Husband of popular singer Mercy Chinwo, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, has filed a Direct Criminal Complaint against five persons for Criminal Defamation through his lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.

Consequently, a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has summoned five social media users for “criminal defamation” of the reputation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo; and her husband, Blessed Uzochikwa.

Mercy Chinwo’s husband said the alleged acts of Criminal Defamation was carried out through deliberate circulation of injurious falsehood, cyber bullying and cyberstalking.

The five defendants are Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, DJ Spoiltkid, Terrence Ekot, and Samuel Agozie and they are to appear on before the court on the April 23, 2024.

LEADERSHIP earlier reports that a leading gospel minister, Nathaniel Bassey, had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and prosecute some individuals who falsely accused him of being the father of Mercy Chinwo’s child.

The lawyers of the ace trumpeter
submitted the petition on April 1, 2024, alleging criminal defamation and cyberstalking against Bassey by four social media users identified as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot, and Dj Spoiltkid.

The four social media users had last week alleged on X platform (formerly Twitter) that the newly born son of another singer, Mercy Chinwo, has a resemblance with Bassey and thus concluded that he fathered the baby.

Bassey’s lawyers emphasised the gravity of the insinuation, stating that such false accusations not only harm his reputation but also have broader consequences on personal and professional fronts.

Nathaniel Bassey is a well celebrated music minister with a thriving ministry and he is married to Sarah, his wife whom he noted he encountered her at a ministry trip at Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

The petition from Nathaniel Bassey’s lawyers reads, “Our client is a gospel music minister whose songs and ministrations have impacted the lives of so many from different walks of life across the globe.

“On Friday, the 29th day of March 2024, Mercy Chinwo Blessed, another popular gospel music minister, and her husband posted pictures of their son and themselves on different social media platforms.

“However, our client was disheartened, saddened, and grossly disturbed to find that the above-mentioned suspects, as mischief makers with a criminal intent to destroy the image and character of our client, had made different social media posts of defamatory matter, calling our client ‘the father of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,’ a woman who is married to another man.

“The post by Mr. Okoronkwo Ejike has since gone viral on the platform. In reaction to the post, Mr. Kingsley Ibeh commented on Mr. Okoronkwo’s post with a picture of our client with the caption ‘The real father of the baby.

“In a post on the platform “X” formerly known as Twitter, “Dj SpoiltKid” a verified X user, quoted the statement by Okoronkwo Ejike along with a screenshot of the post and added, ‘When are we doing a DNA test?’

“In another post, Mr. Terrence Ekot, on the platform “X” made a post thus: ‘Take a look at the stunning resemblance of mercy chinwo’s son and Nathaniel Bassey. Though the duo has been working together on several projects in the past..what do you have to say?”

The lawyers said the actions violated Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act, along with Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. They argued that the social media posts by the four individuals amounted to character assassination

The petition further said, “The consequences of making such statements on social media have been known to tarnish the reputations of individuals, render marriages unstable, and many never recover from them. International reputation is an asset—both for the individual and for the nation—and it takes time to acquire.

“Consequently, we urge you to use your good offices to, in the interest of justice, investigate this matter, arrest, and bring the suspect to justice, which will serve as a deterrent to others.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested controversial celebrity cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, over currency mutilation and abuse of the Naira.

Confirming the arrest, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said Bobrisky was arrested at Pinnock Estate in Lagos State on Wednesday.

He also stated that Bobrisky would be charged in court soon.

Oyewale said: “Bobrisky is with us. He was arrested last night in Lagos, and he is at our Lagos command.

“We arrested him for alleged abuse of Naira notes, spraying of Naira notes, and currency mutilation, among others.

“We are very serious about restoring the dignity of the Naira. Though our investigation is still ongoing, but he will definitely be charged to court soon.”

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has been accused by the State House of Assembly of leaking government secrets and committing perjury.

The Assembly noted that the allegations against Shaibu were impeachable offences.

The lawmakers, represented by its Deputy Clerk, Joe Ohaifa, made the claim at the inaugurating sitting of the seven-man panel probing Shaibu.

The panel, headed by retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa, was raised by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, at the instance of the state Assembly, which on March 5 commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy government.

The Assembly said the impeachment proceedings were based on a petition accusing Shaibu of perjury and leaking the government’s secrets.

The impeachment move is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Stating the Assembly case, the Deputy Clerk said Shaibu leaked the state’s secrets in his affidavit supporting an Abuja lawsuit.

He said Shaibu rendered documents relating to the State Executive Council’s meeting.

According to Ohaifa, Shaibu violated the Oath of Secrecy, which he took and acted contrary to the provisions of Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution.

After hearing the Assembly’s case, the panel adjourned until today (Thursday) for Shaibu to enter his defence.

Earlier at the proceedings, Shaibu’s lawyer, Prof. Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), had excused himself from the hearing after the panel declined his application to suspend the proceedings.

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has sued the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, for alleged defamation.
Igboho, in a suit filed by his team of lawyers led by J. A. Sanusi, dragged Adams before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

The separatist leader prayed that the court should award a compensation of N500 million against Adams for the alleged defamatory statements against him.

Among others, Igboho prayed for an order of the court “for the payment of exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) in favour of the Claimant for defamation of the person of the Claimant by the Defendant. Cost of litigation put at the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00)”.

Igboho said Adams had accused him of being a serial killer and assassin for top politicians, including President Bola Tinubu in an audio conversation in 2021.

In the suit, the separatist leader denied the allegations and urged the court to declare the content of the audio clip as slanderous against his character.

Igboho said it is “unlawful, inappropriate and inexcusable for the Defendant to defame, disparage and put to disrepute the character and reputation of the Claimant in an audio clip published on all new media platforms, including YouTube, in a publication that took place between the Defendant and a third party, Nuru Banjo, sometime in November 2021 or thereabouts”.

He asked for an order “of this honourable court directing the Defendant to publicly retract the slanderous, libellous and defamatory content contained in the publication to Nuru Banjo which was further published on all new media platforms including YouTube where the Claimant was defamed, maligned and disparaged by the Defendant in the conversation published in November 2021 by the Defendant”.

Igboho also prayed for an order of the court “directing the Defendant to engage all new media platforms, including YouTube, to take down the slanderous, libellous and defamatory content against the Claimant as said by the Defendant to a third party, Nuru Banjo, from their various new media platforms”.

He asked the court to direct “the Defendant to tender an unreserved apology to the Claimant in five National Newspapers in Nigeria over defamatory content against the Claimant by the Defendant which has been published on all new media platforms, including YouTube”.

In addition, Igboho asked for an “order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant, his agent, privies or assigns from further scandalizing, assaulting, embarrassing, degrading or defaming the person of the Claimant”.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft discovered an illegal fuel depot at No 3 Silver Bird Road, Ilasun Lekki, on Tuesday, and arrested five suspects.

The leader of the syndicate, Mr Ahmed Ariyo alongside four other persons were arrested in a private apartment where they carry out their illegal activities.

According to a statement by the NNS Beecroft spokesperson, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, while briefing newsmen, disclosed that the discovery of the illegal fuel depot was sequel to credible intelligence they received on suspicious activities taking place at Elegushi beach.

He said that this necessitated the deployment of NNS Beecroft Quick Response Team to the location which resulted in the discovery and arrest of the suspects.

Commodore Oladejo added that the illegal fuel depot contains 8 storage tanks of 50,000 litres capacity each, laden with about 57,000 litres of AGO; a tanker laden with about 7,000 litres; a bus with 30 jerry cans laden with about 1,500 litres.

The total products discovered is about 65,000 litres of AGO which is estimated to be about 89 million Naira based on the current price of AGO (₦1,350).

While estimating the total capacity of the storage facility found in the apartment, the Commander said the 8 storage tanks if filled with AGO will be about 400,000 litres which is approximately 500 million Naira.

He further explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects possibly got the products through pipeline vandalism, illegal vendors at sea as well as other illegal means along the coastline.

Commodore Oladejo reiterated that NNS Beecroft will not relent in its efforts to pursuing oil thieves and other criminal elements as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu.

He assured law abiding citizens of NNS Beecroft’s commitment to stamping out Lagos maritime environment of all forms of maritime crimes for socioeconomic activities to thrive.

The Commander finally handed over the suspects, products and the facility to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and possible prosecution.

A Nigerian lady has educated women on the best approach to take when dating a married man.

The lady in the video advised her gender that understanding the fundamental guidelines for dating married men is crucial.

The most crucial rule, in her opinion, is to never call him as he will be the one to do so whenever he needs them. It is risky to call him because he might be at home with his wife, especially if they have warned not to text or call.

She noted that this is a very significant rule in dating a married man if ladies want their relationship with them to last.

See Video Below;

A South African woman, Funanani Mbedzi, has been allegedly shot dead by her husband inside the church during the Easter celebration.

According to South African police, the murder suspect entered the church in Makonde Shadani village, outside Thohoyandou, around 6 pm while the congregation was engaged in worship and shot at his wife multiple times.

Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba while confirming the incident, said the husband fled the scene after killing the worship leader.

“While the motive behind this appalling incident remains unclear, domestic violence cannot be ruled out. The man handed himself over to the police yesterday after being on the run for two days.”

According to Ledwaba, the suspect’s licensed firearm, believed to have been used to commit the crime, was confiscated during the arrest.

A near-fatal incident was averted on Wednesday after the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, and his family escaped being killed in a fire incident at his official residence in Abuja.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, who insinuated that the incident was an assassination attempt.

Ifoh stated that though the LP National Chairman and his family did not sustain any serious injury, the victims were rushed to a private health facility for medical treatment.

The statement read, “The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, early this morning allegedly escaped an assassination attempt on him at his Abuja residence. His residence was also gutted by a mysterious fire which started a few minutes after 1 am while Abure and the members of his family were asleep.

“According to a member of the family, who narrated the incident, the family was woken up by neighbours and seurity men living in the compound who raised the alarm. The entire family was trapped as the inferno had reached the staircase, making it impossible for Abure and his family to escape.

“However, it took divine intervention for the national chairman and his family to escape after neighbours and security men gallantly pulled down one of the windows upstairs, making way for the family to escape.

“Men of the fire service arrived shortly after Abure and his family were evacuated.

“Abure and his family were rushed to a private hospital where they are presently receiving treatment. Their condition is however stable.”

The Abure and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress have been embroiled in tussle for the control of Labour Party.

The NLC, under the leadership of Joe Ajaero, had recently picked LP state offices nationwide in an attempt to force Abure out.

Abure alleged that the NLC members vandalised and carted away party property during the protest.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and some civil society organisations (CSOs) have kicked against the new hike in electricity tariff in the country.

Those who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday said all the reasons given by government officials on the increase were not tenable, saying even in advanced societies, citizens enjoy subsidies on some basic necessities like fuel and electricity.

Stunned by thousands of storks flying over the sky in Gia Viễn dike, Ninh Bình - Nếm TV

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Wednesday announced a tariff increment from N68 kilowatt hour (kwh) to N225 kwh.

The commission said the increment was made following consultations with the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) as well as the inability of the federal government to pay over N2.9 trillion that would accrue by the end of 2024 as electricity subsidy for failure to enable cost reflective tariff.

With this tariff hike, consumers under the Band A feeders and enjoying an average of 20 hours of power supply daily will pay about N135, 000 monthly.

At a press conference in Abuja, NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, said the increase would affect only 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity consumers.

He said the commission had downgraded some customers on the Band A to Band B and C due to the non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution companies.

Oseni said the review would not affect customers on the other bands, which vary from B to E.

He, however, said the increase of tariff for Band A customers would bring some incentives to ensure they would not be short-changed by the Discos.

“There are targets that have been provided for the distribution companies, which the commission will monitor and review from time to time to ensure the migration of other customers for better service.

“As part of the enforcement mechanism, the rate, which will be paid, which is N225 is just about three times the existing rate, requires the customers to get the service.

“We will be using technology to ensure that we get access directly to the distribution system and it will be gotten from the meters installed on the feeders.

“Secondly, the order provides that the DisCos must publish the seven-day rolling average of services delivery on each of the feeders on their website,” he added.

He said as part of the enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, each Disco had been mandated to set up a response team in locations of feeders that would be affected in the rate review.

“This is for the customers to have access to near real time response form the company. The discos have been urged to publish the contact of the head of the response team,” Oseni said.

He said failure to meet the service commitment for seven consecutive days, would make the feeder to be downgraded immediately to the service level the Disco is able to provide.

“The other provision is that where a DisCos failed to make the service commitment for two consecutive days, on the third day by 10 am, the DisCos must publish an explanation via bulk SMS to contact the affected customers on the feeder and provide explanation on why it is unable to provide the service required for two days.

“It will also submit to the commission the explanation and update on the commitment to restore the service.”

He said when a DisCos failed to meet the service level for a month, it would downgrade the feeders and pay compensation to the customers.

Why tariff was increased – NERC

NERC’s Commissioner, Planning Research and Strategy, Yusuf Ali, said the impact of gas price and the unification of naira necessitated the review of the tariff.

He said in January this year alone, the electricity subsidy was N240 billion.

He said: “If we multiply that by 12 (months), it will lead to a subsidy margin of N2.9 trillion”.

Now, the approved appropriation for Nigeria is N27 trillion, if we take N2.9 trillion out of that, it is way more than 10 per cent of the budget.”

NLC, CSOs kick

The NLC, in a chat with Daily Trust, described the new electricity tariff increment as insensitive and callous.

It said this would further impoverish the already pauperised Nigerians battling the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal.

The Head of Information at the NLC headquarters, Benson Upah, said the labour would take a position on the “chaotic” policy after appropriate organs of the movement meet.

“The government’s decision is not only insensitive, it is callous. It further pauperises consumers, especially workers whose wages are fixed and insufficient.

“It similarly makes the operating environment more hostile for manufacturers with potential for an astronomical rise in cost of goods and services or in the worst-case scenario, more closures and loss of jobs.

“The only people who stand to gain from this mindless social violence against the people are the World Bank and IMF. Pity! We will get back to you on that (next step) after the appropriate organs decide.”

CSOs speak

The Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, once again slammed the federal government for increasing the electricity tariffs without consulting relevant stakeholders, “Especially in light of the ongoing hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and the instability of the Naira.”

He alleged that similar to the unilateral removal of petrol subsidy, the government had demonstrated a lack of concern for the welfare of the people in its policies.

“In a democratic society, it is expected that the government should prioritise the interests of the people, but when this principle is disregarded, it signifies a regression towards a dictatorial era. In fact, the APC has consistently exhibited an authoritarian political culture, which can be traced back to the General Buhari regime.

“This authoritarian culture has now permeated all aspects of social relations in Nigeria, resulting in widespread insecurity, high levels of unemployment, rampant poverty, and the rapid depreciation of the naira.

“We have now reached a critical juncture where the people must take charge of their own survival,” he stated.

On his part, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the new tariff hike would place “An unbearable burden on already struggling Nigerian households, particularly low-income families and vulnerable communities and SMEs.”

According to him, it is important for the government to recognise that its decision to remove the fuel subsidy contributed to the current situation.

“Therefore, the government should be prepared to bear the brunt of these policy decisions without unduly passing on the burden to Nigerian citizens.

“It is important to note that energy security is one of the major areas that contributes to national security and welfare, which explains why nations guide their energy sector seriously and are always up and doing ensuring its availability and affordability.

“For instance, the government of Canada is currently providing up to 100 Canadian Dollar subsidy within this year to support homes, following the economic hardship.” Mamedu said.

He said the government’s priority right now must be to explore alternative solutions that prioritise improving the efficiency of electricity distribution, addressing corruption in the energy sector and promoting renewable energy sources.

Tariff hike will trigger power theft – Amadi

A former chairman of NERC, Sam Amadi, said the electricity tariff increase would cause power theft and corruption.

Speaking on Trust TV, Amadi said, “If you increase the tariff of power to the level that people can’t afford, it will increase the stealing of power through bypassing, corruption and at the end of the day, the utilities will lose more money.”

He admitted that there was a good reason to increase the tariff due to the forex crisis and the increase in the price of gas that will be sold to the electricity generation companies.

He, however, said the government should allow a special window where the distribution companies could access dollars at a preferential rate.

“If there is a way to help the DisCos and GenCos to operate well without suffocating the people much, they should do it.”

The Department of State Services, on Wednesday, obtained a court order to detain a Nigerian, Emmanuel Osase, who is accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja said the DSS could detain the suspect for 60 days.

The order followed an ex parte application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024, taken before the judge by a DSS lawyer, A. A. Ugee.

Ugee told the court that the matter was brought pursuant to Section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He prayed the court for an order enabling the applicant to detain the suspect for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation.

Ruling, Justice Ekwo, a vacation judge, granted the application.

He said, “Upon studying the averments in the affidavit, I hereby grant the relief as prayed. “

The judge subsequently adjourned till June 3 for further proceedings.

Osase, who was arrested on March 11, was accused of propagating ISIS messages, opposing the democratic system of government in Nigeria, and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty.

In a March 27, 2024 affidavit, Ahmad Abubakar of the DSS Legal Service Department, Abuja, said the suspect needed to be detained because his release would jeopardise the DSS investigation.

He said, “The respondent was arrested by a team of personnel from the applicant’s office for alleged membership and propagation of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria terrorist messages, including opposition to the democratic system of government and the call for staging terrorist attacks against the Nigerian state and its symbols of sovereignty.”

Abubakar stated that Osase was jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence.

Abubakar added, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the respondent, who is an ex-convict, still engages in terrorist activities which previously led to his conviction in France.

“The respondent appears not to have renounced his terrorist ideologies, as he continues to engage with the proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as ‘al-Alawn Media Foundation,’ whose main objective is the creation and dissemination of terrorist content and the promotion of terrorist attacks against the democratic systems of Nigeria and the Western governments, including their interests across the globe.

“The respondent, who was born in the Federal Capital Territory, left Nigeria for France and never returned to Nigeria until his deportation after completion of a five-year jail term in France for acts of terrorism and attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) linked terrorist group, Friqat Al-Ghuraba (group of foreigners) in Syria.

“The respondent at the point of arrest, formatted his mobile device to factory settings upon sighting security agents ostensibly to wipe out any suspicious contents on the device and cover up his nefarious activities.

“The activities of the respondent constitute a potent threat to national security and corporate existence of Nigeria.

“The release of the respondent at this time would jeopardise the investigation, as investigation has assumed a wider dimension.

“There is a need for a thorough investigation of the suspect to ensure that he does not pose any security threat to Nigeria or the world at large

“The respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large.”