Latest News
FEATURES
Emoseh Khamofu, the popular Nigerian singer, who is known professionally as Bloody Civilian, has opened up on her sexuality.
According to her, she is a lesbian.
The ‘Blood On The Dance Floor’ crooner said she is tired of hiding her sexuality.
On her X handle on Saturday, she wrote, “I’m actually a lesbian. [I] can’t hide it anymore.”
Im actually a lesbian. Can’t hide it anymore. ✌?
— BLOODY CIVILIAN (@bloody__civ) January 25, 2025
Her revelation triggered mixed reactions as the beautiful songbird is the crush of many men, some of whom have publicly declared their love for her on social media.
‘Rules Of Dirty And Deadly Politics Decide My Cases’ – Nnamdi Kanu Expresses Fear Over Unfavourable Judgement
AFOLABI
Detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed fear of getting an unfavourable judgment from any court in Abuja.
Naija News reports that this was conveyed by his Lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a social media post after visiting Kanu at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Service, DSS, where he has been in confinement since June 2021 when he was abducted and extraordinary renditioned from Kenya.
According to Ejimakor, the IPOB leader expressed frustration over handling his cases, which he described as a flagrant disregard for due process and the rule of law.
According to him, those benefitting from insecurity in the Southeast decide what adverse decisions to make.
He wrote, “He asked us to inform the general public that he’s not expecting any favourable judgment from any courts in Abuja because his cases are not decided in accordance with the rules of law but the rules of politics – dirty and deadly politics.
“The way and manner the laws are applied to him are not in conformity with the written laws of Nigeria or the pertinent international laws.
“Those benefitting from insecurity are the ones deciding what negative decisions to deliver because if justice were to be done, the well-orchestrated and heavily funded attacks and demonisation of his person and his lofty mission would no longer resonate with the public.
“Onyendu MNK urged the public to read all court decisions and judgements pertaining to him and IPOB to understand that what the law says is not what is being done. He insists that his trial is a sham designed to destroy truth and justice.”
Recall that Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja High Court had, mid-last year, recused herself from the matter, but the matter, after some time, was reassigned to her amidst protests by Kanu and his legal team.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused the current administration of harboring more corrupt officials, whom he described as “Yahoo people,” than those outside the government.
Obi made the remark during his keynote address at the 4th graduation ceremony of Nexford University, where he was the guest speaker. Themed “Lead the Change; Ignite Your Future,” the event highlighted the importance of leadership and youth empowerment.
Speaking on governance and corruption, Obi lamented the state of affairs in the country, asserting that it has become a haven for looters both within and outside government.
“For governance, don’t think when we talk about vices, it is only Yahoo boys. There are actually more Yahoo people in government than there are outside because we have turned the entire country into a crime scene where people inside are stealing and people outside are stealing,” he said.
Obi underscored the necessity of quality leadership to steer the nation toward development, urging the graduates to become agents of change in their respective communities.
“It is about leadership and igniting the future. It is not rocket science but it is difficult. It is being able to have a strong character, the ability not to do the wrong thing,” he noted.
Encouraging the graduates, Obi said, “You have acquired knowledge today. Use what you have learnt to help us change society. It is for you to help bring a better change in that society that you want to live in.”
The former governor of Anambra State further stated, “You are a victim of Nigeria because our age and the age before has refused to do what is right and you are suffering it.”
The Labour Party leader emphasized the critical role of young people in transforming the country, urging them to leverage their skills and education to lead with integrity.
The US State Department has frozen nearly all foreign assistance worldwide, effective immediately, days after President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order Monday to put a hold on such aid for 90 days.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a cable, seen by CNN, to all US diplomatic posts on Friday outlining the move, which threatens billions of dollars of funding from the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for programs worldwide.
Foreign assistance has been the target of ire from Republicans in Congress and Trump administration officials, but the funding accounts for very little of the overall US budget. The scope of the executive order and subsequent cable has left humanitarian and State Department officials reeling.
The cable calls for immediate “stop work” orders on existing foreign assistance and pauses new aid. It is sweeping in its scope. Essentially all foreign assistance appears to have been targeted unless specifically exempted. That means lifesaving global health aid, development assistance, military aid, and even clean water distribution could all be affected.
The cable provides a waiver only for emergency food assistance and foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt. The cable does not specifically mention any other countries that receive foreign military financing, like Ukraine or Taiwan, as being exempt from the freeze.
In the coming month, the cable said, the administration will develop standards for a review of whether the assistance is “aligned with President Trump’s foreign policy agenda.”
“Decisions whether to continue, modify, or terminate programs will be made following this review,” the cable states, noting that such a review should be completed within 85 days.
In a public statement on Wednesday, Rubio said that “every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”
The impact of the freeze on assistance will be immense because the US is consistently the world’s largest humanitarian donor.
“It’s a global freak out at the moment,” a humanitarian official said Saturday.
InterAction, an alliance of international nongovernmental organizations, said in a statement Saturday that the freeze “interrupts critical life-saving work including clean water to infants, basic education for kids, ending the trafficking of girls, and providing medications to children and others suffering from disease. It stops assistance in countries critical to U.S. interests, including Taiwan, Syria, and Pakistan.”
“The recent stop-work cable from the State Department suspends programs that support America’s global leadership and creates dangerous vacuums that China and our adversaries will quickly fill,” the statement said.
One humanitarian official said the pause is incredibly disruptive and said the specifics of the cable are “as bad as can be.”
Another official told CNN that while they expected there to be cuts or changes to assistance to specific areas, they were not expecting such a sweeping and immediate pause. They said that the humanitarian needs worldwide are acute and a freeze in assistance from the US could be detrimental.
In his executive order, Trump claimed that the US “foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values.”
However, one of the officials noted that assistance programs, such as those related to global health, which are targeted by the freeze, are in the US’ interest and had enjoyed bipartisan support.
“Making sure there are not pandemics is in our interest. Global stability is in our interest,” they said.
Democratic Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York and Lois Frankel of Florida said in a Friday letter to Rubio that programs that appear affected by the freeze such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) “depend on an uninterrupted supply of medicines.” PEPFAR and PMI were launched by Republican President George W. Bush and have long enjoyed bipartisan support.
Meeks serves as the top Democratic on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Frankel is a member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, meaning they both have oversight over State Department and USAID funding.
They added that people around the world — such as in conflict-ridden Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and Ukraine — rely on the continued flow of aid from the United States.
“Congress has appropriated and cleared these funds for use, and it is our constitutional duty to make sure these funds are spent as directed,” the letter read. “These funds respond directly to your stated challenge of carrying out a foreign policy that makes the United States stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”
The International AIDS Society warned on Saturday that halting PEPFAR would place millions of lives in jeopardy. IAS President Beatriz Grinsztejn said in a statement, “This is a matter of life or death. PEPFAR provides lifesaving antiretrovirals for more than 20 million people — and stopping its funding essentially stops their HIV treatment. If that happens, people are going to die and HIV will resurge.”
Archbishop Idahosa openly accuses Fellowship President of not keeping to promise
…other leaders concur
The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Archbishop Wale Oke, may not be reelected as some senior leaders of the body, among others, are accusing him of non-performance.
Oke, who was first elected into office in 2023 for a two-year term, is due for reelection in February 2025 during the biennial conference of the body.
But those who are dissatisfied with his administration say the PFN has lost the vibrancy it was noted for under the previous leadership, especially under Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, among others, and believe he should not be reelected.
PFN is the umbrella body for Pentecostal Christians in Nigeria and its members include the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) led by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Word of Life Bible Church led by Oritsejafor, Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) led by Archbishop David Oyedepo, Deeper Life Church led by Rev Kumuyi, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) led by Pastor Olukoya, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) led by Okonkwo, Church of Mission led by the late Idahosa but is now led by his widow, Margaret, Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) led by Rev (Mrs) Mercy Ezekiel, House on the Rock led by Pastor Paul Adefarasin, and the Sword of the Spirit led by Oke.
The Fellowship is arguable the largest Christian body in Nigeria and one of the bodies that make up the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In fact, some analysts say 60 per cent of Nigerian Christians belong to the PFN even though CAN is made up of about five groups.
Discontent
Discontent against the PFN leader blew open recently after one of the senior leaders of the Fellowship, Mama Margaret Idahosa, openly alleged that Oke failed to keep to promise although she said she had forgiven him.
The occasion was the 70th birthday of Oyedepo, held recently at Winners Chapel, where the Archbishop of the Church of God Mission described Oyedepo in glowing terms but ended her tribute by accusing Oke, who was seated there alongside Adeboye and wife, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, among others, of not keeping to promise.
In concluding the tribute in which she called Oyedepo an oak tree, a big elephant and a promise keeper, having fulfilled the covenant he made with her husband about 26 years ago, Mama Idahosa said: “Happy birthday to you sir, happy birthday to you ma, and happy birthday to all of us. Baba Adeboye (RCCG General Overseer), I thank you very much. Okonkwo (TREM Archbishop), I thank you very much, and Wale Oke, I have forgiven everything because he promised me and he did not come … but he is all under the lamb”.
Many senior leaders of the PFN who spoke with Sunday Vanguard echoed the Idahosa statement, saying the PFN National President’s promise to also keep the Fellowship vibrant had only been fulfilled in the breach.
“How much contribution of the PFN to national discourse have you heard in the last two years of the Wale Oke administration? This is a critical time in the life of Nigeria, and a crucial body like the PFN should be seen to be contributing its quota. But what have we seen?” one of the leaders said.
“When Bishop Oke took over the leadership, the PFN was vibrant. And Bishop Oke did promise to keep it vibrant as we had witnessed under Idahosa, Okonkwo, Oritsejafor.
“Today, nobody reckons with the PFN anymore because we have a leadership that is not pulling its weight. How many press statements have you seen from the PFN in two years? How many media appearances have you seen of our leadership? How many newspaper interviews? Everything about us just went into voicemail.
“Even our programmes, who attends now? Before the rot set in, high profile government were always willing to attend”.
The PFN leader cited the case of the Lagos branch of the Fellowship which operated without leadership for about one year because the national leadership appeared to have lost control.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that because of the perceived non-performance of the Wale Oke leadership, there is growing agitation for a new leadership in the Fellowship.
Meanwhile it could not be ascertained if those seeking to stop the PFN National President’s second term have zeroed-in on a particular candidate.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given the green light to the promotion of approximately 900 officers.
The commission also reinstated life and property insurance for its operatives.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, revealed this at the commission’s 2024 Rewards and Recognition ceremony in Abuja on Saturday.
Olukoyede stated that the commission, under his leadership, is working tirelessly to improve the welfare of its personnel.
He revealed that some staff members had been awaiting promotion for six or seven years.
Similarly, according to him, the commission is taking steps to address the long-standing issue of insurance, which has been absent for 20 years.
“We have approved the promotion of about 900 staff, some of whom have been awaiting promotion for about six or seven years.
“We are also taking steps to solve the issues of insurance. For 20 years, we have not had any life and property insurance.
“I believe that in another one or two months, we should be done with our life insurance and also the property insurance,” he said.
According to Olukoyede, the commission has recently taken delivery of 84 apartment units in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
He said the apartments would be distributed and sold to staff members at cost, without any interest charged on the purchase price.
Oloyede further confirmed that he was working on a package to adjust the cost of living for officers, adding that this would be unveiled soon.
“You are aware that we have just taken delivery of about 84 units of apartment in Lekki area in Lagos.
“They are going to be distributed and sold to staff at cost without charging one dime interest on the purchase cost of purchase value,” he explained.
The EFCC chairman emphasised that the commission would do everything possible to ensure the welfare of its personnel was well taken care of, within the limits of its resources.
“We are going to do everything possible to ensure that our welfare is well taken care of within the limits of our resources.
“Even if we have to stretch ourselves, I think we deserve it by virtue of the risk we take in this job,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of integrity, stating that it is the best preservation and assurance.
“Indeed, this recognition coming at a time like this when some bad eggs in our fold are trying to bring back the hand of the clock against our cherished values is a morale booster.
“It shows that hard work pays and integrity has good rewards. For those taking shortcuts to help themselves, I equally charge you to retrace yourself to accountable conduct.
“The internal cleansing going on in the commission will spare no one.
“I will continue to stress the need for us to do the right thing. Integrity is the best preservation and assurance.
“Anything short of it is a disaster waiting to happen. Excellence is not about doing things right once in a while. It is about doing things right at all times.
“You need to continue to offer your best as the reward for hard work is no work.
“Government expects us to do more. Nigerians expect us to do more. And we cannot afford to fail,” he said.
During the ceremony, Alvan Gurumnaan was awarded an SUV car for emerging as the best staff member in 2024, while 35 others received cash awards for their outstanding performance.
The Sokoto Zonal Directorate was also recognised as the Best Directorate in 2024.
recalled.
“However, we did not find a python or human remains. No one assaulted him. We simply handed him over to the police.”
The OSPAC commander, who witnessed the events, also confirmed that the situation was handled peacefully, with the suspects being transferred to the police without any violence.
A Magistrate Court in Ilesa, Osun State, ordered Rhoda Adu to pay N150,000 as damages for failing to visit her boyfriend, Olapitan Sola, after receiving N3,000 for transportation.
Ms Rhoda switched off her phone and failed to show up after Mr Olapitan sent her transport fare to visit him.
Unable to contact Ms Adu after sending her transport fare, Mr Olapitan felt defrauded and emotionally distressed and reported the incident to the Ayeso Police Station.
Ms Rhoda was thereafter arrested and brought to the court where evidence of the incident was submitted which included the N3,000 transfer and WhatsApp messages between Mr Olapitan and Ms Adu.
Magistrate Akogun Oludare ruled that Mrs Adu must refund the N3,000 transport fare, pay N100,000 for breaching their agreement, and an additional N50,000 as special damages for causing Mr Olapitan emotional distress.
Also, the court noted that its ruling was intended to deter others from committing similar offences.
At least 15 people tragically lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
The explosion occurred around 11:30 AM when a fuel-laden tanker exploded while navigating the busy expressway.
Witnesses described the blast as devastating as it destroyed nearby vehicles and caused widespread panic.
Rescue efforts were hindered by the intensity of the fire, making it difficult for bystanders to access the scene.
Victims who were reportedly burnt beyond recognition are believed to be occupants of the vehicles caught in the inferno.
Authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of casualties or the cause of the explosion as investigations continue.
The Kano State Police Command has reversed its earlier stance on the National Tijjaniyya Maulud event scheduled to be held this Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, following strong opposition from the State Government.
The Police Command had earlier raised an alarm about receiving intelligence reports suggesting potential terrorist attacks targeting public gatherings across the state. As a precaution, security personnel were deployed to the stadium, the venue of the annual religious event on Friday.
However, the Kano State government strongly condemned the Police move, accusing the police of attempting to disrupt the event, which has been held annually for 39 years.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described the deployment of security operatives as “unfair and unnecessary.” He insisted there were no credible threats to justify the action and called on the Federal Government to intervene.
However, in a post on his Facebook page on Saturday morning, the Police Command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, reassured the public that the deployment was to maintain order and security during the event.
The PPRO wrote: “Security personnel are present to ensure the ‘Maulud’ is conducted peacefully and concluded safely. Therefore, please remain vigilant against troublemakers. May Allah (SWT) deal with anyone planning to cause harm. Kindly support us with your prayers”.
He also issued a warning about criminal elements allegedly planning to exploit the gathering. “Some individuals are planning to set up phone charging stations near the Maulid venue. Their intention is to steal people’s phones. Therefore, be vigilant and cautious,” Kiyawa added.
Despite initial concerns, the National Tijjaniyya Maulud was proceeding as planned on Saturday, with a large turnout of participants and a visible but restrained police presence to ensure safety.
More...
A nine-man panel has been constituted by the Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) to look into the allegation of sexual harassment against the institution’s Vice Chancellor,, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.
A statement signed by the Registrar of the University and Secretary of Council, Mufutau Ibrahim, said the decision was taken by the Council at its emergency meeting held on Friday, 24th January, 2025.
It noted that online outfits, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and Sahara Reporters published a series of audio tapes alleging that the Vice-Chancellor sexually harassed Engr. Mrs Folashade Adebayo, a deputy director, of works in the University.
It further stated that “The Governing Council extensively discussed the issues and observed that the Federal University Oye-Ekiti has been in the news lately for the wrong reasons and that the negative stories are obscuring the remarkable achievements of the University.
“The Council consequently set up a nine-member committee to investigate the allegations thoroughly and get to the root of the matter, within three weeks.”
The panel has as its terms of reference, the mandate to investigate the source of the viral audios recording alleging the immoral moves by the Vice-Chancellor and the purchase of the positions of the Bursar and Registrar; investigate the motive behind the recording and how the recording gained currency in the social media.
Also, the committee is saddled with the responsibility of investigating the allegations of Engr. Adebayo, particularly the allegation of immoral advances against the Vice-Chancelor as well as review all previous actions and efforts by the police, the immediate-past chairman of Council and others at unravelling the allegations made by Adebayo against the Vice-Chancellor.
It is also required to investigate any other matter relating to the allegations.
“The Council hopes to consider the report of the committee at its next meeting scheduled for 3rd week of February, 2025,” it stated.
The Council, in the meantime, encouraged members of the University community and the public to remain calm and focused, expressing its determination to do justice while pledging that “there will be no sacred cows.”
Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has broken her silence on the fraud allegation against Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, her former manager.
Onyedikachukwu, who is the founder of the record label EeZee Conceptz, is accused of exploiting the singer.
He allegedly diverted approximately $345,000 from her digital platforms and events without disclosing the transactions and remitting her share.
The record label boss had earlier denied allegations of financial misconduct.
In a lengthy statement signed by her lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi on Saturday, Chinwo accused her former record label boss of contract fraud.
The 34-year-old singer alleged that he replaced the original contract signed when she joined the record label in 2017 with a new one in 2019 without her knowledge.
Chinwo claimed Eezeetee refused to give her a copy of the contract in 2017 till the contract duration expired in 2022.
The singer alleged that the new contract allocated lifetime ownership of all music works to Eezeetee and was designed to “keep me in servitude”.
Chinwo also accused Eezeetee of doctoring financial reports and failing to remit her share of digital streaming earnings.
She alleged that Eezeetee retained USD 274,000 in digital platform revenues without her knowledge or consent.
The singer also accused Eezeetee of doctoring reports received from Symphonic, Africori, and YouTube by not declaring the correct revenue split to be paid to her.
Chinwo revealed that she and Eezeetee had reached a reconciliation agreement at the EFCC office after which he apologised and promised to make amends.
She said Eezeetee allegedly reneged on the agreement and took her to court instead.
She called on Eezeetee to explain the disappearance of the original 2017 contract and the introduction of the new 2019 contract.
The singer also urged Eezeetee to inform the public about the true state of the two contracts.
Advertisement
Read the statement below:
MERCY CHINWO AND MR. EZEKIEL THANKGOD (EEZETEE): SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
We are Solicitors to Minister Mercy Chinwo, hereinafter referred to as Minister Mercy.
It is with deep concern that we address the recent controversies surrounding Minister Mercy’s relationship with Mr. Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee), her former manager. While we would have preferred to maintain silence on this matter, the severity of the falsehoods being circulated compels us to clarify the facts and set the record straight.
Advertisement
GENERAL NOTE
Contrary to the sensational narratives, Minister Mercy did not initiate any court action case against Mr. Ezekiel ThankGod (Eezeetee) regarding her music catalogue. At no point has she claimed that a 50/50 revenue split from her DSP earnings is unfair. The issues with Mr. Eezeetee are, in fact, grave matters that have posed significant threats to her life and cannot be easily exhausted, but she has preferred to remain silent.
WHAT WERE THE REAL ISSUES?
BACKGROUND
Minister Mercy’s journey with Eezeetee began humbly during her days as Eezeetee’s backup singer in Port Harcourt. Over time, their work relationship flourished, with Eezeetee assuming a loco parentis role, advising and mentoring her. Their relationship was not born out of contract, but beyond, She honours him like a father.
He commenced managing her early in 2017, introduced her to his Pastor, Pastor Temple Odoko and later specifically advised that they sign a management contract on her birthday to remarkably announce their work. He brought the contract, and it was happily executed on September 5, 2017, in Port Harcourt. (Note date and place).
WORK RELATION
The work relation was super cordial. Minister Mercy “Excess Love” project was recorded in 2017, and it was a major success. Other projects followed. Eezeetee put in the work and passion, he talked big on his vision for gospel music in Nigeria, and she strongly bought into it.
RELOCATION TO LAGOS
The grace of God was evident, and need to relocate to Lagos became crucial in 2018. He established the structure, and they worked with unity and a common vision. Everyone was committed to the organization vision, and she was instrumental in ensuring that more gospel ministers, starting with Judikay, joined the organization in early 2019.
THE TURNING POINT
Towards the middle and end of 2019, commencing the 3rd year of working with Eezeetee, things began to change gradually. They had discussions, as usual, about the organization and her plans. He expressed his intention for her to extend her five-year contract to twelve years. However, she declined, stating that she is got other plans.
Afterwards, she noticed that at any given opportunity to address any issue, Eezeetee would be hostile and make reference to the contract. He started talking tough and repeatedly about the contract, which was not the norm. It was at this point that she realized she needed to have a copy of the contract. As the situation got worse in 2020 she demanded for her copy of the contract. (By the way, her copy of the contract was only given at the end of the contract time on the 23rd of November, 2022)
By the fourth year, the relationship had become extremely toxic, as Minister Mercy started to endure untold verbal and emotional assault that literally affected her person. Eezeetee would threaten her with statements like: “I will deal with you, I will mess you up, I made you whom you are, I can shut you up, and nobody will hear you again, I will destroy your career” including the use of the “F” word, sadly on different occasions. Extremely hostile, antagonistic and abusive.
Eezeetee continue to intimidate her, isolating and bulling her, misleading people inviting her for events about her availability.
When she gets invitations to minister at programs, the management would respond to the invitees that she was not available or that she was sick. In some cases, the management would demand an outrageous fee for her to attend programs in order to frustrate the invitation.
One of such heartbreaking incidents involved a church program that had been concluded for her to attend in October 2021, hosted by a father of faith in Edo State, Rev. Felix Omobode. Eezeetee suddenly told the host that Minister Mercy could not attend because she had a terminal health problem. She got wind of it and fought back. It became chaos while she threatened it was over and done with the organization.
She was threatened with the contract but she insisted she will go and minister against the management’s wish. There were interventions, after much pressure, he claimed the organizers did not make flight arrangements. She said she will attend by any means. He eventually booked the flight. To her surprise, her host came along with a medical team to the airport to receive her believing she was unwell and may need support. Meanwhile, Minister Mercy also discovered that her ticket and that of Eezeetee had been long booked by the host.
RECONCILIATION
Though broken, she made efforts at reconciliation. She prayed and had discussions with her spiritual mentor. She decided to make a deliberate effort to restore the good working relationship. She was led to sow a seed to him. She bought a brand-new SUV for him as a seed. She made efforts, and they tried to achieve a genuine reconciliation. They reconciled, but he was more particular about posting the car on social media to appreciate her. She declined, and things got worse.
The situation worsened as there was no longer trust. She lived in tears. She had to narrate her experience to Minister Chioma Jesus, whose intervention led to the management returning her call lines to her in December 2021 to manage her program scheduling herself. Without removing her cost of logistics for travels and remuneration for her team members which she must pay, she remitted an absolute total of 50% of any gift or honorarium with date and evidence to Eezeetee. If she delayed, he would certainly send a mail.
CASE OF FORGERY
After her contract had expired on the 5th of September, 2022, Minister Mercy was directed to get her copy of the contract from his Pastor, Temple Odoko who has now become their mutual father, and she got her copy November 22, 2022. Shockingly, It turned out that the contract that was signed in 2017 had been replaced with another contract made in 2019. A new contract made in 2019 was altered to seem as if it was the document signed in 2017.
Clearly, on the face of the contract, at the front page, the “2019” was altered to “2017” by turning the “9” to “7” with a pen. However, the commencement page was carelessly reading “2019.” Eezeetee is challenged in one word to release the first three pages and the execution page of the contract in public. The contract till date has no original, just the photocopy.
Due diligence revealed that after signing the original contract in 2017, two years later, when they had relocated to lagos. Eezeetee secured the services of a prominent and respected law firm in Lagos (Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie) to prepare a new contract in 2019. The contract was used to substitute the 2017 original contract.
The contract was prepared and sent to him via email in 2019 by Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie. He altered the front page of the contract to read 2017 and claimed it was the contract signed. Meanwhile, the commencement date was carelessly left as 2019 on the document. He refused to release the original contract signed in 2017 but the new one 2019.
At an investigation meeting, Our Managing Partner, Pelumi Olajengbesi respectfully asked Mr. Mena Ajakpovi, Esq., Partner at Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie, to speak to the integrity of the contract. The partner confirmed that while they drafted the contract in 2019, it was never signed in their presence as Eezeetee claimed. He added that their firm only sent it to him via email and was not aware of the 2017 alterations on the contract. This exposed the fact that it was not the same contract signed 2017 in Porhartcourt.
It is important to reiterate that while the 2017 contract was just about 5 pages, the 2019 contract, which was introduced by Eezeetee to replace the old contract was 25 pages, allocating lifetime ownership of all music works to Eezeetee and couched in a manner intended to perpetually have Minister Mercy in servitude.
OTHER ISSUES
Eezeetee, in the continued onerous act, doctored reports received from Symphonic, Africori, and YouTube by not declaring the correct revenue split to be paid out to Minister Mercy. He brought documents in the mid years of the contract that she needs to sign to help recover her revenue from publishing as song writer. Yet, he falsely listed himself as the writer of all her songs, to receive revenues as both writer and producer. He refused to remit her a penny from the publishing revenue for the past seven years, from inception till date and Minister Mercy didn’t make it an issue. He did not remit his ‘choiced’ 50% of the Digital Streams earnings from 2022 to 2024 — a complete two years.
Eezeetee claimed he has paid her over $600,000; that couldn’t have been the reason for the issues. Minister Mercy recorded and released almost 40 songs with him. Whatever he has remitted to her is from the 50% ratio, and she has never complained about the percentage.
AFTER THE CONTRACT
Minister Mercy made significant efforts to record an additional album before the expiration of her contract. She had clear instructions on the songs, wrote them down and sent a list to Eezeetee, requesting a recording schedule. However, his responses were dismissive, with one reply stating, “Na you dey teach me work now,” and another time, indicating he was too busy at the time.
After the original contract, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, had expired, Eezeetee insisted that the contract be extended. He justified this by citing the fact that a third album had not been recorded, referencing a questionable contract clause from 2019.
APOSTLE ANSELEM’S MADUBUKO INTERVENTION
Apostle Anselem attempted to help resolve the matter on several occasions. We were advised to forgive and forget, and we happily did. Eezeetee was told to remit Minister Mercy’s due, and everyone agreed on an independent audit. A neutral auditor was appointed. The audit was about to start when Eezeetee pulled out and refused to comply further on the excuse that his lawyer was not at the meeting where the audit was agreed upon. The auditor had to resign for lack of cooperation. Having seen the volume of revenue coming, he had to manipulate a new contract.
FORGERY AND DIVERSION INVESTIGATION
At the EFCC investigation panel in 2024, with all parties present and their lawyers, it was established that the sum of USD 274,000 had been unlawfully retained and diverted by Eezeetee from digital platform revenues reviewed as at then. Eezeetee claimed Minister Mercy had asked him to help keep part of the revenue to avoid mismanagement and that he was holding the remaining to ensure reconciliation before releasing the payment. He stated there was no intention to steal. He was understood. The money was recovered peacefully.
Eezeetee now admitted at the EFCC office for very first time that there were two contracts, the original signed in 2017 and another he introduced two years after the actual contract had been signed. He, however, appealed that the matter be settled amicably in peace. He started crying and preached peace. Minister Mercy broke down emotionally also in tears. There was forgiveness and reconciliation.
The Legal Practitioner representing Mr. Eezeetee, Dapo Akinosun SAN, Senior Partner at Simmons Cooper Partners admonished that parties should settle as Christian family. Eezeetee apologized in tears to Minister Mercy, and reconciliation was encouraged. Parties settled, and the learned silk encouraged that a settlement agreement be prepared and signed afterward.
A draft agreement was prepared and sent to us by the Learned Silk representing Eezeetee, outlining terms aimed at amicably resolving the matter. After reviewing the draft, we provided our input to address certain terms and awaited the signing of the final settlement agreement. However, upon following up with the Learned Silk, the last response remained that we should wait.
COURT CASE
Just as we were waiting for Eezeetee to finalize the settlement peacefully by signing, we were told that Eezeetee had engaged a new lawyer and had now taken the matter to court. Eezeetee was the one who filed a court case against Mercy Chinwo and Judikay separately, in suit referenced – LMDC/09-24/289/WI-M. The same Eezeetee pushed the false report of Minister Mercy taking him to court for a catalogue to mislead the public and draw sentiments or pity to him.
He filed another suit in court against the EFCC for investigating the allegations. We latter heard that he has been charged for fraud by EFCC, a warrant of arrest issued for him to be compelled to appear before the court.
FINAL SETTLEMENT
Minister Mercy firmly believes that the Lord has settled her and wiped away her tears, reaffirming her position that these issues are not beyond resolution. However, Eezeetee should tell the world as he has been doing, what happened to the 2017 contract she signed in Port Harcourt? What is the reason behind the introduction of a new Lagos-based contract in 2019? Why was the document forged? and why has he refused to inform the public about the true state of the two contracts.
Minister Mercy deeply appreciates your prayers, love, and continued support during this time.
SIGNED:
Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.
Solicitors and Attorneys-at-Law to Minister Mercy Chinwo
Chinwo is not the only former artiste to have a contractual dispute with Onyedikachukwu.
Recently, Judikay accused the label boss of theft. She claimed he defrauded her of £800,000 by falsifying financial records and altering streaming data.
The distribution of value-added tax (VAT) revenue in Nigeria continues to stir controversy, as data from Agora Policy shows a significant disparity between states’ contributions to the VAT pool and their subsequent allocations.
The data, based on figures from the federation accounts allocation committee (FAAC) for 2024, and published on Thursday by the Abuja-based think tank, reignites debates about fairness, fiscal equity, and the need for systemic reform.
Administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), VAT has been a critical source of non-oil revenue since its introduction in 1993 to replace the Sale Tax, with its sharing formula grabbing headlines recently, as Taiwo Oyedele-led tax and fiscal policy committee proposed a change to ensure fairness in the distribution.
The committee had proposed a VAT-sharing formula of 20 percent based on equality, 60 percent based on derivation, and 20 percent based on population.
However, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) rejected the committee’s suggestion and proposed a sharing formula of 50 percent based on equality, 30 percent based on derivation, and 20 percent based on population — which Oyedele said his committee has no objection to.
While implementation is projected to commence in July, the current sharing formula of 50 percent based on equality, 30 percent based on population and 20 percent based on derivation, creates a glaring imbalance.
LAGOS, RIVERS BEAR THE BRUNT
Lagos state, Nigeria’s economic hub centre, contributed N2.75 trillion to the VAT pool in 2024—nearly half of the total revenue generated.
However, the state received just N460 billion in return as VAT share, representing only 16.7 percent of its contribution.
Rivers state, another major contributor, generated N832 billion but received N186.6 billion from the VAT pool, accounting for 22.4 percent of its input.
In contrast, states with significantly lower contributions benefitted more from the redistribution.
For instance, Kano, which contributed N77.7 billion, received N117.1 billion from the VAT pool, while Katsina, with a contribution of just N22 billion, was allocated N85.6 billion.
Abia state contributed N8.68 billion but received N63.78 billion — a 734.8 percent return.
Similarly, Imo state contributed N4.38 billion but was allocated N70.7 billion, reflecting a 1,613 percent return.
VAT DISTRIBUTION ACROSS ZONES
Across the geopolitical zones, the south-west, led by Lagos, contributed N3.11 trillion, accounting for the largest share of the VAT pool.
Despite its major contribution, the zone received only N849.71 billion, representing 27.4 percent of its contributions.
Advertisement
Also, the south-south contributed N1.08 trillion but was allocated N543.49 billion— 50.3 percent of its contributions.
The north-west contributed N211.27 billion to the VAT pool but received N574.32 billion in return, equating to 271.8 percent of its contributions.
Advertisement
The north-east, despite contributing N174.50 billion, received a significant N411.84 billion, amounting to 236 percent of its contributions.
With a contribution of N154.54 billion, the north-central zone received N408.66 billion, translating to 264.4 percent of its input.
Advertisement
The south-east contributed the least (N101.09 billion) but received a hefty N341.46 billion — a 337.8 percent return on its contribution.
Across the regions in Nigeria, southern states, driven by economic hubs like Lagos and Rivers, contributed N4.28 trillion to the VAT pool but received only N1.73 trillion, representing 40.5 percent of their contributions.
In sharp contrast, northern states contributed N540.31 billion yet received N1.39 trillion, an astonishing 258.2 percent return.
Here is how much states contributed to the VAT pool and their FAAC allocation in 2024:
| States | Contribution | Received | % Received over contributed |
| LAGOS | N2,748,665,069,782.76 | N460,114,236,434.33 | 16.74 |
| RIVERS | N832,688,064,654.31 | N186,656,071,024.28 | 22.42 |
| OYO | N272,411,954,052.28 | N116,829,092,280.14 | 42.89 |
| KANO | N77,761,860,423.78 | N117,186,032,787.88 | 150.70 |
| DELTA | N73,394,396,800.90 | N80,733,654,051.96 | 110.00 |
| BAYELSA | N64,661,168,717.61 | N63,420,883,509.10 | 98.08 |
| EDO | N53,546,613,686.53 | N72,330,445,667.65 | 135.08 |
| ANAMBRA | N47,529,541,587.55 | N78,003,239,449.32 | 164.12 |
| AKWA IBOM | N46,932,436,075.61 | N76,097,364,709.81 | 162.14 |
| ADAMAWA | N42,012,111,298.36 | N70,414,117,537.30 | 167.60 |
| BORNO | N35,286,944,597.86 | N76,154,668,063.95 | 215.82 |
| NIGER | N34,841,993,907.07 | N74,787,450,124.92 | 214.65 |
| TARABA | N32,365,269,965.30 | N63,240,998,374.15 | 195.40 |
| KWARA | N31,508,114,508.92 | N63,632,938,056.02 | 201.96 |
| KADUNA | N30,302,403,947.99 | N88,500,214,722.26 | 292.06 |
| EKITI | N29,576,981,468.02 | N63,470,749,066.70 | 214.60 |
| JIGAWA | N28,540,036,073.60 | N76,679,280,748.36 | 268.67 |
| BENUE | N26,595,295,560.44 | N75,474,590,397.58 | 283.79 |
| OGUN | N26,156,976,489.99 | N72,104,176,520.42 | 275.66 |
| SOKOTO | N25,981,257,188.75 | N71,938,907,517.52 | 276.89 |
| GOMBE | N25,445,755,074.50 | N62,774,668,097.61 | 246.70 |
| EBONYI | N25,107,178,060.92 | 61,431,616,027.96 | 244.68 |
| KOGI | N23,605,705,739.45 | N68,739,837,797.79 | 291.20 |
| PLATEAU | N22,100,871,516.06 | N67,868,060,371.87 | 307.08 |
| KATSINA | N22,080,740,524.48 | N85,587,835,727.97 | 387.61 |
| YOBE | N19,793,062,527.69 | N61,778,309,452.52 | 312.12 |
| BAUCHI | N19,597,766,555.00 | N77,472,243,211.90 | 395.31 |
| ZAMFARA | N17,827,344,518.62 | N67,871,376,495.76 | 380.72 |
| NASARAWA | N15,891,934,905.05 | N58,157,189,562.56 | 365.95 |
| ENUGU | N15,396,554,017.72 | N67,538,962,223.54 | 438.66 |
| OSUN | N14,794,902,567.80 | N68,619,532,407.63 | 463.81 |
| ONDO | N13,802,062,592.84 | N68,570,293,215.49 | 496.81 |
| CROSS RIVER | N9,358,220,471.69 | N64,248,333,841.31 | 686.54 |
| KEBBI | N8,773,869,718.68 | N66,553,295,316.50 | 758.54 |
| ABIA | N8,680,963,229.26 | N63,783,987,557.73 | 734.76 |
| IMO | N4,383,557,406.46 | N70,700,422,604.48 | 1,612.85 |
Meta Platforms, Inc. has announced plans to invest up to $65 billion in 2025 to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
According to a Reuters report, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to strengthen the company’s competitive edge against rivals such as OpenAI and Google in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, emphasized the transformative potential of these efforts, stating, “This will be a defining year for AI. This is a massive effort, and over the coming years it will drive our core products and business,” in a Facebook post.
As part of the investment, Meta plans to accelerate hiring for AI-focused roles, construct a data center with over 2-gigawatt capacity capable of powering a significant portion of Manhattan, and expand its fleet of Nvidia’s high-demand AI chips, aiming to exceed 1.3 million graphics processors by year-end. Additionally, the company intends to bring approximately 1 gigawatt of computing power online by 2025.
The $65 billion capital expenditure represents a significant leap from Meta’s estimated $38 billion to $40 billion expenditure in 2024
Workforce optimization measures
In a related development, Meta is also taking steps to optimize its workforce as part of its strategy to achieve these ambitious goals. The company plans to reduce its workforce by 5%, targeting underperforming employees.
- CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined this decision in an internal memo and emphasized Meta’s focus on advancing transformative technologies like AI, smart glasses, and social media while ensuring top talent drives the company’s ambitious goals.
Zuckerberg further emphasized the company’s intent to “raise the bar on performance management” and accelerate the process of managing low performers in 2025 with the intention of backfilling the roles.
- The company’s AI assistant, currently available across its services, is expected to serve over 1 billion people by 2025, a sharp increase from the 600 million monthly active users recorded last year.
- Meta’s open-source approach with its Llama AI models has further differentiated it from competitors, allowing consumers and businesses to leverage its technology for free.
AI investment surge
Meta’s investment comes on the heels of significant developments in the AI sector.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled the Stargate Project, a landmark $500 billion initiative to bolster AI infrastructure across the United States. Partnering with industry leaders like OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, the project aims to enhance U.S. AI capabilities, create 100,000 jobs, and secure a competitive edge over rivals like China. The first phase, involving data center construction, is already underway in Texas.
- Microsoft, in a parallel move, has announced an $80 billion investment for fiscal 2025 to expand its data center infrastructure. This initiative seeks to meet surging demand for AI computing power and maintain the company’s momentum in AI innovation.
- Amazon.com is also making a bold statement with plans to surpass $75 billion in AI-related spending by 2025. The investment is focused on enhancing AWS cloud services, optimizing logistics through AI-driven automation, and driving innovation in consumer products.
Meta has emerged as a big player in the AI race with its AI chatbot, Ray-Ban smart glasses and open-source approach.
[Nairametrics]