Author: Akintayo Adams

A tragic stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning, December 21, 2024. The incident took place as thousands of residents gathered to receive palliatives distributed by the church. Sadly, at least 10 people, including children, are feared dead, with many others injured. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, noting that many arrived as early as 4:00 AM to secure their share of the palliatives. The stampede happened between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the crowd surged forward. Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria,…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has denied recent reports suggesting that the newly revived Port Harcourt Refinery has been shut down again. According to Olufemi Soneye, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the refinery remains fully operational and continues to load petroleum products as usual. He emphasized that these shutdown claims are false and urged the public to disregard them. Soneye also highlighted that a group of former Group Managing Directors of NNPC recently visited the refinery and verified its operational status. Currently, the refinery operates at 70% capacity, producing substantial quantities of diesel, kerosene, and low-pour fuel…

A woman named Olamide Thomas has been arrested and arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly threatening Seyi Tinúbú and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The charges stem from a viral social media post in which Thomas made threatening remarks in Yoruba, stating that Seyi Tinúbú would die this year and that misfortune had befallen the Tinúbú family. She also made threats against the IGP and the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi. Thomas was charged with three counts of transmitting threatening communication through a computer system or network. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.…

Oyo State Governor Sèyí Mákindé has decided to cancel his birthday celebrations, which were scheduled for December 25th, in a gesture to honor the victims of a tragic stampede in Ibadan. Related || Police arrest Ooni’s ex-Wife over Ibadan carnival stampede The incident occurred at a children’s carnival at Islamic High School in the Basorun area of Ibadan, resulting in the loss of 35 children’s lives. Describing the event as “painful, unfortunate, and preventable,” Governor Makinde announced that he would spend the day alone indoors instead of celebrating. The announcement was made during a visit from a delegation of the…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to pay ₦15 million in damages for violating a customer’s privacy through unsolicited messages and caller tunes. This ruling came after public interest lawyer Ezugwu Anene appealed, arguing that MTN’s actions infringed on his right to privacy and disrupted his use of airtime. Justice Okon Abang, delivering the judgment, described MTN’s unsolicited services as a breach of Anene’s rights, stressing that telecommunications providers must respect customers’ preferences and avoid imposing unwanted services. The court found that the sending of unsolicited text messages violated subscribers’ rights under Section 37…

A massive fire erupted, in the early hours of Saturday, December 21 2024 at the Araromi Spare Parts Market in Ìbàdàn, Oyo State. The blaze, which started around 2 a.m., has caused extensive damage, destroying properties worth millions of naira. Firefighters are currently working tirelessly to bring the fire under control. The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident and called on water tanker owners to assist in dousing the flames. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but initial speculations suggest it might have started from unattended burning refuse. Get instant and latest…

American rapper Dominique Armani Jones, better known as Lil Baby, candidly expressed his views on marriage and relationships. The 30-year-old artist made it clear that he has no plans to legally marry anyone. Instead, Lil Baby prefers to be in committed relationships and live with his partner without formalizing the union through legal means. “Prenuptial doesn’t mean that you can marry a woman and she won’t get anything after divorce. There are ways for her to get something regardless,” he said. “I will give a girl a $10M ring, a $10M wedding, but no paperwork [legal marriage]. “I would vow…

The Federal Government has earmarked ₦27 billion for the entitlements of former Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Heads of State, Chiefs of Staff, retired Heads of Service, and professors in the 2025 budget. Beneficiaries include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, as well as ex-Vice-Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Former military leaders like Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and retired military President Ibrahim Babangida, along with retired Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, will also receive benefits. President Bola Tinubu presented the ₦49.70 trillion budget to the National Assembly, naming it the “Budget…

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The bail amount was ₦500 million, and Bello was required to provide three sureties with property in high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro. Additionally, Bello had to surrender his passport and is restricted from traveling outside Nigeria without prior permission. The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed Bello’s release on Friday evening. The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, oversaw…

Human rights lawyer and author Dele Farotimi has been granted bail in the amount of ₦30 million by a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State. The court session, which took place on Friday, addressed charges of alleged defamation brought against Farotimi. The charges stem from a petition by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), asserting that Farotimi made defamatory remarks in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.” The court, filled with a heightened security presence, saw Farotimi’s bail application approved amidst the heavy police and security agency activity. The case, labeled as suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State Commissioner of…