The recap of top 10 key latest stories that you might have missed this Monday evening, 16th February, 2026
Natasha in fresh row at Senate committee chairman’s office
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Monday involved in another confrontation at the National Assembly, this time at the office of Senator representing Benue North-West, Titus Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.
Sources within the assembly said the incident followed a budget defence session of the committee earlier in the day.
The meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m., had reportedly ended before Akpoti-Uduaghan’s arrival.
On getting to the venue and finding the session concluded, the senator was said to have proceeded to the committee chairman’s office, accompanied by her legislative aides, to seek clarification.
Eyewitnesses alleged that tension rose after she was denied entry into the office, leading to a heated exchange involving members of staff and individuals in the senator’s entourage.
FG files charges against El-Rufai over intercepting NSA Ribadu’s phone
The Federal Government has filed charges against the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, were filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, by the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant and El-Rufai as defendant.
According to court documents seen by PUNCH Online, the prosecution claimed that on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In count one, the Federal Government alleges that the admission amounts to an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Customs deny fixing forex, say CBN sets rates for imports
The Nigeria Customs Service on Monday clarified that it does not determine or manipulate foreign exchange rates used for import and export valuation.
It stressed that all rates applied on its digital clearance platform are officially transmitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Service made the clarification in a statement issued by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, titled, “Nigeria Customs Service clarifies exchange rate application in customs valuation.”
The agency said the explanation became necessary following recent public commentary on foreign exchange pricing, investor behaviour, and customs valuation practices.
Ex-Super Falcons goalkeeper, Precious Dede welcomes quadruplets
Former Nigeria women’s national team goalkeeper, Precious Dede, has announced the birth of quadruplets, describing the moment as a miracle after years of waiting for a child.
The ex‑Super Falcons star shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, expressing overwhelming joy.
“After many years of waiting, God showed up in the most beautiful way — FOUR precious blessings at once.
Double the boys, double the girls, quadruple the joy,” she wrote.
She added:
“One pregnancy, four heartbeats… endless joy. Proof that delay is not denial.
He turned our waiting into wonders. When God writes your story, He makes it beautiful in His time. God didn’t just answer… He overdelivered.
”We’ll defeat terrorists; you’re doing an excellent job — Tinubu hails Ribadu
President Bola Tinubu has hailed the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, for his outstanding performance in the nation’s ongoing battle against terrorism and banditry, expressing confidence that the country will ultimately triumph over its security challenges.
Tinubu, speaking in Yola on Monday during the inauguration of projects by the Adamawa state government, commended Ribadu’s efforts and described him as a source of pride for both Adamawa and the nation.
The president declared his belief that Nigeria would defeat terrorism and banditry with Ribadu at the helm of national security.
Labour Party Secretariat dispute escalates as factions trade blame
Tensions within the Labour Party (LP) escalated on Tuesday as the faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman and supporters of former National Chairman Barr. Julius Abure traded accusations over the invasion of the party’s National Secretariat.
Senator Usman commended the Nigeria Police Force for promptly arresting suspects involved in the incident.
Her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Ken Asogwa, expressed satisfaction that the suspects were providing useful statements to the police regarding their alleged sponsors.
He emphasized that the court judgment and actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) affirming Usman’s leadership of the LP were “clear and unambiguous.”
Electoral Reform Protest: Civil Society, Labour leaders to occupy NASS Tuesday
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a coalition of civil society and labour leaders, has announced plans to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Tuesday, pressing for comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Monday signed by MCE Media Coordinator, Comrade James Ezema, the coalition said the action aims to intensify civic pressure on lawmakers to adopt reforms outlined in MCE’s public petition submitted last month.
Comrade Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the MCE National Secretariat, described the media rally as a continuation of peaceful democratic engagement to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral laws reflect the genuine will of the people.
“Credible elections are fundamental to strengthening democracy, promoting political accountability, and restoring public confidence in governance,” Okunniyi said.
Sultan urges Muslims to search for new moon of Ramadan Tuesday
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has directed the Muslim Ummah to begin the search for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH from Tuesday.
Abubakar made the call in a statement issued on Monday by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto.The statement read:
“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Tuesday, Feb. 17, equivalent to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1447 AH, shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH.
“Muslims are therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Ramadan 1447 AH on Tuesday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan,” it said.
NDPC probes Temu over alleged data protection violations
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched an immediate investigation into the data processing activities of Temu, following complaints over alleged poor data management.
NDPC National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Olatunji, confirmed that preliminary findings indicate that Temu processes personal information of approximately 12.7 million data subjects in Nigeria, alongside about 70 million daily active users globally.
Olatunji said the investigation was triggered by concerns surrounding online surveillance through personal data processing, accountability, data minimisation, transparency, duty of care, and cross-border data transfers.
14 wedding guests die in auto crash in Abia
A pall of gloom enveloped Umuahia at the weekend as no fewer than 14 guests returning from a traditional marriage and wedding ceremony lost their lives in a horrific road accident.
The victims were travelling back from a ceremony in Enugu on Saturday night when the coaster bus conveying them collided head-on with an articulated vehicle along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ozalla.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m., a few metres from the popular 4-Corner Junction.
Fourteen passengers reportedly died instantly, while others later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
Several survivors are still battling for their lives in medical facilities in Umuahia
