Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

A Forensic Analyst, Babagana Musa Mingali on Thursday, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the mobile phone belonging to Suspended Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, was empty when he analysed it. Babagana, a Chief Superintendent of Police who works in the office of the National Security Adviser, is the second Defence Witness (DW2) brought to court through a subpoena to give evidence in the case between Prof. Ndifon and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Ndifon, alongside his lawyer, Samuel Anyanwu, is standing trial on four counts…

Three members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with their supporters. The lawmakers—Henry Mara (Jaba Constituency), Emmanuel Kantiok (Zonkwa Constituency), and Samuel Kambai (Zango Constituency)—announced their decision on Thursday at their respective wards. Their defection comes just two days after Amos Magaji, the lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, also left the PDP for the APC. Mara stated that the PDP’s influence in Southern Kaduna has “rapidly crumbled.” He added, “A major realignment in the power structure of the…

A member in the Federal House of Representatives representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Chukwuma Umeoji, on Thursday, became the first aspirant to purchase the All Progressives Congress N50m nomination and expression of interest forms for the Anambra State governorship election. Although the lawmaker was not available in person, his representative picked the nomination and expression of interest forms for him at the party national secretariat in Abuja. This was disclosed in a statement released by the ruling party on its social media handle on Thursday. The statement read, “Hon. Chukwuma Michael Umeoji, an aspirant in the November 16, 2025, Anambra gubernatorial…

The Global President and founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo has prophesied that Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom (UK) will not lead the country. Badenoch last week drew the ire of many Nigerians when she announced that the Conservative Party would implement significant changes in the country’s immigration policy that would extend the waiting period for British citizenship to 15 years. According to her proposal, immigration reforms will include extending the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to ten years. Many Nigerians, who make a significant…

The Osun State Government has advised residents to avoid unprotected sex, particularly during Valentine’s Day celebrations, and prioritise safe sexual practices. In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the Osun State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (O-SACA), Olusegun Daramola, the government announced plans to distribute free condoms and lubricants at selected malls and lounges across the state to promote safe behaviour. Daramola noted the occasion of Valentine’s Day celebrations as an opportunity to promote awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. He added that HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health threat, making it important for the residents to avoid…

The House of Representatives, has on Thursday, passed the ₦54.99 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill. The presidency says the ₦54.99 trillion budget is structured to address key national financial commitments. Statutory transfers account for ₦3.645 trillion, ensuring funding for constitutionally mandated entities. A significant portion, ₦14.317 trillion, is allocated to debt servicing, reflecting Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal obligations. Recurrent expenditure, covering salaries, overheads, and government operations, takes up ₦13.64 trillion, while the highest allocation, ₦23.963 trillion, is earmarked for capital projects under the development fund, aimed at infrastructure growth and economic expansion. Last week, President Bola Tinubu raised the proposed 2025 budget…

Nigeria’s largest telecom operator, MTN, has issued a public apology to its customers following widespread complaints about a sudden 200% increase in the price of its popular 15GB data bundle. The price hike where internet subscribers will have to pay N6,000 for a 15GB weekly data plan which is a 200% increase from the previous N2,000, took many customers by surprise, and led to an outrage from customers on social media on Wednesday. In message shared on social media on Thursday, MTN in an informal, conversational tone acknowledged the frustration of its customers, and sought to address the growing discontent…

The Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos State, Owolabi Akinlolu, who was accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in his office at the Ogudu Police Division, was allegedly retired from service in secrecy before his case was brought to court on Tuesday. This falls short of the expectations of rights activists, the traumatised survivor, and her family, who had anticipated that the suspect would be dismissed from service and prosecuted upon the completion of the investigation. Newsmen reported in July 2024 that the survivor’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, accused the police of attempting to cover…

A confrontation recently erupted at a checkpoint in Jeddo, Delta State, between personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force, creating a chaotic scene that drew widespread attention. Clarifying the cause of the altercation in a post on X.com on Thursday, the state police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, said the incident occurred when policemen were transporting a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud. However, upon reaching the checkpoint, Air Force personnel, who allegedly knew the suspect, intercepted the police officers and demanded the suspect’s release. Edafe wrote: “The…

A viral video on Thursday captured the moment music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, proposed to Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru. In the video, the singer and the lawmaker were seen dancing together to the admiration of some of their friends. 2Baba later proceeded to present Osawaru with a ring after which they were locked in a long embrace. This comes just a day after 2Baba publicly confirmed his romantic relationship with Osawaru, setting social media abuzz. The revelation follows his recent separation from his wife, Annie Idibia, with the singer expressing his intention to take things further…