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The final forfeiture of another $1.4 million in connection with the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been ordered by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Justice Olayinka Faji agreed in his ruling on Thursday that the money was the result of unlawful activity and must be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC had informed the court that the sum of $1, 426, 175.14 was discovered in the account of Donatone Limited at Titan Trust Bank (Account No. ). 2000000500), and that investigations established a link between the funds and deceptive practices.
According to an affidavit from an EFCC investigator, David Jayeoba, funds were discovered in Donatone Limited’s account after being deposed by an affidavit.
Also read: Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan For Six Months
Emefiele and his associates, including Donatone Limited directors Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi, were allegedly involved in a scheme that helped conceal and conceal the proceeds of the illicit activities, according to Jayeoba.
According to the court documents, Jaiyeoba further stated that “that investigation revealed that Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimj men are some of the brains behind the financial e n t concealment of funds reasonably suspect to have been the proceeds of the former Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor, Godwin Emefiele.”
That Emefiele purchased both men and used them to conceal, keep, and conceal funds that were logically thought to be the proceeds of illegal activities.
“That both men used Donatone Ltd. to collect bribes and gratification on Emefiele’s behalf to obtain permission to access Forex.”
The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules.  ,
Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment, a claim the latter has denied.
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium”, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.  ,
Despite efforts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision.
However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate”, Akpabio said at the Red Chambers on Thursday.  ,
It, however, agreed that her aides ‘ salaries be paid, contrary to the recommendation of the committee.
“The aides of Natasha are not Natasha”, Senator Orji Kalu said while calling for an amendment to the sanctions. “It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances”.
Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.
READ ALSO:  , Senate Committee Dismisses Natasha’s Petition Against Akpabio
Her suspension was recommended by the committee which found her guilty of a violation of the Senate’s rules after its investigation.  ,
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker’s suspension is the culmination of weeks of claims and counter-claims between her, Akpabio, and the Senate.  ,
This controversy began on February 20, 2025, after a seating arrangement dispute with Senator Akpabio. Thereafter, Senator Natasha accused the Senate president of sexual harassment and alleged abuse of office.  ,
She submitted a petition on the floor of the upper lawmaking body on Wednesday. But the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions headed by Neda Imaseun (Edo South) dismissed her claims. It declared her petition “dead on arrival”, owing to what it described as a breach of due process and legal limitations.  ,
READ ALSO: Akande Accuses Senate Of ‘ Ganging Up ‘ Against Natasha, Nwaebonyi Defends Red Chamber
According to the committee, the senator personally signed the petition, instead of getting someone else’s endorsement, thus rendering it “invalid”.
Senator Natasha, hours after that, re-submitted her petition. However, on the same day, the Imasuen-led committee recommended her suspension for the violation of the Senate rule, a move ratified by the Red Chambers.  ,
774 National Health Programme fellows have been automatically hired by President Bola Tinubu.
At the ceremony where the president inaugurated the program in Abuja, the capital of the country, he made the statement.
Tinubu addressed the young observers assigned to monitoring Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in all 774 local government areas, saying, “You are hired, and you will continue to work after your one-year tenure.
Also read: Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan For Six Months
The Minister of Finance is also present, thanks to the Coordinating Minister and program champion.
This course “is designed to introduce you to best practices and ensure that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to change the industry.” No country can prosper if its citizens are unwell, and unsustainable health programs pose a serious threat to the country’s development. You are the pillars of a strong healthcare system, which means sustainable development is only possible with it.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, urged federal, state, and local governments to hire the fellows to support universal health coverage.
The selection of the national health fellows from over 359, 000 applicants is based on merit-based criteria, with the goal of driving meaningful change in the health sector.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has once more submitted a petition to the Senate alleging sexual harassment from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. However, her constituents ratified it this time.
Senator Natasha was asked if the matter had already been heard in any court of law during the Thursday plenary. But she claimed it wasn’t. The lawmaker was given the formal instructions to file the petition following protocol, which was then reviewed for further investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privacy, and Code of Conduct.
Four weeks have passed for the committee to conduct its investigation and make a report to the Senate.
The Kogi Central lawmaker has raised the claim twice in the chamber twice. Due to procedural irregularities, a previous petition was turned down on Wednesday.
Read more about Senate Committee’s rejection of Natasha’s petition against Akpabio here.
The Senate Chief Whip Tahir Munguno expressed concern about Senator Natasha’s repeated violation of Senate protocol before the start of the session in a slightly tense moment before the session started.
Senator Munguno noted that all senators must remain silent until the presiding officer has taken their seats in order to refer to Rule 1 in Order 55. Senator Natasha continued to violate this rule, he claimed, adding that the issue had been covered extensively in media reports.
He said, “I had to inform one of the Sergeants-at-Arms that she was breaking the law.” You cannot approbate and reprobate simultaneously, according to the President if you are seeking refuge under Order 10 of the rule book. She disrespects the institution by doing that.
Munguno urged her to follow the Senate’s rules and refrain from repeating them in her direct address.
On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved about N10 billion for the purchase of antiretroviral medications for the treatment of HIV, diabetes diagnostic kits, and other essential health items.
Dr. Ali Pate, the minister of health and social welfare, explained that the initiative is intended to improve access and affordability for Nigerians to health products and services.
“We approved the first-line antiretroviral drugs a few weeks ago, and we are now putting forth resources, almost N997 million in contract, to procure the third-line antiretroviral drugs for those who are HIV-infected.
Given the shift to domestic financing and the changes in global health financing, he said, “I believe you will understand the importance of this.”
The procurement of locally produced diabetes diagnostic kits is included in the second category of contracts, according to Pate.
Diabetes is a pressing issue in our nation. One of the fastest-growing segments is it. Many people in our country are diabetic, he said, and some don’t even realize they are.
He added that a Lagos-based private company has been given the task of producing diagnostic test kits.
The government is therefore purchasing the diagnostic kits and the manufactured here in Nigeria’s on-point blood glucose monitoring system. By encouraging local manufacturers, “Pate said, this is bringing to life the effort to unlock the healthcare value chain.”
Additionally, health workers will be trained to monitor patients’ blood sugar levels and distributed across primary healthcare facilities.
According to Pate, the president had previously emphasized the need for a medical relief program to lower the cost of medical supplies.
He claimed that in order to help with costs, N4.5 billion would be allocated for the purchase of antibiotics, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic medications in addition to the test kits.
READ MORE: EFCC’s Witness Tells Court of N33.8 billion of Fraud: Ex-Power Minister Paid For Abuja Property
He added that the test kits were produced in Nigeria as part of efforts to support local production.
Additionally, the minister disclosed that the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi’s Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University had received an N2.1 billion grant to fund the purchase of a mobile X-ray machine and the rehabilitation and installation of a 64-slice CT scan.