The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed a suit against the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, challenging the legality of his sack.

Obasa, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, is urging the court to declare that his colleagues in the House acted unlawfully by removing him while the Assembly was in recess.

In the application dated February 12, 2025, and filed by his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), the plaintiff claimed that he was removed from his position on January 13, 2025, by 36 lawmakers while he was out of the country.

The embattled lawmaker is seeking the following reliefs: an order of the court fixing a date for the accelerated hearing of the case and to shorten the time allowed for the defendants to respond with counter-affidavits or written addresses to seven days post-hearing.

He also asked the court to order that the time for the plaintiff to file their replies on points of law be limited to three days.

Obasa’s application is based on nine grounds, focusing on the interpretation of various sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The plaintiff challenges the constitutionality of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s sitting and proceedings during recess without the Speaker convening the House or delegating authority to someone else to do so.

Public interest necessitates that this case be heard and resolved quickly to avoid disruption of legislative activities in the state.

Obasa maintained that the court must urgently determine the legality behind the Assembly’s current leadership because it violates the applicable laws and rules.

He further asserts that the court holds inherent powers to grant expedited hearings and time limitations.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.

Obasa was impeached on January 13 while he was away from the country by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has condemned alleged attacks on its members by some sponsored suspected thugs.

This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris.

The party leadership described the incident as uncalled for.

He said, “This is condemnable and unacceptable, we call on the security agencies in the state to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter.”

He added that the APC as a peace-loving party in the state would not accept any obnoxious and unwarranted acts of intimidation and harassment.

Mr Idris added, “The APC will continue to maintain its position as the strongest political party in Zamfara State and nobody will intimidate us. The state APC chapter is hereby warning politicians in the state who always attack its members and property especially when the party is organising or carrying out an activity in the state.

“Our members were attacked by some suspected political thugs while moving from Gusau to Bungudu town for a function organised by a lawmaker, Abdulmalik Zubairu.”

According to Mr Idris, the members of the party were moving to attend the official inauguration of over N1billion worth of empowerment projects executed by Abdulmalik Zubairu for the benefit of his constituents and the state in general.

He noted, “The political thugs openly and strategically stationed themselves along the Gusau to Bungudu Road to perpetrate the attack. This led to the destruction of many vehicles and wounding of their occupants simply because they are APC members. We are therefore calling on the state police command and other security agencies to immediately swing into action and arrest the suspected perpetrators.”

The state APC leadership also urged its members to remain patient as the party would ensure that justice was done to all those attacked and those who sustained injuries.

Mr Idris stated , “We are also calling on our members to remain calm and not to be discouraged by any intimidation and harassment.”

House of Representatives member Philip Agbese says he will voluntarily resign if Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan can provide evidence that he sought bribes from the cryptocurrency company during the former U.S. federal agent’s legal ordeal with the Nigerian government last year.

“I’m prepared to resign in my own honour if he can show where I ever demanded a bribe, much less collecting one, from him or anyone linked to Binance,” the lawmaker told Peoples Gazette on Friday afternoon.

In X post on Friday morning, Mr Gambaryan specifically named Mr Agbese and Peter Akpanke as two of the three House of Representatives members that demanded $150 million in cryptocurrency as a bribe to make the money laundering trial initiated against him and another Binance Nadeem Anjarwalla go away.

Mr Gambaryan noted both lawmakers were working under the leadership of Labour Party House Representative Obinna Onwusibe, which confirmed the media report last year that some Nigerian lawmakers had sought bribes from Binance.

Mr Agbese refuted the claim, saying he was not part of the committee that investigated the allegations against Binance. He said he only met Mr Gambaryan once, where they had a brief discussion, but never requested any payment from him.

“I am not a member of the committee that looked into the Binance matter. I met him once in the office of another lawmaker, and we only chatted when I told him I had schooled in the UK. But never for once did I ask him to pay me anything at the meeting, and I never set my eyes on him again after that meeting,” Mr Agbese said.

“So I don’t know, in God’s honest truth, what he is talking about.”

Mr Agbese maintained he could not have possibly requested payment in cryptocurrency because he doesn’t have any crypto account and has transacted in digital currency.

He challenged Mr Gambaryan to produce the crypto account that was meant to receive the bribe.

“He said he was asked to pay the money into a crypto account. I don’t have a crypto account. I have never used a crypto account for anything, whether to buy or to sell, in my life. So I challenged him to produce the crypto account in which he was asked to pay the money,” he added.

Tigran Gambrayan, a Binance official held in detention for eight months by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, says the State Security Service (SSS) was involved in Nigerian lawmakers’ demand for $150 million from the cryptocurrency company, adding National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, “wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition.”

Mr Gambaryan disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle on Friday, explaining that the SSS asked them to comply with whatever the lawmakers instructed them to do.

“The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter,” said Mr Gambaryan. “We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.”

Mr Gambaryan named Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Pete Akpanke, the lawmaker representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe as the lawmakers who “set up fake cameras” to make the meeting appear official only to demand bribe paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets from Binance.

“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.

“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency, into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best,” Mr Gambaryan wrote.

Narrating Mr Ribadu’s involvement in his detention saga, Mr Gambaryan said, “Ribadu emphasised that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition. However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’ job.”

Berating Mr Ribadu, Mr Gambaryan said, “Ribadu overstepped his authority and embarrassed Nigeria in front of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

“Ribadu acting like an asshole angered the White House and led to diplomatic repercussions—the U.S. limited visas to the Nigerian delegation for UNGA, and Biden refused to meet with Tinubu until my situation was resolved. In the end, Ribadu overestimated his influence. They thought they could secure a quick win, but instead, they created an international incident, exposing his incompetence on a global scale.”

Mr Ribadu could not be reached for comments. The spokesperson in the NSA office did not pick up calls seeking comments on Mr Gambaryan’s allegations. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him are yet to be replied to.

Mr Gambaryan’s statement alleging the SSS’ involvement in lawmakers’ bribe demands followed his first interview in which he narrated the diplomatic moves behind his release from detention in October 2024.

The SSS temporarily shut down its media office and transferred its former spokesman to serve as state director in Ogun.

However, when contacted by The Gazette, Mr Agbese, one of the accused lawmakers, dismissed Mr Gambaryan as a “drowning man,” denying his involvement in the demand for a bribe from Binance.

“You know, when a man is drowning, he tries to hang on anything he sees. The allegations have been investigated by the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. They have addressed a press conference on the matter,” Mr Agbese said. “The matter is in court.”

He added, “The allegation is not strange knowing the kind of business Binance people are into. You know what cryptocurrency means? It is a transaction that takes place between two criminals, people who facilitate transactions between criminals. I’m not a party to that.”

Mr Onwusibe, another lawmaker Mr Gambaryan accused, said, “I am already in court with them, so I don’t want to speak on the matter again.”

However, Mr Akpanke could not be reached as his contact could not be found on the National Assembly’s website, where The Gazette found his colleagues’ contact.

The Canadian High Commission has remained silent on the refusal to grant a visa to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

In a terse statement, the High Commission cited privacy concerns as the reason for not addressing the issue.

“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals,” the statement read.

General Musa disclosed that he and several senior military officers were denied visas, leaving some stranded. Expressing disappointment, he described the incident as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to reinforce its sovereignty and avoid being taken for granted by foreign nations.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his reaction, said there was no justification for the denial.

The Head of Financial Crime Compliance at cryptocurrency firm, Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, who spent eight months in a Nigerian detention facility over alleged corruption, has identified three Nigerian lawmakers who allegedly demanded a bribe of $150m from him.

Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British Kenyan who serves as the regional manager for Africa at Binance.

Both were charged with money laundering involving $35 million, as initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Anjarwalla managed to escape from custody on March 22, 2024.

However, Gambaryan was released following the intervention of the United States government.

While in detention, the Binance boss said some lawmakers in the House of Representatives demanded bribes from him.

Taking to his verified X handle, Gambaryan named Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke, all members of the House, as the men who allegedly demanded the huge sum from him.

Gambaryan’s post on X read in part, “The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.

“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.

“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150m bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Micky Mouse operation at its best.”

Reacting to the development, however, Agbese, who doubles as the Deputy Spokesman of the House, has called on the Binance boss to support his claims with evidence or face the consequences of his actions.

Speaking with PUNCH Online, the Benue lawmaker said, “I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150m bribe from him.

“These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologised.

Tunji-Ojo, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, said the action by the Canadian embassy is condemnable and shows a lack of respect for Nigeria.

“Without knowing the full facts, I think even for us it is a policy, the issue of reciprocity as I always say, has to be given due consideration.

“As much as we are not ready to dabble into the sovereignty of other nations, the issue of visas, issue of migration management is a sovereign issue.

“As much as we don’t want to dabble into that, it is not a disrespect to the Chief of Defence Staff, to me, without knowing the facts, it is disrespectful to the country, and it is disrespectful to us as a people. If that can happen to the chief of defence staff, then I am worried for an average Nigerian.”

The Minister said that he was struggling to find justification for the action by Canada, noting that even if there were questions the embassy needed, there were diplomatic back channels in which that could have been done.

He said he was confident the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would take the necessary steps to resolve the issue diplomatically and ensure mutual respect between the two nations.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has approved the appointment of Kabir Akanbi, as the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, effective from February 13, 2025.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Umar.

According to the statement, Akanbi’s appointment follows the retirement of Hajo Sarki Bello, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in public service.

Prior to his appointment, Akanbi served as the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of the Election Petition Tribunal Unit at the Court of Appeal headquarters, Abuja.

Akanbi has over 20 years of experience in judicial administration, legal reforms, and public service, and he has made significant contributions to the modernization of Nigeria’s judicial system.

Akanbi obtained his law degree from the University of Ibadan in 2001 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003 after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. He further earned a Master’s degree in Law from Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, in 2005.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Information Management, Africa, Akanbi has played a pivotal role in integrating technology-driven innovations into judicial processes.

His tenure as Deputy Chief Registrar at the Court of Appeal was marked by groundbreaking reforms in election petition tribunal management, case tracking, and anti-corruption initiatives.

Congratulating him on his new role, the CJN “urged him to apply his vast experience in legal practice, corporate advisory, and public service leadership, particularly in software development and legal technology, to further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the Supreme Court”.

Elder statesman and chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayodele Adebanjo, has died at the age of 96.

Mr Adebanjo died on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State.

The family confirmed his death in a statement made available to our correspondent on Friday.

The statement was jointly signed by his children, namely, Mrs. Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Mrs. Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.

“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025, at his Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria home at the age of 96,” the statement read.

It added, “We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice.

“His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath.”

The family also disclosed that consultations are ongoing with Adebanjo’s friends, associates, and various interest groups across the country and beyond to finalise plans for a befitting funeral.

According to the statement, details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, adding that a condolence register has been opened at his residence in Lagos and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The former organising secretary of the Action Group is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, over her assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies.

In an official expulsion letter dated February 13, 2025, and signed by the Acting Registrar, Mr. Victor I. Modebelu, the university stated that the decision followed the recommendation of the Student Disciplinary Committee, which found the student’s actions to be a gross violation of the institution’s disciplinary regulations, specifically Regulation 4 (SDR).

The incident, which gained widespread attention after a video surfaced online, reportedly involved Precious attacking the lecturer identified as Dr. Chukwudi Okoye.

The attack followed the interruption of a TikTok video she was recording on campus. The confrontation led to public outrage and calls for disciplinary action.

According to the letter, the expulsion takes immediate effect, with the university directing Precious to vacate the premises and return any university property in her possession.

This development marks a decisive move by the UNIZIK administration in maintaining discipline within the institution, and it generated widespread reactions.

The letter read, “The Ag. Vice-Chancellor has received the report from the Student Disciplinary Committee on the case of your assault on a lecturer from the Department of Theater and Film Studies, which was found to be a gross misconduct and violation of the Students Disciplinary Regulations particularly Regulation 4 (SDR).

“Consequently, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor has, on behalf of the University Senate, approved the Committee’s recommendation that you be expelled and you are hereby expelled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The expulsion takes immediate effect.

“You are expected to vacate the University premises immediately and return any University property in your possession.”

The National Examinations Council has released the results for the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination External, which was conducted from November 14 to December 14, 2024.

During a press conference held on Friday at the NECO headquarters in Minna, the council’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, revealed that 86,067 candidates had registered for the examination, with 84,799 participating.

Wushishi reported that 57,114 candidates—representing 67.35%—obtained five credits or more, including English Language and Mathematics.

He said, “The total number of candidates that registered for the examination is 86,067, with 44,988 (52.27%) male and 41,079 (47.72%) female.

“The total number of candidates that sat is 84,799, with 44,277 (52.21%) male and 40,522 (47.78%) female.

“The number of candidates that sat for English Language is 83,220 out of which 62,929 representing 75.62% got Credit and
above.

“The number of candidates that sat for Mathematics is 83,024, out of which 77,988 representing 93.93% got Credit and above.

“The number of Candidates who got five (5) Credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, is 57,114 representing 67.35%.

“Also 70,711 candidates, representing 83.39%, got five (5) Credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.”

Addressing the issue of examination malpractice, Wushishi noted a reduction in the number of malpractice cases compared to the previous year.

He revealed that 6,160 candidates were involved in various forms of malpractice, a 27.7% decrease from 2023’s 8,518 cases.

The NECO boss also mentioned that several exam supervisors and centres had been recommended for blacklisting.

“The number of candidates booked for various forms of malpractice is 6,160, as against 8,518 in 2023, which is lower by 27.7%. Seven supervisors, including two each from Oyo and Ogun States and one each from Lagos, Cross River, and Ebonyi States, have been recommended for blacklisting for poor supervision, lateness, and aiding malpractice during the exam.

“Fourteen centres—10 in Ogun and 4 in Oyo States—have been blacklisted for involvement in widespread malpractice in nine subjects,” he added.

He said candidates can now access their 2024 SSCE External results by visiting the official NECO website at www.neco.gov.ng and using their examination registration number.

Wushishi also extended his gratitude to the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, among others, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the examination process.

The family of Nigerian artiste Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, on Friday petitioned the State Security Service (SSS), declaring him missing.

In the petition, submitted by their legal representatives, Anuge, Anuge & Co, to the SSS’ director general, the Idibia family said the artiste was last seen in the early hours of Monday.

“We are writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a profoundly troubling situation involving a member of the Idibia Family, Mr Innocent Idibia (also known as Tuface or 2Baba), who our client reasonably believes may be missing since Monday, 10 February 2025.

“We believe that Mr Innocent left his residence in the early hours of 10 February 2025 in his loungewear, suggestive that he was going on his habitual walk, but never returned home since then,” the petition read.

According to the petition, all efforts by family, his record label, and friends to reach or locate him have been proven futile.

The family said that by the reason of Tuface’s celebrity status, he is supposed to be escorted by guards, but he wasn’t on the day he was last seen.

“By reason of his celebrity status. It’s established protocol for Mr Innocent to be accompanied by protective guards wherever he goes. However, on the day he was last seen, he left his residence unaccompanied by his protective guards, his personal assistant, or any of his staff.

“This disturbing discovery and the fact that those who ought to hear from him have not heard from him for over 72 hours left his entire family deeply concerned,” the family said.

The singer’s family urged the SSS to intervene, investigate the matter, and ensure the artiste’s safety. They raised concerns that it was unusual for him to go missing and abandon his work for prolonged hours.

They said many of the singer’s friends received “alarming” messages from “what appears to be his social media accounts” seeking financial aid, thereby raising concerns that the “African Queen” crooner may have been abducted.

“These messages are alarming, as Mr Innocent is financially independent and has never required assistance in such a manner. This has led his family to suspect that his identity may have been compromised and that someone may have abducted him and is actively manipulating him to exploit his contacts for monetary gain,” they said.

The petition comes hours after Rose Idibia, the mother of the star artiste, cried out to Natasha Osawaru to “free her son,” shortly after Tuface publicly proposed to the 31-year-old Edo lawmaker.

“He’s clearly not in his right senses now. I know my son. This is not him,” the mother said.

The 49-year-old singer has continued to make headlines after he announced separation from his wife and actress Annie Macaulay.

Ahead of Saturday’s Katsina State Local Government election, the state police command has announced the restriction of human and vehicular movement from 6 am to 4 pm of the same day within the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, in a statement made available to newsmen late Thursday, said the measure was aimed at maintaining law and order before, during and after the poll.

He said, ”In light of the upcoming local government election, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, there will be restrictions on the movement of individuals and vehicles from 0600 hrs – 1600hrs within the state.

“This measure has been put in place to maintain law and order, as well as the security of the electorate to enable them to cast their votes without interference.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Allyu Abubakar Musa, psc+, urges residents and all stakeholders in the state to comply with these movement restrictions in the interest of promoting a peaceful and transparent electoral exercise.

“Adequate security arrangements have been made to enforce the restrictions and to ensure the safety of all voters and election officials.”

He further called on eligible voters to come out and participate in the election and exercise their civic responsibility in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Meanwhile, earlier, the Chairman, Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission, Lawal Alhassan, told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday that the commission has commenced the distribution of sensitive electrical materials to all the 34 local government areas of the state.

He said the commission will start the distribution of especially far-reaching local government areas for early access as well as to avoid late arrival of materials.

He said, “I wish to let this all-important gathering know that, adequate arrangements were made by the commission and other security agencies to transport these materials to their respective destinations intact and safely.

“I equally want to inform you that all necessary arrangements were made for a hitch-free conduct of the exercise. Already the commission had recruited and trained over 20,000 ad-hoc staff who will undertake the exercise in all the designated Polling Units across the state, as non-sensitive election materials were distributed last week.

“The commission had this time planned to make the distribution of the sensitive election materials early in order to enable the timely distributions to all the designated centres across the 34 Local Government Areas, 361 political wards and 6,652 polling units in the state.

“On behalf of the commission, I therefore, call on the electorate to be rest assured that this time around, there will be no issue of late arrival of sensitive election materials to all the polling centres. I also want to let this gathering know that dedicated mobile telephone lines will be made public for genuine complaints to the commission on election day.”

Four people have died and four more were injured in a fire in South Korea’s southern port city of Busan on Friday, the National Fire Agency said.

The fire started just before 11am (0200 GMT) at a construction site at the Banyan Tree Hotel, authorities said.

Around 10 workers were on-site at the time, local media said.

Six of them experienced “cardiac arrest”, a National Fire Agency official told AFP, with four now confirmed dead.

Four others sustained injuries and the fire has yet to be fully extinguished, the official added.

The fire is believed to have started on the first floor of the construction site where workers had stored insulation materials, a fire department told reporters.

South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang-mok ordered relevant ministries to “fully mobilise all available personnel and equipment to extinguish the fire,” according to the finance ministry.

“Every effort must be made to prevent casualties during search and rescue operations, while also ensuring the safety of firefighters,” Choi said.

The incident comes just weeks after an Air Busan plane caught fire at the Gimhae International Airport, prompting 176 to evacuate and leaving seven injured.

UK law enforcement officers have arrested six people wanted in Belgium over their suspected involvement in a people-trafficking ring, the National Crime Agency said on Thursday.

NCA officers detained the men, all Afghan nationals, on Wednesday in Leicester, Birmingham and Coventry, all in central England, and Essex in south east England.

The detentions come as part of coordinated action in Belgium and Italy launched after Belgian courts issued a warrant for their arrests.

Belgian prosecutors allege that the group, active since 2022, helped organise the transport of migrants from Afghanistan through Iran, Turkey and the Balkans into western Europe, mainly France and Belgium.

The gang is also accused of helping migrants who had their asylum claims rejected in Belgium to travel to the UK on small boats.

Three of the men appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, where extradition proceedings began, and the remaining three suspects are due to appear later on Thursday.

“These men were allegedly part of a dangerous and harmful criminal network which moved migrants across the world, through Europe and eventually into northern Europe and the UK,” said NCA Deputy Director Craig Turner.

“The threat posed by organised immigration crime is chronic and enduring, and we currently have 70 live investigations into the gangs involved in it,” he added.

In December, the NCA arrested three men in the UK for similar offences, as part of separate investigation.

The three are now awaiting extradition to Belgium, where a court has sentenced 20 members of their gang to a total of 170 years imprisonment.

Priscilla Ojo, daughter of actress Iyabo Ojo, has expressed confidence and optimism on her recent marriage to Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.

Speaking at a gathering with loved ones, Priscilla highlighted the strong foundation of friendship they have built, which she believes will help them navigate life’s challenges together.

Despite acknowledging the societal pressures and fears surrounding marriage, Priscilla said she remains steadfast in her commitment, asserting that her marriage will be a unique and peaceful journey guided by her faith.

She said: “I’m young, there’s a lot of distraction on this journey and it tells me to go with the flow. During the process, this was more than I expected. It is not about social media, me and my husband are about peace.

“There are a lot of scary things about marriage, but I see us as friends. My story will be different. This is a journey God has pointed out and no man can stop.”

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has intercepted a highly disturbing number of arms and ammunition smuggled into the country.

The values of the large arms and ammunition are yet to be disclosed.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, is already in Lagos to address journalists at the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone “A”, Ikeja, Lagos.

Details Shortly…

Renowned gospel film producer and founder of Mount Zion Faith Drama Ministry, Mike Bamiloye, has paid tribute to late actress Toluwalope Adegboyega-Alagbe, popularly known as Flora in the Abattoir film series.

In a Facebook post, Bamiloye described the late actress as a soldier who has completed her mission on earth.

He emphasised that her death is not a loss but a transition to eternal rest.

The veteran producer also encouraged colleagues in the Christian film industry to remain steadfast and continue producing faith-based content despite the loss.

He wrote: “We are soldiers on the battlefield, Jesus is our commander. When He Calls Our Names, we shall Answer A Million Times! And when He calls us home to rest at any time, He has prepared a Mansion for us in Heaven! When you cross over to Heaven, you forget all Pains and Griefs. NO SHAKING!

“Tolu left a great impact and was called home to heaven! WE SHALL CONTINUE TILL THE END! No Shaking! THE DEVIL CAN NOT TOUCH US WITHOUT GOD KNOWING ABOUT IT! We will not keep quiet!

“WE MOVE!!!! More ABATTOIRS! More ABEJOYES!!! 10,000 of Demons are Not Enough to Shut us down! 100,000 of Una! They that dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High! Shall Abide under the Shadows of the Almighty!

“NO PANIC! No Shaking! Rest Well Tolu in the Gardens of Paradise! The Rest of Us, Get up on your Feet! E niso ni Film Locations! Proceed to Film Locations in towns and Villages! ISE SESE BERE NI! We MOVE!!!!”

Toluwalope passed away on February 4, 2025, from injuries sustained in a December 2024 car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Oyo Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, has rejected application of the Oloko of Oko in Ogbomoso area, Oba Solomon Akinola, who is standing trial with 14 others in a case of attempted murder and land grabbing.

The monarch and 14 other defendants had filed an application seeking transfer of the case from the State High Court, Ibadan to the State High Court in Ogbomosho, where most of the trial took place.

According to Justice K.A Adedokun of the State High Court Ibadan, the CJ turned down the monarch’s application to transfer to High Court in Ogbomoso to start afresh after the prosecution has closed their case.

The judge further said that he would not be able to deliver the earlier scheduled ruling on the no case submission filed by the defendants because the new defense counsel had written the Oyo Chief Judge to stop him from further adjudicating on the case.

He said that the previous counsel handling the case, Mr M.O. Folorunsho had withdrawn because he had been appointed as a Judge in Kwara State.

Justice Adedokun said that the new defense counsel that took over the matter wanted the case to start afresh.

According to the judge, the new defense counsel also wanted the case to be transferred back to Ogbomoso State High Court where most of the trials took place.

“However, the Chief Judge refused to grant their prayers and insisted that I should continue handling the matter.

“The Chief Judge also said that it would be unfair and unjust to start the case afresh because all the rigorous time and resources expended by the prosecution on the trials would be a waste and that some of the witnesses have even died.

“I received the letter directing me to continue handling the case just yesterday,”the judge said.

Adedokun fixed March 19 as new date for ruling on the no case submission filed by defendants.

The other 14 defendants standing trial with Akinola include: Chief Sunday Aderinto, Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiu and Adejare Adeleru.

Other defendants are. Samson Ogunmola Zacheaus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to a 29-count charge bordering on alleged attempted murder, assault, robbery, stealing and land grabbing.

X owner Elon Musk has agreed to pay his ally Donald Trump $10 million to settle a Twitter-era lawsuit against the social media company over the suspension of the politician’s account in the wake of the January 6 Capitol insurrection in 2021.

Mr Trump was banned from X, then known as Twitter, two days after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building on the day former President Joe Biden’s election victory against him was being certified by the U.S. Congress.

The social media platform, under previous ownership, accused Mr Trump of using his account to instigate violence on that day, prompting Mr Trump to sue the company in July 2021, claiming the suspension violated his First Amendment right to free speech.

A U.S. district judge dismissed the lawsuit the following year. However, Mr Trump’s lawyers immediately appealed the ruling, pending since Mr Musk purchased the company for 44 billion in late 2022 and as of last week.

Subsequently, Mr Musk renamed the platform to X and reinstated Mr Trump’s account a month after buying the company but automatically inherited Mr Trump’s lawsuit against the platform.

However, X has now agreed to pay Mr Trump $10 million to settle the lawsuit, even after Mr Musk and the platform played crucial roles in the president’s re-election victory during the presidential election.

Mr Musk is heavily involved in the Trump administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with cutting federal government spending.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu, has ordered investigation into a shocking altercation in which a student allegedly bit and physically confronted her lecturer.

A spokesman of the school, Njelita Louis, said the management of the institution would impose the appropriate sanction on any of the parties found culpable.

A statement by the Acting Head of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol, Njelita Louis, emphasised the university’s commitment to discipline and decorum.

He assured that appropriate actions and sanctions would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

The statement reads: “The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been made aware of a disturbing incident involving Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies and Goddy Mbakwe Precious a 3rd year student in the department of History and International Studies.

“The incident, which has gained significant attention on social media, is being taken very seriously by the university authorities.

“In line with our core values of discipline, self-reliance, and excellence, and in adherence to the principles of fair hearing, equity, and justice, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu, has ordered a full-scale, transparent, and unbiased investigation into the matter.

According to Njelita: “We urge all concerned parties and members of the public to remain calm as we diligently pursue the truth.

“The university is committed to upholding discipline and decorum, and we will ensure that appropriate actions and sanctions are taken based on the outcome of the investigation.”

He said that the Nnamdi Azikiwe University remains an institution of learning that upholds high moral and ethical standards.

“There is no place for indiscipline, misconduct, or any form of unacceptable behaviour within our community.

“Further updates will be provided as necessary,” Njelita added.

In viral video on Tuesday, a third-year student in the Department of History and International Studies, Goddy Precious, was seen around the corridors dancing in front of her phone, capturing a TikTok moment when the lecturer, Dr. Chukwudi Michael Okoye, walked from behind.

The lecturer gently tapped the female student on the shoulder, asking her to give way but the student was pissed by the lecturer’s action and interruption of her video moment.

However, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation when Okoye overheard the student insulting him and returned to confront her.

Upon returning, he noticed she was recording a video. Not wanting to be captured, he reached for the student’s phone but she aggressively grabbed his clothes. During the struggle, she bit him multiple times and tore his clothes.

In a statement circulating on social media, Okoye narrating what happened, claimed that after walking past the student, he overheard her insulting him and decided to return to verify if she was one of his students.

He then reportedly demanded that she delete the video in which he appeared, which led to the altercation.

In the process, the lecturer alleged that the student bit him on both arms, tore his clothes, slapped and scratched his face.

The lecturer’s account reads: “My theatre arts people, I had just left hall 19, where Dr Ebekue (another lecturer) was teaching. Walking along the passage, I saw a girl doing a video with her phone (she had placed the phone on the window hood and was striking poses in the middle of the walkway),” he said.

“Tapping her slightly, I asked her to excuse me as I walked past. After about two or three steps, I heard her say, ‘Who does this man think he is?’ I walked back to ascertain first if she was my student and second to make sure she deleted the video showing where I passed.

However, in her account, Ms Mbakwe said she was recording a video when she felt someone push her and said “excuse me”.

“Initially, I thought it was a student, but when I turned around, I was shocked to see a man –a lecturer unbeknownst to me. I whispered to my friend, ‘Omo, see how this lecturer pushed me,’ and my friend tried to reassure me,” she wrote.

The student said someone immediately tried to grab her phone from behind her but she held on tightly before turning to see it was the same person who interrupted her video.

“Mind you, I didn’t even know he was a lecturer. I pleaded with him, ‘sorry sir, why are you dragging my phone? But he remained silent, tugging at my phone until it fell and broke,” she said.

She also claimed the lecturer grabbed her “breast region and said unspeakable things” to her.

“I was left stunned, trying to comprehend the horror unfolding before me. As I realised my cleavage was exposed, I begged him to let me go, but he ignored my pleas, holding me firmly. His nails and clutches left certain prints and scratches on my chest rather,” she wrote.

“I was mortified. I tried to cover myself, pulling my dress together, and exclaimed in desperation, ‘Sir, I’ll hold you oh!’. I didn’t mean to threaten him; I just wanted him to release me. But he wouldn’t budge.

“In a split second, I bit his hands, hoping he’d let go. That was when I held his clothes and accidentally tore his shirt.

“The situation escalated, with some students intervening and in no time, I saw theatre arts students (from his department) approaching me with weapons. I was so terrified and hurt. The securities eventually arrive, taking me away in their van.”

Celebrity designer Toyin Lawani has shared her personal experience with epidural anesthesia, warning expectant and new mothers about the potential risks associated with the pain-relieving injection.

In a video posted on Instagram, Lawani revealed that she has been dealing with severe back pain, spine degeneration and even paralysis since receiving the epidural injection during childbirth.

The mother of three expressed frustration that doctors often do not fully educate women about the potential long-term side effects of epidurals, leaving them uninformed and vulnerable.

She said: “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.

“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breath properly some times because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.

“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.

“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”