Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Monday escaped arrest when the Federal High Court, Abuja, declined a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Senator of Kogi Central Senator, in a case bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The move to arrest Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan came during Monday’s court session when the prosecution informed the court that the case was scheduled for arraignment.

However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent. Citing her absence, the prosecution urged the court to order her arrest, claiming that the charges had been served on her legal representative.

e defence, however, pushed back against the request for the arrest of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, explaining that the senator had not been properly notified. According to her counsel, the charge sheet was only received that same morning in court, and the senator herself had neither seen the document nor been informed that she was expected in court for arraignment.

Presiding Judge, Justice Musa Umar, asked the prosecution whether the charges had been personally served on the defendant. When the answer was negative, the judge ruled that it would be inappropriate to grant the arrest request, noting that proper service of court documents is a prerequisite for issuing a bench warrant.

Instead, Justice Umar directed that the charges be officially served through the senator’s lawyer and fixed June 30 for her formal arraignment.

The case stems from comments allegedly made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live television broadcast on April 3. In the said interview, she reportedly accused Senate President Akpabio and ex-Governor Bello of being involved in an alleged plot to assassinate her—a claim that triggered the defamation charges now being pursued by the Federal Government.

Over 100 civil society organisations on Monday converged in Abuja to present a detailed mid-term assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, applauding the administration’s fiscal reforms and commitment to economic transformation.

Speaking during the world press conference organised by the Independent Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, the coalition praised the administration’s budgeting strategies and the bold decisions that underpin the current economic restructuring process.

The event featured the unveiling detailed report on the Renewed Hope Agenda and national budget strategy, coordinated by the coalition.

The document praised key policy interventions, especially in infrastructure, education, health, economic diversification, and human capital development.

The coalition also commended Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, for his role in shaping Nigeria’s fiscal direction.

Presenting the report, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, President of the coalition, described the administration’s agenda as a strategic turning point in Nigeria’s journey towards inclusive growth, macroeconomic stability, and long-term national development.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, inaugurated on May 29, 2023, embarked on a transformative journey under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This comprehensive policy framework aims to revitalize Nigeria’s economy, enhance governance, and improve the quality of life for its citizens,” Dr Agabi said.

“Central to the success of these reforms is the visionary leadership of the Hon. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. As a key architect of the administration’s fiscal framework, Senator Bagudu has brought a wealth of experience, clarity of purpose, and a deep understanding of economic realities to national planning.”

The coalition outlined the strategic budgetary reforms of the Tinubu administration, including the 2025 “Budget of Restoration,” which prioritises capital investment.

“The 2025 budget, aptly titled the ‘Budget of Restoration,’ reflects a commitment to prudent financial management and strategic allocation of resources. With a total expenditure of ₦54.99 trillion, the budget emphasizes capital investment, allocating ₦23.4 trillion (42.6% of total spending) to infrastructure and economic development projects.”

Other significant reforms highlighted include the removal of fuel subsidies and naira devaluation. While the report acknowledged the short-term discomfort, it applauded the long-term benefits.

“These measures, while initially contributing to inflationary pressures, have improved fiscal transparency and reduced the fiscal deficit from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024.”

Infrastructure development featured prominently in the coalition’s assessment. Key national projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway were described as indicators of serious government commitment.

“The administration has launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), targeting the mobilization of ₦20 trillion to finance critical projects across the country.”

On education and health, the coalition praised increased budgetary allocation and social impact reforms.

“The 2025 budget allocates ₦3.52 trillion to education and ₦2.48 trillion to health, reflecting a commitment to improving access and quality in these sectors.”

Programmes like the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Student Loans Act 2024, and the expansion of primary health centres were presented as vital moves to strengthen human capital.

The coalition also commended the president’s efforts to diversify the economy.

“Investments in agriculture, solid minerals, and digital innovation are central to this strategy. The government has declared a state of emergency in agriculture… while the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme aims to train three million Nigerians in high-demand tech skills by 2027.”

Dr. Agabi added that the administration’s inclusion of equity-focused policies reflects a deliberate attempt to spread the dividends of democracy nationwide.

“The inclusion of state-level infrastructure funds and national student loan schemes also reflects a broader vision of equity and access, ensuring that the gains of reform are felt beyond major cities and by future generations.”

The report urged continued focus on stability, transparency, and accountability, stressing that implementation will be critical to long-term success.

“Sustaining the momentum of the Renewed Hope Agenda requires more than political will. It demands consistency in implementation, timely communication with citizens, and deliberate efforts to monitor and evaluate outcomes.”

The coalition ended the press conference with a call for unity and resilience, asserting that Nigeria is on the cusp of transformation.

“With continued focus and genuine commitment, the Renewed Hope Agenda can truly live up to its name — ushering in a new era of accountability, productivity, and shared prosperity for all Nigerians.”

The Centre for Economic Growth and Monetary Reforms (CEGMR) has applauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its disciplined monetary policy stance, which it says is beginning to deliver concrete economic results for the country.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Mary Odoma, the group expressed satisfaction with the direction of current policies under the leadership of CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso.

Dr. Odoma noted that the recent slowdown in inflation, recovery in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, and renewed investor confidence were signs that the economy was stabilising after a prolonged period of volatility.

“We commend the CBN governor for maintaining a steady course, especially through difficult transitions. His consistent messaging and commitment to orthodox monetary policy are now yielding measurable progress,” she said.

According to the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s inflation rate fell to 23.71 percent in April 2025, down from 24.23 percent in March.

While the decline may appear modest, CEGMR said the reversal of the inflationary trend—particularly in food and core inflation—was a major milestone, given the cost-of-living pressures households have faced over the past year.

“Monetary policy is not magic, but discipline pays off. This turnaround reflects the CBN’s resolve to prioritise stability over short-term political convenience. Cardoso is showing Nigerians and the world that professionalism and patience still matter,” Dr. Odoma said.

The CEGMR further pointed to the CBN’s efforts in rebuilding external reserves, which recently surged past $38.9 billion, marking a significant improvement in Nigeria’s macroeconomic fundamentals.

“This signals restored credibility, and helps anchor the naira against external shocks. A few months ago, the narrative was bleak. But today, we are seeing greater confidence in the naira and fewer distortions in the foreign exchange market,” she said.

She attributed the reserve rebound to a combination of FX reforms, tightened monetary policy, and reduced short-term obligations by the CBN.

“This is a marked departure from past interventions that drained reserves without addressing core structural issues. The new CBN leadership is choosing sustainability over optics,” she added.

Dr. S Odoma said the Centre believes the apex bank is also succeeding in restoring investor confidence, pointing to international ratings agency upgrades and positive GDP forecasts as signs that the financial community is watching Nigeria’s progress closely.

“With GDP projected to grow by over 4 percent this year, the signals are promising. But they must be protected. Policy consistency must be preserved,” the group admonished.

The CEGMR stated that much of this momentum was owed to Cardoso’s emphasis on transparency and data-driven decision-making.

“He is returning central banking to its rightful role as a stabilising force—anchored in research, clear communication, and accountability. This is what had been missing,” she said.

Dr. Odoma however warned that the current gains must be deepened through coordinated action across government agencies.

She called on fiscal authorities to reinforce monetary efforts by tackling food insecurity, energy supply bottlenecks, and insecurity that affects production.

“Inflation isn’t only a monetary issue. Structural problems must also be addressed. But at least now we have a monetary policy foundation that makes progress possible.”

While acknowledging the pressures on households and businesses, CEGMR encouraged the CBN not to rush into easing interest rates prematurely.

“A premature rate cut would undo the credibility that has taken months to build. The Bank must be allowed to consolidate its gains and guide the economy toward lower inflation without risking a relapse.”

She also urged the National Assembly and other political actors to support the CBN by resisting populist pressures that could undermine its autonomy.

Dr. Odoma concluded by expressing confidence in the capacity of the Central Bank under Cardoso to steer Nigeria through its current challenges and toward long-term stability.

“The CBN’s performance under Cardoso has restored hope in responsible macroeconomic management. For the first time in years, Nigerians are beginning to see a glimmer of economic order return. That alone is worth applauding.”