Politician and activist, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that popular fuji musician Saheed Osupa Akorede has withdrawn his defamation case against fellow singer, Habeeb Okikiola, a.k.a Portable, before an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State.

In a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon, Sowore said he had a conversation with Osupa, during which the musician explained that his use of the police was intended to show he had no involvement in any attempt to harm Portable. However, Osupa acknowledged that his actions might have been seen as using the police for repression.

As a result, he decided to drop the charges that had led to Portable’s incarceration in a prison in Ilorin after failing to meet bail conditions on Monday.

Sowore maintained that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) should not be used to enforce civil disputes and called for an end to the misuse of cybercrime charges.

Moment later, Sowore returned to his Facebook page to confirm Portable’s release from Oke Kura Custorial Centre in Ilorin.

[Leadership]

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 24.23 percent in March, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has stated.

A report by the bureau said the figure was a 1.05 percent increase from the 23.18 percent recorded in February.

Daily Trust reports that this is the first increase of the inflation figure since the NBS rebased the Consumer Price Index (CPI) earlier in the year.

“Looking at the movement, the March 2025 Headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.05% compared to the February 2025 Headline inflation rate. Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in March 2025 was 3.90%, which was 1.85% higher than the rate recorded in February 2025 (2.04%).

“This means that in March 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in February 2025.”

It explained that contributions of items on the divisional level are food and non-alcoholic beverages, 9.28 percent; restaurants and accommodation services, 2.99 percent; transport, 2.47 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 1.95 percent, education services 1.44 percent, health 1.40 percent.

It said food inflation rate in March 2025 was 21.79 percent on a year-on-year basis.

“However, on a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in March 2025 was 2.18 percent, up by 0.50 percent compared to February 2025 (1.67 percent),” the NBS added.

It attributed the increase to the rise in the average prices of ginger (fresh), garri (Yellow), broken rice (ofada), honey (natural production), crabs, potatoes, plantain flour, periwinkle (unshelled), pepper (fresh), etc.

[DailyTrust]

A yet to be identified gunmen have killed at least three policemen in Achi, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State.

DAILY POST learnt that the incident happened at a checkpoint close to Ozudaa Market, Achi.

Details of the incident are still sketchy as the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe could not take his calls.

However, a viral gory video obtained by DAILY POST shows lifeless bodies of the slain policemen.

More to follow….

Watch video on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Nasrk54MA/

[DailyPost]

Thousands of Nigerians are reeling from the collapse of CBEX, a digital asset trading platform that has reportedly disappeared with more than N1.3 trillion of investors’ funds.

The platform, which lured users with promises of a 100% return on investment within 30 days, abruptly crashed on Monday. 

Investors were shocked to find their digital wallets emptied, while CBEX shut down its Telegram channels and froze all withdrawal options.

In a last-ditch attempt to maintain control, CBEX introduced a so-called “verification” process, demanding $100 or $200 from users in exchange for a supposed chance to recover their lost funds—further deepening suspicions of a coordinated scam.

CBEX had presented itself as a secure and transparent digital trading platform, but its sudden disappearance has left investors counting heavy losses in what is now considered one of Nigeria’s largest digital financial scams.

However, its operational model is now under intense scrutiny as accusations of fraud and deceptive tactics surface. The platform allegedly displayed fake withdrawal records to cover up the issues users faced when trying to access their funds.

Reports indicate that user funds disappeared almost immediately after deposit, meaning investors never truly owned or accessed the digital assets they believed they were trading.

CBEX reportedly operated without proper licensing and ran a poorly designed website that mimicked reputable platforms like ByBit to appear legitimate and gain users’ trust.

It was reported that behind the scenes, investors’ deposits were funneled into a TRX (Tron) wallet, quickly converted to USDT and then ETH. Meanwhile, what appeared on users’ dashboards were fake balances — artificially generated figures showing fictitious AI trading profits.

In reality, the scheme ran like a typical Ponzi structure, using funds from new investors to simulate returns for earlier ones.

After the platform’s crash, CBEX introduced a so-called “verification” phase, demanding an extra $100 from users with balances below $1,000, and $200 from those with higher amounts, under the guise of helping them recover their funds.

Analysts have described this as a last-ditch effort to extract more money from desperate victims, possibly to pay a few and sustain the illusion of credibility, while the majority are left defrauded.

[TheNation]

Eighteen-year-old Osariemen Unuigbe, a Nigerian-American student of Edo State origin, has been accepted into six Ivy League universities in the United States, including the prestigious Harvard and Yale.

Currently a senior at Egg Harbor Township High School in New Jersey, Osariemen is earning widespread praise for her exceptional academic performance and steadfast pursuit of excellence.

Her parents, Dr. Augustine and Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Unuigbe, expressed their heartfelt joy, describing her achievement as “a great miracle” and giving “all glory to God.”

Osariemen’s impressive resume includes acceptance into the highly competitive Governor’s School of New Jersey, as well as holding numerous leadership positions throughout her academic journey.

She has received a host of academic honours, all highlighting her commitment to personal growth and intellectual achievement.

Recently, Osariemen Unuigbe was named a 2025 “Rising to the Top” scholar by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Southern New Jersey Chapter—another prestigious recognition of her all-around excellence.

Her success reflects the increasing visibility and impact of Nigerian students in U.S. higher education.

The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange revealed that Nigerian student enrollment at U.S. institutions reached 20,029 in the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a 13.5% rise from previous years.

Vanguard News

The house of representatives has inaugurated a 21-member ad hoc committee to oversee the emergency rule in Rivers state.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, said the move indicates the parliament’s “dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in our country”. 

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the Rivers, citing a political crisis.

He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for a period of six months.

The president appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

Shortly after his appointment, Ibas suspended all political officeholders appointed by Fubara.

During the Monday’s event, Abbas, who expressed support for the state of emergency, recalled how similar measures were implemented under previous administrations, particularly during Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, when some serving governors were suspended.

“This decisive action was taken out of genuine patriotism and a deep concern for the security and welfare of both the people of Rivers State and our country as a whole,” he said.

“The President’s extraordinary actions were not taken lightly. They reflect a profound sense of duty and responsibility and a recognition that when democratic institutions falter, decisive action is necessary to protect the interests of the nation. This same sense of duty underpins our proceedings today.”

Abbas said when a state of emergency was declared in some states in the past, the intervention of the national assembly ensured continuity in governance.

He cited section 11(4) of the 1999 constitution, saying it confers on the parliament the authority to make laws for any state in which its legislature is unable to perform its statutory functions. It states that:

“It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers state is inherently temporary,” Abbas said.

Abbas said Ibas’ role is “strictly circumscribed”, adding that he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is 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,” Abbas added.

He said the duty of the committee is to monitor the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers state, ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the law, and protect the public interest while facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state.

“The members of this committee have been selected with meticulous care by the house leadership based on their integrity, experience, and steadfast dedication to the national interest,” Abbas said.

The speaker asked members of the committee to carry out the assignment with the “highest standards of professionalism, impartiality, and diligence”.

“In fulfilling your mandate, you must conduct your oversight in strict accordance with the constitution and avoid all forms of partisanship or bias,” he told the panel members,” he said.

“It is imperative that you monitor every aspect of the caretaker administration’s conduct, scrutinise public expenditures, and ensure that all federal directives and policies are implemented as intended.

“Moreover, it is expected that you will regularly report your findings to this house in a transparent manner, enabling us to continuously assess the impact of the emergency measures and to take further legislative action if necessary.

“Beyond mere oversight, your work must actively support efforts to restore lasting peace and re-establish a fully functioning democratic system in Rivers state.

“You are called upon to interface with federal agencies, security institutions, and any reconciliation initiatives that may be established, fostering trust among all stakeholders in the process.”

Abbas added that the committee members must be conscientious, forthright and astute in the assignment.

[TheCable]

Gunmen reportedly stormed a prayer session  at a remote mountain site in the Egbola area, along Agbaja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State and abducted an unspecified number of the worshipers.

The incident is said to have occurred  on  Friday during  a night  vigil  on the mountain.

A woman identified as Mary Adams Gure was said to have been rescued  by men of the state vigilante services who got the wind of the incident and mobilized to the scene and confronted the gunmen in a gun duel.

According to the source, their  attackers stormed the prayer ground, firing sporadically to instil fear before forcefully whisking  the worshippers into the  bush.

The rescued woman was said to have escaped amidst chaos.

“The vigilantes  were  mobilized quickly  in response to the attack; and in the process, Gure was rescued . A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing to locate the remaining abducted faithful.

“Gure managed to escape and later found safety, thanks to the swift intervention of local vigilante members who were alerted and got to the scene of the incident on time,” the vigilante source said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP William Aya, did not respond to calls and messages sent to him on the incident.

 [DailyTrust]

Niger Delta human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has accused Rivers State Administrator, Ibok Ete Ibas of pouring petrol to the fire President Bola Tinubu sent him to quench in the state.

This was as she said Ibas’s actions in the state were contrary to what the president sent him to do.

DAILY POST reports that Tinubu appointed Ibas, Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from July 2015 to January 2021, as the Administrator of the oil-rich state in March after the President declared state of emergency and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The president had said that his decision was to restore peace in the state following the political tension between Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

However, speaking on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Monday, Ann-Kio Briggs alleged that Ibas is pouring petrol on fire.

“First of all, I can assure you that he is pouring petrol on a fire Mr President believes that was on.

“So, he was told to come and pour water on that fire, to quench it. Well, he has done nothing of the sort, I have told you that he has removed people who were constitutionally and democratically in governance.

“There were no issues, and he came along and removed everybody. Even in the government house, it is alleged that he has removed the pictures of Siminalayi Fubara. I repeat Siminalayi Fubara remains the governor of Rivers State,” Ann-Kio Briggs said.

According to her, Ibas is currently overseeing violence in Rivers State, saying that the retired military chief is not welcomed in the state.

She added that although the President stated the state of emergency would last for six months, it doesn’t mean he can’t change his mind and return everything to the status quo before the stipulated time.

Recall that earlier on Monday, two groups of women held rallies in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

While one group was in support of Ibas and the emergency rule, the other group who were half-clothed demanded the return of Fubara.

[DailyPost]