The Nigerian Senate on Thursday relieved Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of her duties as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, appointing Senator Aniekan Bassey from Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District to take over the position.
This decision was made during plenary without any official explanation offered for the committee shakeup. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was only appointed to head the committee on February 4, 2025, following her earlier removal as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
Meanwhile, the Senate has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, on compassionate grounds, assist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in paying ₦200 million as compensation to the family of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was killed during an NDLEA operation in Asaba, Delta State.
The appeal followed a petition presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Senator Neda Imaseun.
The toddler was fatally struck by a stray bullet on July 13, 2023, during a raid carried out by NDLEA officers as he was returning home from school.
The tragic incident drew widespread condemnation and calls for justice from rights groups and the public.
During Thursday’s plenary, lawmakers strongly condemned the child’s killing and insisted that the NDLEA should take full responsibility, including the payment of the ₦200 million demanded by the bereaved family.
The Senate stressed that such incidents must not be swept under the carpet and that security agencies should be held accountable for their actions.
In honour of little Ivan Omhonrina, the Senate observed a minute of silence and directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the resolution’s implementation and submit a progress report within two months.
