Author: GANUX

 

Adeola Omotoso, the daughter of Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has recounted how she was sold for prostitution in Mali.

 

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Adeola was reunited with her mother after she was found in Mali.

 

The victim, who spoke in a recent interview, revealed that her ordeal started after she met someone who offered to help her travel to Mali for work.

 

When Adeola got to the country’s capital, she was informed that she had been “bought” and would have to work as a prostitute to repay 1.5 million CFA francs.

 

She said, “I met someone who introduced travelling to Mali to me. She said she knows someone who owns a pharmacy and asked if I could travel there to handle the business.

 

“I agreed but didn’t inform anyone at home. We travelled by road for four days through Cotonou, Togo, Ghana, and other countries.

 

“When I got to Bamako in Mali, I called the contact I was given. When I got to the person’s house, she said she is my madam and that she bought me from my sister. She said I’ll work to pay her 1.5 million CFA francs.”

 

Adeola further shared, “I was very confused and tried to confirm if I was at the right address. She said I was there for prostitution.

 

“I told her I can’t do it and would rather die. She threatened me, and I told her she’s free to do whatever she wants.”

For her refusal to comply, Adeola said her phone and travel documents were taken from her, leading to her being stranded.

 

She was later taken to a brothel but escaped after a sympathetic man helped her get a job as a food vendor.

 

“We later went to where we would stay. When we got there, I knew I wouldn’t be able to survive.

 

“I told her I can’t work as a prostitute, but I can do other jobs to pay her. She took my phone and travel documents,” she added.

 

“But I met a man there and explained my ordeal to him. He helped me in finding a job with a food seller in another location.”

She continued, “While working as a food seller there, I heard stories and saw Nigerians who died because of prostitution.

 

“I wanted to raise some money so I could come back home, and I didn’t want to return home empty. I thought about calling my mum and kids, but I couldn’t call because I felt ashamed of myself.

 

“I left home since four years and have nothing to show for it. I was suffering but didn’t know what to do. I even told my roommate to not post me on social media if I die.

 

“I don’t know how good my mum is before God that made him save me from all the evil that was about to befall me in Mali.”

 

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has assured the residents that his administration will implement decisive measures to end banditry across the state.

 

He made this commitment on Friday during a sympathy visit to Gobirawa village in Dutsinma Local Government Area, following last week’s bandits’ attack that claimed the lives of innocent citizens.

 

During the visit, Radda directed the Chairman of Dutsinma Local Government to present five community members for a crucial meeting to discuss how the state government can best support local security initiatives as a secondary defence measure.

 

“Government on hearing security report on the planned attack mobilised security personnel to the village,” Radda revealed, expressing regret that “the bandits attacked the village as soon as the security personnel left.”

 

While expressing deep sympathy over the tragic killings, the governor urged community members to remain vigilant and actively expose suspected informants collaborating with bandits, emphasising the critical role of community participation in combating insecurity.

The governor was received by the member representing Dutsinma in the State Assembly, Mohammad Khamis; Yandakan Katsina District Head Alhaji Sada Sada, Council Chairman, Kabir Shema; and other local dignitaries.

 

In another development, the governor inspected the ongoing special model secondary school project otherwise called Smart School in Radda, Charanci local government area of the state.

 

During the inspection, Radda engaged construction firms to ensure quality and speedy execution of the school project.

 

The governor also frowned at the slow phase of work by some contractors.

 

The inspected Smart School project in Radda is one of the three initiated by the Radda-led administration within the three senatorial zones to ensure access to quality education, especially children from humble backgrounds.

 

Tragedy occurred in Isseke, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Thursday, when some yet-to-be-identified assailants murdered a family of four comprising three females and one elderly man in their apartment.

 

It was gathered that the killers invaded their apartment while they were sleeping, killed them and left their lifeless bodies on the floor of their rooms.

 

The reason for the attack is yet to be known, however, eyewitnesses in the area said the gunmen unprovokedly attacked the elderly man and his family members.

 

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident when contacted on Friday, identified the victim’s family as Ichie Kennedy Igboanugo from Ekwuru Isseke (Ichie Akuruoulo 1 of Isseke).

 

Ikenga said the joint security team has cordoned off the area for any untoward situation, adding that the bodies of the victims have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary while investigations continue.

He said, “Following the simultaneous onslaught/joint clearance operations involving the police, military and other security operatives to dislodge the criminal elements and deny them the space to commit havoc in the state, regrettably in the late hours of May 22, 2025, recorded a cowardly gruesome murder of a family of four, including three females and one man, by criminal elements at Isseke, Ihiala Local Government Area.

 

“Preliminary information revealed that the criminals unprovokedly attacked the elderly man and his family members. The family was later identified as Ichie Kennedy Igboanugo from Ekwuru Isseke (Ichie Akuruoulo 1 of Isseke).

 

“The bodies of the victims have been recovered and deposited at the morgue while investigations continue.”

 

According to him, the command, while commiserating with the relatives and friends of the victims, is currently working on some clues to arrest the perpetrators.

 

“The joint security team has also reinforced the area for any untoward situation. Further developments shall be communicated, please,” he added.

 

The legal team of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has received a formal summons in the case filed against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory High Court last week.

 

On Friday, May 16, 2025, the Federal Government filed the suit, marked CR/297/25, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.

 

The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

 

Among the witnesses listed to testify during the trial were Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

 

Others include Asuquo Ekpenyong, a senator; Sandra Duru; Maya Iliya, investigating police officers; and Abdulhafiz Garba, investigating police officers.

 

However, in a statement issued Friday night by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) on behalf of the legal team, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed receipt of the formal summons and pledged to prepare all “factual and statutory defences” available to the lawmaker during trial.

 

“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.

 

“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry.

 

“The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial.”

Natasha was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for “gross misconduct” following her seating arrangement altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

 

The lawmaker described her suspension as illegal, unjust, and a deliberate attempt to silence her.

 

She also dismissed the Senate’s claim that her suspension had nothing to do with her sexual harassment allegation.

 

In the weeks that followed, the Kogi senator filed multiple petitions and leveled fresh allegations against the Senate President.

 

In April, Akpabio petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the assassination allegation made against him by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He called for an immediate investigation and prosecution of the senator under relevant laws for “criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.”

 

Former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, had also petitioned the IGP over Natasha’s claims, alleging that he was behind the move to recall her from the Senate.

 

She had accused Bello of acting on Akpabio’s orders to plot her assassination outside Abuja, in a way that would make it appear like a mob or local attack.

 

Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of securing his 100th ATP title by defeating a battling Cameron Norrie to reach the final of a clay-court event in Geneva on Friday.

 

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, playing in Switzerland to warm up for the French Open, missed a match point in the second set before eventually winning 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1.

 

“It was the toughest match of the tournament for me so far, three sets,” said Djokovic.

 

“(In) the second set, he was a break up and I managed to come back to the tie-break, (I had) a match point, I got a little bit tight there. But I’m really glad how I regrouped in the third and played the best set of the tournament.”

 

Djokovic will attempt to secure his first tournament victory since winning Olympic gold in Paris last summer when he faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in Saturday’s final.

 

He is aiming to become only the third player to reach a century of ATP titles after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.

 

The 38-year-old is playing in his first event since splitting from his coach and old rival, Andy Murray.

 

He also lost both of his previous matches on clay this season before this week, but appears to be finding form ahead of the start of Roland Garros on Sunday.

Djokovic will start his bid for a fourth French Open triumph and record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title when he faces American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round.

 

On Friday, he took the first set against former Wimbledon semi-finalist Norrie courtesy of a break in the seventh game.

 

The Serb battled back from 5-2 down in the second set to force a tie-break, but saw a match point come and go as Britain’s Norrie sent the tie into a decider.

 

But Djokovic raced into a 3-0 lead in the third, losing just one point across those first three games.

 

He closed it out on his second match point after another run of three straight games.

 

Former world number six Hurkacz saw off 128th-ranked Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first final since losing to Jannik Sinner in Halle last June.

 

‎‎The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States have stressed the need to strengthen current collaboration between the two agencies in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

‎

‎This was the high point of discussion during a meeting between the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa and the Country Attache of US-DEA, Ms Daphne Morrison on Friday in Abuja.

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‎In a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the Country Attache of US-DEA appreciated Marwa for the cordial working relationship and partnership between NDLEA and DEA.

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‎Morrison, who was recently posted to Nigeria, said, “I wanted to make this one of my priorities to come to meet with you so we can continue to collaborate and work together.

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‎“And thank you so much for your support over the years, and we’re ready to keep things going.

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‎“I know you’ve been working well with the last Country Attaché, so I’m ready to get back in and collaborate and do some really great things with you.”

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‎Morrison also said efforts were ongoing to organise more training for officers and men of the Special Operations Units of the NDLEA.

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‎She added that the US-DEA was looking forward to several joint operations with NDLEA in already identified areas of interest.

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‎In his response, the NDLEA boss acknowledged the excellent relationships with Morrison’s predecessors.

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‎“They’ve been very, very supportive, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that it will be the same, if not better, with you,” he said.

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‎Marwa noted the recent evolution of NDLEA in the size of its workforce and expansion of operational and administrative structures.

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‎This, he said, was responsible for the remarkable successes recorded in its drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

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‎He acknowledged the support received from DEA over the years especially in areas of equipment, training, and joint operations, while expressing hope that more of such support would continue.

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‎“I think we would welcome much more support but because this being your first visit to introduce yourself, I’m not going to bring out a long list of demands or requests.

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‎“But, this is just to acknowledge that we appreciate all the support we’ve been receiving,” he said.

‎

‎NAN

 

The Special Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party chaired by former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Friday, met with Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and leader of the party in the South East in a desperate efforts to stem the tide of crisis rocking the party.

 

Other members of the committee present at the meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Government House, Enugu, were former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, and former governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo.

 

The leaders of the PDP in the South East zone had in a communique issued after the South East PDP Zonal Executive Council meeting a fortnight ago announced the re-nomination of former PDP National Youth Leader, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, to serve out the remaining tenure of the National Secretary, threatening possible exodus should their decision not be respected.

 

“In the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward,” the communique stated.

 

But addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting with Mbah, Saraki emphasised the importance of the South East in the PDP.

 

He said, “We are members of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategy Committee that was set up recently by the PDP Governors’ Forum to work towards ensuring that our upcoming National Executive Council meeting and also likely convention is rancour-free and and works smoothly.

“In line with that, we are here in Enugu State to consult with one of our leaders, Governor Peter Mbah, who is the leader of the South East PDP. This is the first state we are coming to because we appreciate the importance of the South East in our PDP family.

 

“As you all know, the South East has played a key role as the bedrock of the popularity and the strength of our party.

 

“In recognition of that, we are here to consult with him and first commend him on the leadership role he has been playing in the party. More importantly, to commend what he is doing in Enugu State, which is a reflection for Nigerians to see what happens when you have a PDP government.

 

“In doing that, we discussed how we will ensure that we carry out the assignment given to us and go ahead to have our NEC and our convention. We will have one that is rancor-free and smooth, peaceful, and lays the foundation for the PDP that we all are wishing for.

 

“We have had a very good discussion. Frankly, we have had a very, very useful discussion. We are going away with some of the suggestions that we have here and hopefully work on that. With this, we can say here in Enugu, we laid the foundation for a greater new PDP that is coming.

 

“What we have also seen today is that there is nothing insurmountable in the challenge ahead, and the spirit, the commitment of all of us, especially our leaders, is very, very inspiring.”

 

A man identified as Okoli Emeka has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for defacing Naira notes during an event held in Isheri-Olofin, within the Alimosho area of Lagos.

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disclosed this in a statement released on Friday, revealing that the defendant was arraigned by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1.

 

PUNCH Online learnt that Emeka allegedly defaced a total of two million Naira during the event last year, a claim supported by video evidence presented to the court.

 

Emeka faced a single-count charge of tampering with and stepping on Naira notes before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

 

The charge reads: “That you, Okoli Frank Emeka, on the 18th day of August, 2024, at Al-Moruf Garden, Isheri Olofin, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst stepping on the Naira notes during a social occasion, tampered with the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, by stepping on the same at the said occasion, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

 

Upon hearing the charge, Emeka pleaded guilty. Following this, the prosecution counsel, Z.B. Atiku, presented a summary of the case through Sa’id Sada Sani, an EFCC investigator.

In his testimony, Sani stated that the Commission launched an intelligence-led investigation after a viral video surfaced showing the defacement of Naira notes.

 

He further explained, “Surveillance was carried out, leading to the arrest of the defendant on May 15, 2025.

 

“He was shown a video of himself spraying the money and subsequently made a statement regarding the incident.”

 

The court accepted the defendant’s statements and the video recordings as evidence.

 

Atiku then urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

 

Justice Aneke found Emeka guilty and sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with the option of paying a fine of N250,000 as an alternative.

 

A former National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, has expressed concern that the ruling party is gradually moving away from its founding ideals of progressivism toward a structure that resembles centralised control.

 

Lukman, who spoke on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Friday, lamented that internal contests had been abandoned in favour of automatic adoptions.

 

While reflecting on his role in the formation of the APC, he expressed disappointment in the party’s current direction, claiming it had drifted from its founding ideals.

 

“The APC has moved from a party envisioned to be progressive to almost a monarchy.

 

“As it is now, the APC mantra is that there will be no internal contest in 2027 — the President is adopted. All their governors are adopted. Legislators are also adopted,” he added.

 

Lukman also said none of the political parties in Nigeria function as real parties in the classical sense.

 

According to him, political organisations that do not uphold their constitutions or hold regular internal meetings cannot be considered true parties.

 

“Any party whose elected representatives are not accountable is not a party in the classical sense,” he said.

 

The former APC National Vice Chairman (Northwest), however, revealed that negotiations for a new opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 elections were in their final stages.

 

He said discussions had been ongoing for over a year to establish a viable platform capable of challenging the current political status quo.

According to Lukman, the coalition aims to contest the 2027 general elections by either forming a new political party or transforming an existing one.

 

He said, “There is nothing stopping the coalition from coming to fruition.

 

“Even when the governors claimed, for instance, they were not part of the coalition, we responded clearly. Some of them, as you have seen, either have already moved to the APC or are on their way to move to the APC.

 

“So, clearly, they are doing the bidding of the APC and the ‘Asiwaju’ government. So, we are not bothered about that. We have the PDP bloc in the coalition and nothing is stopping the coalition.

“We are going through a painstaking process and very soon, we are going to come out and clarify all the details, in terms of how we are going to contest the 2027 elections and the leaders of the coalition; all those will be known.”

 

On the rationale behind the coalition effort, Lukman explained that the main crisis facing Nigeria’s democracy was the absence of genuine political parties.

 

He, however, noted that efforts are now focused on negotiating with an existing party to transform it structurally and ideologically.

 

He explained that conditions set by the coalition include a complete leadership overhaul, constitutional reforms, and a new internal culture where candidates emerge through transparent contests.

 

He stated that the coalition was not merely seeking to win power but to redefine Nigeria’s political landscape.

 

“We want to present to Nigerians a new reality that addresses all the frustrations. We want to ensure that internally, winners emerge through contests, and when people win elections, they are accountable to the party,” Lukman added.

 

The Federal Capital Territory Administration will, from Monday, May 26th, 2025, commence the physical takeover of 4,794 properties whose land titles were revoked over non-payment of ground rent spanning between 10 and 43 years.

 

This was announced on Friday at a joint press briefing by the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka; the Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and the Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima.

 

The FCTA says the revocation of the titles was carried out in accordance with the Land Use Act, particularly Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b), which empowers government to reclaim land for violations of the terms of occupancy.

 

According to the officials, the government will begin exercising its right of ownership on the properties located across key districts in the Federal Capital City, including Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape.

 

“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts had already reverted to the FCTA.

 

“And as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.

 

“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process,” they stated.

 

Recall that on March 18th 2025, the FCTA announced that 4,794 properties, part of a larger list of 8,375 properties in default, among which was the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party currently under construction in the Central Business District, had failed to pay ground rent for at least a decade, with some defaults running as far back as 43 years,

 

The administration disclosed that the property owners owed more than N6.96 billion in ground rent, leading to the revocation.

However the Wike-led administration had also granted a 21-day deadline within which those who owed the rents under 10 years could make payments, after which the titles will also be revoked.

 

Speaking during the press conference, the Director of Land, Nwankwoeze, explained that the grace period had elapsed and that the titles will be revoked in line with extant laws of the FCT.

 

“Relevant agencies of the FCTA are already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance with this directive, with a view to acting accordingly.

 

“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation.

 

“It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of the grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand,” he stated.

Responding to reports that some of the property owners had taken legal action, Nwankwoeze clarified that “there was no court decision on the revocation, and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.”

 

Galadima, Director of Development Control, stated that the exercise would involve sealing off the affected properties and restricting access to them from Monday, and that the FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.

 

The initial default list was drawn from ten of the oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City, covering: Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), and Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04).

 

Others are Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05 and A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zones A07 and A08), and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).