoption index compiled by Chainalysis, a global crypto research firm.

For many Nigerians, cryptocurrencies provide an alternative to the unstable naira, which has suffered significant devaluation in recent years. Digital assets also offer a way to bypass strict banking regulations and financial restrictions.

Nigeria moves to regulate cryptocurrency

Regulatory Push and SEC Approvals

After years of resistance and suspicion, Nigerian regulators are beginning to acknowledge the need for clear policies around cryptocurrency usage.

In August 2024, the country’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it had granted “Approval-in-Principle” to two cryptocurrency exchanges—Busha Digital Limited and Quidax Technologies Limited—to operate legally in Nigeria.

“We believe this regulatory move is a positive start that will benefit the market in the long run by building trust and stability,” said Buchi Okoro, CEO of Quidax.

“The SEC approval sent a clear signal to potential crypto investors, emphasizing their focus on customer protection.”

However, beyond approving a handful of exchanges, broader crypto regulation remains stalled, largely due to fraud concerns and government skepticism.

Rampant Fraud and Investment Scams

While regulators move cautiously, fraudulent schemes continue to plague Nigeria’s crypto space.

In December 2024, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the arrest of 792 suspects—including foreigners—in Lagos’ Victoria Island for alleged involvement in crypto investment fraud and romance scams.

Romance scams, where fraudsters pretend to be in love to deceive victims into sending money, are a growing concern. Crypto transactions, due to their anonymity, have made it easier for scammers to operate undetected.

The SEC has also issued multiple warnings about fraudulent companies falsely claiming to be registered crypto exchanges. In November, it flagged Marino FX Limited for misleading investors, but this was just one of many such cases.

Parliament’s Crypto Regulation Efforts

To establish a clear legal framework, Nigeria’s parliament is considering an Investment and Securities Bill that could define digital currencies under Nigerian law.

President Bola Tinubu, during his 2023 campaign, promised to encourage the healthy adoption of digital assets. His stance was seen as a breakaway from his predecessor’s anti-crypto policies, raising hopes for industry players.

However, since taking office, Tinubu’s administration has imposed new restrictions on crypto exchanges, citing concerns about the devaluation of the naira.

Government’s Crackdown on Binance

In February 2024, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso blamed Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, for the naira’s instability.

As a result:
✅ Binance was forced to stop transactions in naira.
✅ Many Nigerian users rushed to withdraw funds, fearing their money would be trapped.
✅ Two Binance executives were arrested, though one later escaped government custody.
✅ Nigeria’s Inland Revenue Service filed an $81.5 billion lawsuit against Binance for operating without registration.

Money Laundering and National Bitcoin Strategy

Despite the crackdown, some industry leaders remain optimistic about Nigeria’s regulatory direction.

“Despite the strong headwinds we have faced, we are seeing a turnaround in the government’s approach to innovation in the sector,” said Laolu Biyi Samuel, co-founder of Busha Digital Limited.

The United States’ recent move to establish a “strategic Bitcoin reserve” has sparked speculation that Nigeria could follow suit. Experts argue that embracing crypto strategically could boost Nigeria’s economy.

However, there are serious concerns that cryptocurrencies are being used for money laundering and terrorism financing. With high volatility and a weak social safety net, poorly managed investments could leave millions of Nigerians financially vulnerable.

What’s Next?

Industry leaders are now calling for clear regulatory policies.

“Regulatory clarity should be a top priority,” said Obinna Iwuno, president of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SiBAN).

“It is not too late to start discussing a national Bitcoin strategy and action plans.”

With rising global interest in digital assets, Nigeria’s next steps in crypto regulation will determine whether the country can harness its benefits or remain vulnerable to scams and financial instability.