Muhammed Babangida has officially accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), expressing deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust reposed in him.

In a press statement released Monday, Babangida dismissed as false and malicious the reports circulating online suggesting he had rejected the appointment. He described such claims as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Tinubu administration.

“We wish to clarify that Muhammed gratefully accepts the appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, as announced by the federal government, and extends his sincere appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him,” the statement read in part.

It further assured the public that those behind the fake reports would be identified and held accountable.

“We also want to assure the public that those spreading these falsehoods will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and fostering unity within our nation,” it added.

The statement concluded with a call for Nigerians to remain discerning and to verify information from credible sources.

Muhammed Babangida’s appointment was among several strategic appointments approved by President Tinubu to strengthen leadership across key government institutions.

The senate has issued a warning to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi central, advising her not to return to the national assembly until her suspension has been officially lifted.

On Saturday, Akpoti-Uduaghan declared her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, stating that she had formally notified the senate in writing.

However, in a statement on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, who chairs the senate committee on media and public affairs, maintained that “no court order mandates the senate to reinstate the suspended lawmaker”.

Adaramodu emphasized the senate’s commitment to upholding due process and the principles of the rule of law.

According to the statement, “The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”

It continued that the senate had already released two previous statements after the court’s ruling and the issuance of the certified true copy of the enrolled order, making it evident that there was no binding instruction compelling the senate to bring her back.

Instead, the court issued a suggestion encouraging the senate to consider adjusting its standing orders and reassessing the suspension, which it viewed as possibly excessive.

The court also ruled clearly that the senate did not violate any laws or constitutional provisions in imposing disciplinary measures due to the senator’s conduct during plenary.

The statement noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a N5 million fine payable to the federal government and a directive to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, which she allegedly has yet to do.

Adaramodu remarked that it was surprising and without legal basis for Akpoti-Uduaghan, while appealing and having filed a motion to delay the enforcement of those rulings, to act as if there is an existing recall order.

He cautioned that any move by her to return to the senate on Tuesday under a false assumption would be premature, disruptive, and violate legislative protocols.

He added that the senate would, when appropriate, review the court’s advice on amending its standing rules and addressing her recall, and communicate the outcome to her.

Until that time, she has been advised to remain away from the senate chambers and allow legal procedures to be completed.

On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for allegedly breaching its standing rules.

The suspension followed her accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which she later pursued in court.

In July, the federal high court in Abuja ruled that the lawmaker should be reinstated, saying the length and manner of her suspension were too severe.

Nonetheless, the senate said it has not yet received the certified true copy of the judgment and would not take action without it.

Akpabio has filed an appeal to contest the court’s ruling.

The Senate has cautioned suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, against attempting to resume her legislative role on Tuesday by force.

Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, issued the caution in a statement released on Sunday.

Adaramodu emphasized that there is no legal directive currently requiring the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately and reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to legal procedures and the rule of law.

He stated, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”

This clarification came in response to reports quoting Akpoti-Uduaghan as claiming she would return to the Senate based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adaramodu explained that after the court decision and the issuance of the Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, the Senate had already clarified twice that the court did not issue any binding or compulsory instruction for her reinstatement.

He added, “Rather, the honourable court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its standing orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.”

He further explained that the court had clearly ruled that the Senate had not violated any law or constitutional provision in suspending the senator for her conduct during plenary.

The Senate also pointed out that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt and penalized her with a fine of N5 million to be paid to the federal government, along with an instruction to issue public apologies in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page — a ruling she has reportedly not yet followed.

The Senate spokesperson added, “It is, therefore, surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist.”

He cautioned that any attempt by Akpoti-Uduaghan to force her way back into the Senate next Tuesday under a false premise would be inappropriate, disruptive, and contrary to legislative protocol.

He added, “The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the standing orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the statement concluded.