The Senate on Thursday removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chair of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, appointing Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East as her replacement.
The announcement was made during plenary, with no official explanation provided for the leadership change. Senator Bassey is expected to assume the role with immediate effect.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was appointed to the Diaspora Committee on February 4, 2025, shortly after she was relieved of her position as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content. Her latest removal signals another round of quiet reshuffling within Senate committee leadership.
Meanwhile, the Senate also passed a resolution urging President Bola Tinubu to, on compassionate grounds, facilitate the payment of ₦200 million in compensation to the family of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was tragically killed during a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operation in Asaba, Delta State.
The appeal followed a petition presented by Senator Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2023, when NDLEA operatives reportedly opened fire during a raid, fatally striking the toddler as he was returning home from school. The child’s death sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice from civil society organizations and grieving family members.
During deliberations, the Senate condemned the killing in strong terms, urging the NDLEA to accept full responsibility and cover the full compensation being sought by the family. Lawmakers emphasized that such tragic incidents must not go unpunished and called for greater accountability across all law enforcement agencies.
In a solemn tribute, the Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Ivan Omhonrina.
Additionally, the upper chamber directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to oversee the implementation of the resolution and report back within two months.
