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The Senate on Tuesday moved to impose a 10-year passport ban on Nigerians who have been convicted and deported from foreign countries over criminal activities.

This move followed the second reading of a Bill titled: ‘A Bill to amend the Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap. P343 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004’ sponsored by Senator Bello Sani Abubakar (APC – Niger North).

Presenting the lead debate of the Bill on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, said the Bill is intended to highlight the need for more provisions in the extant legislation to preserve, sanctify, and redeem the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria globally.

He said that the Bill seeks to provide for measures towards preserving the image of Nigerians while abroad and the Federal Republic of Nigeria globally.

‘The implication of the proposed amendment is that where a Nigerian commits any of the foregoing offences in a foreign country and is convicted for the crime, the international passport of the convict would be withdrawn for ten years. This measure serves as a veritable deterrent to the commission of crime in a foreign country.

‘This proposed amendment will redeem, preserve, and elevate the image and integrity of our dear country. It is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to good governance and stance against crimes and criminality.’

In his lead debate, Senator Ogoshi said that the proposed amendment to the extant Act has become imperative and compelling as a veritable action to effectively redeem the severely tarnished image of our dear country in the eyes of the international community and to enact a strong disincentive for the commission of crimes by Nigerians across international jurisdictions.

He said, ‘The commission of crimes by Nigerians in foreign jurisdictions has dealt a crushing blow to the reputation and image of Nigeria, and is costing us stupendous disgrace in the diplomatic community and in international transits.

‘It projects Nigerians as persona non grata to whom foreign visas are restricted or denied, with a negative effect on our national interest.

‘Countries like China, Turkey, Canada, France, Egypt, Germany, Ethiopia, South Africa, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, among others, which are destinations of interest to our citizens, apply stringent visa rules to Nigerians.

‘A major reason for the visa restriction is the significant commission of crimes and conviction of Nigerians in those countries.

‘Though profiles of crimes by Nigerians in foreign countries are protected for human rights reasons, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, and being privy to the issues in the diplomatic community, the detriment of such crimes to our foreign affairs, the harm to our bilateral and multilateral interests, and the dent to our image and integrity, I am convinced, that it is incumbent upon us as a country to act and demonstrate responsibility to ending the indulgence of our citizens in crimes anywhere in the world.

‘As a consequence of the injury to the integrity of our country from crimes by our citizens in foreign jurisdictions, innocent and patriotic Nigerians suffer harassment in international transits, denial and hardship in visa applications, discrimination and negative stereotype in social dealings, costs and distress.

‘The green passport is widely discountenanced and the sovereign pride it intrinsically bears has severely diminished. That is nothing less than a state of emergency!

‘The Legislature is mandated, under Section 4 of the Constitution, with lawmaking for the peace, order, and good governance of Nigeria.

‘The extant law on Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act is good, but good is the enemy of better.

‘It would do better if amended with provisions that impose an extra layer of deterrents to the commission of crime by our citizens in foreign countries.

‘It would demonstrate responsibility on our part to discourage the perpetration of crime by our citizens and to redeem the image of our country.’

Senators in their contribution supported the Bill and approved that the Bill be read for a second time when it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Supporting the bill, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa Northwest) called for tighter control over passport issuance to prevent non-Nigerians from fraudulently obtaining Nigerian passports.

He said, ‘Nigerians of all shades and colours are being disrespected in foreign lands because of the ease of acquiring Nigerian passports.

‘In some cases, crimes committed by foreigners are attributed to Nigerians simply because they carry our passports.

‘We must reclaim the dignity of the green passport. When non-Nigerians use it to commit crimes, and Nigerians are profiled for it, that is an injustice to our people.’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also threw his weight behind the bill, describing it as ‘a bold step to preserve the dignity and integrity of Nigerians.’

He recalled a case in Dubai where a group of black men committed robbery using Nigerian passports, but were later discovered not to be Nigerians.

‘This bill will help tighten the process of passport issuance and ensure that those who mess up the country’s image abroad face the consequences.

‘Any Nigerian who tarnishes our image should not only face imprisonment abroad but also lose their passport for at least 10 years,’ Akpabio said.

The bill, which enjoyed unanimous support on the floor, was referred to the Senate Committee on Interior for further legislative work and a public hearing.

If passed, the law will make Nigeria one of the few African countries with domestic legislation sanctioning citizens convicted of crimes in foreign jurisdictions, as part of efforts to restore global respect for the Nigerian passport.

Akpabio added, ‘I applauded this bill when I first read it, because it speaks to preserving the integrity and international reputation of our nation.

‘So as this bill, when it goes through public hearing and all, and comes back to us, and we send it to Mr. President for assent, and the concurrence of our colleague in the House of Representatives who helped to cope such incidents, who tightened the ways and manner in which Nigerian passports circulate in the hands of foreigners, and also where a Nigerian goes to mess up the image of the country, such a Nigerian should not just go to prison and be deported to Nigeria.

‘Such a person should actually lose an international passport for at least 10 years, or 10 to 20 years, to serve as a deterrent.’

Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of one Babatunde Ogini for the alleged murder of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ebenezer Akinola, during the 2023 General Election.

The late Akinola was reportedly killed in front of his father’s house in the Araromi Irojo area of Ilesa in March 2023, prompting the then Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, to call for the arrest of those responsible.

On Tuesday, Ogini was arraigned by counsel to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charge, Ogini and others, still at large, conspired to kill Akinola on March 17, 2023, at Ilesa East, Osun State, contrary to Sections 316, 319(1), and 324 of the Criminal Code. The defendant was also alleged to have been in possession of a pump-action rifle.

Ogini, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The IGP prosecutor, Mrs. Bola Adaraloye, requested that the accused be remanded, noting her intention to amend the charge before the next hearing.

Defence counsel, Barrister Abimbola Ige, informed the court that a formal bail application dated July 25, 2023, had already been filed and served on the prosecution.

Justice Ajayi declined to entertain the bail issue and ordered that Ogini be remanded at the Correctional Facility until October 14, 2025, when the case will come up for hearing.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has said the apex bank is steadily driving President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms through targeted policies and initiatives aimed at stimulating growth and deepening financial inclusion.

Cardoso stated this on Tuesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during a one-day CBN Fair themed ‘Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth, and Accelerated Economic Development.’

He was represented by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali.

According to him, the implementation of key CBN initiatives has begun to yield positive results, including increased foreign investment inflows, improved trade balances, and notable progress in financial inclusion across the country.

Mrs. Ali noted that among the major reforms undertaken, the CBN has unified the exchange rate to minimize arbitrage and reduce volatility in the foreign exchange market, successfully clearing over $7 billion in verified forex backlogs.

She added that the ongoing recapitalization of banks is designed to strengthen the resilience and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s banking sector, positioning it to support the administration’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

She informed that, ‘The CBN has launched a non-resident BVN to connect Nigerians abroad with home banking facilities.

‘The BMatch System has been introduced for forex trading to enhance market integrity and facilitate better price discovery.

‘CBN has unveiled a vision to accelerate digital transformation, broaden financial inclusion, and minimize downtime for faster and safer transactions.

‘A 75% CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits has been introduced to enhance liquidity management and mitigate potential inflationary pressures.’

Uyo Branch Controller of CBN, Mrs. Njideka Nwabukwu, pledged to uphold the CBN’s mandate in supporting the economic aspirations of Akwa Ibom State through effective stakeholder engagement, financial literacy campaigns, and seamless service delivery.

‘One of the key objectives of this fair is to sensitize the public on various initiatives of the CBN while creating a platform to receive valuable feedback that will help us improve our service delivery and policy implementation’, she said.

She encouraged participants to actively engage in the various sessions to take advantage of the information and opportunities presented at the fair.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, said that no state governor in Nigeria is still borrowing money to pay workers’ salaries due to the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akpabio also said that at least 33 million Nigerians are currently facing acute hunger due to devastation caused by flooding.

The Senate President made these assertions in his speech while welcoming Senators back to legislative duties from their 10-week recess during plenary.

Akpabio, ‘I can confidently say that through the engineering of President Bola Tinubu and his team, no state government today is borrowing to pay salaries. So, for this, we say kudos to the administration,’ he said.

Many State Governments have, over the years, resorted to borrowing to pay workers’ salaries.

Under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Salary Bailout Facility (SBF), several states also obtained loans to offset wage arrears.

According to a Nairametrics report, 31 state governments collectively borrowed ?457.17 billion through the SBF to pay salaries. States such as Imo, Kogi, Kano, Edo, Benue, and Osun were among those listed.

In addition, reports show that between January and June 2023, state governors borrowed about ?46.17 billion from three commercial banks to pay salaries.

However, since the removal of fuel subsidy, reports indicate that allocations to state governments have tripled in some cases. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Wale Edun, had said that the policies have significantly improved the financial standing of state governments.

In his speech, Akpabio commiserated with victims and families affected by recent tragedies across the country.

Akpabio said, ‘Our country has walked through both shadow and sunshine while we were away.

‘We grieve with the families who lost their loved ones in the cruel boat tragedy on the Niger River in Kogi State, and in the bloody outrage at a mosque in Katsina.

‘We also mourn the 12 forest guards slain in Oke-Ode, Kwara State, cut down while protecting our environment – martyrs of service who remind us that insecurity knows no boundaries.

‘We commiserate with our compatriots across the flood-ravaged states of Bayelsa, Sokoto, Zamfara, and others, as the 2025 flood season continues to uproot lives and destroy livelihoods.

‘We urge urgent coordination between the federal and sub-national governments to mitigate these devastations before they become annual calamities.

‘To every home afflicted by these disasters, insecurity, hunger, and hardship, we extend to them the hand of fellowship and the prayer of comfort. We promise them that we shall not flinch from the duty of relief and redress for our people.

‘While our hearts grieve, our hopes endure because of glimmers of progress. Nigeria’s oil production has climbed toward 1.8 million barrels per day, driven by reforms and renewed investor confidence.

‘We must ensure that this blessing does not become another fleeting windfall, but a foundation for fiscal discipline, infrastructure renewal, and job creation.’

He added, ‘Let us also heed the cry from the farms and markets. Over 33 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity – a crisis demanding urgent legislative attention to agriculture, rural roads, irrigation, and mechanization. Hunger cannot be defeated with words; it requires policy, budget, and will.

‘Our people do not look to us for lamentations; they look to us for action. The banners of terrorism and banditry still threaten the countryside.

‘The cost of living weighs upon the family table like an iron chain. The flickering of our national grid leaves cities in darkness and commerce in paralysis.

‘These trials summon us to service of uncommon urgency – and to partnership with the Executive Arm, that together we rewrite the story of our nation.

‘We must legislate with boldness. We must press forward with reforms to steady our economy, draw investment, broaden the tax base, and nurture growth. We must strike hard at the enemies of ignorance and disease by strengthening education and healthcare. We must give the youths of Nigeria not only hope but opportunity.

‘We must revisit the Constitution – to make our federalism stronger, our governance more efficient, and our democracy more inclusive. Above all, we must wield our power of oversight with vigilance, so that the people’s money is spent for the people’s good.’

The Nigerian non-interest capital market has grown remarkably, now valued at ?1.6 trillion, with Sukuk dominating the sector’s expansion. This milestone reflects increasing investor confidence in ethical and non-interest financial products.

Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this in Abuja during a joint press briefing ahead of the 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF), organised in collaboration with The Metropolitan Law Firm and Metropolitan Skills Limited.

Dr. Agama said the overwhelming interest in recent Sukuk issuances reflects deep investor trust in the regulatory direction of the market. ‘The 700% oversubscription of the last issuance underscores the massive investor confidence we have built, thus demonstrating a robust and growing appetite for ethical and non-interest financial products,’ he said.

He added that the enactment of the new Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 has given the SEC a stronger and clearer legal foundation to expand the non-interest financial landscape. According to him, ‘With the new Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, we have a modernised regulatory framework that provides clarity and confidence, making the outcomes of this conference more actionable than ever before.’

Dr. Agama described the new law as a ‘game-changer,’ saying it provides ‘a robust, statutory framework for Sukuk and other Non-Interest financial instruments.’ He explained that the Act empowers the SEC to register Non-Interest Collective Investment Schemes, directly fulfilling the objectives of Nigeria’s Capital Market Masterplan to deepen market development and foster innovation.

Speaking on the forthcoming 7th African International Conference on Islamic Finance, the SEC chief said the event will bring together regulators, senior financial executives, eminent scholars, and representatives from development finance institutions. ‘This convergence of expertise is by design,’ he noted, adding that the goal is to ‘foster high-level collaboration leading to the harmonisation of policies and the creation of innovative financial solutions that address the unique needs of our emerging economies.’

He said promoting financial inclusion will be central to all discussions at the conference, which will feature technical sessions exploring practical financing models and strategies.

According to him, ‘We will have a major conversation on ‘Unlocking Capital for Africa’s Infrastructure,’ addressing how to fund the roads, power, and technology our economies need for growth and development. We will also explore the future of sustainable development in the session, ‘Green and Ethical Investments: The Future of Energy Finance,’ and connect finance to the real economy with a paper on ‘Agricultural Financing: From Farm to Table through Ethical Options.”

Dr. Agama also revealed that the conference will spotlight technology-driven finance. ‘In recognition of the digital transformation of our world today, we will address ‘The Role of Fintech in Transforming Islamic Finance and Capital Markets,’ ensuring Africa remains at the forefront of financial innovation,’ he said.

In her remarks, Ummahani Amin, Managing Partner of The Metropolitan Law Firm and Chairman of the AICIF 2025 Planning Committee, said the collaboration with the SEC reflects a unified vision to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.

‘This collaboration between SEC and The Metropolitan Law Firm and Metropolitan Skills Ltd. underscores our shared vision to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem, deepen investor confidence, and support innovation that aligns with integrity and shared prosperity,’ she said.

Amin added that this year’s conference comes at a defining moment for the continent. ‘Africa continues to explore innovative, ethical, and sustainable pathways to finance development. Islamic finance has proven to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the global financial system, and AICIF provides a unique platform to bring together policymakers, regulators, scholars, investors, and practitioners to shape that future here on the continent,’ she said.

The AICIF, now in its seventh edition, has become a key platform for advancing ethical finance in Africa, supporting regulatory development, and promoting sustainable investment practices across markets.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the recent fire incident at a section of the state secretariat in Port Harcourt will accelerate his administration’s plans to rehabilitate the complex.

Fubara, who visited the site on Tuesday to assess the extent of the damage, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that it affected an area that served as a crèche for the babies of civil servants.

According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the fire partly destroyed the section of the building but was quickly contained.

The governor was received at the Secretariat Complex by a large crowd of civil servants, the Head of Service, and several permanent secretaries, including the newly sworn-in Mr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart.

Fubara expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost, noting that the damage was confined to a small portion of the facility.

‘I came here this morning to see for myself what happened yesterday. It’s really unfortunate, but we give God all the glory that no life was lost and the damage was only in one section,’ he said.

The governor explained that the incident would serve as a wake-up call to fast-track the planned renovation and refurbishing of the Secretariat Complex, which had been under consideration by his administration.

He said, ‘We’ve been talking about the renovation of our foremost secretariat. With this particular incident, there should be no further delay. Whatever is required by this government to commence that process, we will immediately swing into action.’

Fubara commended the State Fire Service firefighters for their prompt response, noting that previous investments made by his administration in the three fire service stations proved invaluable in containing the situation.

‘Before the emergency rule, we took our time to invest in the fire service. I wonder what would have happened if we didn’t have a formidable and functional fire service,’ he said

He also appreciated civil servants for their dedication, resilience and continued support, reiterating his administration’s commitment to initiatives that will enhance their welfare and promote the well-being of all Rivers people.

‘We’ll continue to do those things that will uplift Rivers people and make them happy,’ the governie said.

The federal government has identified a set of conditions necessary to improve the performance of public assets, attract investment inflows, and generate stronger economic growth across key sectors.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made this known in Abuja during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit interactive session titled ‘Public Asset Management and the Rule of Law: Building a Framework for Long-Term Sustainable Investment.’

Represented by Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Akume said that the underperformance of public assets can be reversed through ‘strong policies that stimulate private capital inflows, good governance practices, asset management systems that limit value extraction, robust legal and regulatory frameworks devoid of fragmentation, and efficient institutional coherence.’

According to him, ‘These conditions will soar performance of public assets, stimulate investment inflows, and bring about high positive impact on the economy.’

Akume noted that Nigeria is abundantly endowed with public assets – including land, infrastructure, state-owned enterprises, and strategic institutions – which, if effectively managed, can become platforms for wealth creation and prosperity. ‘Yet, many of these assets remain underexplored and perform below their potentials,’ he said.

He explained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the economic potential of effective asset management and has taken decisive steps to strengthen the institutional framework for managing public assets.

‘The boldest manifestation is the strengthening of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), which signifies combined institutional, legal and regulatory reforms,’ Akume stated. ‘MOFI is responsible for managing and optimising the government’s portfolio of assets, including investments, estates, and rights to grow national wealth and prosperity.’

He added that by empowering MOFI, the government aims to build a central institution for public asset management capable of unlocking non-tax revenues, strengthening fiscal sustainability, and attracting private capital to close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap. ‘All these invariably translate into jobs, growth, and improved quality of life for citizens,’ he said.

The SGF described the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) dialogue as ‘critical’ to achieving this transformation, noting that it requires broad collaboration. ‘Government cannot achieve this transformation alone,’ he said. ‘The legislature, the judiciary, the private sector, civil society, and development partners all have roles to play.’

He added that forums such as the NESG Summit are vital for building consensus and generating practical solutions that translate policy discussions into measurable outcomes.

‘Forums like this therefore help to build consensus, align priorities, and generate practical solutions. Your outcomes should uniquely point towards bridging the gap between legislative reforms and economic development, ensuring that conversations such as would be held here are translated into actionable frameworks,’ Akume stated.

Also speaking at the session, Mr. Kyari Bukar, Chairman of the Ernest Shonekan Centre for Legislative Reform and Economic Development, said effective public asset management is a key driver of economic transformation.

‘Managing an asset literally means running it so that value is created or produced out of those assets,’ Bukar said. ‘The proper entities that are very good at doing those are the private sector. I’m not saying that the government should shirk all responsibility, but as the owner of these assets, it can attract investors to put the assets to productive use in a way that benefits both parties.’

Bukar explained that private participation in asset management offers mutual benefits, especially when properly structured. ‘If you are the landlord of a land or facility and you don’t have the wherewithal to invest in it, you can bring in an investor who will invest and share in the returns. Both sides benefit – because previously, you had an asset lying fallow,’ he said.

He further called for consolidation and proper record-keeping of all public assets, stressing the need for coordination among ministries, departments, and agencies. ‘We need to basically have all of those entities come in, collaborate, and have a common understanding. That way, we will then have a harmonised view of all the assets Nigeria owns,’ he said.

According to him, many public assets remain dormant or underutilised, and it is necessary to ‘sweat the assets’ – that is, generate value from them through different structuring models such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), long-term leases, or outright sale where necessary.

Citing the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) as a successful example of public-private collaboration, Bukar said, ‘NLNG is an entity where the federal government owns 49 percent and the private sector owns 51 percent. Because of the nature of its corporate governance, it’s been one of the most successful entities, paying the Nigerian government not only taxes but also huge dividends every year.’

He called for open collaboration among government agencies, private investors, and development partners to craft an effective national framework for public asset management. ‘When an investor puts money into a dormant asset, that asset becomes valuable, generating income for both sides. It’s a win-win situation,’ Bukar said. ‘Once an asset becomes productive, it pays taxes, creates jobs, and contributes to closing fiscal and financial gaps in the economy.’

The session, part of the broader 31st Nigerian Economic Summit deliberations, reinforced the growing consensus that strategic asset management and private sector participation are key to unlocking Nigeria’s wealth potential and sustaining long-term economic growth.

Former housemate of Big Brother Naija Season 10, Isabella Georgewill has reunited with her son, Jason, after weeks of separation.

The emotional reunion was captured on video, showcasing the deep bond between the mother and her 14-year-old son.

Throughout her time in the Big Brother house, Isabella frequently spoke about how much she missed her little boy.

As Isabella entered the room, her face lit up with joy upon seeing Jason.

‘The only reunion that truly matters’, she captioned the post.

She dropped everything, including a cup and a jar of plantain chips, to give her son a warm hug.

The tender moment showed Isabella gently fixing Jason’s hair and collar while whispering to him.

The video, shared on Instagram and X, garnered a lot of attention, with fans praising Isabella’s love and dedication to her son.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued an order restraining some factional leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) from proceeding with the group’ planned election.

The alleged factional leaders of the NYCN – Ademola Gbenga, Okechukwu Nnamene, Abel Abaji, Alex Allen Akin, and Hassan Mamman – were said to have planned the said election for October 7.

Justice J. E. Obanor issued the order on October 6 while ruling on a motion by the Incorporated Trustees of the NYCN and Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, representing the existing leadership of the group.

Justice Obanor restrained the defendants from conducting the election pending the determination of the substantive suit, marked: FCT/HC/CV/3803/2025

The judge ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to enforce the court’s order.

Listed as defendants in the suit are Ademola Gbenga, Okechukwu Nnamene, Abel Abaji, and Comr. Alex Allen Akin, Hassan Mamman, the IGP, and the DSS.

The plaintiffs stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the NYCN, during its National Elective Convention held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from September 20 to 22, re-elected Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo as President alongside other executives.

Allegedly dissatisfied with the Sukubo-led leadership, Gbenga and others purportedly formed a parallel group and planned to conduct another election in Abuja on October 7.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday resumed plenary following the expiration of her six months suspension over misconduct.

However, contrary to reports, the Senate did not discuss her resumption during plenary.

It was observed that the Kogi Central Senator took the new seat allocated to her which she earlier rejected.

Akpoti-Uduaghan entered the Senate chamber around 12 noon, shortly after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio took over proceedings from Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who had begun the session at about 11:15 a.m.

Upon arrival, she proceeded straight to her designated seat in the minority aisle.

Dressed in white attire with matching head gear and covered with a white veil, and black sunglasses, Akpoti-Uduaghan was warmly received by several senators including Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Ogoshi Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa), Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), and Samaila Dahuwa (PDP, Bauchi North), who exchanged handshakes with her.

As of the time of filing this report, Akpoti-Uduaghan had not contributed to any the deliberations on the floor of the Senate chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office was officially unsealed on September 23 by the Sergeant-At-Arms. Thereafter, the Kogi Central lawmaker visited her office after which she granted a press interview.

However, because the Senate was still on recess, Akpoti-Uduaghan attended plenary for the first time after the expiration of her six months suspension