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Actress Tonto Dikeh’s ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, has broken his silence amid ongoing rumours of divorce from his wife, Rosy Meurer.

It was earlier speculated that Meurer filed for divorce from Churchill on April 20, 2026, following his alleged recent close relationship with Tonto Dikeh after their son, King Andre’s 10th birthday three months ago.

However, speaking amid the ongoing divorce rumours, Churchill, in a post on his Instagram story on Friday, explained that, “As a father, if I’m ever in a place where I have to pick between my kids or anyone/anything else, I’m picking my kids. Period.”

DAILY POST reports that the rumour first surfaced online shortly after Churchill reunited with his ex-wife, Tonto Dikeh, in January 2026, nine years after their messy divorce.

Revealing the purpose of their reunion, Churchill, in an Instagram post, noted that the reconciliation with his ex is strictly for co-parenting and not as a couple. Since then, they have been seen together in several photos and videos.

Meurer, who was previously close to the ex-couple before their separation, was earlier accused of “snatching” Churchill from Tonto.

She got married to Churchill in 2019, barely two years after his divorce from Tonto.

‘I’m picking my kids over anyone else’ – Churchill breaks silence amid alleged divorce from Meurer

The first South East Scrabble Championship which officially commenced in Umuahia on Wednesday has come to an end as Abia Shines, winning 18 games out of the 22 games played among top players from across the South-East.

Representing the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, the permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Jane Maxwell, commended the participants for their focus and determination.

“The players were focused and determined to win. Scrabble is a mind game, and I’m impressed by their level of thinking,” Jane said.

She further encouraged participants to see the competition as more than just a contest.

“It’s not only about winning. It’s also an opportunity to build friendships, connect with others,” she added.

The Director of Sports, Obioma George, thanked the athletes and highlighted the state’s growing reputation as a center for sporting activities.

He noted that the state had hosted several major competitions in recent months, including regional and national events across different sports.

“In January, we hosted the Southeast Shooting Championship. In March, we hosted the Southeast Dart Championship and the National Under-12 and Under-15 Handball Championship. Now in April, we’ve hosted Scrabble, and in the coming months, we will also host boxing and para-powerlifting,” he said.

He noted that hosting these competitions has enabled the state to discover and nurture young talents who are already excelling at higher levels.

“All these events are giving us an advantage. The talents we have discovered are being trained, and they are already making the state proud,” George said.

He further thanked the governor for his support, noting that the governor’s support is driving the development of young people through sports.

George commended the contributions of young people and the media in advancing sports development within the state.

“We thank the youths for their interest in sports and the media for helping to showcase our activities to the world,” he noted.

The Vice President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Lovejoy Ezinna, praised the government for supporting the development of scrabble, particularly among young players.

“The government’s support has made a big difference. We started training young players, and they have already made an impact by winning gold medals at national events,” he said.

He described Scrabble as a tool for intellectual growth and family bonding.

“Scrabble is a mind game that builds intelligence. If families make it a habit, it will help children grow mentally and strengthen family relationships,” he said.

He further revealed plans to expand training programmes and introduce an online platform, ” Scrabble School,” to connect and train people interested in learning the game.

“We want to make Scrabble accessible to everyone, through structured programmes and coaching, more people can get involved and benefit from the game,” he added.

The Abia State Head Coach for Scrabble, Mr. Azu Neighbor expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event and the high level of talent displayed.

“What we have here are some of the best players in the Southeast. I was surprised with the kind of words they were all forming.

“This competition will help prepare them for the national tournament coming up soon,” he said.

He added that the state has recorded steady progress in scrabble development, especially with increased support from the government.

“We have been improving over time. Since the introduction of the secondary school games, we have discovered raw talents and taken them to national youth competitions,” he stated.

He highlighted the recent achievements, noting that the state has consistently returned from competitions with medals.

“In recent tournaments, we have won gold and silver medals, and this year alone, we came back with seven silver medals. We are confident that with continued support, we will achieve even more,” he said.

Abia Shines As First South East Scrabble Championship Ends In Umuahia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Abia State Police Command has denied an online report which accused the command of framing, torturing and denying bail to Tochi Ireokwu, a suspended Deputy Director of Logistics and Supply, Abia State Homeland Security Service.

In a rejoinder issued by DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer, the Abia Police Command said that the alleged torture and frame-up were false and did not represent the true situation of the incident.

According to the police, the suspect, Tochi Ireokwu, and three other suspects were apprehended by operatives of the command through actionable intelligence for allegedly engaging in economic sabotage, vandalisation, stealing, conspiracy, aiding and abetting.

The statement read in part: “The aforementioned suspect, on 04/04/2026, went to a government property with her assistant, who is equally one of the suspects, and deceitfully collected a bunch of keys from the CSO of the premises where valuables were kept under the guise of inspecting and taking inventory in order to beef up security.

“During the exercise, she removed some keys from the bunch and, after her inspection, returned the remaining keys to the CSO.”

The Abia State Police Command said that the suspect led a team that vandalised and carted away electrical armoured cables, wires, electronic motors, engine cylinders, half-engine metals, car batteries, and other items, loading them into a wine-red Toyota Sienna which did not have a vehicle number plate.

According to the police, Tochi Ireokwu and other suspects were apprehended on the spot by operatives of the nearest division while acting on actionable intelligence.

The Abia State Police Command, which said that the suspect had allegedly made a confessional statement after the matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, explained that the suspects were remanded in police custody pending a case that is coming up at the Federal High Court, Umuahia.

Vandalism: Police deny torturing female suspect in Abia during investigation

The Agbu Kefas Continuity Movement has dismissed the recent political declaration by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, describing it as a “desperate comeback” built on falsehoods, distorted figures, and misleading claims about the state of governance in Taraba State.

In a statement issued shortly after Bwacha’s declaration, the group said the former senator’s remarks were “factually bankrupt” and lacked credible evidence, insisting that his address was a recycled political script aimed at misleading the public.

According to the statement signed by Mallam Ibrahim Ardo, the coordinator of the movement, Bwacha’s claims regarding debt, insecurity, and governance performance were “exaggerated and fundamentally untrue.”

“From the very first paragraph to the last, Bwacha’s declaration collapses under the weight of its own contradictions. This is not leadership; this is desperation dressed as ambition,” the group stated.

The movement specifically rejected Bwacha’s assertion that Taraba State’s debt profile had risen from N237 billion to over N1 trillion, describing the figure as “reckless and misleading.”

“This is not opposition; this is misinformation. The debt profile he quoted is not supported by verifiable records,” it said, challenging Bwacha to provide credible documentation for his claims.

Reacting to comments on insecurity, the group pointed to Bwacha’s ability to hold a public declaration in Jalingo without incident as evidence of improved safety in the state.

“In 2022, fear of kidnapping and insecurity dominated public life. Today, he gathered supporters in Jalingo and made his declaration without incident. That is the reality of improved security,” the statement added.

The movement credited Governor Agbu Kefas’ administration with strengthening intelligence gathering, supporting security agencies, and restoring public confidence across communities.

The movement also dismissed Bwacha’s criticism of transparency in governance, describing it as ironic and politically motivated.

“Bwacha is not in a position to lecture anyone on transparency. Tarabans deserve answers on projects executed under his watch, their costs, outcomes, and impact,” it stated.

It further accused the former senator of relying on “unverified narratives” due to a lack of factual evidence against the current administration.

The group maintained that the Kefas administration has recorded measurable progress in key sectors, including security, education, and infrastructure.

Describing Bwacha’s declaration as “long on rhetoric but short on substance,” the movement urged residents to remain focused on what it called visible governance achievements rather than political speeches.

“This election will not be decided by emotional declarations but by the people who can see progress on the ground,” it said.

“We defeated Bwacha in 2023. Nothing in his declaration suggests growth or a new direction. Taraba will not move backwards in 2027,” the statement concluded.

Agbu Kefas group dismisses Bwacha’s declaration on Taraba as misinformation

Ekiti-born Nigerian businessman, Isaac Fayose, has warned electorates in Ekiti State against re-electing Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second-term.

Isaac Fayose gave the warning on Friday in a video he shared on his official Facebook page while reacting to the report of President Bola Tinubu’s alleged move to storm the state on Monday.

Reports indicate that the president is set to flag off the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship campaign in Ekiti State on April 27, 2026.

The event is scheduled to take place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.

Reacting, Isaac Fayose wondered why the governor failed to invite the president for project commissioning since he took over office.

He said, “I heard that Mr President will be coming to Ekiti State on Monday to flag the flag off.

“Mr President, for over three and a half years, why didn’t they invite you to come and commission anything? Now they are inviting you to come and flag off the campaign.

“Why do you want to reinforce failure in Ekiti State? You are dragging Ekiti people back.

“Now you want to dash this guy another four years of hopelessness and nothing to show? This is unfair on Ekiti people.”

Watch Video

Ekiti guber: Nothing to show after 3 years – Isaac Fayose warns against Oyebanji’s re-election

The Taraba State Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, has raised alarm over a growing shortage of science teachers in the state, particularly in physics and chemistry, warning of potential long-term consequences for critical sectors.

Godwin disclosed this during an in-person training programme for Science, Technology, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEMA) teachers held in Jalingo and attended by educators from senior secondary schools across the North-East region.

According to the commissioner, the inadequate number of qualified science teachers poses a serious threat to the state’s educational development and could undermine the future production of professionals such as doctors and engineers.

She stressed the urgent need for teachers to actively encourage students to take up science subjects.

“This trend is inimical to the development of the state and could affect our capacity to produce skilled professionals in the near future,” she said.

To address the challenge, Godwin pledged to revamp the Guidance and Counselling Department to intensify sensitisation efforts aimed at motivating students to pursue science-related careers.

She also assured that her ministry would collaborate with the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools to develop strategies for encouraging interest in science and technology subjects among students.

The training programme was organised by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the North-East Development Commission. Godwin commended the initiative, noting that continuous teacher training is essential for improving classroom delivery, strengthening STEMA education, and enhancing learning outcomes.

Speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Mariam Masha, said the programme targets teachers from Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
She explained that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Masha added that the programme is designed to bridge educational gaps and equip teachers with digital and technical skills needed for effective teaching in a 21st-century economy.

“The programme enhances teachers’ capacity to integrate technology into teaching methods to boost education outcomes in the region,” she said.

Taraba raises alarm over shortage of science teachers

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello says legislative experience is a vital ingredient that Kogi State indigenes must consider ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bello made this known in a recent event organized by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi and chairman of the House Committee on Customs.

In his remarks, Bello explained that lawmakers with multiple terms in office often have greater influence and effectiveness due to their familiarity with legislative procedures, networks, and institutional knowledge.

He noted that such experience can enhance the ability to contribute to policy making, committee leadership, and constituency development.

According to him, the structure of the National Assembly places value on seniority and accumulated expertise, which can enable more seasoned legislators to navigate complex processes more efficiently and sustain ongoing projects.

“I understand the aspirations of our brothers and sisters in Mopa-Muro.

“It is indeed your turn, but there is wisdom in timing. Allow Abejide to complete a third term and bring greater development to the constituency. After him, the opportunity will come, and it will come stronger,” he stated.

He further urged Abejide, who was elected into the 10th National Assembly under the African Democratic Congress, to join the APC to seek re-election.

“We want him to join our party, the APC, and return to the House of Representatives for a third term.”

2027: Legislative experience important for re-election — Yahaya Bello

In compliance with the order of the National Industrial Court, Innocent Bola-Audu has assumed office as President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants in Nigeria, (ASCSN) and has also taken over the National Secretariat of the Association in Abuja.

Justice Rakiya Bosede Haastrup had on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 affirmed Bola-Audu as the legally elected President of the ASCSN and directed him to take over the national Secretariat of the organization.

The union leader in company of police officers from Zone 7 of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Friday enforced the judgment thereby laying to rest, the more than four-year legal battle on the leadership of the association.

Although, the enforcement of the court verdict was initially resisted by a group of workers loyal to the opposing camp by locking the gates against the police and Bola-Audu team, they later bowed to pressure when reality dawned on them that a lawful court order was being executed.

Police men from the Mabushi Divisional Police Station who initially gave their backing to the opposing camp by locking out the Zone Seven officers were ordered out to give effects to the court judgment.

Before they were ordered out, the police men from Mabushi had declined to open the gate of the National Secretariat despite the repeat that an order of the Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG in Zone Seven was being carried out.

In the drama that ensued, the superiority of Zone seven officers led by a Superintendent of Police (SP) was enforced leading to the take over of the Secretariat by Bola-Audu group as ordered by the court.

The union leader expressed happiness that the rule of law had eventually prevailed in the leadership tussle of the association, assuring that he would continue to be peaceful and law abiding in the task ahead of him.

The Industrial Court on April 15, ordered that Bola-Audu be allowed to take over leadership of the largest trade union, including its National Secretariat unhindered and without molestation, disruption or harassment by the defendants in the suit.

In a judgment on the second round of the legal battle, Justice Rakiya Bosede Haastrup held that Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua, who have been parading themselves as National President and Secretary General of ASCSN, have no law or authority to back up their actions.

In the judgment on the suit marked NICK/ ABM/169/2025, Justice Haastrup upheld the election of August 10, 2024 which returned Bola-Audu for a second term of four years for being conducted in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the association.

In the same vein, the Court nullified and set aside, the factional election held in Lagos and which produced Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua as factional leaders.

According to the Court, the Lagos election was held in flagrant disregard to the ASCSN constitution and was therefore a product of fraud and illegality that cannot stand in the face of the law or produce legitimacy.

The Accountant General of the federation, who was one of the defendants in the suit was ordered to release check off dues of the association members to the Bola-Audu leadership.

Justice Haastrup had recalled the judgment of the same Court delivered on July 9, 2024 by Justice Oyewumi Oyebiola, now in the Court of Appeal which upheld the Presidency of ASCSN under Bola-Audu, adding that the judgment remained valid, subsisting and binding on all ASCSN members, since Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua faction did not appeal against it.

The court held that the earlier purported suspension of Bola-Audu by the Central Working Committee of the ASCSN and his subsequent expulsion by the National Working Committee had in the earlier judgment been declared unlawful, illegal, null and void.

It held that the suspension was based on a false allegation that was earlier quashed by the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama.

The National Agency For The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons, NAPTIP, had on February 22, 2021, arrested and detained Bola-Audu over an allegation that he was involved in human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons.

However, he was discharged and acquitted of the allegation by an Abuja high court.

She took a swipe at Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua for their conduct against the judgment, adding that orders made by law courts are meant to be obeyed and not to be mocked by Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua who are 1st and 2nd defendants in the instant suit.

The judge imposed a fine of N10 million each on the two defendants, to be paid to the claimants for being vindictive, conducting themselves in contempt of court and acting in defiance of the subsisting court judgment.

Justice Haastrup also imposed another N50 million fine on the two defendants to be paid to the claimants as exemplary and aggravated damages.

The court held that the actions of the two defendants in instigating members and other government officials against the claimants through frivolous letters and correspondences despite court judgment recognizing their leadership were tainted with malice.

She subsequently voided and set aside all letters written to individuals and government officials and establishments by the two defendants against the claimants.

The Judge issued a restraining order against the two defendants prohibiting them and their agents from disrupting the claimants from functioning as the authentic officers of the association and from accessing all properties of the association.

Besides, the tenure of office of the claimants was extended by six months being the period they were not allowed to access the National Secretariat of the association.

Bola-Audu leadership takes over ASCSN National Secretariat in line with court order

 

The Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court – martial to try officers accused in an alleged coup plot, marking the formal commencement of proceedings.

The officers were brought to the venue of the sitting, the guards brigade scorpion mess, Asokoro, at about 8:53 a.m. 24th April 2026 under tight security.

However, journalists were denied access into the courtroom as proceedings commenced behind closed doors, while several civil lawyers were observed arriving at the venue ahead of the inauguration, suggesting the presence of legal representatives for the defendants.

The sitting signals the beginning of the military’s internal trial process following months of investigation into the alleged plot.

The matter dates back to October 2025 when about 16 serving military personnel, comprising senior and junior officers, were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline.

Subsequent investigations by military authorities, however, established that some of the officers had cases to answer bordering on an alleged attempt to overthrow the constitutional government, leading to the decision to subject them to court-martial.

Statement By Ministry Of Defence 

DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS INAUGURATES GENERAL COURT MARTIAL TO TRY 36 SERVING PERSONNEL OVER BREACH OF NATIONAL SECURITY

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has today 24 April 2026, inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel over alleged mutiny, aimed at overthrowing the government of the day. This is in furtherance of the DHQ’s statement issued on 26 January 2026 which dwelled on the subject. 

The inauguration marks a significant step in reinforcing discipline, accountability and the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding national integrity and constituted authority. Proceedings of the court will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process guaranteeing that justice will be served without fear or favour. All cases will be addressed within extant legal frameworks of the military justice system. 

The DHQ remains resolute in upholding professionalism, discipline and the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of all personnel are respected and the tenets of fair hearing upheld.

SAMAILA UBA

Major General

Director, Defence Information

24 April 2026

UEFA on Friday, handed Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban following alleged racist insults directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during both sides’ UEFA Champions League play-off match in Lisbon some weeks ago.

Benfica announced the news in an official statement, saying the Portuguese club received a notification from UEFA.

According to the statement, Prestianni was suspended for “six matches” for the use of homophobic language during Benfica’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid in March.

Recall that the Champions League playoff was overshadowed by several troubling incidents, most notably when Vinicius accused Prestianni of using racist slurs against him.

The Champions League playoff first leg encounter was played in Lisbon, and UEFA later banned Prestianni for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius: UEFA finally bans Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni