Author: Temidayo Akinsuyi

The State Security Service has detained a Nigerian journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, who is the West African Regional Editor of the Conversation Africa, TheScrutiny learnt on Sunday. Mr Soyinka, a former pioneer editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was detained by SSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5.40 a.m. on Sunday upon his arrival from the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight. As of the time of this report, no reason has been given for his detention by the security agency. When contacted over the matter, the spokesperson for the SSS, Peter Afunanya, said, “I…

Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening, TF1 TV and BFM TV said, citing unidentified sources. Durov was travelling aboard his private jet, TF1 said on its website, adding he had been targeted by an arrest warrant in France as part of a preliminary police investigation. TF1 and BFM both said the investigation was focused on a lack of moderators on Telegram, and that police considered that this situation allowed criminal activity to go on undeterred on the messaging app.

The Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, is said to have submitted his resignation letter to President Tinubu. According to the Nigerian Television Authority, Abubakar submitted the letter to the President on Saturday. As of the time of filing this report, the reason for his resignation is not yet known. The Presidency has yet to issue an official statement on the development.

The Nigeria Police Force on Saturday confirmed the release of 20 medical students who were abducted along the Otukpo/Otukpa/Enugu Road. The students, who are from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos were travelling to Enugu for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students’ annual convention when they were snatched by bandits. Their abduction generated massive outcry, which made the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, order the deployment of tactical operatives and assets, including helicopters, drones, and tactical vehicles, to ensure the swift rescue of the kidnapped students. Also, additional detectives were sent to Benue State to…

The Governors’ Forum of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned  President Bola Tinubu’s ppronouncements, which they claimed is aimed at compromising the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. They also frowned at the intimidation of PDP supporters by the Nigeria Police. The governors condemned the Federal Government’s handling of the last nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, which led to the loss of lives and the destruction of valuables worth billions of Naira. The Forum rose from its 4th session in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Friday, demanding transparency in revenue allocation to the states. The Governors expressed concern…

A man who faked cancer and spent more than £3,000 in donations has been sentenced in Londonderry. Stephen Patrick Doherty, 29, from Lisnafin Park in Strabane, admitted one charge of fraud by false representation on dates between 7 January 2022 and 20 June 2023. Londonderry Magistrates’ Court was told that Doherty had told police he had committed fraud by claiming to have three different cancers. Doherty told the court a GoFundMe page set up on his behalf had raised £3,280 which he spent on a dog and travelling to watch Liverpool FC. The fundraising page, Doherty said, had been set…

Investigative journalist, David Hundeyin has confirmed that whistleblower, PIDOM NIGERIA who had earlier been declared missing is currently in police detention in Abuja. In a post on his X handle, Hundeyin’s update reads “After coming under immense pressure from the Nigerian public and an intervention involving @Mazi_OJD, @YeleSowore, @adeyanjudeji, @Adebayo_Ralph and myself, @PoliceNG has confirmed that @PIDOMNIGERIA is alive and well in detention at FCID Abuja. A member of our intervention team on the ground in Abuja physically laid eyes on him a few minutes ago and she confirmed that he is alive and well. According to the Police, he…

 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has  congratulated the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri over the judgment of the Supreme Court, which today affirmed his victory in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the State. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party says “The verdict of the Supreme Court is another victory for Democracy, Rule of Law and the expressed Will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP”. “Governor Diri’s re-election by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bayelsa…

Immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege says Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, Senior Advocate Nigeria (SAN), is a perfect fit and traditionally endowed as Asagba of Asaba. Senator Omo-Agege who lauded the choice of Prof. Azinge in a statement congratulating him and released Thursday, said it is a continuation of the established tradition of going for the best in Asaba kingdom. “On behalf of my family and associates, I rejoice with you on your selection as the Asagba-designate. Your pedigree as a legal luminary has seen you reach the height of your career, as professor of law…

Mark Jacobs, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed the party’s National Working Committee, NWC for failing to rein in former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and others who are destabilising the party. Speaking on Arise Television, Jacobs said Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would have been expelled in the days of  Alex Ekwueme, Solomon Lar or Ahmadu Ali. “The leadership of the PDP, particularly the NWC has failed to rein in characters and individuals who ought to be taken and dealt with.  In the days of Solomon Lar,…