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Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents.

Kalu called for Abiola’s portrait to be placed alongside those of other former leaders in the Presidential Villa, emphasizing that his victory in the June 12, 1993, election should be fully acknowledged.

Speaking to Senate correspondents before plenary on Tuesday, February 25, Kalu referenced former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s recently released memoir, where he admitted that Abiola won the election. “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I will say President Tinubu should declare him a president posthumously,” Kalu stated.

He commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for conferring a national honour on Abiola but insisted that further recognition was necessary.

“Since Abiola won, his picture should be placed among Nigeria’s past presidents. I commend former President Buhari for giving him a national honour, but I also appeal to President Tinubu to officially recognize him and place his image where it belongs. This would help bring succour to his family,” Kalu said.

Addressing Babangida’s memoirs, Kalu described them as incomplete and urged the former military leader to publish a second volume to clarify unanswered questions about the annulment of the June 12 election. “I look forward to the second edition of Babangida’s book because the first did not reveal all the realities. I was present during the events of June 12, and I know what happened. Babangida should call out the names of those responsible for preventing the election declaration.”

He also refuted claims that the 1966 coup was an ethnic conspiracy, maintaining that it was a “Nigerian coup, executed by the military,” not an Igbo coup.

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday sentenced a herbalist, Segun Shina, to 14 years in prison for attempting to s3xually assault a 10-year-old girl who suffered from epilepsy.

Justice Rahman Oshodi handed down the sentence after Shina pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of attempted sexual assault under a plea bargain agreement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shina had initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea as part of the agreement.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oshodi held that the evidence before the court, coupled with the defendant’s voluntary guilty plea, proved his culpability.

“I must emphasise that the original charge carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment,” the judge said.

“You exploited a vulnerable child who sought healing for epilepsy, betraying the trust placed in you as a traditional healer.

“I have considered your plea for leniency, the submissions of your lawyer and the prosecutor. I hereby sentence you to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Oshodi ruled that the sentence would take effect from Nov. 16, 2018, the day Shina was arrested.

He further ordered that the convict’s family ensure his rehabilitation upon release.

“You shall have no direct or indirect contact with the survivor’s family, and your name shall be registered as a s3x offender under the law,” Oshodi added.

Shina was initially arraigned on April 4, 2021, on a charge of defilement filed by the Lagos State Government.

He pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution, led by State Counsel Ms. Bukola Okeowo, to call two witnesses: the survivor’s mother and an investigative police officer.

The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including exhibits.

The survivor’s mother testified that she had taken her daughter to Shina for treatment due to her epilepsy, not knowing he would exploit her.

According to the prosecution, the offence contravened Section 262 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate Court sitting in Sabo, Yaba area of Lagos today February 25 discharged and acquitted singer, Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, his associate, Samson Balogun Eletu ak SamLarry, Owodunni Ibrahim aka Primeboy and Mohbad’s manager, Opere Babatunde, in relation to the case of the demise of Aloba Oladimeji lleriOluwa also known as Mohbad.

Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, who read and implemented the legal advise of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) Lagos, said that they had no case to answer as it regards the unfortunate demise of the late singer.

The DPP, however, said it shall be prosecuting the auxiliary nurse who treated Mohbad, Feyisayo Ogedengbe and one of Mohbad’s friend, Ayobami Sadiq for the offence of reckless and negligent acts contrary to Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law, Ch C.17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The duo will be prosecuted at the Magistrate Court.

Mohbad died in controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 23-Year-Old Man, Gbolahan Adebayo, for beating his 25-Year-Old Girlfriend to death.

The incident reportedly occurred on 21 February 2025.

Confirming the incident to journalists on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the suspect committed the offence at about 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Ijedodo, Isheri-Osun.

“A neighbour said he saw the man beating his girlfriend in his room for a reason yet unknown. A few minutes later, the suspect screamed for help.

“On reaching the suspect’s apartment, he found the girlfriend lying unconscious with visible marks on her body.

“The girl was rushed to a hospital in Ijegun, where she was confirmed dead.”

President Bola Tinubu has announced plans to establish a committee aimed at aligning the census budget with the government’s current financial realities.

The announcement came during a meeting with officials from the National Population Commission (NPC) at the State House on Monday, February 24.

This meeting marks a significant step towards conducting a new national population and housing census, incorporating biometric and digital components.

Tinubu emphasised that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) must be involved in the review process.

This was made known via a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement reads in part: “Nigeria took a step closer on Monday to conducting a new national population and housing census with biometric and digital components. The nation last held a census in November 2006.

“President Bola Tinubu, at a meeting at the Statehouse with officials of the National Population Commission (NPC), said he would set up a committee to align the census budget to the government’s present financial realities.

“He said the National Identity Management Commission(NIMC) must be part of the review.

” ‘We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty. So many problems come up without accurate data’, President Tinubu said.

“He reiterated his commitment to ensuring accurate and reliable figures from the national census to strengthen development planning and improve Nigerians’ living conditions through more efficient social security.

“The National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, and some other members briefed the President.

“President Tinubu noted that government incentives, such as the sale and distribution of fertilisers, could be easily improved with more reliable data and demographics.

“The President told the delegation that biometric capturing should be central to the process, with multiple identification features, including facial and voice recognition.

” ‘We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners.

” ‘This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So we better have a definite path. I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?’.”

The National President of the Afenifere National Youth Council, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, has pleaded with Nigerians for assistance in raising the N100 million ransom demanded by his kidnappers.

The captors have allegedly threatened to take his life by 3 p.m. on Monday if the ransom is not paid.

In a now-viral video, Ojajuni was seen weeping as an AK-47 was pointed at his chest.

In the video, the disturbed Afenifere youth chieftain was seen saying: “Nigerians, please help me! Your donation—N100,000, N50,000, or N1,000,000—can go a long way in saving my life

“My name is Prince Eniola Ojajuni. God bless you. Aderohunmu, please help me spread this video.”

According to a statement by the National Secretary of the council, Abiodun Aderohunmu, he disclosed that Ojajujni was abducted on Monday, February 17.

Aderohunmu’s statement reads: “The Afenifere National Youths Council is deeply saddened to announce the kidnapping of its National President, Prince Eniola Joseph Ojajuni, in Abuja, Nigeria. “The unfortunate incident occurred yesterday, and the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100, 000,000.

“During the kidnapping, Prince Ojajuni sustained a bullet wound on his buttock. We are deeply concerned about his safety and well-being, and we urge the kidnappers to release him unharmed.

“Prince Ojajuni is a prominent figure in Nigeria and a strong advocate for youth empowerment and development.”