Nigerian singer, Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, has said his twin brother Peter Okoye, also known as Mr P, was behind his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Naija News recalls that in June, Nigerian celebrity journalist, Stella Dimokokorkus, said the twin brothers are at war over joint funds being allegedly diverted by their elder brother cum music executive, Jude Okoye.
In a recent interview with City FM, Lagos, Rudeboy said Peter petitioned the anti-graft agency to invite him over alleged fraudulent dealings.
The singer said the EFCC requested details of his account statement and asked him to explain every transaction.
He said that despite the EFCC clearing him of all allegations after a thorough investigation, his twin brother refused to apologise over the false accusations.
He said, “This year, I was invited by the EFCC after they received a petition against me from my twin brother. I never thought it [our beef] would get to this extent. I thought it was just music.
“The next thing, people are asking me, ‘What do you do?’ Somebody said, ‘You’re going to go to jail for 20 years. They’re going to lock you up.’ I got to the EFCC office, they told me everything. They’ve already printed all my account statements. They asked me to explain every transaction.
“First of all, what entered my mind was, what if I was into fraud? That’s how my brother would have finished me? But I took it. Then they started the investigation. At a point, I was no longer comfortable with the kind of questions they were asking me. When I knew it was serious was when they asked me to get a lawyer and sureties. I did everything.
“One month ago, they called me, my twin brother and our elder brother [Jude Okoye], and said, ‘First of all, we have to say that after all investigations, Paul is innocent. Paul is cleared. Everything you accused him of, we’ve done our investigation and he’s innocent.’
“Despite the fact that I was proven innocent, my twin brother didn’t apologise for the false accusations.”
Paris 2024 Olympics: France win against Argentina To Face Egypt In Men’s Football Semifinals
AFOLABI
France’s grudge match with Argentina ended in ugly scenes after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal to put the hosts into the Olympic semi-finals on Friday with a 1-0 win, joining Spain, Morocco and Egypt.
Tensions spilled over at full-time in Bordeaux with rival players and staff clashing on the pitch and confrontations continuing down the tunnel.
Crystal Palace striker Mateta struck five minutes into the quarter-final, meeting Michael Olise’s corner with a superb near-post header.
That proved enough for the hosts, coached by Thierry Henry, to reach the last four, where they face Egypt.
Friday’s clash was the first meeting of the nations since Argentina players were recorded singing racist chants about their French counterparts as they celebrated winning the Copa America in mid-July.
FIFA announced it would investigate the chants, which targeted France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and included racist and homophobic insults.
The Argentina team were met with a hostile welcome, where the crowd loudly jeered their national anthem as the sides met for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final, which the South Americans won on penalties.
Henry said midfielder Enzo Millot, who had been substituted late on, was shown a red card after the final whistle.
“He wasn’t on the pitch. Maybe you get sent off because you get a second yellow card to stop someone running through on goal, not when you are on the bench. I am really not happy about that,” Henry told broadcaster France 3.
Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez missed chances for Javier Mascherano’s Argentina, and the exit of the two-time gold medallists means the winner of men’s football gold will not come from Latin America for the first time since Cameroon triumphed in Sydney in 2000.
France could have won by a wider margin, but Olise had a late second goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
– Spain and Morocco march on –
They will now be heavy favourites to win a semi-final in Lyon on Monday against Egypt, who beat Paraguay 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Marseille.
Ibrahim Adel was Egypt’s hero, scoring a late equaliser in normal time and then converting the winning penalty in the shoot-out, in which Paraguay’s Marcelo Perez was the only player to fail to score.
Earlier a brilliant brace by Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez helped fire Spain to a 3-0 win over Japan in Lyon.
Lopez, a member of Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 squad, blasted in the opener from range in the 11th minute.
The Barcelona midfielder struck again on 73 minutes with another goal of the highest quality as he controlled a Sergio Gomez corner before volleying in from the edge of the box.
Captain Abel Ruiz wrapped up the win for Spain, Olympic champions in 1992 and silver medallists three years ago in Tokyo.
Spain go through to a last-four clash in Marseille with Morocco, who outclassed the United States, winning 4-0 in Paris.
Soufiane Rahimi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box just before the half-hour mark.
That was a fifth goal in four games for the tournament’s top scorer.
Morocco doubled their lead on 63 minutes when Abde Ezzalzouli set up Ilias Akhomach to finish at the near post.
Captain Achraf Hakimi, playing on his Paris Saint-Germain home ground, ran through to make it 3-0 and substitute Mehdi Maouhoub added another penalty in stoppage time.
“If we keep playing like this we will deserve to be in the final,” said Akhomach.
“Other countries might be talked about more than us but we know what we want. We came here to win.”
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has made it to the final of the men’s shot put event at the 2024 Olympic Games, DAILY POST reports.
Enekwechi advanced into Saturday’s final, placing fifth overall in qualification Group B.
The 31-year-old threw a distance of 21.13m to earn himself a place in the final.
The African champion is the first Nigerian to make it to the final of any event at the ongoing games.
It would be recalled that Enekwechi made it to the final of the shot put event four years ago in Tokyo.
He would be hoping to make it to the podium by finishing in the top three.
![BBNaija S9: Tjay rescued from drowning during pool party [VIDEO]](/media/k2/items/cache/e8b64e21a62d122d95c495338a003697_M.jpg)
Big Brother Naija season 9 housemate, Tjay has nearly drowned during the Thursday’s night pool party.
During the Thursday party, Tjay and some housemates were having fun inside the pool before he lost his footing.
The 33-year-old doctor in a now viral video is seen struggling to maintain his balance and footing while trying to stay afloat in the pool.
No one noticed the situation until Ben, Tjay’s partner in Biggie’s house came to rescue him after he saw him battling to keep his head above the water.
Watch the video below;
Media
God saved Dr Tjay ?? nah so people dey just drawn like that. ?↔️ #BBNaija #bbnaija2024 pic.twitter.com/pwAz7tNnXu
— Queein (@QueeinJ) August 1, 2024
Nollywood actress and media personality, Toke Makinwa, has berated those taking advantage of the ongoing nationwide protest to destroy and vandalise properties of fellow Nigerians.
Recall that a cross-section of Nigerians trooped out on Thursday to begin a nationwide demonstration over the high level of hardship in the country.
There were reports that some hoodlums took advantage of the peaceful protest to loot the government and private properties in some parts of the country.
Reacting via her X handle Thursday evening, Makinwa said it was uncalled for.
She noted that the individuals whose properties were being looted were also passing through the same hardship.
“Destroying properties and stealing from your fellow Nigerians who are passing through the same hardship is not right at all. This is very sad,” she wrote.
Responding to a critic, she clarified that her tweet does not in any way suggest that the crimes were being perpetrated by the protesters.
She wrote, “I did not say the stealing and vandalism was done by protesters, the people who have their things stolen are Nigerians too, going through the same hardship. What have they done to deserve this?”
![[PRESS STATEMENT] Protest: Obi urges Tinubu to Address the Nation](/media/k2/items/cache/b1fdc37e3e7265c7c67d48eda05eb4e5_M.jpg)
As the nationwide #Endbsdgovernance protest enters the second day across the country, the main opposition voice and the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the nation and douse the tension in the land.
Reacting to the protest and the demands of the protesters from his home in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi said the President should address the nation and attend to the legitimate demands of the people.
Referencing the video showing he was in Abuja on day one, the former Anambra State Governor said
"I am here in Onitsha; I can't be here and be in Abuja"
On the demands of the protesters, Obi said they were legitimate but insisted they must be pursued within the law.
"My appeal is for the President to come out and address the nation, he is the one the people elected, holding their mandate, and he should not be using aides or appointees to reach the people at such critical times."
The LP standards bearer also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the protest, as well as the injured and those who lost their property in the protest.
Signed
Yunusa Tanko
POMR SPOKESMAN
Armed security operatives, on Friday, fired teargas canisters at protesters marching to Eagle Square from MKO Abiola National Stadium at the Central Business District junction near the United Nations building.
According to Vanguard, one protester was feared shot dead while trying to escape.
The protesters, who began their march at 12:39 pm, regrouped at the MKO Abiola National Stadium by 1:50 pm, engaging security forces in a shouting match.
They warned against the use of brute force to stop the protest, demanding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu address their grievances.
The protesters are calling for the return of fuel subsidies to reduce petrol prices and an end to corruption in the subsidy regime.
They chanted slogans like “End Bad Government” and “Bring back Subsidy” as they marched.
The protesters had earlier converged on different parts of Abuja, including the Berger Roundabout in Wuse Zone 6, as early as 9:06 am, before marching to the MKO Abiola Stadium.
A helicopter was spotted flying over the stadium as protesters gathered, adding to the tense atmosphere.
Security forces, including personnel from the Army Headquarters Garrison Command, NSCDC, and DSS, are on the scene, with FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, visiting the area earlier.
![#EndBadGovernance Protest: Police Bow To Protester’s Speech In Lagos [Video]](/media/k2/items/cache/cde27e46f22f12072f8eb413f6b4df20_S.jpg)
A viral video taken from the ongoing ‘End Bad Governance in Nigeria’ protest in Ojota, Lagos state showed a group of protesters being confronted by the Nigeria police.
In the video, the heavily armed police officers used themselves to make a barricade on the road to stop the group of protesters from moving beyond where they were.
One of the protesters could be heard calmly addressing the officers, telling them that the ongoing protest was also for their advantage, while reminding them that they weren’t supposed to be at a location of a peaceful protest based on the oat they took before joining the force.
The protester continued to urge the policemen not to use force on them because the protest could lead to the officers having a better working environment including better salary structure.
He also told them that the police ought to be earning as high as one million naira and earn better than national assembly members.
After the speech of the unnamed protester, the policemen quietly left the road and allowed the protesters to go on with their protest.
The joyous protesters were very satisfied that the policemen co-operated with them and showed their appreciation to the officers by offering prayers to them.
Media
THE Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, led by the South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has hailed the people of the Niger Delta region, especially leaders of ethnic youth organizations, community-based and civil society groups, as well as activists, ex-agitators, and youths in general, for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region during the nationwide protests.
A statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ken Robinson, PANDEF said, “The leadership of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, commends the people of the Niger Delta region, especially leaders of ethnic youth organizations, community-based and civil society groups, as well as activists, ex-agitators, and youths in general, for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region in the face of the nationwide protests.
“In light of reports of looting, destruction, and loss of lives in some parts of the country, PANDEF urges the protesters in some states of the region to end their protests to prevent criminal elements from hijacking the process and causing disruptions to the relative peace in the region.
“It is important to note that the point has already been made. YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD!
“We call on the government at all levels to take necessary and urgent steps to address the difficulties citizens are facing.”
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pleaded with the #EndBadGovernance protesters to end the ongoing demonstration.
Sanwo-Olu spoke through the state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, at Ojota Park on the second day of the nationwide protests.
Omotosho pleaded with the aggrieved Nigerian youths to shelve their protest, saying the government had heard their demands.
He said, “For our people protesting, we have heard their rights, we have heard their say, Sanwo-Olu the governor has said he has heard them. Now it is time to go home, now it is time to end their protest.”
Meanwhile, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, condemned a post made by @Lagospedia on X (formerly Twitter) that called on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and the South-West.
The post by the user on July 27, 2024, asking Lagosians to brace for a massive #IgboMustGo protest from August 20 to 30, 2024, has since generated controversy on social media.
The media aide to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, in a statement, noted that the governor and indeed, the Lagos State Government “wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.”
According to him, Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the South-West and other tribes, “especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.
“The governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the state, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.
“Mr Governor enjoins Lagosians to ignore the post and any post of that nature, promising to double his efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the state.”
More...
The Kaduna Electric Company ( KAEDCO) has cut off electricity supply to the Kaduna State Government House and other state government accounts due to unpaid bills.
Kaduna Electric Head, Corporation Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi,announced the disconnection after extensive efforts to resolve the issue through consultations and reconciliations.
“The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024 alone amounts to a staggering One Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-One Naira, Eighty-Seven Kobo (N1,166,856,991.87).”
“This figure, including the historical debt has left the State Government with a huge debt that currently stands at a total of Two Billion Nine Hundred and Fourty-Three Million Sixty Thousand One Hundred and Sixteen Naira Seventy-Seven Kobo (N2,943,060,116.77).
Despite a recent payment of N256,920,963.88 made on May 9, 2024, for electricity consumed between September 2023 and December 2023, the Kaduna State Government’s debt remains significantly high. This payment, though substantial, has not been enough to clear the accumulated arrears.”
“Kaduna Electric’s decision to disconnect power came after repeated attempts to address the payment issues, including several consultations with state officials. In contrast, other states under the Kaduna Electric franchise, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, have maintained their accounts in good standing, regularly meeting their electricity payment obligations and other repayment obligations with Kaduna Electric.”]
“A disconnection notice was formally issued on July 21, 2024, and was received by the Office of the Governor on July 22, 2024. The move reflects the company’s need to meet its own financial obligations amidst the broader challenges facing the electricity sector. Kaduna Electric has emphasized that the disconnection was a last resort after all other avenues for resolving the payment issue had been exhausted. The company is now focusing on fulfilling its commitments to the electricity market and ensuring stability in its operations and sustainability as a Company.”
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had previously intervened in the Disco by installing an Administrator and Special Board to oversee the Company during a transitional period prior to an official takeover by the current investors.”
“The Administrator of Kaduna Electric had committed to an agreement with the Kaduna Inland Revenue Service to pay N20 million monthly, this includes statutory monthly tax payments as required, this agreement has been honored since takeover by the current Management.
The situation has highlighted the urgent need for improved financial management and timely payments by government entities to avoid disruptions in essential services.”
“The public and stakeholders await further developments on how the Kaduna State Government will address the arrears and restore power to the affected government offices.”
A devastating incident has occurred in Abubor Nnewichi community, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where a mother and her four children have died from suspected food poisoning.
The victims, identified as Onyinye (mother) and her children, Miracle, Dominion, Amanda, and Kosi, reportedly died after consuming their dinner on Monday.
According to eyewitnesses and family sources, the family had finished eating the meal before the incident occurred, and the remnants suggested it might have been a cassava meal.
However, the exact cause of the poisoning is still unknown. The father, who was not present at the time of the incident, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a shock upon returning home to find his family members lifeless.
Two other siblings, a boy and a girl, escaped the tragedy as they were not living with their parents in Nnewi.
The police have confirmed the incident and are investigating the cause of the deaths. The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.
Also, Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated: “It is a case of sudden and unnatural death reported to the command.”
Nigerians on social media have raised N1.8 million for Ogwu Benjamin Chijioke, who during Thursday’s nationwide protest, highlighted his struggle to provide for his 13-year-old son, a programmer, due to the country’s economic difficulties.
Chijioke, who was interviewed by Channels TV at the protest, shared his challenge in supporting his 13-year-old son, Goodluck Benjamin, a budding game programmer hindered by economic hardships.
Chijioke, expressing deep personal sacrifice, stated, “I’d rather die on the streets than let my son’s future go to waste. I know I may not have security in Nigeria, but my son’s future will not waste.”
His poignant story resonated with many, prompting a surge of support on social media.
Prominent Figure Morris Monye, known on X, remarked, “You can feel the passion in his soul. He’s lost hope for himself but not for his son. This is why he is protesting.”
Monye later called for action, seeking to locate Chijioke to facilitate the fundraising effort.
The campaign to support Goodluck’s game programming education quickly gained momentum, achieving its ₦1.8 million goal within hours.
Chijioke has since expressed deep gratitude for the generous response from fellow Nigerians in supporting his child’s future.
It’s Shameful, Irresponsible Alleging Peter Obi, I Gave Abuja Hunger Protesters Food – FCT Senator Slams Wike
AFOLABI
The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe has slammed the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for alleging that he saw a senator giving food to hunger protesters in the FCT on Thursday.
Wike had declared, “That is sponsorship. A senator providing food for protesters.
“At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day,” he stated during a press conference following the outbreak of protests in the FCT and across the country on Thursday.
Although he did not mention names, the video he referenced also linked former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter, as one of those providing food to protesters.
However, the video showed Obi addressing protesters which both the two Labour Party top shots have said was recorded when they alongside other top members of the party including other elected officials of the party in the FCT went to the party’s office in Abuja to mediate against the party leadership crisis.
THE WHISTLER did not see anyone providing food to protesters when viewing and analysing the video which was shared on Tiktok.
Obi however could be heard advising the protesters who had staged the protest against the party’s National Chairman, Mr Julius Abure, that “nobody here is more important than the others including me, we want the country (Nigeria) to work,” while senator Kingibe was seen standing by with other top brass of the party.
Obi on Friday denied the video and said he was not part of the protests in the FCT or the country and warned against orchestrated moves against his person.
On her part, Senator Kingibe said “I am shocked and outraged by the blatant lies and misinformation being spread by mischief-makers! The video being circulated is from over six weeks ago, during a Labour Party NWC meeting, when the NLC was protesting outside the Labour Party office.
“As stakeholders, including Senators, House of Reps members, and Mr. Peter Obi, we went out to engage with the protesters and address their concerns.
“Now, these deceitful individuals are trying to pass off this old footage as current, claiming that Mr PeterObi and I were leading protests in Abuja yesterday.”
She described it as “a malicious and desperate attempt to discredit us,” adding, “Let me set the record straight: Mr. Peter Obi is not in Abuja, and I haven’t left my house since Wednesday due to illness, much less distributed food and water at the protest grounds, though that would be noble for whoever did.
“I condemn this orchestrated attempt to spread falsehoods and cause confusion, using it as the basis to claim I sponsored the Abuja protest.
“It is a shameless and irresponsible act that will not be tolerated.
“We will not stand idly by while our names and reputations are dragged through the mud by these unscrupulous individuals,” she stated.
Senator Kingibe and Wike have been having a running battle over who controls the FCT. The senator has accused Wike of dominance and neglecting her in the affairs of the FCT.
The minister a few weeks ago vowed to ensure Senator Kingibe is defeated during the next senatorial election after declaring that he will not work with her.