Author: Festus Adeloye

Controversial Nigerian singer and internet personality, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, has defended himself amid backlash over a video in which he claimed to have slept with a 15-year-old girl. In a follow-up video posted on Wednesday via his social media handle, Akpi claimed the controversial remark was a publicity stunt to promote his music, not a real confession of any bad act. “This video is for all, I guess, fans and followers that are angry that I made a video saying I slept with a 15-year-old,” he said. “I’m an artist. We need controversy to…

The US government has halted the scheduling of new interviews for international student visa applications as it scrutinises applicants’ social media presence more closely. The command was given by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a cable addressed to embassies throughout the world on Tuesday, according to Politico. This implies that US embassies in Nigeria and many other countries would halt scheduling new interviews for persons applying for student visas, such as the F-1 visa. Although this is only temporary, no new candidates will be able to schedule an interview, which is a necessary stage in the student visa…

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration would ensure that every stolen asset from the country is recovered. The president made the declaration while declaring open a Summit on Asset Recovery in Abuja, yesterday. He was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Nadungu Gagare. According to him, asset recovery is a vital tool in our anti-corruption strategy as it is not merely a legal exercise but a moral obligation. “Recovering stolen public funds and channelling them towards developmental needs represents both justice and restitution. “It…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly rejected claims made by social media influencer, VeryDarkMan (VDM), accusing the agency of extortion in its regulatory enforcement at Onitsha Bridge Head Market.  In a rejoinder on Tuesday, the agency described VDM’s comments as inciting and potentially in violation of the Cybercrime Act, stating that it has reported the matter to relevant security agencies for investigation. VDM, in a widely circulated Instagram video surrounded by protesting traders, alleged that NAFDAC extorted ₦700,000 from the traders for a service they were unaware of. He displayed a document he…

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced Mamman Nasir Ali, son of a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, and a Sierra Leonean, Christian Taylor to 14 years imprisonment each, over a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud. Justice Dada jailed Ali and Taylor alongside an Oil firm, Nasaman Oil Services Limited, after finding them guilty of an amended 57-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The defendants were first arraigned before the court in 2012 on a 49-count charge of…

Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has berated the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the protracted crisis rocking the party. Suswam, who spoke on a national television today, faulted leadership of the party for holding secret meetings with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, without the knowledge of major stakeholders. He said that the FCT minister can’t be blamed for the withdrawing on the said agreement. Wike, had in a statement released on Sunday, announced his withdrawal from the reconciliation efforts, blaming Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter…

Former World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiserweight Champion, Bashiru Oloruntoyin Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali has vowed to realise his ambition of hosting the international title fight for the first time in Africa. Ali, who aimed at breaking the world boxing record and enlisting his name in the World Guinness record has slated Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as the venue of the epic battle.WBF Consequently, the 69-year-old has appealed to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno to support his long-delayed ambition. Speaking during a courtesy visit to Elder Paul Bassey, the state commissioner for Sports, Ali, who has spent nearly…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi is a thoroughbred statesma whose impact on Nigeria’s development is inspiring. Atiku said this in a tribute posted on Facebook commemorate Amaechi’s 60th birthday. He added that the ex-Rivers governor wears the cape of excellence in public service. He said, “My dear friend, Rotimi Amaechi. The impact you continue to have on the development of our country is inspiring. It cannot be questioned that you are a thoroughbred statesman. Within the space of 60 beautiful years, you wear the cape of excellence in public service. “As you…

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has withdrawn an electoral reform Bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act to provide for a minimum of six years imprisonment against citizens who refuse to vote during general elections. The Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdillahi Krishi, announced in a statement that the Bill was withdrawn following extensive consultations with stakeholders. The Bill, which Abbas co-sponsored with Daniel Asama Ago, passed the second reading on May 20 and has attracted public outcry from across the country. The statement said: “From the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has strongly condemned what it described as an unwarranted and embarrassing invasion of its offices in Abuja on Monday by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over an alleged ground rent default. Shortly after sealing its premises, the FIRS Chairman, Dr Zach Adedeji, went to the presidential Villa to meet with President Bola Tinubu. Details of their encounter were not disclosed at press time. However, earlier at a press conference held at the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, senior officials of the agency, including the Director of Facility Management, Mr. Tyofa Abeghe; Special Adviser…