Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Njoku Ekpa, yesterday appeared before a Finnish court, charged with inciting terrorism. Although Finland’s National Prosecution Authority did not mention Ekpa by name, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified him so. The prosecutors merely said they had charged “a Finnish individual in a case involving suspected public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.” The crimes were allegedly committed in the city of Lahti between 2021 and 2024 and were related to the suspect’s efforts to carve a republic of Biafra from Nigeria.…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has praised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its transparency in addressing issues from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In a statement issued in Abuja by the Deputy Director of Media and Communication, Paul Odenyi, the NOA described JAMB’s acknowledgement of its lapses as a commendable act of leadership. “The Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, lauded the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for demonstrating the kind of integrity and courage that public leadership demands. He noted that this act of forthrightness is not only a testament to…

India on Sunday released the names of top Pakistani officials who attended the funeral of LeT terrorists, who lost their lives during the May 7 ‘Operation Sindoor,’ carried out by Abdul Rauf. According to Indian officials, the funeral of terrorists killed in Muridke was led by Abdul Rauf, a LeT commander who is a specially designated global terrorist by the US. Senior Pakistani military officials and the Punjab Inspector General of Police were present at the service, according to the ANI news agency. Attendees included Lt Gen Fayyaz Hussain, Major General Rao Imran, Brigadier Mohd Furqan from Administration, Usman Anwar Pakistan…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday, May 12, revealed details of a recent reconciliation meeting with suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Abuja. Wike said Fubara was accompanied by two unidentified governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a media briefing, Wike expressed doubts about Fubara’s ability to foster genuine peace amid the ongoing Rivers political crisis. “I told him I don’t think you really have the capacity to make this peace,” Wike said, noting that Fubara’s calls for reconciliation are undermined by his…

Former Military Administrator of Bayelsa State, Navy Captain Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade (rtd), is dead. Olubolade, the Ipoti-Ekiti-born retired officer, who celebrated his 70th birthday on November 30, 2024, died on Sunday, May 11, in Apapa, Lagos. According to a statement by his first daughter, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Akinadewo, and first son, Mr. Dayo Olubolade, he left the house to play lawn tennis at a nearby facility where he slumped. “He drove himself to the facility to play lawn tennis in the evening and slumped while playing. Efforts were made by medical officers around to revive him to no avail. He was immediately rushed…

The family of Asoluka in Ihiagwa, Owerri-West LGA of Imo State, has announced the death of Chief Chris Asoluka fondly called Okwuruoha. His son, Jamachi Chris-Asoluka, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday. Jamachi said: “With deep sorrow, but grateful hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, in-law, friend, and patriarch, Dr. Chris Asoluka (Okwuruoha). “Surrounded by love and held in grace, daddy transitioned from this world just before midnight on Friday May 9th 2025 with the calm dignity that defined his life. A man of unwavering principles, strength, generosity,…

Controversial social media critic, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has announced that he will be collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but not without issuing stern warnings to the anti-graft agency over how his image and case are presented to the public. In a video posted online, the outspoken activist revealed that his phone is currently in the custody of the EFCC, which has limited his access to his digital platforms. “My phone is with the EFCC. As a matter of fact, I bought another phone when I came out because I have a…

The body of a 16-year-old UK-based Nigerian, Valentine Ikechukwu, who drowned while swimming in a lake at Colwick Country Park on April 30, has been recovered. Nottinghamshire Police shared a statement stating that the teenager reportedly encountered difficulty while swimming, prompting a multi-agency emergency response. Emergency services were alerted to the scene around 5:20 pm and launched an extensive search operation involving the police underwater search team and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. His body was recovered shortly before 8 pm. “Emergency services were called to Colwick Country Park at 5.20 pm on Wednesday, April 30, after Valentine got into…

American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen as the new Pope and will become Francis’ successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel. He is the 267th pope, and he will be named Pope Leo XIV, becoming the religious leader of Catholics across the world. His name was announced after cardinal Mamberti uttered the words ‘Habemus papam!’ Latin for ‘We have a pope!’ from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The new Pope’s appointment to the role was revealed on Thursday when white smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a new lawsuit against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of mocking him in a satirical apology posted on social media. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under case number CS/384/25 and dated May 7, seeks to compel the suspended Kogi Central senator to delete the post from all her platforms. Akpabio is also demanding a written apology to be published in at least two national newspapers and an affidavit of compliance confirming she has met these conditions. The satirical apology was shared on Facebook by Senator Natasha…