The Abia State University, Uturu, has suspended a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Udochukwu Ndukwe, for three months following allegations of sexual harassment against a female student.

A letter signed by the school’s registrar, Dr Acho Elendu, dated July 30, 2024, and obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday, stated that Ndukwe would be investigated and would lose half of his pay “in line with the University Conditions of Service pending the conclusion of the investigation for which a panel has been set up.”

The letter described the suspended lecturer’s actions as an “embarrassment” to the The disgraced lecturer, our correspondent learnt, had repeatedly been accused of sexually harassing, intimidating and extorting female students of the department.

A viral social media video obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday showed the lecturer on his knees, being interrogated by several individuals in a room.

Ndukwe was, our correspondent gathered, allegedly set up by a final-year female student whom he was accused of continuously sexually harassing and intimidating.

PUNCH Metro investigations revealed that to expose the predatory lecturer, a female student he had allegedly been harassing for over two years collaborated with others to set him up at a popular hotel in Umuahia, where he was caught pants down, pleading not to be exposed.

Our correspondent also noted in the viral short video that the lecturer’s lips were bloodied and he had visible bruises.

According to the letter, a panel has been established to further investigate the suspended lecturer “pending the conclusion of the investigation.”

He said, “Following the disturbing online video clip involving you, trending on social media, which has brought embarrassment to Abia State University, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Authorities, has approved your immediate suspension from duty for three months, in the first instance, with half salary, in line with the University Conditions of Service pending the conclusion of the investigation for which a panel has been set up.

“You are to hand over any university property in your possession to your Head of Department.

“By this notice, all relevant authorities of the university are to note, for strict compliance.”

All attempts by PUNCH Metro to get a reaction from the university registrar regarding the suspension were unsuccessful, as his mobile telephone number went unanswered on Thursday, and he had not responded to a text message sent as of the time this report was filed.

The Police Special Fraud Unit has arraigned students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, and Resign Regal Academy, Timothy  Oluwabukola and Anthony  Odemerho, for allegedly hacking MTN Nigeria Communication Plc’s computers and stealing airtime and data valued at N1.9bn.

Oluwabukola and Odemerho who were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday are facing four counts bordering on conspiracy, unauthorised access into the company’s web-based platform known as Application Programming Interface and unlawful conversion, preferred against them by the police.

The police prosecution counsel, Justine Enang, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences with others now at large.

Enang told the court that Oluwabukola and Odemerho who are said to be students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Resign Regal Academy in Benin City, Edo State, respectively, committed the offences sometime between January and April 2024, in Lagos and Edo states.

He said the defendants conspired and accessed the telco’s Application Programming Interface and obtained data from the said application, which they used to defraud MTN to the tune of N1.9bn.

According to the prosecutor the offences committed contravened Sections 27(1)(b); 6(2) and 28(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024, but punishable under Section 8(2) of the same Act.

He added that the offences also contravened Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Following their not-guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand them in the custody of a correctional centre till the determination of the charge.

But the defence lawyers informed the court that they had filed their clients’ bail applications and the same had been served on the prosecutor.

The prosecutor confirmed being served with the applications but told the court that he was served while the proceedings were on.

He asked the court for a short date to enable him to study the applications and respond to them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourned the case till August 5, 2024, for hearing of the defendants’ bail applications.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has cried out that he is being deliberately blackmailed by some persons.

Peter Obi said the videos in circulation alleging that he called for war against Northerners and that he led hunger protesters in Abuja were aimed at attacking his reputation.

Obi said the video posted by controversial social media influencer, Reno Omokri, on his speech at the inauguration of Professor A.U Nnonyelu was edited and did not reflect what he said.

He said contrary to the video circulated online by Reno, he called for war against economic hardship, insecurity and corruption. He explained that he did not declare war on Northerners.

“I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas. Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State. They have twisted the video to suit their motive to suggest that I declared war on Northerners when, in fact, I spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption,” he explained.

The Labour Party chieftain also clarified that the video of leading protesters in Abuja, on day one of the hunger protest was edited. He stated that the circulated video was taken during his visit to LP’s headquarters in Abuja. He added that he was at the headquarters to mediate clashes between LP and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Obi lamented that the videos were edited to create false narratives. He said those who posted and spread on social media were paid for it. He advised that misinformation will not help Nigeria’s democracy.

“Another video circulating online, supposedly showing me leading a protest in Abuja, is also false. The video was actually taken during my visit to the Labour Party HQ, where I mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the NLC.

“The video was conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation. This kind of misinformation has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail.

“This misrepresentation is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting me into their malicious agenda. I remain committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few,” Obi added.

A disturbing number of casualties, looting and destruction of public properties were recorded on Day 1 of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, which commenced on Thursday, August 1, across Nigerian states.

Recall that the protests were ignited by a crisis in the cost of living, linked to the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira.

Properties worth hundreds of millions of Naira were looted and wrecked, with almost twenty people reportedly killed in major cities across several states during the demonstrations.

Additionally, opportunistic individuals exploited the situation to steal valuable assets from both the public and private sectors.

Naija News reports that despite several pleas by the President Bola Tinubu government, as well as traditional and religious leaders and warnings by security operatives, the organizers of the protest went ahead to converge across major locations to carry out their demonstrations.

However, the supposed peaceful protest turned violent, and hoodlums hijacked the demonstration while protesters also clashed with security operatives in some cases.

Furthermore, the protests caused widespread disruption to business operations, resulting in the closure of shops, financial institutions, and other establishments, while commuters faced prolonged delays due to road blockages.

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), clashes occurred between supporters and opponents of the protest in various locations.

For example, as protesters gathered at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, those organizing the event reportedly noticed buses transporting groups opposed to the protest.

Below are details of tragedies recorded on Day 1 of the Hunger Protest:

Protest In Niger State

It was reported that at least six protesters were shot dead, with many others sustaining injuries during the hunger protest in Suleja area of Niger State.

Naija News learnt that the victims were killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted a barricade on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, trapping motorists for several hours.

However, an uproar occurred after the arrival of the reinforcement team, which was sent to restore sanity to the area.

A resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, identified as Yahaya Nda Isah, was reportedly hit by a stray bullet while on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division, where protesters had assembled.

A nephew of the deceased who spoke with Daily Trust said his uncle was on his bike without joining the ongoing protest when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest, and he died on the spot.

“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly,” Bala Abdullahi, another resident, told reporters.

However, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement he issued, was silent on the deaths but said some hoodlums were arrested.

Protest In Maiduguri

Regrettably, four individuals lost their lives at Kime Filling Station, Bolori Junction in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday.

The station’s officials, who confirmed the deceased were their employees, provided varying explanations regarding the circumstances of their deaths.

“As I’m speaking to you now, they are still lying in the pool of their blood,” said one of the attendants, who gave his name as Malam Musa.

Musa, who confirmed that he was with the victims, said they died from an explosion.

“I nearly got affected, but as God would have it, I escaped unhurt”, he said.

However, another source, who pleaded anonymity, told reporters that stray bullets hit the deceased.

“I was opposite the filling station when the incident happened. There was nothing like a blast. We just heard sporadic gunshots and the boys were down. Four of them died instantly,” he said.

The Borno State Police Command, in collaboration with the Chief Security Officer of the state, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, decided to implement a curfew following a consultation.

Naija News reports that this decision was made in response to a tragic bomb blast in Kawuri village, Konduga Local Government Area, resulting in the loss of 19 lives.

Protest In Kano

One Ismael Ahmad Musa tragically lost his life during the protest in Hotoro, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.

His passing was confirmed by his brother, Mubarak.

It remains uncertain whether he was actively participating in the protest.

He was laid to rest according to Islamic customs. Additionally, another individual who was struck by a stray bullet is currently fighting for survival at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).

Naija News reports that there were incidents of looting of public stores and destruction of government properties in Kano during the protest on Thursday.

Videos and images shared online by different sources showed some citizens carting away electronics, food items and other materials from people’s shops.

More importantly, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) office in Kano was set ablaze during the protest.

A large number of youths, armed with dangerous weapons, took over major roads in Kano, leading to widespread unrest.

The newly constructed NCC office was scheduled for inauguration next week.

In addition to the arson attack on the NCC office, the Hotoro area saw all shops closed, and both a filling station and a Rufaida shop were set on fire.

Residents have called for immediate action from the authorities to restore order and protect lives and property in the state.

Isa Musa, a resident of Charanchi in Gwale Local Government Area, described the current situation as a threat to humanity and urged the police to deploy additional personnel to address the deteriorating security situation.

Protest In Jigawa

Meanwhile, in Hadejia city, two individuals were reported dead, and four others were taken to the hospital for treatment, as confirmed by residents.

Meanwhile, in the state capital of Dutse, one person was believed to have lost their life and five others were quickly transported to Rasheed Shekoni General Hospital for medical attention.

Kebbi Protest

The hunger protest remained peaceful in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, but turned violent in Yauri, a prominent town in the state, where reports indicated that one individual was fatally shot while attempting to secure his shop from being plundered.

Numerous other shops were reportedly looted in the area.

Kaduna Protest

According to an eyewitness account reported by Daily Trust, two protesters were reportedly killed in Kaduna yesterday.

One of the victims was allegedly shot by security forces near the Government House. The eyewitness mentioned seeing one of the bodies near Panteka Market, close to the Government House.

A video clip obtained by newsmen depicted the tragic incident, showing one of the victims who died on the spot as security agents dispersed the protesters. In the video, screams could be heard from protesters indicating that one person was shot in the stomach.

The victim was identified as wearing a white T-shirt. Additionally, reports indicated that a police officer was critically injured during an attack by protesters near the Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency’s (KASTLEA) office.

However, it remains unclear whether the officer survived. Attempts to reach the State Police Command’s spokesman, Mansir Hassan, through phone calls and text messages were unsuccessful.

Abuja Protest

Yesterday, it was reported that a teenager was tragically killed by a stray bullet at the NNPC Junction at Kubwa, Abuja, along the Abuja-Zuba Expressway.

According to resident Sani Abdullahi, police officers arrived at the area around 2 pm and dispersed the protesters.

“The youths, however, reassembled around Zenith Bank junction in the area, pelting the security men who tried to open the inner streets for free movement.

“The security men fired shots into the air, and in the process, the victim, who is yet to be identified, was reportedly hit around his neck”, the resident said.

It was gathered that policemen took the victim’s body to the Kubwa General Hospital.

The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, however, has not issued any official statement regarding the incident as at the time of filing this report.

NBA Vows To Probe Killings Of Protesters

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday confirmed the killings of some protesters in the Suleja area of Niger State, vowing to take action.

In response to the unfortunate event, Abdullahi Liman, the Chairman of the Suleja branch of the NBA, communicated with journalists via telephone, stating that he had visited the home of one of the victims, Yahaya Nda Isah, to gather reliable information for subsequent measures, as instructed by the national president of the NBA.

He said: “The national level of the NBA has asked all the branches to constitute monitoring committees in respect of the protest.

“So, we are going around to see what is really happening. I got information that a man was shot dead, and I came to the house of the victim (Yahaya Nda Isah) to confirm things for myself, and I have seen the corps.

“So, what we are doing now is to gather information in respect of the incident and I will reach out to the national level so that we know what to do next in respect of the issue. This cannot be denied.”

The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the House of Representative election for Dekina/Bassa in Kogi State, Usman Okai Austin, has submitted that the silence of President Bola Tinubu is part of what is fuelling the #EndBadGovernance protest.

According to him, those advising the President not to address Nigerians are not doing him any favour.

Austin made the submission in a post via his account on the X platform, while reacting to the protest against hardship and harsh government policies in Nigeria.

The former candidate said the protests were a signal of the people’s desire for change, and a direct address from the President would go a long way in reassuring the people.

He added that every minute of silence from President Tinubu is fueling the unrest.

The post tagged: “When Not To Keep Quiet,” reads: “Many Nigerians were expecting a presidential address yesterday to ease the growing tensions and unrest across the country.

“However, the absence of a powerful broadcast from the President has left citizens feeling disappointed and concerned.

“Whoever is advising President Bola Tinubu against addressing Nigerians is not doing him a Favour.

“This #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest will linger on. In times of crisis, a leader’s words can go a long way in calming nerves and inspiring hope. Unfortunately, the President’s silence has only added to the anxiety and frustration felt by many.

“The ongoing protests and demonstrations are a clear indication of the people’s desire for change and better governance.

“A presidential address could have been a crucial opportunity to acknowledge the grievances, offer reassurance, and outline concrete steps towards addressing the issues.

“The clock is ticking, and the nation waits with bated breath for a word from its leader. Will the President seize the moment and address the nation, or will the silence continue, fueling more uncertainty and unrest? Only time will tell.”

Recall that some Nigerians took to the streets on Thursday in protest against the economic hardship in the country, which is said to have been caused by the decision of President Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy and float the naira, thereby resulting in rising cost of items.

The Kano police command has announced the arrest of 269 individuals suspected of looting during the #EndBadGovernance protest in the state.

Naija News reports that Nigerians stormed major streets on Thursday to protest the economic hardship and food scarcity.

However, the supposed peaceful protest turned violent in some places, with security operatives teargassing protesters.

According to a Facebook update by the Kano police command, the suspects were involved in an attack on a supermarket in the Nassarawa Quarters.

“At approximately 10:00 am today, groups of hoodlums, under the guise of participating in the nationwide protest, launched attacks on several establishments in Kano state,” stated the police.

The police noted that these events disturbed public peace and safety, prompting swift action by the Kano State police command.

“In a swift and efficient response to these criminal activities, a total of 269 suspects responsible for destruction, looting, and instigating chaos under the guise of the nationwide hunger protest were arrested.

“These incidents have disrupted public order and safety, necessitating immediate action by the Kano state police command.

“Arson at NCC office: Multiple motor vehicles at the NCC office, Audu Bako secretariat, along Government House Kano, were set ablaze.

“The fire has since been brought under control through swift intervention.”

The police command reported the recovery of an AK-47 rifle near the Kano high court and seized a large amount of stolen goods from the suspects.

In response to the unrest, Kano Governor Abba Yusuf has imposed a 24-hour curfew to ensure the safety of the state’s residents.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, has revealed that more than 30 million phone lines are at risk of disconnection due to improper linkage with a National Identification Number (NIN).

These lines are primarily associated with devices like car trackers, MiFi units, WiFi devices, and Point of Sale (POS) machines.

“The numbers are staggering. We are looking at potentially over 30 million SIM cards, including those in various digital devices, that have not been properly linked to the NIN. Many of these SIMs are in car trackers, POS machines, MiFis, WiFis, and many other devices that use SIMs to operate,” Adebayo stated during an interview with News Central, as reported on Thursday.

This situation follows recent disruptions caused by the blocking of lines not connected to their NINs.

Naija News recalls that last weekend, telecommunications companies began disconnecting lines not linked with NINs, just ahead of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s July 31, 2024 deadline.

Ever since February 2024, telecom operators have been gradually disconnecting lines, adhering to an NCC directive. At the end of 2023, the regulator instructed telcos to disconnect unlinked lines in phases, concluding on July 31, 2024.

Adebayo explained that these disconnections resulted from discrepancies between telecom operators’ records and the National Identity Management Commission’s data.

“There are cases where individuals provided their NINs, but the information did not align with our records,” he said. “These discrepancies need to be resolved at service centers for proper verification.”

Adebayo clarified that the timing of the disconnections coincided with national protests but was unrelated, as the disconnection process had started earlier.

“Unfortunately, the disconnection coincided with the planned protests, but it had nothing to do with stifling communication.

“We are guided by our social contract with subscribers and provide services on a non-discriminatory basis,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of accurate data for building a reliable national database, urging individuals to provide truthful and consistent information during registration to prevent future issues.

“To have a reliable and equipped national database, all of us must contribute accurate information,” Adebayo urged.

“This database can only be as reliable as the information provided by the public.

“The consumer is our priority, therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend… Reactivated consumers are to note that this is for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NIN to their SIM,” he added

Nigerian singer, Paul Nonso Okoye, better known as Rudeboy, has confirmed the split of their music group, Psquare, for the second time.

Naija News recalls that the duo, which consists of Paul and his twin brother, Peter Okoye, popularly known Mr P, first split in 2016 but reunited in 2021.

In June, Nigerian celebrity journalist, Stella Dimokokorkus, said the twin brothers are at war over joint funds being allegedly diverted by their elder brother cum music executive, Jude Okoye.

In a recent interview with City FM, Lagos, Rudeboy confirmed that the group has broken up again, stating that the plan to produce hit albums together will no longer happen.

Rude Boy claimed that he was wrongly accused of saying that he is the music group singer while Peter is the dancer, and the issue hurt his brother.

The singer said Peter told him to his face that he was no longer interested in the music group and was not ready to make the issue public.

He said, “The plan of our coming back together was going to produce a lot of hit albums. But as it is now, I’m just focusing on Rudeboy. Trust me, it is not everything that I would want to say.

“I was being accused of saying that he [Peter] was the dancer and I’m the singer. I know whenever we go to the airport, people ask are you a singer or a dancer? I didn’t know it was touching him. But I know there was a time we came together and said, ‘don’t allow this thing get to you, you should be proud of what you’re doing. That’s the role you’re playing.’

“We have a song we did with T.I, ‘Eja Jo’. That was when the issue started. Till today, that song is still on 3 million views because people didn’t hear the PSquare’s voice that they are used to.

“When we came back together, because I didn’t want the issues that happened before, I told my brother to show himself, let us be involved in the creative process together. I told him we should share who carries the tracks equally but still it wasn’t working.

“The new PSquare was peaceful. I needed the past mistakes not to repeat themselves. But then again he [Peter] said he’s no more doing [no longer interested]. In fact, he told me in the face that he wants to quit. I asked if we could make it public and he refused. But what will happen when I go solo? People will call me the bad person. That’s why I’m speaking up now.”

The Katsina State Police Command reported the arrest of more than fifty suspects linked to the looting and destruction of government and public properties during the #EndBadGovernanceProtest held in the state.

Naija News reports that Nigerians stormed major streets on Thursday to protest the economic hardship and food scarcity.

In a statement, Police Spokesman ASP Abubakar Sadiq emphasized that efforts are ongoing to capture individuals involved in the looting of both private and public properties.

The statement urged parents and guardians to advise their children and wards against engaging in illegal activities such as violent protests, vandalism, and looting.

The police also appealed to the youths to exercise restraint and resist being manipulated into committing acts of violence.

The statement highlighted that the police command, in coordination with other security agencies, will conduct regular patrols to enforce the curfew imposed across the state. It warned that anyone violating the curfew would face strict consequences.

The public was asked to cooperate with security forces and remain indoors during curfew hours. The statement called for collective efforts to maintain peace and order in the state.

Due to security concerns arising from the protests turning violent in certain areas, the Katsina State Police Command has begun enforcing a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma Local Government Area (LGA) and a 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew in the remaining LGAs. These measures aim to ensure public safety, prevent further violence, and maintain law and order.

The statement also addressed circulating rumors, denying that police used live ammunition on protesters, which allegedly resulted in fatalities.

It reassured the public that officers acted with restraint and professionalism, and there were no reports of casualties due to police actions at the time of reporting.

“Let’s work together to maintain peace and order in our state.

“Due to the current security concerns in light of the nationwide protests turning violent in some parts of the state, the Katsina State Police Command commenced enforcement of the Katsina State Government imposed 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma Local Government Area (LGA) and a 7:00 pm to 7:00 am curfew in the rest of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, effective immediately.

“The 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma LGA is necessary to ensure public safety and prevent further escalation of violence, vandalism, and looting of public and private properties, while the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew in the rest of the state is aimed at preventing nocturnal criminal activities and maintaining law and order throughout the state.

“Additionally, we wish to debunk the circulating rumors and misinformation that police personnel shot live ammo at protesters, resulting in loss of lives.

“We assure the members of the public that our officers exercised the maximum level of restraint and professionalism in handling the violent protesters.

“There is no record of any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports,” the statement partly read.

WhatsApp is considering suspending its services in Nigeria following a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for data privacy violations.

Sources close to Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, suggest that they are evaluating the possibility of withdrawing some services from Nigeria due to increasing regulatory pressures.

In addition to the hefty fine, the FCCPC has instructed WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with other Facebook entities and third parties without explicit user consent.

The commission also demands that WhatsApp provide transparency about its data collection methods and improve user control over their data.

In an email to TechCabal, a WhatsApp spokesperson stated, “We want to be clear that, technically, based on the order, it would be impossible to provide WhatsApp in Nigeria or globally.”

The spokesperson criticized the FCCPC’s order as misleading and said it misrepresents WhatsApp’s data practices, requiring significant alterations to the platform’s infrastructure.

While Meta has not specifically addressed the FCCPC’s concerns about user opt-out options following the 2021 privacy policy update, the company insists that this update does not entail sharing user data.

According to their privacy policy, Meta maintains, “While traditionally mobile carriers and operators store this information, we believe that keeping these records for two billion users would be both a privacy and security risk, and we don’t do it.”

A potential withdrawal of WhatsApp from Nigeria would have serious implications for individuals and small businesses that depend heavily on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook for customer interaction.

Some privacy attorneys have questioned the FCCPC’s application of the National Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) as the basis for the fine.

The NDPR, introduced by the National Information Technology Development Agency in 2019, serves as Nigeria’s main data protection framework.

Two anonymous lawyers have expressed skepticism about the NDPR’s legal weight in such a significant case, questioning whether a government regulation can be definitive in privacy matters.

Additionally, two unnamed government officials have raised concerns about the $220 million fine’s fairness. “We are too revenue-focused. What is the opportunity cost of $220 million in government coffers?” questioned an industry expert.