Author: Daily Post Nigeria

There was pandemonium at the Legislative Council Complex in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday as thugs invaded the chambers, disrupting an ongoing sitting of the councillors.

Some of the lawmakers sustained injuries while scampering for safety. A female councillor, Ekomobong Isaac, was seen bleeding before she was evacuated to the hospital.

Journalists who came to cover the plenary were not spared as one of them, Emmanuel Ufon, was assaulted and his cameras confiscated.

Speaking after the incident, the Leader of the 8th Ini Legislative Council, Donald Usoroh, described the attack as unwarranted, alleging that it was sponsored by the Council Chairman, Inibehe Umah.

Usoroh recalled that trouble started when the legislators wrote to the chairman, inviting him to give account of the council’s monthly income and expenditure, in order to ensure accountability and good governance.

He said rather than the chairman responding to the request, he resorted to intimidation and violence by allegedly sending thugs to disrupt the scheduled plenary.

Usoroh maintained that the legislators were not even planning to impeach the chairman as they know the due protocols to follow if they want to do such but only wanted him to give account of huge funds he had collected from Governor Umo Eno for the development of the local government.

He, therefore,  urged Governor Eno, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other stakeholders to wade into the matter to forestall a full blown crisis in Ini LGA even as he reaffirmed their commitments to serving the people with courage, integrity and dedication to democratic principles.

Usoroh said, “We were not holding a sitting to impeach the chairman. The order paper and agenda for the sitting had already been prepared, and no item relating to impeachment was included.

“In the discharge of our constitutional duties, we had earlier requested a transparent account of the council’s monthly income and expenditure. This was a legitimate legislative responsibility aimed at ensuring accountability and good governance.

“This shameful act of aggression not only undermined democracy at the grassroots but also inflicted devastating consequences. Tragically, one of our female colleagues lost her two-month pregnancy as a direct result of the assault. This heartbreaking incident has left the Council and the community deeply shaken.”

Speaking on behalf of the journalists attacked during the incident, Comrade Ufon said he had been invited to cover the legislative beat which he normally covered and was carrying out his professional duties when the violence occurred.

Ufon alleged that individuals he described as “suspected terrorists and hoodlums” stormed the legislative chambers, destroyed his tripod, assaulted him and his cameraman, and seized their cameras.

According to him, the attackers claimed they were acting on the instructions of the council chairman and informed him that he would have to recover his equipment through them.

He said, “A free press depends on journalists being able to gather information, document events, and report news without intimidation, violence, or arbitrary interference. When journalists are physically attacked or their equipment is confiscated, several concerns should arise.”

Meanwhile, attempts to reach the council chairman were not successful as his phone lines were switched off and messages sent to him were not delivered.

Pandemonium in Akwa Ibom local council as thugs disrupt plenary, sack councillors

Former England striker, Michael Owen, has tipped France to win the 2026 World Cup.

This year’s edition of the tournament kicks off on Thursday night.

Most bookmakers have Spain as their favourites to be world champions, adding to the European Championship they won two years ago.

But Owen, who played in three World Cups during his career, believes Les Bleus are “miles better” than the rest of the competition.

He also predicted that the Three Lions will make it to the semi-final at best, while Germany will be dark horses.

“I think England will be a quarter-final or a semi-final at best would be my guess, but I have a sneaky feeling that Germany could do well,” Owen told Metro.

“I think they could do well. So France would be my pick, England to get to the quarters or semis and Germany to be the dark horses.”

2026 World Cup: Michael Owen names favourites to win trophy, dark horses

There was a demand for the jersey of Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, following their 2-1 win over Nigeria in an international friendly on Wednesday night.

But it was defender Bruno Onyemaechi who was the lucky Super Eagles player to take it home.

Onyemaechi posted Ronaldo’s shirt on his social media hours after the game.

Ronaldo himself had posted a picture of him and the right-back on Instagram, with the caption: “The preparation is done. Eyes on the World Cup.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or was the centre of attention from Nigerian players and coaches, as they jostled to take pictures with him at full-time.

Ronaldo played for 64 minutes and missed a couple of chances to score against the Eagles.

Super Eagles player gets Ronaldo’s shirt after 2-1 defeat to Portugal revealed

Cornerstone Insurance Plc has secured a no-objection approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to proceed with a major corporate restructuring aimed at separating its life and non-life insurance operations in compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025.

The company disclosed that the restructuring will be implemented through a Scheme of Arrangement involving Cornerstone Insurance Plc, its wholly owned subsidiary, Cornerstone Life Assurance Limited, and FIN Insurance Company Limited, in which it holds a 96.68 per cent equity stake.

Under the proposed arrangement, Cornerstone Insurance will transfer its life insurance assets, liabilities and related undertakings to Cornerstone Life Assurance, while its non-life insurance business assets and obligations will be transferred to FIN Insurance.

The move is designed to align the group’s structure with regulatory requirements mandating the separation of composite insurance businesses into distinct life and general insurance entities.

The company said the scheme represents a significant step in its transition to a holding company structure, positioning it for improved operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and business specialization.

Upon completion of the restructuring, the group will consist of four key entities. Cornerstone Insurance Plc will be renamed Cornerstone Holdings Plc, which will remain listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) as the parent company.

Cornerstone Life Assurance Limited will operate the group’s life insurance business, while FIN Insurance Company Limited will be renamed Cornerstone General Insurance Limited and oversee non-life insurance operations.

The group’s Islamic insurance business will continue to operate under Hilal Takaful Nigeria Limited.

The restructuring comes amid ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s insurance industry aimed at strengthening governance, improving risk management and enhancing the financial stability of insurance operators through clearer business segmentation.

Cornerstone noted that although it has received SEC’s no-objection approval, the scheme remains subject to additional regulatory and judicial processes. These include approvals from shareholders of the company and the affected subsidiaries at separate Court-Ordered Meetings, as well as the final sanction of the Federal High Court.

According to the company, a comprehensive Scheme Document detailing the terms and conditions of the restructuring will be dispatched to shareholders after obtaining the court’s approval to convene the meetings.

Market analysts say the move reflects a broader industry trend as insurers adjust their corporate structures to comply with the new regulatory framework introduced under the Insurance Industry Reform Act.

The separation of life and non-life businesses is expected to enhance transparency, strengthen capital allocation and improve oversight of insurance operations.

Cornerstone assured investors that further information on the restructuring process would be communicated as approvals are obtained from shareholders, regulators and the court.

In the meantime, the company advised members of the investing public and shareholders to exercise caution when dealing in its shares pending the completion of the transaction and the release of additional information regarding the scheme.

SEC Approves Cornerstone Scheme To Unbundle Composite Insurance Operations Nationwide is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The senate on Thursday distanced itself from the warrant of arrest issued against Mele Kyari, former group chief executive officer, GCEO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, by its committee on public accounts.

It also distanced itself from comments attributed to Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North.

Oshiomhole reportedly described the NNPC as a bunch of criminals and thieves during the committee’s hearing on Wednesday.

In response the NNPC said it was not a thief.

BREAKING: Senate disowns Mele Kyari arrest warrant, Oshiomhole’s comments

A Bayelsa State lawmaker, Fred Agbedi, has been announced as the House of Representatives Minority Leader.

The speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, made this announcement on Thursday moments after settling down for the day’s business.

Also appointed is Sokoto State lawmaker, Abdusamad Dasuki, who will serve as Deputy Minority Leader.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State representative, Mansur Manu Soro, has been named Minority Chief Whip.

DAILY POST reports that Fred Agbedi is from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while Mansur Manu belongs to the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Abdusamad Dasuki represents the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The announcement ends weeks of consultations and lobbying among opposition lawmakers over the composition of the minority leadership.

Recall that about 9 members, alongside the member representing Ideato North and South federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, walked onto the floor of the House of Representatives’ chambers a while ago, chanting ‘No announcement, No Sitting’ over the minority leader position.

Among Ugochinyere’s supporters for the office of the Minority Leader are Jesse Okey-Joe from Lagos, Aliyu Mustapha from Kaduna, Afam Ogene from Anambra as well as Aliyu Misau from Bauchi.

House of Reps announces Agbedi as Minority Leader

Nigerian singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, has been absent from the music scene due to an ongoing legal dispute involving a former romantic partner, his record label has revealed.

In a statement, the label disclosed that the singer’s hiatus was caused by personal challenges stemming from a lawsuit filed by an ex-girlfriend, who allegedly accused him of causing emotional distress and sought damages.

According to the statement, the legal battle significantly affected the artist’s activities and contributed to his prolonged absence from the spotlight.

“Ruger was caught up in a series of personal challenges after someone he dated decided to sue him for alleged ‘emotional distress’ and ‘damages,’” the statement read.

The label, however, assured fans that the singer is preparing for a return to the music industry and is expected to resume active engagements in August.

Ruger, known for hit songs including “Bounce,” rose to prominence with his unique sound and has remained one of Nigeria’s most successful Afrobeats artists.

The announcement has sparked reactions from fans, many of whom are excited about the singer’s anticipated return to music after months away from the public eye.

Legal Dispute With Ex-Girlfriend Stalls Ruger’s Music Career, Says Label is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The G-60 Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives on Thursday protested against the failure of the leadership of the House to address the controversy surrounding the position of Minority Leader.

This followed the move to shut out Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere from emerging as the Minority Leader of the House.

DAILY POST reports that the House Wednesday adopted a resolution barring first-time members from occupying principal officers’ positions.

The decision, however, did not go down well with members of the G-60, who stormed the Green chamber during plenary on Thursday, demanding that the leadership of the House address the issue.

According to them, the plenary proceedings are on hold if the House leadership fails to address the crisis.

Reports indicated that the group led by Ikenga Imo-Ugochinyere have thrown their weight behind members representing Sagbama-Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Fred Agbedi as Minority Leader and Abdusammad Dasuki as deputy.

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BREAKING: G-60 lawmakers protest in House of Reps over minority leadership [VIDEO]

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bauchi State for the 2027 election, Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, has reacted to a bench warrant issued against him by a Chief Magistrate Court in Bauchi over an alleged defamation case.

DAILY POST reports that the bench warrant was issued on June 9, 2026, by Chief Magistrate Abdulmumini Adamu in Suit No. CMCBH/870/2026, following a complaint filed by Barrister Ahmed Sani and Barrister Hussaini Saraki.

According to court documents obtained by DAILY POST, the complainants accused Kashim of making defamatory remarks during a television interview.

They alleged that he claimed one of the lawyers had been accused of collecting money from a client without rendering the agreed legal service.

The complainants further alleged that Kashim suggested they may have been among those who supplied information about him to government officials.

They described the statements as false, malicious and damaging to their reputations, maintaining that they had never provided any information about Kashim to government officials.

According to the complainants, the remarks subjected them to public ridicule, tarnished their professional standing and cast doubt on their integrity and competence as legal practitioners.

The court granted the application for a bench warrant after counsel to the complainants, S.U. Sarki, Esq., urged the court to compel the defendant’s appearance.

Reacting to the development, Kashim said he remains committed to the rule of law and respects the judiciary.

He explained in a statement that the court summons was served on a Sunday after he had already made arrangements to travel to Abuja for previously scheduled engagements.

“We wish to clarify to the public that the court summons in question was served on Sunday, at a time when I had already completed my travel arrangements to Abuja for important engagements that had been scheduled earlier,” he said.

Kashim stated that upon becoming aware of the matter, he immediately directed his lawyer to appear before the court and seek an adjournment.

“It is therefore not right to interpret our absence as absconding or a refusal to accept the summons,” he added.

He reiterated his confidence in the judicial process and expressed readiness to defend himself in court.

“We have full respect for the courts and the legal system, and we are ready to defend ourselves according to the law. We have not insulted anyone, and we have not committed any crime that would prevent us from telling the truth in court.

“God willing, we will appear in court at the scheduled time for the continuation of the trial, and we are confident that the truth will come out,” Kashim said.

Bauchi NDC governorship candidate responds to bench warrant over alleged defamation

Afrobeats superstar Davido used his performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles to draw global attention to the plight of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The singer appeared on stage wearing a custom-made jacket bearing the names of the 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers who were kidnapped in the area, alongside the inscription “Bring Them Home.”

Davido’s gesture came during the high-profile FIFA event held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where he performed alongside other international acts as part of activities marking one year to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

By displaying the names of the victims on a global stage, the award-winning artist amplified calls for their safe return and renewed public awareness of the abduction, which has sparked widespread concern across Nigeria.

The symbolic act has drawn praise from many Nigerians, who described it as a powerful reminder that the victims’ story should not be forgotten and that efforts to secure their release must continue.

Davido Honours Abducted Oyo Pupils During FIFA Concert is first published on The Whistler Newspaper