TikTok has permanently banned the account of a Nigerian user, Young C, following his controversial 24-hour challenge in which he was buried alive. The stunt, which drew significant attention and concern, led to the removal of his profile from the short video platform.

Naija News reports that Young C’s daring act involved being enclosed in a coffin for an entire day, a feat he undertook on Wednesday and broadcast live to his followers.

The stunt, intended as a challenge, echoes a similar endeavour by American YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), who famously spent 50 hours buried alive to highlight environmental issues.

MrBeast recently aimed to break his own record by enduring seven days in a coffin, a test of both physical and mental fortitude.

Cheks on TikTok confirmed that Young C’s account is no longer accessible, indicating a permanent ban.

The platform, which has policies against content that could promote harmful or dangerous activities, likely found the nature of Young C’s challenge in violation of these guidelines.

The incident raises questions about the boundaries of content creation and social media platforms’ responsibilities to curb activities that could endanger lives or encourage risky behaviours among viewers.

While creators often push limits to gain views and engagement, the implications of promoting such extreme challenges are a growing concern for both content platforms and regulators.

[NaijaNews]

Experts and stakeholders in the blockchain industry have blamed the ongoing events around crypto trading in Nigeria on the policies and actions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which tends to distance the regulator from the market.

According to them, the stance of the banking regulator could create a Pandora’s box of challenges that could open doors for bad actors.

They claim the ban may now allow those bad actors who were involved in currency manipulation through crypto trading to even inflict more damage on the economy.

The activities of the bad actors is believed to be denting the image of several legitimate players in the industry.

This comes as concerns mount over plans by the government to ban peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trading in the country. Although some experts believe that banning P2P may not be feasible as people can exchange money under any guise, players in the industry are concerned that an outright ban would affect several platforms built to facilitate legitimate transactions.

Speaking on the current developments in the industry, the Co-founder of Convexity, a blockchain solutions company, Adedeji Owonibi, said the CBN under the former Governor, Godwin Emefiele, created the P2P market when he shut out banks from crypto transactions.

“The former CBN Governor sent everybody away to P2P because people could use the banking rates. P2P is a creation of the central bank and directly so because as a matter of fact if they had not stopped it, people would have been trading within different cryptocurrency exchanges that are interacting with the banking system. This opened the doors for all kinds of people in the P2P market.

“Now, we have a lot of bad actors that are giving everybody a bad name. The industry players operating legitimately will need to expose the bad actors and let the government know them,” Owonibi said.

Failure to regulate

Owonibi’s thoughts aligned with that of the President of Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SIBAN), Obinna Iwuno, who argued that if the CBN had regulated the industry, there would have been no rise in P2P because everybody would have been trading through regulated agencies and exchanges.

According to him, with accusing fingers pointed at P2P as sabotaging the economy, there might be more troubles for the industry, except the government sees the need to regulate it.

“What we are seeing currently is not the action of our industry, but because certain things have been made to look as though this is what our industry represents.

“Accusing fingers are being pointed at us when we are not guilty and it is one that we have to deal with because if we don’t deal with it, it has the possibility of spreading even further than it is now and hurting the industry more than it is already,” he said.

P2P and KYC

For the founder of Blockchain Nigeria User Group, Mr. Chuta Chimezie, the major issue in the blockchain industry is CBN’s inability to look into what the players are doing. He believes the exchanges handling P2P transactions are doing adequate KYC that could help the regulator in regulating the industry.

“Every exchange that I know that does p2p transaction does 100% KYC and they comply maximally to all the standards that the financial reporting standards outline for them to operate. But the problem here is that the industry is still like a ghost to the central bank.

“So, because they are not interfacing with that industry, they don’t even know the effort the people are putting in place. How will the CBN know if they don’t allow them to come under their regulation?

“These guys are dealing with financial services. They are dealing with financial instruments, so bring them into the regulatory environment, make them your friends, make them part of the financial system, and it will be easy for you to know who is doing what,” he said.

Banning P2P

On plans to ban crypto P2P trading in Nigeria, Chimezie said the P2P market in Nigeria has now grown to become an extension of the forex black market. According to him, an outright ban would not help the country because people would always find ways around it by leveraging technology.

But he agreed that there has to be an intervention from the government to save the nation’s currency.

“First of all, we are all Nigerians before being traders and the spirit of patriotism will drive us to agree that no responsible government will fold its hands and allow its national currency to be determined by the agreed level of traders in any platform.

“So, we agree that something needs to be done about that. We agree that there should be regulation and everyone who is involved in issuing, transmitting, or driving any aspect of digital assets should come into a regulatory environment.

“But it doesn’t have to be an outright ban because we’re dealing with a different kind of asset class because when you outrightly ban it, people will find a way to transact it and there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said.

The backstory

Recently, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) classified cryptocurrency trading as a national security issue. Following this, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed four fintech startups operating in the country—Opay, Moniepoint, Paga, and Palmpay—to block the accounts of customers engaging in cryptocurrency transactions and to report those transactions to law enforcement agencies.

Earlier in February this year, crypto trading platform, Binance, had to disable its peer-to-peer feature for Nigerian users as it came under the searchlight of the Nigerian government over allegations of currency manipulation and money laundering.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), during a virtual meeting with the Blockchain Industry Coordinating Committee of Nigeria (BICCoN), called for a new cryptocurrency measure that aims to remove the naira as a currency pair from cryptocurrency peer-to-peer platforms.

The Acting Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, who made the call, emphasized the need to clean up the virtual assets space from illegal trading activities and safeguard the integrity of the Nigerian capital market. Agama noted that the recent surge in peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trading has reportedly impacted the Naira’s exchange rate, prompting the SEC to consider delisting the Naira from P2P platforms to curb market manipulation.

[Nairametrics]

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as the Co-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

This was contained in a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the appointment would ensure effective oversight of the gas aspect of the nation’s assets.

“In line with his avowed commitment to establish a more efficient, targeted, and consistent approval process for unique oil and gas projects in the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as the Co-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

“This is also to further ensure effective oversight of the gas aspect of the nation’s assets.

“The President remains committed to unlocking Nigeria’s immense gas potential to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth,” the statement said.

[DailyTrust]

Nigerian singer, Simisola Kosoko, aka Simi, has explained that relationships between female artists are not so cordial because they are often pitted against each other.

In a recent interview with Angela Yee, the ‘Men Are Crazy’ crooner admitted that fans pitting female artists against each other put pressure on their relationship.

Simi said, “Fans pit women against each other in the music industry. It’s so intense sometimes. Sometimes it can be really distracting because there are not as many of us in the [music] industry compared to the guys.

“When a new female artist breaks into the industry, they [fans] just pit her against us with all forms of comparisons.

“We can all thrive. I have spoken about women several times even in my songs. But because I’m an artist people assume that the only way my talking about women can be valid is by featuring women in my songs. It’s just so weird because there are women in different walks of life.

“They do pit us against each other a lot and I think sometimes that puts some pressure on the kind of relationship that we would have otherwise.”

[DailyPost]

A Bill which seeks to increase the salaries and allowances of judicial officers on Thursday, May 9, scaled second reading at the Senate.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and debate on a bill titled: “A bill for an act to prescribe the salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial office holders in Nigeria and for related matters (2024).”

The bill was sponsored by the deputy majority leader of the Senate Senator Ashiru Yisa (APC-Kwara South).

The House of Representatives on March 20 passed the bill which provides a monthly package of N5.39 million for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The executive bill also provides a total package of N4.21 million for Justices of the Supreme Court, while the president of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4. 48 million.

In addition, Justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3.73 million, while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of State High Court and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of State Customary Court of Appeal are to earn a monthly package of N3.53 million.

Other allowances not embedded in the total monthly package include leave allowances, estacode per night of $2000 when applicable, duty tour allowances when applicable, severance gratuity of N80.78 million after successful completion of tenure as well as an option of motor vehicle loan to be repaid before the expiration of tenure.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had in a letter read by Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on March 20 proposed a salary increase for judicial officers in the country.

The President in the letter argued that the bill would promote the independence and capacity of the Nigerian judiciary system.

Senator Yisa in his lead debate said remuneration was needed to reflect the contemporary socio-economic realities of the times.

He argued that the proposed legal framework would bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity, and independence of the judiciary, which have remained contentious issues of public discourse over the years.

In his contribution, the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, thanked President Tinubu for proposing a Bill to increase the salaries and allowance for Judicial Officers in the country.

Barau said: “I joined the President of the Senate to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for bringing forward this Bill. This is very important and he has done well, not only for the judiciary but for the entire nation.

 “Mr. President, by the nature of the judicial officers, they don’t agitate. They cry in silence, and they don’t speak out. Other workers agitate, and they stage protests. But the judiciary doesn’t talk; they cry in silence.

“Now, the president of the country has spoken for them. What he did is something laudable and we are applauding him here. Because a country that didn’t take its judiciary in a very important passion is doomed.

“And when you want to take the judiciary seriously, you have to take the remuneration of the judiciary staff seriously.  That is very important, and that is what he has done. They have stagnated for several years.

“What the president has done should be supported and we will give him more support to continue to work on this kind of trajectory for the development of the nation. So, Mr. President, I joined you and other colleagues to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC – Borno North) Monguno, said improving the welfare of judges will insulate them from corruption and ensure they deliver just and fair judgments.

On his part, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia North), said: “No right-thinking Nigerian will not think that it is right to keep the judiciary comfortable. I want to thank the executive for deeming it fit to increase the salaries of judges at all levels.”

Senators later approved that the bill be read for a second time when it was put to voice vote by Akpabio.

Akpabio thereafter referred the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further legislative input and to report back in four weeks.

[TheNation]

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has insisted on negotiating the salary of its members with the Tinubu-led administration, thereby, rejecting the N35,000 wage award.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this in Ibadan on Thursday at the inauguration of the secretariat of the University of Ibadan (UI) branch of ASUU.

Osodeke stated that the union had agreed that whatever was legally sent to members’ accounts should be spent but not to be taken as the negotiated salary.

“We told them we should negotiate our wage, but they said we are giving you an award of N35,000; we have told them that it is not our own.

“We are still insisting that there has to be negotiated salary,” he said.

He identified the renegotiation of the existing agreement, payment of withheld salaries, earned academic allowance and release of the Needs Assessment Funds as some of the pending issues with the Federal Government.

While commending the UI ASUU branch for the edifice it built using the expertise of its members, Osodeke decried the use of external or foreign consultants to handle projects in the country.

He said the government should rather hire experts within the country, especially from within Nigerian universities as consultants.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, Prof. Yemisi Bamgbose, had commended the union.

Adebowale said the secretariat would serve as a hub of intellectual discussion, collaboration and solidarity among the union members “as it continues to strive for a better future for our universities and our nation.”

The UI ASUU Chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, said the secretariat was built without donations from external people or bodies.

He commended members of the union who gave in cash and kind to see to its completion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration had a session, titled, “Challenging NeoLiberal Narrative in Nigeria’s Education Sector: ASUU’s 2022 Strike and Matters Arising”.

Speaking on the theme, Akinwole, said the impact of neoliberalism on education was complex and multifaceted.

He noted that the lecture was appropriate “at this period in our nation’s march toward self-reliance and independence in the right sense of the word.

“Expectedly, the lecture beams light on the way forward in continued relevance for scholars and all concerned leaders of the progressive movement in Nigeria.”

A Professor of Botany, Odoje Biodiversity Centre, Ogbomoso, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, spoke on the foundationality of the neoliberal narrative as expressed in the Nigerian ruling class response to ASUU’s strike.

He said, “ASUU’s struggles arise out of the necessity to build a country in which every citizen shall be free, educated, well fed and healthy.

“We cannot abandon these struggles and yet be worthy of being called ‘intellectuals’.

“This is where we stand. This is where we ought to stand.”

NAN reports that the union’s building at Olajuwon Olayide Extension, Ajibode, University of Ibadan, has a secretariat building, scholars’ chalets as well as other modern facilities.

(NAN)

Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games gold medallist and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Tijani Babangida, was on Thursday involved in a car accident that claimed the life of his younger brother Ibrahim Babangida, The PUNCH has learnt.

Former teammate, Emmanuel Babayaro, the General Secretary, PFAN, announced the incident in a statement.

Though the details of the accident remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report, our correspondent learnt that the accident happened along the Kaduna-Zaria Road.

“Comrades! Let us be in prayers for our president, Tijani Babangida, who just had a ghastly motor accident along the Kaduna-Zaria Eoad.

“Ibrahim Babangida, his younger brother, died on the spot from the accident while Mr President (Babangida) and his family were taken to the hospital.

“May the soul of Ibrahim Babangida Rest In Peace with God, amen,” he announced.

When our correspondent reached out to Babayaro, he confirmed the incident.

“Yes, it is true. The accident happened while they were on their way to Zaria from Kaduna,” he said.

“His brother Babangida died on the spot from the accident. The accident happened today (Thursday) this afternoon and his wife was also involved in the accident.

“He is currently admitted at Shika Hospital in Zaria, where he is receiving treatment and to the glory of God he is conscious,” he added.

The late Ibrahim, 47, a retired footballer himself, was a member of the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eagles squad in Japan.

He featured for local sides Bank of The North, Stationery Stores and Katsina United on the domestic scene before joining Dutch side Volendam in 1997.

A federal high court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by Olu Agunloye, a former minister of power and steel, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until June 24 for a hearing.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, fixed the date after Jedidiah Akpata, lawyer to Agunloye, sought an adjournment to enable parties in the suit to regularise their processes.

Akpata, who held the brief of Adeola Adedipe, lead counsel to the applicant, told the court that they were yet to respond to the defendants’ counter-affidavits.

Mercy Akeredolu, counsel representing the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), said the death of a lawyer who was supposed to handle the case, caused the delay in filing their processes.

M.K. Hussein, who appeared for the EFCC, did not oppose the application for adjournment.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/167/2024 has the AGF as the second defendant.

Agunloye submitted that the EFCC declared him wanted without any form of judicial intervention, recourse to constitutional safeguards or order of court.

The former minister is asking the court to order the EFCC to remove his name from the wanted list published on the commission’s official website or any other related platform.

He also wants the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further declaring him wanted concerning the Mambilla hydropower contract except ” by a judicial intervention and recourse to all constitutional safeguards available to him in law and equity”.

Agunloye is seeking N1 billion as “general damages”.

The EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye over a $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

He was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on fraudulent contract award and official corruption.

The anti-graft agency said it has traced some suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd to Agunloye’s bank accounts.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also challenged Agunloye to tell Nigerians where he derived the authority to award a $6 billion contract to Sunrise for the Mambilla hydropower project in 2003.

[TheCable]

Pursuant to the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015 amended in 2024, a levy amounting to 0.5 per cent of the value of all electronic transactions shall be collected and remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Even though the said levy of 00.0 5 per cent is payable by the businesses listed in the second schedule to the principal Act, the Central Bank of Nigeria has wrongly directed all financial institutions to apply the levy at the point of electronic transfer origination and that the amount is to be explicitly noted in customer accounts under the description “Cybersecurity Levy” and remitted by the financial institution. The circular issued by the Central Bank has given the very erroneous impression that the levy is payable by individual customers.

The erroneous interpretation might have arisen from the substitution of "businesses" for "business" in the amendment. For the avoidance of doubt, by virtue of section 42(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2025 as amended, the businesses which are required to pay the levy are:

a. GSM Service providers and all telecommunications companies;
b. Internet Service Providers;
c. Banks and other Financial Institutions;
d. Insurance Companies;
e. Nigerian Stock Exchange.

In view of the foregoing, the Central Bank of Nigeria should be directed to withdraw its Circular of 6th of May, 2024 forthwith as it has wrongly interpreted the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024. The CBN should also apologise to Nigerians for the misleading interpretation of the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.