You really can't keep a bad bitch down.
Hello,
Sorry about the heatwave. Stay hydrated.
It’s been a long week, so let’s get to it
In this edition
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has reported Akpabio to the UN
Major changes to Tinubu’s tax reform bill
Diphtheria kills student in King’s College
This edition is 1,900 words (approx. 6 min read)
Latest on Akpabio’s sexual harassment case
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken the sexual harassment case to the UN
ICYMI. You can follow our reporting of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan sexual harassment petition against Senate President Akpabio here and here.
The summary: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Senate suspended her for it.
The latest: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has now escalated the issue by presenting her case before the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the United Nations.
While she called for International intervention to hold Nigeria's Senate accountable, she emphasised the need for an open investigation into her sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, her suspension was not justified as it is illegal.
She will not be silenced and she has vowed to resist any political intimidation. You really can't keep a bad bitch down.
More on the suspension: Senators say they did NOT sign the petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan
Reports indicate that signatures attached to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions’ report were not for the endorsement of the suspension but rather attendance records.
According to the rule of the house: all senators can attend committee meetings, whether as a member of such a committee or not. They are also entitled to sign the attendance register.
On 6 March, when the ethics committee chairman, Neda Imasuen, presented its report on the floor of the Senate, the attendance sheet’s signatures were included, creating the impression that all signatories endorsed the committee’s recommendations.
Some senators who signed the attendance register have now reportedly distanced themselves from the report with the argument that they were not allowed to review the final draft before it was presented on the floor of the Senate.
A senator who attended the meeting where the matter was discussed said that the proper process should have been for the committee members to examine and approve the report before its presentation. However, members were unaware of its content until it was publicly read on the Senate floor. Dodgy dodgy dodgy
According to Premium Times, the Chairman of the Senate ethics committee (the same committee that used those aforementioned dodgy means to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking up), Neda Imasuen, was reportedly barred from practicing law in the United States in 2010 after accusations of professional misconduct. However, since we haven't found confirmation of this disbarment beyond Nigerian news publications, we'll call this one "news in progress" and update you if anything else comes to light.
Security
Katsina Bandits Attacks
Katsina residents have reported a decline in terrorist attacks after years of constant attacks.
For years, the residents of Matazu local government area of Katsina State have been suffering from the immense attack of bandits in their villages, resulting in deaths, abduction for ransom, destruction of farm products and rustling for animals.
Most residents had to move to neighboring villages for safety.
However, recent reports say the situation has become better. Also, schools and public spaces that were closed and would ordinarily be attacked are now open and seemingly safe.
The Executive chairman of the council, Shamsudeen Sayaya, says the community is almost back to business as usual.
Though the main community areas seem clear, residents say the forests are still dangerous and littered with bandits.
Borno’s security superiority
The Alliance of Sahel Institute for Security Studies (ASISS), in collaboration with Norway, is to adopt the Borno model as a blueprint for tackling insecurity and reintegrating repentant insurgents in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Members of the Norwegian Institute for Conflict Resolution met with Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, to explore his administration's outside-the-box security tactics that are giving bandits in the state a run for their money. This is supposed to serve as a blueprint for other Sahelian nations facing insecurity
The Sahel region has become a hotspot of escalating conflict with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso bearing the brunt of rising violence in recent years.
According to Zulum, the Borno Model is one of the most successful security and reintegration strategies. He added that about 300,000 insurgents and their families had surrendered to the authorities.
Note that last year, repentant bandits in Borno ran away with rifles and weapons that the government gave to them to encourage them to *checks note* join the military.
Money
Government spending on imported fuel
Did you know that despite the increase in refining from local refineries like Dangote refinery and the newly revived Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, Nigeria still imports foreign products. In February 2025 alone, the FG imported about N930 billion worth of fuel.
Between October 2024 and January 2025, the Nigerian Government reportedly spent N5.5 trillion to import foreign Petroleum products.
Official data from oil marketers licensed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that in February alone, 701.75 million litres of petrol and 265.88 million litres of diesel were imported.
The Executive Director of NMDPRA, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, came out to justify the action. He claimed local refineries meet less than half of the country's daily fuel intake.
On the contrary, an industry expert warned that fuel imports could have serious economic implications particularly to the stability of the Naira.
Speaking of petrol, Dangote has dropped the price again
The Dangote Petroleum refinery has reduced the price of petrol from N825 to N815 per litre. The price of imported fuel is also now around N774.72, which implies that the general price of fuel is possibly going down.
Here’s news that isn't surprising at all: LAWMA Street Sweeper cry for salary
In a viral video circulating the internet, a street sweeper under the employ of Lagos State Waste Management Agency called the organisation out for exploiting workers.
The worker said they had learnt that the government had increased their salary from N30,000 to N85,000 since August 2024, but the agency still paid them N30,000 for months until they eventually increased to N40,000 this year.
According to her, workers are responsible for their work tools without any allowance. On top of this, they still pay salaries late.
LAWMA’s response:
Through a statement shared by a Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-olu, LAWMA said the sweeping programme is managed by LAWMA through private companies that have a contract with the sweepers.
These private firms are responsible for paying the workers directly and not the government.
According to the statement, per the new minimum wage, street sweepers now earn N40,000 while their supersivors earn N50,000 per month. This is for the 4 hours they work for daily.
The statement said the modest increase is intended to give the workers financial stability while allowing them to do other things outside of work hours.
House of Reps Taking Charge
The Nigerian House of Representatives has reviewed and approved four major tax reform bills: the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, Nigeria Revenue Service Bill 2024, and the Joint Revenue Board Tax Bill 2024. These bills have scaled the committee stage of becoming an official law, and will now go on to the third reading.
One of the most contentious issues was the revenue derivation formula. The House reduced the proposed derivation percentage from 60% to 30%, adjusting how VAT revenue is distributed. Under the new formula, 10% goes to the federal government, 55% to state governments, and 35% to local governments.
VAT will now be based on consumption rather than where returns are filed.
The House also rejected a proposed VAT increase from 7.5% to 15% by 2030, opting to maintain the current 7.5% rate. To prevent heightened tax burdens.
The House also retained funding structure for TETFUND (50%), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (3%), the Defence Infrastructure Fund (10%), the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (5%), and the National Sports Development Fund (5%).
To limit presidential and gubernatorial powers over tax matters, the House amended provisions requiring the National Assembly or State Assemblies to approve any tax remissions or exemptions granted by the President or Governors. This change aims to increase accountability in tax administration.
The 5% duty on telecom services and foreign exchange transactions, was removed to protect Nigerians from higher cost of living.
The House also clarified that inheritance tax will not be introduced.
In response to a Supreme Court ruling, the House removed references to lottery and gaming businesses in the tax law. This aligns with the court’s judgment that taxes cannot be imposed on lottery operations under the National Lottery Act.
Police Brutality
Lagos
Nigerian police killed a teenager, then his body disappeared from the morgue.
On November 4, 2021, a police stray bullet hit 14-year-old Mubarak Sanyaolu while the officer was harassing someone else.
The family raised an alarm when they discovered Mubarak’s body was missing from the Lagos Mainland Hospital Mortuary. The police said they had taken Mubarak’s body for investigation.
After 3 years, Mubarak’s father went to get his son’s body and was told the body had likely buried in a mass grave.
He appealed for justice and closure, asking police and hospital management to explain what happened to his son's body. He simply wants answers about his missing child's remains.
Niger
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, Shuwala Danmamman, has ordered an investigation to identify and apprehend the policeman who, while drunk, went on a shooting rampage and killed Sani, a bystander who lived in the area.
The same drunken officer who has not been named, attempted to shoot another man on the same day – the second victim managed to dodge the bullet and run away.
According to Wasiu Abiodun, the state's police command spokesperson, the officer will face the consequences of his action.
Health
Diphtheria kills student in King’s College
A secondary student at King’s College Lagos (KCL) has died following a Diphtheria outbreak in the school. The student passed away at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) - Premium Times
The school PTA chairman said did not share how many students have been infected with the virus, but he disclosed that there are four suspected cases currently at LUTH, with test results still pending.
Parents have expressed deep concern over the suspected outbreak, blaming it on poor sanitary conditions within the school.
This is not the first health-related scare at King’s College Lagos. In 2023, a similar incident occurred when JSS1 students developed blisters and fever, raising suspicions of waterborne infections. However, the school authorities dismissed these claims, stating that the school’s water supply was well-maintained and treated regularly.
According to the PTA chairman, they are now taking it seriously: students showing symptoms have been provided with medication, and WHO has donated additional medication for 100 students.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that spreads through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with infected people.
Diphtheria has been quietly killing Nigerians. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2022 and now, 1,280 Nigerians have died from Diphtheria, and around 41,978 suspected have been found across the country.
Latest on Lassa Fever
The NCDC is tracking 357 individuals for possible Lassa fever exposure following the death of a 31-year-old physician who returned from the UK on February 27, 2025, and died on March 1, 2025. - Punch
The deceased was treated at a private hospital in Ondo State, and laboratory tests later confirmed the case as Lassa fever-positive. Before his illness, he had visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, raising concerns about further spread.
So far in 2025, 535 confirmed cases have been recorded from 2,728 suspected infections across 13 states and 75 local government areas, with over 100 deaths reported.
The fatality rate is 18.7%, slightly lower than the 18.8% recorded in 2024.
The most affected states are Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo, which account for 72% of all confirmed cases, while the remaining 28% are spread across 10 other states.
Other news
PDP in Ondo State has agreed with the Supreme Court judgment declaring Lucky Aiyedatiwa as Ondo governor - Punch
The Nigerian Federal Government is planning to import waste from the EU?? - Punch
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is worried about the implementation of certain parts of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Act, particularly those relating to charges on non-listed entities, like most of its members. - Independent
This edition was written by Rosemary, and edited by Muhammed & Adetomiwa.
That New News is an independent self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Thank you for reading, sharing and donating. I love you like I birthed you 😘