Controversial social media personality, VeryDarkMan, has issued a legal counterattack against Bobrisky, threatening a N1 billion countersuit following an earlier defamation claim.

Bobrisky’s legal team had previously demanded an apology from VeryDarkMan for allegedly posting an AI-generated audio to damage the crossdresser’s reputation.

In response, VeryDarkMan took to Instagram, claiming that he stands by the recording in question while threatening to countersue the crossdresser for N1,000,000,020.

His words, “Bobrisky, did you not say you wanted to ‘Kpai’ yourself? Are you not doing it again? Anyway, in this case, they will exchange their credibility for my publicity again as usual. I will suffer them. The integrity of a lot of people will go down. You will hate why you take this case like this. I promise you that. From now, Bobrisky now has the strength to sue me and gave me 24 hours. That means they are working together. I am thinking what I have exposed is bigger than what it is,” he said.

“Did Bobrisky later pay someone N3 million when he did not get it from Falz? I can stand for myself anywhere. Bobrisky has sued me N1 billion but I will caricature it more with N1,000,000,020 billion and N20 gain. I will make all of you stupid in this country.

Background:

In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Bobrisky on six counts of money laundering and Naira mutilation.

During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) but sentenced the social media personality to six months in prison for Naira abuse.

However, a little over a month after his release, VeryDarkMan, posted a leaked audio recording on Instagram, in which Bobrisky narrated the events that transpired during his prison term.

In the audio, Bobrisky can be heard discussing with a friend how EFCC officials allegedly extorted N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges.

VeryDarkMan explained that he released the audio after Bobrisky refused to repay N4 million borrowed from one of the people he approached to raise the N15 million.

The ongoing dispute between the two influencers has captivated social media, while investigations by relevant authorities continue.

Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, has alleged that influential politicians are behind the surge of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West region. Shinkafi made this claim in a statement on Saturday, amidst the growing insecurity in the region, which has seen numerous attacks and kidnappings.

Shinkafi, also the Executive Director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), expressed his support for the ongoing investigation by the Defence Headquarters into the sponsorship of banditry in the North-West. He condemned politicians who he claimed were using banditry for selfish political gains and called for an investigation into those politicizing insecurity.

He applauded recent military operations that have led to the elimination of notorious bandit leaders, including Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Jamilu Nazakiru, Sani Black, Danbaleri Mashekari, and Wala Baburki, describing these actions as essential for peace, security, and development in the region.

Shinkafi stated, “The spate of killings, kidnappings for ransom, destruction of property, imposition of levies and taxes, and displacement of people from their communities by these criminal elements is alarming. It calls for a concerted military effort to crush them and restore national security.”

He further urged that anyone found guilty in the ongoing investigations should face the full weight of the law, regardless of their status. Shinkafi also defended the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, against blackmail allegations, praising his performance in President Tinubu’s cabinet.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has revealed that despite the federal government’s substantial funding for security, only a small portion reaches soldiers on the battlefield. He made this statement during the Young Professionals Colloquium in Katsina State, while discussing the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage and issues contributing to insecurity.

Pantami highlighted that the primary issue with Nigeria’s security challenges is not the lack of intelligence gathering but rather the failure to act on the intelligence that has been collected. He stressed that most of the federal government’s security budget remains with top officials, leaving very little for the soldiers facing the dangers on the frontline.

He pointed out that sending soldiers into battle without proper life insurance or adequate death benefits demoralizes them. Pantami added that soldiers know their families’ futures may not be secure if they die in service, which discourages them from fully committing to the fight against terrorists and kidnappers.

Pantami emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges will persist unless the government establishes mechanisms to ensure that more security budget reaches frontline soldiers and takes care of their families. He urged the government to put in place systems that guarantee proper support for soldiers’ families if they lose their lives in the line of duty.

He explained, “The government is spending huge amounts on security. Unfortunately, a very small percentage reaches our security officers on the battlefield. Most of it stays at the top. You ask a soldier to fight terrorists, but if he dies, his death benefit is less than 10 million naira, while he might have many children. Who can risk their life for that?”

Pantami concluded by calling for a system where soldiers on the battlefield receive proper compensation. If they die, the government takes responsibility for their families’ welfare, ensuring their children’s education or success in business.

He said, “We must work on the system to ensure that what is budgeted reaches those on the battlefield. They should be the highest earners in Nigeria, and their families must be cared for if they sacrifice their lives for the country.”

A tragic incident at an Ibadan-based white-garment church has resulted in the deaths of five worshippers with several others receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) in Olodo, Oyo State.

The church feast, known locally as “Ipese,” took place during a service last Sunday and has raised concerns regarding its safety.

As of Saturday night, approximately 50 worshippers have been discharged from the IDC after receiving medical care.

Vanguard gathered that the local church community is grappling with the aftermath of this unsettling event, which has drawn the attention of various governmental agencies, including the police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

A church source hinted to Vanguard that the cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed, saying, “I ate the prepared beans like every other member, including the victims, and nothing happened to me.”

He emphasised that the situation should not be solely attributed to the “Ipese” feast, adding that, “The incident is being investigated thoroughly, and it is not just about the “ipese” as some are suggesting.”

Officials from multiple organisations have visited the church for fact-finding missions, although their findings have yet to be publicised.

“There’s no truth to the rumour that the church premises have been shut down. The Shepherd-in-Charge has been attending to visitors and is currently undergoing tests,” the source further clarified.

A senior medical staff member at IDC Olodo, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the ongoing treatment of affected individuals.

“As of today, 50 patients have been treated and discharged, while others remain under care. “We expect the state commissioner for health to address the press about the incident next week.”

While contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso confirmed the incident and mentioned that investigations are currently underway.

Former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has alleged that certain politicians are attempting to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, through a fabricated Federal High Court suit.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Shinkafi described the suit as a desperate attempt to tarnish Matawalle’s image and discredit him.

According to him, court records indicate that the suit lacks a judge’s assignment, casting doubts on its legitimacy.

He noted that the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, accuses Matawalle of involvement in banditry.

However, Shinkafi, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for Peace and Social Development, claimed the court has not assigned, heard, or determined the suit.

He explained that the suit is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage Matawalle’s reputation, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which presumes innocence until proven guilty.

He further added that the Defence Headquarters and security agencies are investigating banditry sponsorship in the North West.

Shinkafi called for an investigation into the source of the misleading reports and urged media regulatory bodies to impose sanctions.

He sought accountability from the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and National Media Complaints Commission.

He stated, “A case filed is not a case heard, and a case heard is not a case determined until the pronouncement of the court. Every person charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“They want to oust the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, through a fabricated Federal High Court suit. We have no doubt that the Honourable Minister will be exonerated.

“It is evident that the allegations and suit were fabricated by his political opponents, hoping he would be dropped in the proposed cabinet reshuffle. Matawalle’s towering influence in Zamfara State politics is astonishing, hence the plot to pull him down by all means.

“Specifically, his rising profile as an outstanding minister of the Federal Republic and a loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intimidates these failed politicians.

“It is time to stop media trials and propaganda against highly esteemed public office holders like Matawalle. We urge the Honourable Minister to remain focused in the quest for a strong, unified, progressive, equitable, and just democratic nation.”

Former Oyo State governor, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has shed light on his impeachment saga, naming former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the powerful figure responsible for his removal from office.

In an interview on a Fresh FM radio program hosted by Isaac Brown, Ladoja addressed longstanding misconceptions surrounding his impeachment.

He clarified that it was widely believed that the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and his former deputy, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, orchestrated his ousting.

However, Ladoja contended that the true architect of his impeachment was, in fact, Obasanjo.

He said, “You see, some people said, it was Akala, it was Adedibu. No, it was not any of them. It was Obasanjo.”

Narrating the story of the event that shook the country, Ladoja recalled his experience with Chief Obasanjo and how he went along other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors like Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Dr Segun Agagu to beg the former president in Abeokuta no to go ahead with the plan to impeach him.

He added “It was during the time of Ileya [Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir]. We went to see Baba Obasanjo. I think it was on a Friday or Saturday that we went to see him in Abeokuta. I was there with Oyinlola, Daniel and Agagu.

“We did not call Fayose, because we knew that Fayose was Baba’s son. So they knelt down and I knelt down with them. They were begging him, ‘Baba, please, let Ladoja be’.

“Baba then said ‘Rashidi, go and resign!’ I said ‘No, I won’t resign!’ He said, ‘if you don’t resign, you would be removed’. I said ‘No, they cannot do it.’ He said ‘why’”. I said ‘because you cannot get two-thirds.’

“He said ‘two-thirds my foot’ and then he left the place in fury. [Gbenga] Daniel ran after him.

“While we were reflecting on what we were going to do, myself, Agagu and Oyinlola, a man came in; it was the former World Court Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola.

“He said ‘what is wrong with you?’ He said ‘I know your problem. Your problem is that you don’t want Ladoja to be impeached. They [Oyinlola, Agagau and Daniel said yes.

“Justice Ajibola said ‘well, I’ve talked about it to Segun, he’s just adamant. He said ‘but you’re leaders in your own rights. There comes a time when you must have to stand up and fight.’

“Then he told us the story of ‘Jafitafita’. The story of ‘Jafitafita’ is simple. It is about tortoise and his wife, yannibo.”

Oba Ladoja revealed further that Prince Ajibola helped him a lot in his legal battle to reclaim his mandate.

Ladoja said, “I must put it on record that Prince Ajibola did wonderfully for us because he told us exactly what to do: we “jafitafita”.

“When eventually we got the judgement of the Appeal Court. Baba said no. People said this is a declarative judgement; he said they going to stay its execution. And eventually, it stayed until the Supreme Court confirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal.”

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Saturday, confirmed that his appointment was facilitated by the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Lokpobiri spoke on Saturday at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress (IPC) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

He said, “It is important to tell you my brothers and sisters that me that is standing before you today as the minister of state for petroleum resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike.

“You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.

“My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt and it all got concluded in his house in Abuja.

“My second journey of becoming a minister started at the house of the minister in Port Harcourt and it was concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.

“Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped.

“But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you Ijaw people to know that we have a brother, we have a friend.

“It is always better to have a good friend than to have a bad brother. Of what use is a bad brother? It is of no use. But if you have a good friend in the case of the FCT minister, you are already blessed.

“Your excellency, the FCT minister, let me on behalf of the Ijaw people all over the world, express our gratitude to you for your show of love to Ijaw people.

“We Ijaw people are very grateful people. If you do us good, we will not pay you back with evil. So, we will always be grateful to you for what you have done for our Ijaw people. We are looking forward to you to do more for our Ijaw people.”

Lokpobiri, who hails from Bayelsa, served as minister of state for agriculture and rural development between 2015 to 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He was appointed minister of state for petroleum resources by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023 — the same time Wike was named FCT minister.

The senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has expressed his frustration over the pervasive corruption in Nigeria, noting that those who steal public funds are often celebrated.

Speaking to journalists in Kano on Sunday, Ndume voiced his concerns, highlighting the nation’s lack of effective laws to combat corruption.

He stated, “Our major challenge in this country is corruption. Up till now, we have no law that can proactively or reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.

“If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government and he is not corrupt, then he is lucky to be God-fearing. Otherwise, it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely and you are celebrated.”

Ndume explained how, in many cases, individuals who gain sudden wealth are not questioned about its source.

“If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and prostrate before you even when they know that the money was stolen.

“It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week, but the following week he buys 10 cars; buys jets and his brothers would fly with him, his mother would fly with him, his uncle would fly with him, and they would say Allah has blessed our son,” he remarked.

The senator also revealed his efforts to pass legislation targeting unexplained wealth in Nigeria, which were unsuccessful. He recalled approaching a former head of state to support an executive bill on the matter, only to be turned down.

“Up till now, there is no law on unexplained wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on it,” Ndume added.

In addition to corruption, Ndume also raised concerns about the growing hunger crisis in the country.

He urged for greater investment in agriculture, pointing out that Nigeria has vast arable land that remains underutilized.

“There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land, Nigeria is blessed with massive arable land,” the senator stressed.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, has dismissed ASCII Maikano Sarkin-Tasha, over his alleged aiding and abetting of bandits terrorizing Zamfara State.

ASCII Maikano Sarkin-Tasha was accused of supplying hard drugs and ammunition to bandits and terrorists. Sarkin-Tasha was among the 17 suspected bandits paraded by the police command in Zamfara on Friday.

The Zamfara State NSCDC Commandant, Sani Mustapha, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Gusau on Saturday.

Mustapha said Sarkin-Tasha was arrested at a checkpoint, between the Damba and Sabon Gida axis, while on his way to his hometown, Mada village of Gusau Local Government Area of the state.

He confirmed that three armour G3 rifles and one armour anti-rocket launcher were allegedly found on him. He also confirmed that some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs were found on him.

Mustapha said, “He was allegedly found with some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs in possession.

“Other items found on him were three armour of G3 rifles and one armour of anti-rocket launcher.

“I wish to state that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, who also received the news with shock and disappointment has condemned the alleged barbaric behaviour of the officer.

“He has directed me to take necessary administrative actions, including immediate dismissal of the personnel from the Corps’ nominal roll.”