The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released a preliminary report on the boat accident involving Nollywood actors in Anambra, revealing that the boat driver was not certified.

The NSIB revealed this on Friday during a press briefing coinciding with the release of four other final and preliminary reports by the agency.

The Director General, NSIB, Alex Badeh, presented two final reports on aviation incidents, one preliminary report on an aviation incident, and a preliminary report on a marine accident, accompanied by 20 safety recommendations.

The boat was carrying 12 actors and crew members when it crashed, resulting in the loss of five passengers, including popular Nollywood actor Mr. Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope.

The Director of Transport Investigation, who presented the preliminary report and other findings during the briefing, stated that the speedboat capsized, throwing all occupants into the Anam River. According to him, five passengers were fatally injured, and seven were rescued alive.

The NSIB was not officially notified but learned about the accident through social media. Investigators from NSIB’s Enugu Regional office were dispatched to the accident site on April 12, 2024.

According to the agency, initial findings revealed that the boat driver was not certified, the fibre boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority, and the outboard engine fibre boat was carrying 12 passengers and one boat driver.

The director said, “There was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe. This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver and he was not looking out as required.

“The boat was on high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed.
“The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped; The boat collided with the canoe at a high speed which resulted in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard were flung into Anam River.”

The report indicated that although five passengers aboard the boat sustained fatal injuries, the driver and seven other passengers survived the collision.

“Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.

“The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat. The rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”

In its safety recommendations, the bureau urged the National Inland Waterways Authority to ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities within the national inland waterways are registered, adding the authority must ensure adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced in our inland waterways.

Junior Pope died after their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra state on April 10, 2024.

Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has commended the Federal Government for making tough decisions, stating that such actions are essential to salvage the country's economy, which has been mismanaged for a decade.

Delivering his keynote speech at the second day of the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit in Port Harcourt, Sanusi said the reform of any economy required taking difficult decisions.

He said such decisions might be painful and unpopular but were necessary to save the future of those experiencing the temporary hardship.

Sanusi said politicians interested in reflections were always fond of running away from taking such difficult decisions and called on Nigerians to be realistic about their expectations.

Insisting that there was no other way to salvage a decade of mismanaged economy apart from taking tough decisions, the former CBN boss advised the citizens to wait a little while to see the turnaround of the economy.

Sanusi said: “At this momentum in our history when the country is desperate to chart a new course in economic thinking opting for a paradigm shift that seeks to harness our vast potential and propel us towards sustainable growth and prosperity, the decision to centre government around economic development and investment promotion is a very thoughtful and brave decision by the government of Rivers State.

“This is more so because the reform of an economy whether of a state or a federation at large requires difficult decisions. It involves policies that may be painful and unpopular which don’t usually go down well with politicians who need a reelection.

“But that is the only way to guarantee a better future for same people it will be hard upon. And at this point it is important for us as Nigerians to be realistic. The mismanagement of the last ten years will not be undone in six months or one year.

“And we need to understand that some of the difficult decisions that are taken will take time to work through the economy. It will take a little while for us to see a turnaround. But those decisions are absolutely necessary in order to save the economy.

“We always knew we have to go through this process if we did not change course. And we have seen this movie in Zimbabwe. We have seen it in Venezuela.

“We have seen it in Argentina and it is a movie we do not want to be part of. I do hope that we will make this transition a short one and go back to economic growth. But it is the right thing to do”.

Sanusi said as the second largest economy in Nigeria after Lagos, Rivers State had a big opportunity to emerge as a beacon of progress in the face of hopelessness by building a resilient dynamic modern and effective system that fostered economic development and prosperity.

He said: “With rich arable land, abundant oil and water resources as well as the strategic location of the state, Rivers can be one of the investor’s paradises not just in Nigeria but in West Africa if the right things can be done.

“The recent boom in mechanised agriculture, international trade, transportation, tourism, real estate and ICT that are being witnessed in the state are evident that development is not too lofty a dream to achieve and they are testament that Rivers is ripe for investment and growth”.

The Emir, however, contended that sustainable development could only happen through deep thinking, deliberate and strategic actions as well as the political will to perform and achieve it .

He said: “Rivers is blessed with abundant resources. However sitting on oil or any natural resource is not enough for economic development. I have said that if we are to dig out all the oil that is under Nigeria soil and sell it and share the money among  all Nigerians, we will at best be a lower  medium income country.

“Oil is a resource but not enough to make us a wealthy country. To achieve development it is important we take some specific steps that transcend natural resources, to diversify and institutionalise foundational economic frameworks. To fully reap the blessings of oil itself chiefly because it is not wholly controlled by the state there is a need to consider its viability and risks.

“To ensure a prosperous future, we must embrace innovation and reforms to make the state attractive for investment and capable of realistic growth. It is the capacity of state institutions to ensure quality in thinking and skills of the population that will be critical to the delivery of results.

“Japan and Singapore do not have any mineral resources neither do Germany, Switzerland, Australia or Rwanda to give a few examples. By no means however, will anyone compare the standard of living, life expectancy or any other development benchmark in these countries with most of the countries with plentiful mineral resources such as Nigeria.

“Again, despite having abundant of mineral resources countries like Russia, the UAE, Norway and others have developed not only by those resources given to them by nature or providence but by successful and deliberate vision to diversify through the quality of their governance, institutions and people”.

Sanusi maintained that  resources could  be a blessing or a curse but said the choice belonged to the leaders insisting that the leaders we had were the curse and not the oil.

Sanusi said: “Human capital and good governance are why countries that are complex in their characteristics such as India, Brazil, China and the USA have developed through innovation, intellectual property education and strong public institutions.

“If we are serious about development we have to stop expecting oil to do everything for us. Everyone in Nigeria talks about investment, infrastructure and development. But few actually considered that no investors will simply deploy resources in the name of investment unless they see that the environment is prepared to accommodate their business, make it proper and protect it.

“Capitalism does not flourish and create wealth for everyone by the number of bridges and office edifices that the government built but by strong fiscal and trade institutions that create a level playing field and incentives to ease business.

“Your roads and bridges will eventually decay and you have to either borrow to build new ones or become helpless. With an easy business environment and a skilled population, economies have transformed and grown to mega cities”.

The Emir said it was not enough to want to bring investors or achieve economic development in Rivers without laying the requisite foundations for the economy.

He said Rivers must develop required human capital, design education and skilled training that were for for the century.

Sanusi said: ”We have to lay some foundations for the economy to stand on. For this we must emphasise human capital and design education and skilled training that are fit for this century such that the IOCs for example don’t have to bring expatriates to work on their offshore and onshore.

“The state education system should create a skilled population that is fit for the requirements of any investor to safeguard employment of your citizens. The standards of the civil service have to implement investor friendly policies that will attract and regulate these investments.

“The judiciary must be independent and judges must be seen to rise above any suspicion of corruption. The laws should be such as to protect investments and our taxation system should not be an extortional system”.

In his recommendations to prepare the ground for investment, Sanusi asked the state government to Invest in the people saying that Rivers needed robust education  and skilled training programme aimed to prepare the youths to be the future workforce.

“You need innovators and entrepreneurs that will supply services across all value chains and industries, and it is important to raise the quality of schools by investing in teaching capacity, learning tools and pedology that will nurture a culture of creativity and problem solving.

“It is critically important to invest in vocational training and apprenticeship to close education gap, aligning with the needs of our economy”, he said

He said the state must carry out  institutional reforms to foster a business friendly environment adding that Rivers must evolve an efficient legal and judicial system as well as invest massively  in strategic infrastructures.

Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who earlier spoke at a cocktail party at the Banquet Hall on Wednesday night vowed to sustain the drive at mobilising critical stakeholders with attractive investment portfolios in the business community to join forces with his administration to chart an economic growth trajectory of the state.

Fubara told the captains of businesses that the economic summit would provide salient data that would assist his administration to draw up economic roadmap for the state.

…says Justice Ministry got 235 judgements, 250 convictions

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Friday, disclosed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration faced a total of 625 court cases in the past 12 months.

People Talk: On sale of new Naira notes at Nigerian parties0:00 / 1:00
The AGF, who made the revelation when he presented the scorecard of the Federal Ministry of Justice as part of activities to mark the first year of Tinubu’s administration, said the legal actions were instituted before States, Federal and ECOWAS Court.

He said the Ministry had after it was served with copies of the suits, responded accordingly, stressing that effective justice system is measured not only by the number of cases that were successfully disposed of, but by strategic measures that were adopted to avoid litigation.

According to the AGF, using a combination of effective defence strategies to cases, arbitration, mediation and diligent prosecution of appeal cases, the Ministry succeeded in saving the country from huge debt liabilities.

He said: “In the reporting period, a total of 625 (Six Hundred and Twenty-Five) cases instituted against the President, Federal Government and its Agencies, before States, Federal and ECOWAS Court were served and responded by the Ministry.

“The Ministry also received and treated 593 requests for legal advice and Petitions from May 2023 till date.

“In all, the Ministry obtained 235 judgements from May, 2023 to date,” he added.

Besides, the AGF further disclosed that through prosecution, the Ministry secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalization of children and violence against women.

“I am pleased to report that following the Ministry’s intervention for the upgrade of facilities designated for trial of terrorism cases, the Ministry has resumed trials of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders.

Avoid distraction, set up team to plan Ondo development, Ex AGF, Kayode, tells Aiyedatiwa
Only mischief makers 'll accuse Otti of awarding contract without due process - Aide
“The percentages of Terrorism Cases initiated and Corruption Cases concluded within the reporting period has been significant.”

Fagbemi, SAN, said the Justice Ministry, in furtherance of President Tinubu’s priority of improving governance for effective service delivery, made concerted and collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders in the justice sector which culminated in significant gains and achievements.

“Within the period, the Ministry vetted/reviewed 485 Contracts and PPP Projects to ensure value for money, eliminate corruption and ensure adequate protection of FGN investments.

“A total of 574 Legal Opinions were also proffered during the reporting period.”

On some of the recoveries that were made, the AGF, said the Asset Sharing Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February, 2024 for the return of £2,125,944 proceeds of corruption.

“This has been approved by the President to be utilized for continuation of works on the Abuja-Kano Road project.

“The Ministry on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on April 25, 2024 concluded negotiation of a Settlement Agreement with Glencore International A.G. wherein Glencore is expected to pay the sum of $50 million USD as penalty and compensation for certain activities in Nigeria,” he added.

Reeling out some of the activities and achievements of agencies under the Ministry of Justice, the AGF, said the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, NLRC, is working with the Ministry in reviewing legal instruments that were affected by the recommendations of the Oronsanye Committee report and white papers on restructuring and rationalization of the Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions, 2012 and 2022, respectively.

Noting that the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, through ongoing advocacy and collaboration efforts, handled a total of 2,849,203 complaints from the public on various human rights issues, the AGF, said the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, secured 65 convictions comprising 57 perpetrators of human trafficking and 8 offenders who were prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons (VAPP) Act.

“The Agency also rescued 1,600 victims of human trafficking, out of which 340 victims were empowered with various skill acquisitions, with 90 victims enrolled in school for educational empowerment.”

Whereas the National Legal Aid Council, according to the AGF, handled 5,081 number of cases involving indigent citizens, from May 2023 to April, 2024, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the past 11 months, recorded seizure of approximately 959,917.30 kg of illicit drugs, arrested 13,798 suspected drug traffickers, and secured the conviction of 3,247 drug offenders.

“A total of 7,586 individuals with drug abuse problem were counselled, while 1,337 others were successfully rehabilitated, reflecting the Agency’s dedication to providing holistic care and support for affected individuals.

“Additionally, over 3,188 public enlightenment programmes were conducted to raise awareness in schools, places of work, worship centres, markets, motor parks and communities about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking,” the AGF stated.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate on Friday said the enrolment quota in medical, nursing, and other health professional schools has been increased from 28,000 to 64,000 yearly.

Prof Pate said this at the sectoral ministerial press briefing to mark the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu in office in Abuja.

Over the years, health workers in the country have always moved to other countries to practice, but experts say the recent increase in emigration is worrisome.

Experts identified the push factors as inadequate equipment, worsening insecurity, poor working conditions, and poor salary structure.

Data from the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria showed that about 1,056 consultants left the country to seek greener pastures between 2019 and 2023.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors also revealed over 900 of its members left for Europe between January and September 2023.

Pate, however, said, “We have doubled the intake, the enrollment, the quotas of medical schools, nursing schools, and other health professionals’ schools from an enrollment target of 28,000 a year to 64,000 now. 

“That is just the first step, the education sector will have to play its role. The states will have to play in to improve the infrastructure, the training, and the tools to produce more healthcare workforce because we need to produce more healthcare workforce given that we’re losing some so that we can serve the population of this country.”

On the Primary Health Care Centres, the minister noted that at least 1,400 centres can now provide skilled birth attendants.

According to him, more than 2,400 health workers – doctors, nurses, and midwives are been recruited in facilities to provide essential health services to Nigerians in rural areas.

He also highlighted that the Federal Government has disbursed the first tranche of N25bn of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the National Health Insurance Authority.

“We put a condition that states that will access those have to comply with the fiduciary guidelines that have been provided, responding to lapses that have been observed over here so that the resources go to Nigerians.

“Twenty-three states have received those funds, and I believe that the rest of the states are just about to complete and receive their financing to channel through the PHCs.”

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa had in October 2023 said the government had put in place strategies to increase admissions into medical and dental institutions.

Dr Alausa noted that the 3,000 doctors produced annually in Nigeria was inadequate.

He highlighted that the mass exodus of licensed doctors and other health professionals to more developed countries would be discouraged by making the healthcare environment more attractive.

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi is “unfit” to lead Nigeria.

Soyinka stated in an interview with Noble Eyisi on Thursday.

Recall that Obi finished third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election.

Soyinka said he hopes that Obi does not vie for the presidency in the 2027 election.

He said, “I hope for the sake of the nation that he doesn’t express interest in the next election because for me as a leader, if there was any proof that he was unfit to lead that country, it’s in the conduct which he encouraged among his followers.

“I know for a fact that he was in control of those forces,” he added.

The Nobel prize winner added that dishonest political leaders are encouraging the “divisive actions of the group.”

He said “one of these days, they would turn on them and teach them a lesson”.

Soyinka said, “It has to do with education. I didn’t read all these insults from Obidients but of course, some links were sent to me, especially when facts were being manufactured.

“I know that there is a relay mechanism, which is triggered into action by those who control what we call the trolls of the internet, and so my disgust and contempt.

“I just went about my business, you know, because nobody, anybody on this earth who thinks they can stop me telling the truth as I see it needs to have his or her head examined. It’s as elementary as that.

“But it is depressing to see those who wanted to be political leaders encouraging that kind of action, that kind of attitude in the youth.

“And my mind went to the expression: ‘They don’t know what they’re doing’. Those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind.

“One of these days, they would be astonished, they would turn on them and teach them a lesson.

“And so, my attitude was very blasé but it is for me a sad phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead a multi-textured (society) — different religions, different ethnic groups, different worldviews — who actually want to preside over such a group as one.

“It means that they have already declared themselves incompetent to lead such an entity.”

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has presented a letter of appointment to the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Earlier, Governor Yusuf stated the reason why the Kano State government reinstated Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

The governor said Sanusi was victimized in 2019. He added that the emirate council law 2019 by the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, balkanised the old Kano Emirate.

Yusuf called on the reinstated Emir to use his leadership to unite the emirate and the state as a whole.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Sanusi II, had initially ruled as the 14th Emir.

Dethroned, banished

Recall that in 2020, the Kano House of Assembly passed a bill to split the Kano Emirate Council into five emirates. They were mainly under Sanusi’s control. So the division lowered his influence.

He had had a fallout with the former governor. Ganduje is now National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Sanusi was dethroned and banished on March 9, 2020. The former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor was then flown to Lagos and quartered by one of his friends, the late Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank.

Then Sanusi was replaced by the recently deposed 15th Emir – Aminu Ado Bayero.

16th Emir

However, yesterday, Governor Yusuf approved the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II. This was after assenting the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment number 2) Bill, 2024 passed by the House of Assembly.

The new law repealed Ganduje’s Kano Emirate Council Law 2019, Kano State Emir’s Appointment and Deposition Amendment Law 2019, and Kano State Emirate Council Amendment Law 2023.

Not that it was the latter that created five emirates in Kano, and paved the way for the deposition of Sanusi.

Today, Sanusi was given the letter of reinstatement, and then turbaned the 16th Emir of Kano.

The coronation of the former CBN governor took place at the Kano state government house. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Yusuf said: “By the powers conferred on me by the Kano Emirate Council Law of 1984 and 2024, and supported by the recommendation of the kingmakers, I have the singular pleasure of confirming the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council.”

Also, he said Sanusi’s reappointment was “based on his competence, credibility, and popularity.”

Furthermore, the governor urged the new Kano Emir “to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state.”

High court…

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Kano has granted an order stopping the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law.

Justice Mohammed Liman granted the order in an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.

The court papers regarding the case have since gone viral.

The judge, Mohammed Liman, asked the government to “suspend” and “not give effect to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024, as they affect all offices and institutions of the Emirate Council created pursuant to the provisions of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019″.

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka has again taken a swipe at the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, who he says is ‘’unfit'' to rule Nigeria.

In a recent interview, Soyinka claimed that Obi encouraged his followers addressed as ‘Obidients’ to attack him and others with opposing views online in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

When asked what he thinks about the movement, he said;

“It has to do with education. I didn’t read all these (insults by Obidient Movement) but of course, some links were sent to me, especially when facts were ‘being manufactured’.

“When I read these things, I was disgusted. There’s no other word for it. I really was disgusted and I know that it was orchestrated.

“I know that there is a relay mechanism, which is triggered into action by those who control what we call the trolls of the Internet, and so my disgust and contempt. I just went about my business, you know, because nobody, anybody on this earth who thinks they can stop me telling the truth as I see it needs to have his or her head examined. It’s as elementary as that.

“But it is depressing to see those who wanted to be political leaders encouraging that kind of action, that kind of attitude in the youth. And my mind went to the expression, ‘They don’t know what they’re doing’. Those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind.

“One of these days, they would be astonished, they would turn on them and teach them a lesson. And so, my attitude was very blasé and it is for me a sad phenomenon, especially for those who want to lead multi-textured (society)- different religions, different ethnic groups, different worldviews - who actually want to preside over such a group as one. It means that they have already declared themselves incompetent to lead such an entity.”

Speaking further, Soyinka added;

“I hope for the sake of the nation that he doesn’t express interest in the next election because for me as a leader if there was any proof that he was unfit to lead that country, it’s in the conduct which he encouraged among his followers.”'

The Chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, has dared governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying he will not vacate his office at the end of his tenure on June 16.

Nwanosike directly addressed the state governor in a video, stating his intention to remain in office beyond the stipulated date.

He cited an extension of tenure by state lawmakers under the leadership of Martin Amaghule as justification due to the state government’s failure to conduct local government elections.

Nwanosike asserted that he would continue in his role and warned that the people of Ikwerre LG would resist any attempt to remove him from office.

He declared, “Let them come and try to remove me if they dare. The countdown begins—23 more days to go.”

He added, “Who are you to say Martins Amaewhule is not the Rivers House of Assembly Speaker? If Amaewhule says that because the governor of Rivers State failed in his duty to conduct local government elections.

“And that, I, Dr Nwanosike Samuel, whose tenure by the oath of office I took and the certificate of return I was issued when I contested my second tenure election should remain in office. So shall we remain in the office in Rivers State!

“We are sending a message to those who are threatening them to wear their jeans – do like this, don’t do like that. We don’t wear jeans in Ikwere local government. We wear white, we tie wrapper we wear Ogbakata. Come and disobey the law, we will wait for you. The law of Nigeria is the law passed by Martin Amaewhule. If dem born you well, show your face. Thank you.”

Comedian AY Makun has finally addressed the swirling rumors that he is expecting a child with BBNaija ex-housemte Alex Unusual, setting the internet ablaze.

The rumors, which spread like wildfire, alleged that AY and Alex were having an affair and that she was pregnant with his child. These claims surfaced shortly after AY and his wife, Mabel Makun, publicly came out clean their marital issues.

Following an extended break from social media, Alex Unusual broke her silence in a compelling video posted on her page.

Although she didn’t directly confront the rumors, her response was anything but subtle. In a clever and sophisticated manner, Alex indirectly dismissed the allegations, underscoring the importance of facts over fiction.

The BBNaija star went a step further by reciting Nigeria’s cybersecurity laws, reminding everyone of the legal repercussions of spreading false information online.

In a swift and unexpected move, AY Makun ignited a social media storm by dropping a bombshell comment on Alex Unusual’s post.

He cheekily instructed Alex to take good care of “his baby” she was rumored to be carrying, alluding to the swirling rumors. Adding a razor-sharp edge to his remark, he mentioned that they must entertain the idle minds concocting these fabrications online.

Ay wrote;

“Above all. Please don’t do anything to my baby that you are carrying. We must entertain all the jobless people on social media”

SEE SCREENSHOT BELOW 

This comes in the wake of an unconfirmed report by gossip blog Gistlover, alleging that Alex Unusual was carrying AY Makun’s baby, had a miscarriage, and then became pregnant again.

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos State, has adjourned the child custody proceedings between Queen Mercy Oyekanmi and Promise Anagbogu, aka Lord Lamba, to July 18 for hearing.

This comes after the skitmaker allegedly failed to show up in court on Thursday, May 23.

It was gathered that his lawyer, who was also absent, sent a representative, who told the court she had no idea why the skitmaker was a no-show.

According to a source:

“Today was the court hearing and Queen was there but her baby daddy didn’t show up. His lawyer didn’t come; instead, he sent his assistant to represent him. Because he didn’t appear in court, his lawyer requested a new date, so it was adjourned to 18th of July for hearing.”

It was earlier alleged that Lord Lamba filed a child custody petition without giving Queen Mercy Atang’s notice.

Allegedly, the matter had been presided upon twice, without Queen Mercy Atang’s knowledge. Upon investigation by her Lawyers, Queen Mercy Atang was made aware of the court date, and Lord Lamba didn’t show up.

The drama between Lord Lamba and Queen Mercy Atang first unfolded, when she made the news of her engagement public.

Shortly after Queen Mercy Atang’s engagement announcement, Lord Lamba posted pictures of himself and their daughter on Instagram, for the first time ever since she was born in 2022.

Lord Lamba’s post raised a lot of brows, with netizens calling him out for being jealous over Queen Mercy Atang’s engagement.

After he made the post featuring his daughter, Queen Mercy Atang posted a skit featuring herself and Nasty Blaq. The storyline of the skit looked similar to her current situation, and this left netizens baffled.

The drama with Lord Lamba didn’t stop Queen Mercy Atang from marrying her U.K based husband. It was a huge hit in the media, and it had a lot of coverage on social media.

During her wedding, a lot of BBNaija alums showed up and supported her. It was a glamorous all-white event that featured a lot of reality television stars.

The huge show out during her wedding proved just how much influence Queen Mercy Atang held in her hands.

Despite the fact that she’s influential, the drama with Lord Lamba is one of her first and only public spats. Queen Mercy Atang has maintained a low profile that has kept her out of trouble.