Nelson Ugwuagbo

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday struck out the defamation suit filed against Instagram celebrity Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkblackman (VDM).

The suit was instituted by Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, and his son, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, following an audio recording by cross-dresser Bobrisky which accused the Falanas of perverting justice.

The claimants had sought N500 million each in damages over a video posted by VDM on his social media platforms.

When the matter was called, neither the claimants nor the defendant were present in court. Counsel to the respondent, Mr. Niyi Alagbe, appearing on behalf of Mr. Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that an application for stay of proceedings had been filed before Justice Fimisola Azeez.

Responding, counsel to the Falanas, Mr. Omotayo Olatunbosun, confirmed receipt of the application at about 4:15 p.m. on Monday but argued that the court should proceed with hearing the preliminary objection, which he said was ripe for determination. He described the new application as a tactic to delay proceedings.

Justice Matthias Dawodu, in his ruling, noted that the application was not before him and questioned why the case was brought to his court when the substantive matter was already before another judge.

He ruled that continuing with the case would amount to an academic exercise and struck out the suit.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” Justice Dawodu declared.

The Anambra State Government has called for national legislation to prohibit the use of industrial oxygen in hospitals, citing serious public health risks.

The State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Ms. Nwamaka Arinze, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Oxygen Production Plant in Awka.

Dr. Mefor expressed concern over the continued use of industrial oxygen in medical facilities, warning that it poses significant dangers to human health. He emphasized that industrial oxygen is unsuitable for human consumption and should be banned through legislation.

“Since it has been proven that industrial oxygen is not good for human consumption, it should be a legislative issue. There should be a law against it, with clear punishments outlined for its usage,” Mefor stated.

He noted that without a legal framework, individuals and institutions may continue to opt for cheaper but hazardous alternatives, despite the potential health consequences.

Highlighting the widespread use of industrial oxygen, the commissioner urged for strict legislation and severe penalties to deter the practice. He also referenced recent actions by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), including the shutdown of the Bridgehead Drug Market over the sale of fake, expired, and banned drugs.

Mefor criticized profit-driven practices that endanger lives, stressing that effective legislation and enforcement are essential to tackling the issue. He acknowledged existing challenges in law enforcement, particularly in Anambra State, but pledged the Ministry of Information’s support in driving awareness and collaboration with relevant authorities to address the problem.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has reminded the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), of his constitutional duty to report to the National Assembly in the course of administering the state.

Abbas gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State.

The development follows the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on 18 March 2025, amid a political crisis involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.

President Tinubu had suspended both the governor and the lawmakers for six months and appointed Ibas as Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs. The appointment was subsequently approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 21-member committee, Speaker Abbas emphasized the need for objectivity, urging members to avoid bias and partisanship in carrying out their responsibilities.

“It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the state Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.),” Abbas said.

He further clarified that Ibas’s role is limited to maintaining law and order and ensuring the basic functions of governance until democratic structures are restored.

“The administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the state, as prescribed by the constitution,” he added.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, has warned that the party risks collapse if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerges as its 2027 presidential candidate.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, George said Atiku’s candidacy would mark the end of the PDP, especially if secured through alleged manipulation as in 2023.

George criticized Atiku’s leadership, stating he has failed to address internal party crises and is pursuing personal ambitions rather than the party’s interests. He also backed the recent rejection of an opposition coalition spearheaded by Atiku by PDP governors, praising them for “putting on their thinking caps.”

Citing the PDP’s zoning arrangement, George insisted the presidency should return to the South after eight years in the North. He said while Atiku has the constitutional right to contest, he should not be the PDP candidate in 2027.

George also expressed his desire to see the PDP win the next election with a southern candidate, adding that he does not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Gunmen have reportedly abducted several worshippers during a night vigil at a remote mountain location in Kogi State.

The incident occurred on Friday at Egbola, along Agbaja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area.

According to reports, the assailants stormed the prayer site and began shooting sporadically to cause panic before abducting an unspecified number of worshippers.

A source said the Kogi State Vigilante Service, after receiving information on the attack, mobilised to the scene and engaged the gunmen in a shootout.

One of the abducted victims, identified as Mary Adams Gure, was reportedly rescued during the operation. It was gathered that she escaped amid the confusion and was later secured by the vigilantes.

“A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing to locate the remaining abducted persons,” the source said.

Efforts to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him went unanswered.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has visited Plateau State to commiserate with victims and families affected by the recent wave of attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area.

In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Obi described the killings as “senseless” and “unacceptable,” noting that such violence should not occur in a country not officially at war.

“Yesterday, I travelled from Abuja to Jos, Plateau State, to condole with and show solidarity with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the people of Plateau State over the recent senseless killings in the Bokkos area of the state,” the former Anambra State governor wrote.

During the visit, Obi met with displaced persons, survivors, and children affected by the attacks. He expressed sorrow over the scale of destruction and displacement, and called for urgent measures to protect lives and restore security in the region.

“What has happened in these communities is very saddening and utterly unacceptable. Nigerians should not be killed or forced to flee their homes when we are not at war. Every life is precious, and no Nigerian, regardless of where they live, should have to live in fear or uncertainty,” Obi said.

Offering condolences to the bereaved families, he added, “My deepest condolences go to the families and communities who have suffered tragic losses. No words can truly capture the pain and devastation that such senseless violence brings.”

Obi’s visit comes amid rising insecurity in parts of the country, with repeated calls for enhanced government intervention and protection of lives and property.

The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) has warned of a possible nationwide shutdown of power plants due to unpaid invoices exceeding ₦4 trillion.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), the association disclosed that the debt comprises ₦2 trillion accrued in 2024 and ₦1.9 trillion in legacy debts. The APGC said the non-payment for electricity supplied to the national grid has triggered a liquidity crisis, severely affecting the operations of power generation companies (GenCos).

According to the association, the crisis has hindered GenCos’ ability to meet critical financial obligations, posing a significant threat to the stability of the entire electricity value chain.

The APGC has called for the immediate implementation of a payment plan to clear all outstanding invoices. It further demanded a reprioritization of the current payment waterfall arrangement, advocating for the full and timely settlement of GenCos’ invoices.

“A clear financing plan is required to support exposures in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) Supplementary Order to the MYTO and Distribution Revenue Order (DRO) 2024,” the statement read. The association said such a plan would offer financial stability and predictability, allowing GenCos to plan effectively and invest in system improvements.

Additionally, the APGC is seeking payment security guarantees backed by institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to ensure uninterrupted payments to GenCos. This, it said, would support the sector’s growth and expansion efforts.

The association also called for greater transparency in billing, collections, and remittance processes to restore trust in the power sector and ensure that GenCos receive accurate and timely payments.

The APGC warned that failure to address these challenges urgently could lead to national security risks and further undermine the country’s electricity supply.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday unanimously resolved not to join any coalition or merger as the 2027 elections approach.

The PDP Governors’ Forum meeting, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, was attended by key governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.

Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom were represented by their deputies.

In a communiqué read by the Governor of Bauchi State and the forum’s Chairman, Bala Mohammed, the forum noted the “nationwide speculations about possible mergers of parties, groups, and/or associations” and resolved that “the Forum will not join any coalition or merger.”

Equally, the forum emphasised that “the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any parties, persons, or groups that are willing to join the party with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”

The governors reiterated their positions regarding the party’s national secretary, stating, “The Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba regarding the National Secretary of the party.”

They recommended that the deputy secretary temporarily act as national secretary “pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive secretary from the Southeast zone at its next meeting.”

The communiqué also expressed solidarity with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating, “We restate our commitment to stand with him until the end amid the challenges posed by the declaration of a state of emergency in his state.”

Addressing the worsening security situation in the country, particularly in Borno, Katsina, and Edo States, the forum expressed alarm, stating, “The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country.”

The PDP governors called for a “review and reorientation of priorities and strategies,” emphasising the need for a bottom-up approach to tackle security breaches effectively.