SENATOR Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been removed as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and has been replaced by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East
The announcement was made during today’s plenary session, with no official explanation provided for the leadership change. Senator Bassey is expected to take over the role with immediate effect.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was appointed to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February 2025 after being removed from her previous position as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content. Her latest removal comes as part of a minor committee reshuffle within the upper chamber.
Also during plenary, the Senate urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene—on compassionate grounds—by helping the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) pay ₦200 million in compensation to the family of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was fatally shot during an NDLEA raid in Asaba, Delta State, on July 13, 2023.
The resolution followed a petition submitted by Senator Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. Lawmakers strongly condemned the incident, which sparked public outrage and drew condemnation from civil society. They insisted the NDLEA must be held accountable and shoulder the full compensation amount demanded by the grieving family.
As a tribute, the Senate observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Ivan Omhonrina.
In addition, the Senate instructed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to oversee the implementation of the resolution and report back within two months.