The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has ruled that Julius Abure remains the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, in a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Hamma Barka, upheld its earlier judgment of November 13, 2024, which recognises Abure as National Chairman. The court confirmed that this decision has not been overturned by any other court.

Justice Barka made this declaration in the ruling on two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Court of Appeal stated that it did not address the issue of Labour Party leadership, as such matters are not justiciable.

The court further ruled that any action taken outside of jurisdiction is null and void. As such, the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on October 8, 2024, by Justice Emeka Nwite, was deemed ineffective as it was delivered without jurisdiction, and the court proceeded to strike it out.

In striking out the suit, the Appeal Court reaffirmed its previous judgment from November 13, 2024, which declared that “Abure remains National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

Details later…

The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed speculations that Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, refuted the claims, describing them as baseless.

Naija News understands that reports had emerged of possible defection plans involving at least five first-term governors from opposition parties, including Alex Otti of Abia, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, and Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom. While Mbah, Fubara, Eno, and Oborevwori belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otti is a member of the Labour Party. Both parties are currently grappling with internal challenges following the 2023 elections.

Addressing the allegations, Ifoh reiterated that there is no truth to the claim that Governor Otti intends to leave the Labour Party.

“It is a mere rumour and I hope it remains so. For us in the Labour Party, we are in touch with our governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and he has assured us that he is not going anywhere, ahead of 2027. We believe that he will stay with us, irrespective of some of the issues which we are working hard to resolve,” he said.

Ifoh acknowledged that party defection is a common occurrence in a democratic system but emphasized that Governor Otti has no plans to align with the APC.

“The courts have come up several times to make interpretation as regards Section 84 of the 1999 Constitution, and many people who had defected at one time or the other had been challenged in court. So, if five governors are planning to defect, it won’t be a new thing, as it had happened in the past,” Ifoh explained.

He attributed the rumors of defection to difficulties some opposition governors face in managing their states but maintained that such speculations about Otti hold no credibility.

“We are good in Labour Party, and our governor is with us. We are hoping that by 2027, we will have more governors in our fold,” he added.

The family of a two-year-old pupil identified as Ella, whose lifeless body was found in the pool of Smiley Kids Montessori School in the Sangotedo area of Lagos has called on the Lagos State Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding her death.

The sad incident which occurred on Wednesday 15th January, 2025 is suspected by the family to be a case of electrocution, alleging that the baby’s body was placed in the swimming pool to fake it as a drowning incident.

Outcries by Netizens for proper investigation and justice over the incident has gained traction when an X user Bella said to be the mother of the deceased pupil suspected foul play by the school authority over the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.

She posted, “Dear Lagos State Government, Our daughter, 2 years old went to school yesterday and did not return alive.

“The pool has barricades, how can a child of 2 years climb?

“Please help us get justice for our baby. She just celebrated her 2yr birthday in November last year, left home well for school on 15/1/2024 and never came back alive.

“How do you have a pool on school premises without proper monitoring?

“They lied she drowned in the pool but we have been able to find out it’s electrocution, and they dropped her in the pool to look as if it was drowning.

“Now they are lying to other parents that the school is closed because of maintenance instead of telling the truth.

“If nothing is done to close down that school, other parents may cry for their own kids attending the school.”

The deceased child’s mother alleged in a series of chats shared online.

She added that, “After they called in the afternoon to inform us of the incident on the 15th, yesterday we went to the school and discovered the water dispenser was plugged in and exposed, which is where she was.

“If you see the pool, no way she was going to go very close to it, it’s not possible.

“It is just a cover-up story. We demanded CCTV footage, they said it was not possible. A school that collects thousands as school fees.”

However, it has been gathered that the school proprietor and five other staff members of the school have been apprehended and taken to the Ogonbo Police Station in Sangoteso area of Ajah.

Sources hinted that the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti on Friday.

In recognition of his contributions and leadership, the chairman/chief executive officer (CEO) of Stanel Group and The Delborough Lagos, Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, has made the list of African leaders to attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald J. Trump in Washington on January 20.

The invitation was contained in a letter addressed to the young Nigerian usiness leader Dr. Uzochukwu dated January 13, 2025, signed by the chairman, Multicultural Coalition U.S. President Inaugural Ball Committee, Dr. J. Mark Burns.

It reads in part, “On behalf of The Multicultural Coalition U.S. Presidential Inauguration Ball host Committee honoring President Elect Donald J. Trump, it is my distinct honor and privilege to extend to you an invitation to our Inaugural Ball celebrating the commencement of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.

“This prestigious event will be held on January 20th, 2025 at the Washington Times Building Arbor Ballroom, located at 3600 New York Ave, NE, Washington, DC 20002.

“In recognition of your exceptional contributions and leadership, as highlighted by a recommendation from the African Legacies Institute under the guidance of Madame Franya E. Cabral Ruiz, we would be especially honored to have your presence at this distinguished event.”

Recall that ‘The Delborough Lagos’ boss, Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, was also among the African leaders that were invited and attended the swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana on January 7, 2025.

Leading the delegation of The African Legacies Institute to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration of Trump will be H.E. Hailemariam, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

It will also be recalled that the Stanel boss stood on the same platform with President Trump and other world leaders at Liberty University, USA during a U.S./Africa CEOs Summit in 2020

Adura Aloba, brother of Mohbad, has responded to accusations made by actor Yomi Fabiyi regarding the singer’s death.

Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, and was buried the following day. However, on September 21, 2023, his body was exhumed by the police for an autopsy.

At a recent press conference, Fabiyi claimed that Adura had knowledge of the cause of Mohbad’s death and had requested money to share a video supporting his claim.

According to the actor, Adura messaged him on Instagram, saying he had evidence that could help unravel the cause of Mohbad’s death.

Fabiyi alleged that Adura requested N3 million to share the video that supposedly showed Mohbad’s wife Wunmi pushing the singer down the stairs during an altercation.

However, Adura denied the allegations, arguing that he did not create the video in question and that “Mohbad himself recorded it”.

He explained that he had sold Mohbad’s phone to someone who had access to the video.

Adura also confronted Fabiyi, stating that he had tried to explain the situation earlier. He accused Fabiyi of trying to tarnish his name.

“Firstly, I do not have much to say. This thing is in court already. So I do not need to say much. I cannot know about my brother’s death and keep quiet all these days. I am now so surprised. This video we are talking about is like three years ago. And I was not the one that did the video, it was Moh himself on the phone I sold to Damola. And the video was on that phone,” he said.

“I was the one who chatted Mr Yomi. And I had tried to make him understand. (Facing Fabiyi) You were invited and they told you who was chatting with you. And you insisted on the TikTok live. I saw everything on the TikTok live.

“Mohbad did the video and it was on his phone for more than three years ago… When I sold the phone to Damola, about a week later, I started seeing his messages with Mr Yomi. That was how it all happened. Mr Yomi is trying to tarnish my name that I did it.”

Abosede Aloba, Mohbad’s mum, also clashed with Fabiyi over the accusation against Adura.

Three Nigerians in the US have been sentenced for their involvement in a prolonged fraud scheme that frequently targeted elderly victims, according to authorities.

Fatai Okunola, 38, of Kalamazoo, received a prison sentence of just over 10 years for his role in the conspiracy and was ordered to pay more than $730,000 in restitution.

Okunola was sentenced to five years for making false statements during naturalization and 10 years for money laundering, with all sentences to run concurrently.

Two residents of Dallas were also sentenced. Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, was sentenced to nearly three years in prison and ordered to pay approximately $410,000 in restitution.

Ijeoma Adeola, 36, received three years’ probation for misprision of a felony and was ordered to pay just under $49,000 in restitution.

The defendants conspired with individuals in Nigeria to scam U.S. residents, many of whom were elderly or vulnerable.

The Nigerian partners used fake personas to develop relationships over the internet, social media, text, or phone, then solicited money from the victims.

Victims were instructed to send funds to the defendants, who opened multiple bank accounts and maintained P.O. boxes under alias names and shell businesses.

The defendants then transferred the money among themselves and to their Nigerian partners.

Okunola also used some funds to assist individuals in purchasing cars in the U.S. and shipping them to Nigeria.

Between 2017 and 2022, the scheme amassed over $2 million.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten stated, “Financial fraud is not a ‘faceless’ crime — and today’s sentencings help secure a measure of justice for the victims of this international fraud scheme.”

He added that some victims “lost their retirement savings, took loans against their homes, or suffered other financial distress because of the defendants’ lies.”

Totten emphasised that the defendants exploited modern technology, including the internet and social media platforms, to prey on elderly and vulnerable victims.

Many Nigerians are reportedly being hired as prison officers in the United Kingdom, UK as the British government seeks to address staffing shortages in overcrowded prisons.

According to The Telegraph, the UK prison service is now sponsoring skilled worker visas for the first time, as a result of a rule change that allows them to recruit from abroad.

Prison governors disclosed that many of the new recruits come from Nigeria, with some skilled workers switching to the role from other visa routes.

However, many of these workers soon arrive in the UK only to encounter accommodation challenges, upon realizing that their job offers did not include any provision for housing.

Reports reveal that some have resorted to camping or even sleeping in their cars as a cost-saving measure.

Mark Fairhurst, president of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), shared an example of one foreign recruit who commuted 70 miles daily from Huddersfield to Nottingham but later decided to sleep in his car outside the prison to save costs.

At another prison, recruits camped in a wooded area near their workplace after discovering no housing was provided.

“We have got problems with people who turn up at the gates with cases in tow and with their families saying to the staff: ‘Where is the accommodation?’” said Mr. Fairhurst.

The recruitment drive follows changes in visa rules in October 2023, which added prison officers to the list of skilled workers eligible for sponsorship.

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) sources estimate that about 250 foreign nationals have been sponsored to join the prison service so far, completing Zoom interviews and vetting processes.

Prison governors report a high interest in these roles, with many applicants coming from Africa.

In one month last year, two-thirds of 3,500 applicants were from the continent.

Tom Wheatley, president of the Prison Governors Association (PGA), believes online word-of-mouth among the Nigerian expat community has fueled the demand.

This influx has created challenges in some prisons, particularly in remote rural areas, where integration into local communities and communication issues have surfaced.

“It’s turned into an approach that has been promoted online by the expat Nigerian community,” Wheatley noted.

Despite these challenges, the Prison Service maintains that all recruits undergo thorough assessments and training.

“In October 2023, changes were made to the skilled worker visa scheme which has allowed the prison service to sponsor visa applications for foreign nationals,” said a spokesperson. “All staff – regardless of nationality – undergo robust assessments and training before they work in prisons. Our strengthened vetting process roots out those who fall below our high standards.”

However, Mr. Fairhurst has criticised the recruitment process, particularly the reliance on Zoom interviews and six weeks of training.

He argued that this system is inadequate for preparing recruits to manage prisoners effectively.

“The process is simply not fit for purpose,” he said, warning that it risks recruiting under-qualified or corrupt officers.

Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has revealed that Kylian Mbappé became “a little jealous” after Lionel Messi joined the French club in August 2021.

Neymar made the statement on Thursday during a podcast hosted by Brazilian World Cup winner Romário, where he shared insights about life at PSG and the dynamics within their star-studded front three.

Neymar, who joined PSG for a world-record £222 million transfer fee in 2017 after his successful stint at Barcelona, admitted there were tensions between him and Mbappé but described their relationship as generally positive.

“He’s not annoying,” Neymar said in response to Romário’s question about Mbappé.

“I have my things with him, we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived.

“I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together,” Neymar recalled.

However, Neymar added that Messi’s arrival in 2021 created a rift.

“We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn’t want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior,” Neymar stated.

Mbappé joined PSG from Monaco in the same year as Neymar, with both players brought in to help the club secure its first UEFA Champions League title — a feat that remains elusive.

Neymar reflected on the challenges the team faced due to inflated egos within the squad.

“It is good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone. There needs to be another guy by your side. Big egos were almost everywhere, it can’t work.

“If nobody runs and nobody helps, it is impossible to win anything,” Neymar said.

Neymar, who now plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal, concluded his time at PSG with an impressive record of 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 appearances.

Mbappé has since moved on to Real Madrid.

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo has warned her colleague, Lizzy Anjorin to desist from constantly harassing and bullying her.

Ojo lamented that Anjorin has continuously targeted her loved ones with curses, threats, and defamation amid their court case.

Speaking via her Instagram page, she warned her colleague to respect her boundaries, focus on her life, and stop stalking her.

She wrote,

“PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

“To the General Public, Nigerian Authorities, and Government:

“@npf_nccc

“@nigeriapoliceforce

“I am compelled to expose a disturbing pattern of harassment by Liz Anjorin. Despite our ongoing court case, she continues to target my loved ones, hurling curses, threats, and defamation at them from her social media space.

“I urge the authorities to take note of this announcement.

“Liz Anjorin, I’m warning you publicly for the last time:

“Cyberstalking is a crime; be warned.

“Cease your harassment and bullying tactics immediately.

“Stop targeting innocent people, including my family, friends, and colleagues.

“Your actions will no longer be tolerated.

“Your constant curses on my children and partner are unacceptable. They have never responded or engaged with you.

“I demand that you:

“Respect boundaries

“Focus on your own life

“Stop stalking me

“The Nigerian Police and all authorities, please take note.

“To the general public, please be aware”.

Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has claimed that late singer, Mohbad’s brother, Adura Aloba, offered to give him a video of the singer and his wife, Wunmi, fighting before his death.

Yomi made the claim during a recent press conference in Lagos State.

The movie star said the video captured the moment Wunmi pushed Mohbad down the stairs and broke his neck, which could be linked to why the singer’s neck was bent in the casket.

Yomi stated that he sent a petition to the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation Department about his conversation with Adura.

However, he was later invited and told that Mohbad’s brother was being impersonated.

The thespian added that a discovery during his visit to the police showed that the investigation into Mohbad’s death was not harmonised.

He said, “At about 4:23pm, Adura Aloba, Mohbad’s younger brother had sent me a DM after listening to me for a while and reacting in the comment section.

“When he realised, I may not see the DM on time, he wrote in the comment section, asking I check my DM.

“He offered to give me a video recording of a fight that ensured between the late singer Mohbad and his wife, Cynthia.

“He demanded for N3 million. He went further to convince me by narrating how the altercation between his brother and his wife resulted in Mohbad failing off the stairs and hitting his head on the floor.

“Something that can equally be linked to the bent neck in the late singer’s casket.”

Recall that Mohbad tragically passed away in a controversial manner in September 2023 after exiting Naira Marley’s Marlian Music over alleged failure of the record label to fulfil contract agreement.