Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Man Sentenced To Six Months In Prison For Stealing A Fowl In Ogun State. A Magistrate’s Court in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has sentenced 21-year-old Adebanjo Segun to six months in prison after he was found guilty of stealing a fowl. The ruling, delivered earlier today, has sparked conversations across social media platforms, with many expressing a mix of amusement and disbelief at the severity of the punishment for what some are calling a “fowl offence.” According to details emerging from the court, Segun’s troubles began on 19 February 2025, when he was apprehended for pilfering a hen. The young man,…

Niger Governor Bans Tax Collection From Petty Traders And Hawkers. Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago of Niger State has ordered an immediate ban on tax collection from petty traders and hawkers, citing concerns over their exploitation through multiple levies. Speaking to the Government House press crew in Minna on Tuesday, 25th February 2025, the governor expressed his dismay at the unfair taxation imposed on small-scale traders. “As a government, we have resolved that henceforth, no trader, no petty trader, should be taxed,” he declared. “Hawkers and petty traders are tax-free in Niger State. Anybody found taxing them will be dealt…

Lagos Engages Local Councils On Purple Line Rail Project. The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has taken a significant step forward in the development of the Purple Line rail project by engaging with local council officials to ensure community support and awareness. On Tuesday, LAMATA’s Technical Adviser for Planning, Osa Konyeha, led discussions with key stakeholders, including Orile Agege LCDA Chairman Johnson Babatunde, Iba LCDA Chairman Yisa Abiola Jubril, and Secretary to Alimosho Local Government, Dare Ogunkoya, who represented Local Government Chairman Jelili Adewale Sulaimon. The consultations aimed to inform local authorities about the upcoming Purple Line rail…

Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe Tenure Sparks Fresh Controversy In Turkey. José Mourinho’s time at Fenerbahçe has taken another dramatic turn following accusations of racism after his side’s 0-0 draw against Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby on Monday night. The 62-year-old Portuguese manager, known for his outspoken nature, has repeatedly criticised officiating standards in Turkish football. However, his latest remarks – accusing the Galatasaray bench of “jumping like monkeys” – have drawn strong reactions. Galatasaray responded by accusing Mourinho of racism, a claim Fenerbahçe have denied. The club’s vice-president defended Mourinho, stating the comments were “100% nothing to do with racism” and…

Sorloth Strikes Late As Atletico Madrid Hold Barcelona In Eight-Goal Thriller. Alexander Sorloth’s stoppage-time equaliser sealed a dramatic 4-4 draw between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday. The pulsating encounter saw both sides exchange control, with former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez stunning the hosts after just 50 seconds. Moments later, ex-Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann doubled Atletico’s lead, leaving Hansi Flick’s team reeling. However, Barcelona responded swiftly. Pedri halved the deficit with a composed finish before Pau Cubarsí levelled with a header from Raphinha’s corner inside 19 minutes. The…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Sues Senate President Akpabio For Defamation. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged defamation. The legal action follows a disagreement in the Senate after Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about the new seating arrangement, which she claimed was unfavourable to her. She also alleged that her contributions during plenary sessions were ignored by Akpabio, who insisted she must speak from her assigned seat. The suit, marked CV/737/25, was filed on 25 February 2025 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Akpabio and his Senior Legislative Aide, Mfon…

Tinubu Chairs First APC Caucus Meeting At Aso Villa. President Bola Tinubu has chaired the first All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The closed-door session commenced at 7:20 pm on Tuesday, marking a significant gathering of the ruling party’s key figures. The meeting brought together prominent APC leaders, including the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. Making their debut appearances at the caucus meeting were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Cross River…

Couple Recounts Trauma After Deceased Passenger Placed Beside Them On Flight. An Australian couple has described the distressing experience of having a deceased passenger placed next to them for four hours on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin, who were travelling to Venice for a dream holiday, said the woman collapsed in the aisle beside them during the flight. Despite the crew’s swift response, she sadly could not be saved. Speaking to Australia’s Channel 9, Mr Ring explained that flight attendants attempted to move the woman’s body to business class but were…

Ukraine And US Reach Minerals Deal Amid Strategic Negotiations. Ukraine has reached an agreement with the United States on a major minerals deal, a senior official in Kyiv has confirmed. The agreement, which follows intense negotiations, has been described as a positive outcome for Ukraine, though specific details remain undisclosed. “We have indeed agreed it with a number of good amendments and see it as a positive outcome,” the official told the BBC. Reports suggest that the US has dropped its initial demand for a $500 billion (£395 billion) share in Ukraine’s mineral revenues. However, Washington has not…

Denmark To Ban Smartphones In Schools Under New Legislation. The Danish government has announced plans to introduce a ban on smartphones in schools, as part of a broader effort to improve children’s wellbeing and focus on education. Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye confirmed on Tuesday that the government will support the proposal, which will lead to changes in legislation. Speaking to Danish newspaper Politiken, he stated, “We have decided to give the government’s support to this idea and that’s why we are starting to prepare a change in the law.” Although the details of the law have yet to be…

Military Intensifies Operations To Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Bello Turji. The Nigerian military has intensified its efforts to track and eliminate notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, as part of ongoing operations to restore security in the North West. Troops of Operation Fasan Yamma (OPFY) have ramped up their offensive, closely monitoring Turji’s movements with the aim of putting an end to his reign of terror. A reliable military source, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that security forces are tracking his hideouts with precision. “Our intelligence is solid. Turji’s movements are no longer a secret to us. It’s only a…

United States Excludes Nigeria, UK, Others From 2025 Visa Waiver Programme List. The United States has released its updated list of eligible countries for the 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), with notable changes, including the removal of the United Kingdom under standard conditions and the addition of Romania. The VWP enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without requiring a visa. However, travellers must obtain prior approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and meet all specified requirements. According to the U.S. Bureau of…