Actress Motilola Akinlami has accused her senior colleague, Kunle Afod, of obstructing her career in Nollywood by claiming he blocks her from getting roles. 

In an Instagram post on Monday, she claimed that Kunle has consistently undermined her career by preventing producers from reaching out to her for roles in the industry. She also accused the actor’s wife of defaming her. 

Her words: “I am boiling inside of me right now. I have kept this thing for over five years. This is the fifth year running. I beg you in the name of God. All the powers that be in this industry already know about this matter. Mr. Kunle Afod please leave me alone. Please leave me and my career. What have I done to you? They will call me for jobs you will say they should remove me if they want to use you.

“Yomi Olorunlaye called me for a job this evening and they said Afod will direct. And I said okay. Only for him to call me back that Afod said he cannot work with me. Afod what have I done? I have told you I no longer want to work with you. For all these years you said they should not call me for jobs any longer.

“When I was working with you, I knew how your wife was running from pillar to post defaming me on Instagram. Go and hold your wife. Leave me alone. You said Femi Adebayo should not come to my set, and he is no longer coming. This is like the tenth time I will be rejected for jobs.

“So many people have been asking me why they have not been seeing me in movies. It is because of Afod. If they call me, he will say they should not call me. The reason is that I no longer want to be friends with him. This was how they did to Junior Pope. They will first blacklist you. He has been waiting to see my RIP for the past five years, but God was with me. You are not God. You have been obstructing me on so many big jobs I ought to have been on,” she said.

Joseph Aloba, father of late singer, Illerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has again accused his daughter-in-law, Wunmi, of paternity fraud.

In a fresh audio interview making the rounds on social media, Mr Aloba insisted that his grandson, Liam, is not his late son’s child.

According to him, Liam has “bow legs” and his family doesn’t have “bow legs.”

He said he believed that Wunmi’s concubine killed Mohbad and urged her to take her son to the rightful father.

He said, “All the names Mohbad mentioned in the petition he wrote, were involved in his death. I still insist that his wife’s concubine killed him. This is why DNA is a must.

“Wunmi said my son deflowered her so why is she running away from DNA? Liam has bow legs. We don’t have bow legs in the Aloba family. She should take the boy to his father. It is so sad that these wicked people k!Iled my son in his prime. Nigerians should please support me as I fight for justice for my son.”

A man, Shafiu Abubakar Gadan who was accused of setting a mosque ablaze, leading to the death of 14 worshippers was on Monday, May 20, remanded in a correctional centre by an Upper Shariah Court in Kano State.

The incident occurred during the Subhi (early morning) prayer in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state on May 15, 2024.

Many other worshippers sustained varying degrees of injuries from the ensuing fire.

The accused is also charged with setting several residents on fire, resulting in grievous harm and the death of some individuals.

During the court session, the prosecution, led by Kano State’s Attorney General, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, presented three counts of causing grievous harm and culpable homicide against the accused.

Dederi alleged that on May 15, 2024, at about 5:15 a.m., the defendant used petrol and set a mosque at Gadan village on fire during subhi.

“The defendant poured the petrol on the carpet where Sani Suleiman and 24 others were praying, and closed the door," Dederi said.

“In the process, several people sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, while Suleiman and 13 others died while receiving treatment."

Shafiu Abubakar Gadan pleaded guilty to the charges.

The prosecution said the case is a capital offence and urged the court to allow the defendant to get a lawyer to give him his constitutional right.

In response, the presiding judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya, ordered the accused to be remanded in a correctional facility.

The case has been adjourned to May 31, 2024.

Two wanted notorious kidnappers, Usman Gide Ali and Abdulrahman Amadu, have been arrested by Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sub Sector 3 OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) in Taraba State.

The military rejected a N2m bribe fromthe wanted suspects.

The Army in a statement on Monday night, May 20, 2024, said the two kidnappers have been on a wanted list of the security agencies for their involvement in multiple kidnappings in Wukari and its surroundings.
 
According to the statement, the suspects attempted to bribe the troops with N2m for their release but the soldiers staunchly refused the bribe.
 
In a similar operation in Ibi Local Government Area of the state, troops apprehended four more suspected kidnappers linked to numerous high-profile abductions in the region targeting both locals and foreigners for ransom.  
 
“In a significant operation on 19 May 2024, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sub Sector 3 OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have successfully captured 6 suspected kidnappers in separate operations carried out within Taraba State,” the statement read.
 
Acting on a tip-off, troops from the 93 Battalion Sub-Sector 3B OPWS, stationed at Forward Operating Base Wukari, carried out a well-planned raid in Chinkai Village of Wukari Local Government Area.
 
"This raid led to the apprehension of two individuals identified as Usman Gide Ali, aged 25 and Abdulrahaman Amadu, aged 28. The suspects have been on wanted list of the security agencies for their involvement in multiple kidnappings in Wukari and its surroundings.
 
"Upon their arrest, the suspects attempted to bribe the troops with 2 million Naira for their release. However, the soldiers staunchly refused the bribe, underscoring their dedication to justice and integrity.
 
“The suspects were also overheard stating that if money failed to secure their freedom, their associates would resort to armed means to rescue them from custody.”
 
In a parallel operation in Ibi Local Government Area, troops stationed at Sarikin Kudu acting on credible intelligence apprehended four more suspected kidnappers: Jafaru Banyi, aged 28, Mohammad Ardo, aged 25, Amadu Lawal Shatta, aged 20 and Biyu Ardu, aged 25.
 
"These captured suspects have been linked to numerous high-profile abductions in the region, targeting both locals and foreigners for ransom and have long been under the surveillance of security agencies.
 
"The Commander 6 Brigade/ Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidebere Uwa, has since commended the troops for their courage and unwavering commitment to ethical standards.
 
"He emphasized that the successful apprehension of these suspects is a testament to the diligent efforts and dedication of the soldiers, highlighting their refusal to accept bribes as a clear demonstration of their professionalism and integrity.'

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is mourning the demise of his father.

Pa Suleimon Atanda Obasa, a businessman, passed on in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 83.

Pa Suleimon Atanda Obasa

This was made known in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Eromosele Ebhomele.

Baba Obasa, a loving family man and community leader in his lifetime, was a successful businessman in the oil and gas and in the transportation sectors owning filling stations.

He was also reputed for his success in farming, through which many citizens have always been empowered.

A devoted Muslim, Pa Obasa dedicated his life to the service of Allah and mankind taking care of the needy and the less privileged.

He is survived by his wives, children and grandchildren among whom is the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

His remains would be interred at 4pm in the Agege (Old Abeokuta Motor Road) area of Lagos State, according to Islamic rites.

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is aiding crimes in the country.

The monarch made the allegations when he received the new Benin Zonal Director of EFCC, Effa Okim in his Palace in Benin on Monday.

He cited a case involving unnamed former palace officials who were left off the hook after they were arrested for fraud and handed over to EFCC in Benin for investigation and prosecution.

The Oba alleged that some EFCC operatives allegedly handled the case with kid gloves, which led to the release of the culprits a few years ago.

The monarch, who did not name the palace officials, expressed shock that the EFCC investigators allegedly swept glaring evidence of fraud against them (the palace officials) under the carpet.

While tasking the commission to fight crime without fear or favour, the Oba added,” We want to draw your attention to one or two grey areas in your operations”.

“No matter how much you try to support the EFFC from the palace, It is very difficult because they seem to listen to other parties. What I have been told is that they take instructions from the highest bidder. 

“You know that I have been known for speaking the truth. I was not happy about certain things that happened with your predecessor.

“We get news from everywhere. We try to assist the EFCC. I even wrote a letter to the then-chairman who was removed from office.

“I even sent an emissary to talk to him regarding certain elements in Edo State, particularly the palace.

“How can EFCC operatives, especially, the lady who handled the case I cited earlier behave like that? If I was asked to comment on her performance, I would score her zero. I do not know if she was doing an EFCC job or just dancing to the tunes of people who were giving her money.

“At the time we were trying to assist EFCC, the report we kept getting was negative and I was not happy about it,” Oba Ewuare II added.

The monarch, however, said the newly appointed Chairman of EFCC, Olanipekun Olukayode is on the path to greatness if he continues to demonstrate fidelity in his duties.

He also pledged the palace’s support to the state government in addressing social inequality and reducing social vices.

Earlier in his address, Okim appealed to the Oba to support advocacy against financial crimes with Edo State ranking second behind Lagos State in the financial crime index in the country.

Recalling the historical ties between his state of origin, Cross River and Edo State, he solicited prayers and royal blessings to enable him to discharge his duties diligently.

The 210,000-barrel-per-day Port-Harcourt refinery may finally commence operations by the end of July after several postponements.

The new date was disclosed on Monday by the National Public Relations Officer, Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu.

He stated that the development would stimulate economic activities, reduce the price of petroleum products and ensure adequate supply.

Last year in December, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the mechanical completion and flare start-off of the biggest crude refinery in Port Harcourt.

The refineries comprise two units, with the old plant having a refined capacity of 60,000 barrels per day and the new plant has 150,000 BPD.

The refinery shut down in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the service of a technical adviser of Itay’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the reviews of the refinery complex, with oil major Eni appointed technical adviser.

On March 15, 2024, it was reported that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, stated that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations in about two weeks.

Some residents of Dawaki, a community near Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been kidnapped.

According to a source, 20 persons were kidnapped in the incident which sparked tension in the area.

The attackers were said to have raided houses on Frank Opara street before security operatives responded to distress calls.

Chairman of Dawaki Rock Heaven Community, Tunde Abdulrahim, said the incident happened at about 7:30 pm. on Sunday.

Abdulrahim said the heavily armed bandits, numbering about 50 and consisting of men and women, invaded the community and broke into about six houses.

Commenting on the attack, FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, led policemen to the scene and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle.

“In an immediate and strategic response to a distress call on the attack by unknown gunmen in Dawaki on May 19, 2024, at about 11:30pm, the operatives of the FCT police Command led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Igweh, himself, swiftly mobilised to the scene.”

“Displaying remarkable bravery and coordination, the police, in synergy with local hunters, advanced on the assailants, tactically ambushing them at Ushafa Hill via Bwari and Shishipe Hills via Mpape. This led to a fierce gun duel as the hoodlums were overwhelmed by the firepower of the operatives, forcing them to scamper to safety with various degrees of bullets injuries, and the victims were rescued.

“While one of the rescued victims is still in the hospital receiving medical attention, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, reaffirms the Command’s steadfast dedication to maintaining peace and security in the Territory, as search operations are ongoing to rescue other hostages who fled the scene during the shootout,” Adeh said.

Daily Trust had reported how the bandits in the early hours of Sunday abducted five people from Shagari Quarters, Dei-Dei in the FCT.

Vigilante sources in the community told our correspondent that the attackers arrived in the area around noon and went straight to the compound of a senior customs officer, where they picked his wife, three of his children and a younger brother.

“They spent more than two hours before proceeding to the neighbouring Dakwa community. The man used to work in Abuja, with the police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) always parking around his house. But they are no longer around following his deployment to Lagos, though his family is still living in the compound,” the source added.

An attempt by the bandits to attack some houses in Dakwa town was said to have been unsuccessful, following a fierce fire exchange with security men there, which forced them to withdraw, according to the Chief of Dakwa Dr Alhassan Musa Babachukuri.

The traditional ruler lamented that the bandits have created a base behind the Zuma Rock in Chachi community near Dakawa in neighbouring Niger State, which leads to some forests around Bwari.

He called on the government to take serious action against the bandits before they escalate their activities.