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Author: Promise Odejide

  • Airtel Nigeria Suspends Airtime and Data Credit Services, Cites Regulatory Compliance as MTN Follows Similar Move

    Airtel Nigeria has announced the temporary suspension of its airtime and data credit service, a facility that previously allowed eligible prepaid customers to borrow airtime and data and repay on their next recharge, as regulatory pressure tightens across the telecom sector.

    Airtel halts credit service

    The company said the decision is part of ongoing operational adjustments aimed at aligning with evolving regulatory requirements in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

    In a statement on Friday, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Femi Adeniran, explained that the move was necessary to ensure full compliance with current industry expectations.

    He added that the suspension reflects broader efforts to meet operational and regulatory standards guiding telecom services in the country.

    Core services remain unaffected

    Despite the suspension, Airtel assured customers that its main services remain fully operational.

    Subscribers, according to the company, will continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to airtime and data purchases through existing recharge channels.

    The firm also stressed that the temporary pause will not affect network performance or overall service delivery nationwide.

    “Responsible step” — Airtel explains decision

    Director of Marketing, Ismail Adeshina, described the suspension as a necessary and responsible move in line with compliance obligations.

    “This is a necessary and responsible step as we align our operations with evolving requirements. Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” he said.

    The company added that further updates on the suspended service will be communicated in due course.

    MTN takes similar action

    The development comes just hours after rival telecom operator MTN Nigeria also suspended its Xtratime service, which allows subscribers to borrow airtime and data.

    The back-to-back decisions point to increasing regulatory scrutiny of credit-based telecom services in Nigeria’s digital space.

  • Tinubu Signs ₦68.32trn 2026 Budget, Extends 2025 Implementation Deadline

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, approving a total budget of ₦68.32 trillion for the fiscal year while also extending the implementation of the 2025 budget to June 30, 2026.

    Breakdown of the budget

    Details released by the Presidency show that ₦4.799 trillion is allocated for statutory transfers, while ₦15.8 trillion is set aside for debt servicing.

    Recurrent expenditure will gulp ₦15.4 trillion, while ₦32.2 trillion has been earmarked for capital projects under the Development Fund.

    The Presidency said the allocation reflects a balance between ongoing obligations and investments aimed at boosting infrastructure and economic growth.

    Extension of 2025 budget

    Tinubu also signed an amendment extending the lifespan of the 2025 Appropriation Act from March 31 to June 30, 2026.

    According to the government, the extension is to allow Ministries, Departments and Agencies to complete ongoing capital projects already at advanced stages.

    Officials say the move will help maximise the use of allocated funds and improve project delivery across the country.

    Focus on infrastructure, growth

    The government noted that capital expenditure accounts for about 50 per cent of the total budget, signalling a strong focus on infrastructure, security and inclusive growth.

    The 2026 budget took effect from April 1, with full implementation already underway.

    Tinubu tasks MDAs

    The President has directed MDAs to ensure transparency, discipline and efficiency in the use of public funds.

    He also emphasised the need for value for money and timely execution of projects.

    Tinubu commended the National Assembly for what he described as swift consideration and passage of the budget, while reaffirming the importance of collaboration between both arms of government.

    He further assured Nigerians of continued fiscal reforms, improved revenue generation and investments targeted at job creation and economic stability.

  • Wike Storms PDP Secretariat As Fresh Tension Hits Party Leadership Crisis

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday visited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, amid ongoing leadership crisis rocking the opposition party.

    Wike’s visit raises fresh questions

    Wike was received at the secretariat by the PDP National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.

    His visit comes at a time when the party remains deeply divided, with unresolved disputes over its leadership structure and control of the national headquarters.

    Crisis that shook PDP headquarters

    The PDP crisis escalated on November 18, when rival factions clashed at Wadata Plaza, leading to a breakdown of order at the party’s headquarters.

    The faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), backed by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, confronted the Mohammed-led group believed to be aligned with Wike.

    The situation has since remained tense, with both sides laying claim to party leadership.

    Dispute over control of secretariat

    The unsealing and takeover of the secretariat was confirmed by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee through its spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed.

    The faction warned against any attempt to disrupt peace, while also commending the Nigeria Police Force for what it described as professionalism and respect for the rule of law.

    Opposition faction kicks

    However, the Turaki-led faction rejected the development, describing the unsealing as contempt of court.

    Spokesman Ini Ememobong argued that the judgment cited had already been appealed, warning that the move could undermine ongoing legal proceedings.

    The latest development signals that the PDP leadership crisis is far from over, as rival factions continue to battle for control of the party.

  • Kwara Files 20-Count Charge Against Saraki, Ahmed Over Alleged Offa Robbery Links

    Kwara State Government has filed a 20-count criminal charge against former Senate President Bukola Saraki and ex-governor Abdulfatai Ahmed over alleged links to the 2018 Offa armed robbery, with the defendants set to be arraigned on June 4 before a state High Court in Ilorin.

    What led to the charges

    The case, marked KWS/114C/26, also names Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former Chief of Staff, and aide Alabi Olalekan.

    According to the state government, the charges followed developments after the Court of Appeal upheld earlier convictions tied to the Offa robbery incident.

    The robbery, which occurred in April 2018, led to multiple arrests and prosecutions, including that of Ayo Akinnibosun, who allegedly made key confessional statements during trial.

    Key allegations in court

    Prosecutors claim that some weapons and exhibits linked to the robbery were recovered from the Government House and a state ministry in 2018.

    These items were later tendered in court and formed part of the evidence that secured previous convictions.

    Akinnibosun was also said to have claimed he led a group of armed operatives connected to political figures, alleging they received financial and logistical support.

    He further alleged that firearms and a vehicle bearing Saraki’s name plate were made available through a senior government official.

    Saraki denies involvement

    Saraki has rejected the allegations, describing the case as politically motivated and aimed at damaging his reputation.

    The defendants are expected to challenge the claims in court as the trial begins.

    What happens next

    The prosecution is expected to rely on confessional statements and recovered exhibits as proceedings commence in June.

    All the accused persons have maintained their innocence ahead of the arraignment.

  • Sowore Declares Tinubu ‘One-Term President’, Says Nigerians Are Suffering

    Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not secure a second term in office, intensifying political criticism ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Fresh attack on Tinubu

    Sowore made the remark while speaking on the state of the nation, insisting that Nigerians are currently facing hardship under Tinubu’s administration.

    “I can assure Nigerians that Tinubu is not coming back, he’s a one-term president, he’s sucking the life out of Nigerians,” he said.

    His comments come amid growing political tension, with opposition figures increasingly questioning the government’s economic and governance policies.

    Concerns over electoral reforms

    Sowore has also been vocal about recent electoral developments, particularly the amended Electoral Act.

    He criticised the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, warning that it could undermine Nigeria’s democracy if not properly implemented.

    The criticism followed President Tinubu’s signing of the amended law at the State House in Abuja, a move that has continued to generate reactions from political stakeholders and citizens.

    Political tensions ahead of 2027

    The latest statement adds to ongoing debates over governance and the future of Nigeria’s democracy as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

    Opposition voices have continued to call for credible, free, and fair elections, while scrutinising policies of the current administration.

     

  • Court Grants Blord Bail Amid Allegations Of Police Misconduct, Video Leak Scandal

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, after days of uncertainty surrounding his detention.

    The decision, which has attracted widespread attention, comes amid allegations of misconduct by security operatives handling his case.

    Court grants bail with conditions

    Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore confirmed the development on Friday, stating that the court approved bail on self-recognisance.

    He added that the defendant is required to submit his international passport as part of the bail conditions.

    “Bail has been granted… on self-recognizance. The court, however, ordered that he deposit his international passport,” Sowore said.

    Earlier, Sowore had indicated he was present in court during the hearing, expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.

    Allegations trail detention process

    The case has been overshadowed by claims of misconduct involving officers of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly those attached to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.

    Some officers have been accused of abusing their authority and mishandling the detention process.

    Reports also alleged that a video recorded during Blord’s detention was leaked to social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.

    Claims of leaked and staged footage

    Sources claimed the video was shared deliberately to humiliate the businessman, raising concerns about professionalism within the force.

    “One of the officers… leaked a detention video… for the sole purpose of humiliating him,” a police source alleged.

    There were also claims that parts of the footage may have been staged, with officers reportedly creating scenes inside the detention facility.

    Another source described the incident as “cruelty, intimidation, and collusion.”

    Transfer to Kuje prison

    The situation reportedly shifted after the court declined to remand Blord at the NCCC facility, instead ordering his transfer to Kuje Correctional Centre.

    Sources said this move disrupted alleged plans tied to the earlier handling of his detention.

    Eyewitness accounts also claimed that VeryDarkMan followed the prison van conveying Blord to Kuje while livestreaming the movement online.

    Public scrutiny grows

    The case continues to generate reactions, with growing calls for accountability and transparency in how high-profile detainees are treated.

     

     

     

  • Actress Sarah Martins Declares Support for Seyi Tinubu, Vows to Campaign for Him

    Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has publicly declared her support for Seyi Tinubu, stating that she would campaign for him if he decides to contest for any political office in the future.

    The actress made the statement in a video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday, April 16, while responding to critics questioning her open admiration for the president’s son.

    Why she is backing him

    Martins explained that her loyalty is rooted in a personal experience, revealing that Seyi Tinubu once supported her charity work with a ₦20 million donation.

    She said the support came in October 2025 after she raised concerns about an alleged assault by uniformed officials while distributing food to the less privileged.

    According to her, the incident involved operatives believed to be from the Kick Against Indiscipline unit, who confronted her during a street outreach.

    She added that Tinubu later reached out and offered financial assistance to help sustain her charity initiative.

    “I will campaign for him”

    Speaking in the video, Martins said the gesture strengthened her commitment to him, stressing that she is ready to publicly support him if he enters politics.

    “If Seyi Tinubu comes out to contest for anything now or later, I will loudly campaign for him,” she said.

    She also dismissed criticism over her stance, saying she has no issue being labelled a political tool.

    “I accept it with my full chest only for Seyi Tinubu’s government, not his father’s government. I am big on loyalty,” she added.

    Plans to expand charity work

    The actress also revealed plans to grow her outreach efforts, noting that she is working towards acquiring a truck to improve logistics for feeding vulnerable communities.

    According to her, her current vehicle is too small to accommodate her team and equipment.

    The development has sparked mixed reactions online, with many debating her comments and public support for the president’s son.

  • Pastor Bags Life Jail for Raping Church Member’s Daughter

    A 63-year-old cleric, Chris Douglas, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja for raping a church member’s daughter.

    What happened

    Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that Douglas, the General Overseer of Peculiar Generation Assembly Church, Oshodi, grossly abused his position of spiritual authority and trust to exploit the victim.

    “The convict occupied a position of spiritual authority and was regarded as a father figure by the victim and her family,” the judge said.

    Instead of protecting that trust, the judge added, Douglas “betrayed it in the most reprehensible manner.”

    The court heard that the abuse took place in a hotel on several occasions while the victim and her family looked up to the cleric for spiritual guidance.

    Victim’s trauma

    Justice Oshodi noted that the victim suffered severe psychological trauma as a direct result of the abuse.

    “The court accepts the evidence that the victim suffered depression and recurring suicidal thoughts as a direct consequence of the convict’s actions,” he said.

    Prosecution’s case

    The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Dr Babajide Martins, called five witnesses, including the victim, her mother, and a medical doctor.

    The victim testified that Douglas drugged and raped her in September 2017.

    “I trusted him like a spiritual father. I never imagined he could do this to me,” she told the court.

    Her mother recounted confronting the cleric at his church, where he allegedly cried and blamed the devil before begging for forgiveness in the presence of church elders.

    The matter was later reported to a human rights organisation, the police at Makinde Division, and the Mirabel Centre for medical examination.

    Defence and court ruling

    Douglas denied the allegations, claiming the relationship was consensual.

    However, Justice Oshodi rejected the consent defence, ruling that the prosecution proved rape beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The defence of consent is not supported by the totality of the evidence before the court,” the judge held.

    The court discharged Douglas on six counts of defilement and sexual assault but found him guilty on three counts of rape.

    Sentence

    Justice Oshodi sentenced the convict to life imprisonment on each of the three counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.

    “The law must protect the vulnerable, and this court will not hesitate to punish abuse of trust in the strongest terms,” the judge said.

    The court also ordered that Douglas’ name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.

    This is a clear case of betrayal of trust by someone who was supposed to provide spiritual leadership. The judgment has sparked discussions on the need for stricter oversight in religious institutions.

  • “Power Has Improved Since 2015” — Tinubu’s Aide Bwala Defends Electricity Supply Gains

    Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has said electricity supply has improved in parts of Nigeria, insisting that Nigerians now enjoy more power than they did in 2015 and 2023.

    Aide speaks on current situation

    Bwala made the claim during an interview on Arise TV, where he acknowledged that challenges still exist in the power sector but argued that there are noticeable improvements in some areas.

    He pointed to the Federal Capital Territory as one of the regions experiencing relatively stable electricity compared to others.

    Focus shifts from supply to tariffs

    According to him, many of the current complaints about electricity are now centred more on tariffs than on availability in certain locations.

    He suggested that this reflects a shift in concerns, as some areas are seeing better supply than before.

    Reforms opening up the sector

    Bwala also credited recent government reforms for expanding participation in the power sector.

    He said the legal framework now allows state governments, local authorities, and private investors to play active roles in electricity generation and distribution.

    “We have created the legislative environment that has given rise to the capacity of state, local government, and even the private sector to participate,” he said.

    ‘Judge by hours of supply’

    The presidential aide argued that progress should be measured by actual hours of electricity supply rather than political comparisons with previous administrations.

    He maintained that Nigerians are more concerned about how much power they receive daily than past benchmarks.

    Debate over real impact continues

    While Bwala insists there has been measurable improvement, discussions around electricity supply remain a key national issue, with many Nigerians still raising concerns about access, cost, and consistency.

  • Mohbad’s Father Breaks Silence on Burial Delay, Insists DNA and Justice Must Come First

    The father of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has explained why his son’s burial has been delayed, insisting that uncovering the truth behind his death remains his top priority before any final rites can take place.

    Why Mohbad has not been buried

    Speaking in a recent interview with Channels Television, Mr. Joseph Aloba said the decision to delay burial was deliberate, stressing that the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death must be fully established first.

    He maintained that justice and clarity are more important to him at this stage than immediate burial arrangements.

    DNA controversy over grandson Liam

    Mr. Aloba also addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the paternity of his grandson, Liam, noting that he needs clarity on the situation before taking any final position.

    According to him, resolving the matter is tied to his willingness to reconcile with Mohbad’s partner, Wunmi, and formally accept the child.

    “My vision is to know exactly what killed Mohbad. Once I have the answers, I’ll work on reconciling with Liam and Wumi. I’ll even go on any media platform to claim Liam as my grandson. But now, I can’t do all that because we are still at the war front,” he said.

    “Body is evidence” — Mohbad’s father insists

    He further argued that Mohbad’s remains are still central to the investigation, saying the body must not be buried yet due to the need for DNA testing.

    “The reason his remains haven’t been reburied is that his body is evidence, and a DNA test is necessary. If we bury him now, the DNA evidence will be compromised,” he added.

    Calls for transparency in investigation

    Mr. Aloba also expressed dissatisfaction with how the case has been handled, calling for a more transparent and impartial investigation.

    He urged the Inspector General of Police to reassign new officers to the case, alleging compromise in the current process.

    “They can change the nature of that environment with just a bottle of wine and 100,000 Naira. That means they are compromised. They should help me change them. They should investigate this case,” he pleaded.

    The case continues to generate public attention, with renewed calls for clarity and closure surrounding Mohbad’s death.

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