A 28-year-old man, Monisola Adebayo, has been arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, over alleged false publication against one Mrs Alice Oyinlola.
Adebayo, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, defamation and publication of false news.
He, however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp Olagoke Adegbenro, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in 2024, at the Eleyele area of Ibadan.
He alleged that the defendant and others, conspired to publish false news which defamed the character of one Mrs Alice Oyinlola, a nominal complainant.
Adegbenro, alleged that the defendant posted undue comments online, which exposed Oyinlola to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
He said that the offences contravenes the provisions of sections 59, 375 and 516, of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case until April 21, for hearing. (NAN)
Hon. Justice Ikechi Nweneka of the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division, has ruled that the Ikoyi Club’s decision to unilaterally reduce Mr. Adekola’s salary and leave allowance for the months of April, May, and June 2020 was a breach of his employment contract and an unfair labor practice.
The Court has directed the Club to pay Mr. Adekola N337,247, representing the balance of his salary, along with N101,003.85 as his prorated leave allowance for the same period. Additionally, the Court ordered the Club to transfer outstanding pension contributions to Mr. Adekola’s Stanbic IBTC Retirement Savings Account: N17,717.66 for April, N17,837.98 for May, and N13,211.32 for June. The Ikoyi Club was also ordered to pay N200,000 as costs for the legal action.
Mr. Adekola claimed that his employment was confirmed on December 1, 2018, and he had been performing duties as Head of the Committee Secretariat, assisting his senior during their preparation for retirement. He alleged that the Club had reduced his salary without informing him of the reason and argued that this was in violation of his employment contract and the International Labour Organization’s Protection of Wages Convention.
In defense, the Ikoyi Club contended that Mr. Adekola was not entitled to an acting allowance or the salary scale of the Head of Committee Secretariat, as he did not produce the required written notification for acting in a higher capacity. The Club argued that the payment of N330,046.38 represented Mr. Adekola’s terminal benefits, and the salary reduction due to the COVID-19 pandemic was justified as fair labor practice.
However, the Court found the Club’s arguments unconvincing, particularly noting that the internal memo allegedly informing staff about the salary deduction was not produced in evidence. Justice Nweneka ruled that no deductions could be made from an employee’s salary unless permitted by law, and dismissed the Club’s defense of fair labor practice.
Ultimately, the Court declared the Club’s actions unlawful and upheld Mr. Adekola’s claims for payment.
A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has ordered the remand of seven suspects involved in the murder of Mojisola Awesu, a female student from the state’s College of Health Technology in Offa. The order was given on Monday by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf, who directed the suspects to be held in a correctional facility.
The decision followed the absence of legal counsel for the 5th, 6th, and 7th defendants, while the lawyers for the 1st and 4th defendants were also absent during the previous hearing on February 3, 2025. At that time, only the prime suspects, Adebayo Joshua Happiness and Timileyin Kolawole, had been remanded in the facility.
Justice Yusuf, expressing dissatisfaction with the continued absence of legal representation, ruled that all seven defendants should be remanded in custody until the next adjournment on March 4, 2025.
Adebayo Joshua Happiness and Timileyin Kolawole are accused of conspiring to kill Mojisola Awesu on August 9, 2024. In addition to these charges, Happiness and his parents, Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi, face accusations of conspiracy and destruction of evidence, in violation of the Kwara State Penal Code Law of 2006.
Other defendants—Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus—are accused of conspiring to dump Mojisola’s body at a dumpsite along Wara Road in Ilorin. This act is considered a criminal offense under the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, 2018.
Mojisola had been invited by the prime suspect, Adebayo Joshua Happiness, to attend a graduation send-off party at a hotel in Ilorin before she was tragically murdered.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to March 6 and 7, 2025. The case, initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), resumed on Monday with testimony from two witnesses for the prosecution.
The first witness, Segun Adeleke, the General Manager of Efab Properties Limited, spoke about property transactions in Maitama and Gwarinpa. He revealed that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear on any of the documents and that he had never met the former governor.
Adeleke explained how in 2020, he was introduced to a man named Shehu Bello by his chairman, Chief Dr. Fabian Nwora, who had discussed purchasing a property. The property in question, located at Number 1 Ikogosi Road, Maitama, was priced at ₦550 million, which Shehu paid using U.S. dollars. The exchange rate was confirmed via a Bureau de Change to ensure the payment matched the Nigerian naira equivalent.
Adeleke stated he met Shehu Bello three times — during the introduction, payment, and signing of legal documents. However, he confirmed that Shehu did not sign the documents in his presence, and he never saw Yahaya Bello involved in the transactions.
The second witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer at United Bank for Africa, was subpoenaed to present several banking documents. These included account statements from the Kogi State Government House account, as well as other documents related to Macelina Njoku and the American International School in Abuja. These documents were admitted into evidence without objection.
The case will resume in March 2025 for further hearings.
The Management of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) Katsina has shut down the school for one week following protests by students over killing of one of their colleagues by the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) operatives.
The students’ protest which began on Sunday when the student was shot dead continued Monday morning.
Subsequently, the management of the University announced a one-week Mid-Semester break starting from Feb. 24. to calm frayed nerves.
The FUDMA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate to close the school in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.
Bichi further advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 p.m. on Feb. 24.
“The Management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” he said.
Reports indicated that the JTF members on Sunday shot the student, alleging that he was an informant.
Nine persons have been confirmed dead, while three others were severely injured in an accident that occurred in Ayetoro area on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
This is contained in a statement by Mrs Florence Okpe, the Public Education Officer, of Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Ogun Sector Command.
Okpe attributed the cause of the crash to speeding and fatigue, which led to loss of control, causing the driver to ram into a stationary truck.
She said that the accident which happened at about 5:30a.m, involved a Toyota Hiace bus marked UYY 165 ZY and a truck with registration number DKA 244 XC .
Okpe said that the accident involved 13 people comprising 10 men and three women, adding that six men and three women were recorded dead.
“The injured victims were taken to Famobis Hospital, Mowe, while the deceased were deposited at Idera Morgue, Sagamu,” she said.
The FRSC spokesperson admonished drivers to always observe stipulated speed limit.
She lamented the carelessness of some drivers who disregard the stipulated speed limit and the requirement.
The Ogun Police Command has declared one Adeola Jamiu alleged to be a member of staff of Obasanjo Farm, Abeokuta, and three others missing in various parts of the state.
The police, in a series of notices, are seeking the help of the public to locate the four persons who went missing recently in various parts of Ogun State.
Jamiu, said to be 48-year-old, was declared missing by the Ilupeju Division of the Ogun Police Command.
“He was last seen on February 20, 2025 and he is dark in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba languages fluently, tall and slim.
“Adeola Jamiu left his home at Alamala Estate, Ayetoro Road, Abeokuta, on February 20, 2025, at about 2300 hours for his workplace at Obasanjo Farm, Ayetoro Road, Abeokuta.
“He has not returned home or been seen since then.
“If you have any information about Adeola Jamiu’s disappearance or whereabouts, please contact the Ilupeju Division of the Ogun State Police Command,” the Police said.
In another of the notices, the Sagamu Divisional headquarters of the Command asked the public to help locate a 23-year-old woman it identified Asafa Halimat.
According to the Command, Halimat who is five feet tall, fair in complexion and speaks English and Yoruba languages fluently was last seen in the morning of February 13, 2025, when she left her residence for work at Overcomer Computer Centre, opposite Magistrate Court, Sagamu.
“If you have any information regarding Asafa Halimat’s whereabouts, please contact the Sagamu Police Division or call 08028377520,” the Police Command said.
Also declared missing by the Police Command is one John Omomo.
John was last seen Opposite Deeper Life Bible Church, Ofada, on Tuesday, 11th February, 2025, around 5:30 pm, entering a tricycle (Marwa) with a woman heading towards Mowe, according to the Police notice.
“If Found: Please contact 08038161255, 08167568219, or 08081479606,” the Police said.
Also declared missing by the Ogun Police Command is 23-year-old Habibat Abdulrafiu described as dark in complexion with ability to speak Yoruba and English languages fluently
“Habibat was last seen leaving her home at No. 3, Asheshina Street, Odo-Kabiru Olosun, Itele-Ota, on February 20, 2025, at about 0530 hours. She has not returned home since then,” Police said, noting that the lady is also mentally challenged.
“The Ogun State Police Command urges anyone with information about her disappearance, or if found, please contact the nearest police station,” the Police added.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has noted that President Bola Tinubu’s congratulatory message to him on his 65th birthday anniversary had a ripple effect.
According to El-Rufai, the president’s birthday message forced his political enemies to also send their wishes.
El-Rufai made the revelation in an appreciation message he issued on Monday.
PM News had reported that President Tinubu showered praises on El-Rufai despite their apparent political rift.
However, El-Rufai admitted that the prayers and good wishes were “humbling and gratifying.”
The former Governor said: “It has been about a week since many friends, associates and admirers sent me various messages and prayers in commemoration of my 65th birthday.
“The prayers and good wishes were quite humbling and gratifying, but far too many and overwhelming for individual acknowledgment or response by me, hence this message.
“I want to thank everyone that sent me their prayers and best wishes, including those that didn’t want to, until President Tinubu’s message shamed them into action. May the Almighty God accepts our prayers and continue to shower his blessings on us and our people.
“I have tried to repost, retweet and share all the birthday messages I received, but as an imperfect mortal, I am sure I couldn’t have done all. If I didn’t with yours, please forgive me. It is an omission of the head, not of the heart.
May Almighty Allah grant us even longer life, in good health, happiness and prosperity, in a Nigeria that flourishes as a beacon of progressive governance, democracy and equal opportunity for all. Thank you all, and God Bless.”
President Tinubu’s message to El-Rufai
Many political observers were surprised that President Tinubu sent a birthday message to El-Rufai despite the criticism of his government by the former Governor of Kaduna state.
Particularly, Tinubu showered praises on El-Rufai after the former governor took a swipe at APC and him, saying the relationship between the President and the north had deteriorated in less than two years into his administration.
El-Rufai also warned that Tinubu might be given the Goodluck Jonathan’s treatment ahead of the 2027 elections.
In one of his attacks on APC, El-Rufai said: “I no longer recognize the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.”
In another vein, the Kaduna-born politician launched a scathing attack on his successor, Uba Sani, accusing him of sycophancy and pandering to President Bola Tinubu for personal gain.
“Every day I see this governor embarrassingly and sycophantically rambling, I used to wonder why? However, confirming that Federal Government ‘reimbursements, interventions, and grants’ in excess of N150bn have been given selectively to Kaduna by Tinubu in the last 18 months now explains everything.
“By all means, defend Asiwaju for the conditional cash transfer. Asiwaju has earned it, coming from you. The people of Kaduna State will judge at the right time and place. Have a nice day,” El-Rufai wrote.
Despite the comments, the president went all out for El-Rufai, describing him as a top administrator, and a brilliant politician.
Abuja-based lawyer and publisher of Kubwa Express, Felix Chukwuma Ashimole, has been arraigned before Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court on charges of cybercrime against fellow lawyer Jude Ezeobi.
According to court documents in charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/549/2024, Ashimole is accused of using online platforms to spread false and defamatory statements intended to damage Ezeobi’s reputation.
Following a police investigation, prosecutors established that Ashimole made false claims against Ezeobi in multiple public forums. One of the key accusations stems from an August 21, 2024, post in a WhatsApp group called Law Center, which has over 540 members, many of whom are legal professionals.
In the post, Ashimole allegedly accused Ezeobi of creating a condolence WhatsApp group to solicit funds under false pretenses for his late ex-wife, Ulonna Inyama’s, burial. Prosecutors argue that this statement was entirely untrue and intended to tarnish Ezeobi’s image.
Despite issuing an earlier apology and supposedly deleting the defamatory statements, Ashimole reportedly republished similar allegations on Kubwa Express in September 2024, once again accusing Ezeobi of misleading friends into contributing money. Prosecutors contend that Ashimole knowingly published false claims to inflict reputational damage.
Additionally, on August 21, 2024, Ashimole is alleged to have made another defamatory post in a larger WhatsApp group, Law School Class of 2003, which has over 700 lawyers. In this post, he accused Ezeobi of meddling in his personal affairs. Investigators claim Ashimole was fully aware these allegations were baseless but proceeded with the intent of embarrassing and harassing Ezeobi.
Beyond the defamatory posts, Ashimole is also accused of sending a direct threatening message to Ezeobi, warning him that he had documents that could “bury” him if he decided to escalate the matter. Prosecutors assert that this message was meant to intimidate and silence Ezeobi.
Ashimole is now facing charges under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024. The prosecution has filed evidence, including WhatsApp messages, witness statements, and articles from Kubwa Express, to support the case against him.
If convicted, Ashimole could face significant legal penalties under Sections 24(1) and 24(2) of the Act. The case is set to proceed as the court weighs the evidence against the accused.
The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers(FIDA) Borno Branch, Dr. (Mrs.) Zara Umar Yaqub alongside other members of the executive committee paid an advocacy visit to the 7 Division G.O.C. Maimalari Barracks, the FIDA Borno publicity Secretary, Sumaiya Haruna Mari disclosed in a statement.
The purpose of the visit was to appreciate the eminent role the military plays in countering insurgency and ensuring that the safety of citizens is guaranteed. Dr. Yaqub expressed gratitude to the army for their tremendous efforts at protecting the communities and encouraged them to continue the good job.
As part of the mandate of the FIDA Borno to promote, protect, and preserve the rights of indigent women and children, the Chairperson advocated for a strong partnership in addressing gender based violence while stressing that FIDA as an organisation is willing to work with the military to provide legal awareness, counselling, and pro bono legal services to victims. She called for more engagement and better relationships between civilians and the military in order to build trust and promote peace.
Reciprocally, the G.O.C. expressed appreciation to the FIDA Borno delegation for taking recognizance of their efforts at ensuring that normalcy returns to the state. He prayed for lasting peace and stability.
The G.O.C commended FIDA Borno for its proactiveness, and stated that he looks forward to a successful collaboration with the organisation. He urged the communities to have listening ears in order to enhance awareness on both sides.
A plaque was presented to the FIDA Branch by the G.O.C.
