The South-West zone of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has condemned the persistent delay in the payment of pensions to federal pensioners and state pensioners with federal shares, describing the situation as cruel, inhumane, and unacceptable for retirees who depend largely on pensions for survival, medication, and daily upkeep. The union also rejected what […]
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Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, has revealed that he turned down the chance to discuss a new contract with the club this week.
According to Mourinho, the fresh terms were put on the table this week.
However, the 63-year-old has claimed it is the wrong time to negotiate with the Portuguese club.
Mourinho, who is expected to leave for Real Madrid in the summer, has now said he will make a definitive decision next week.
He told reporters: “Yes, on Wednesday I received a contract extension offer from Benfica.
“The offer was given to my agent, but I didn’t want to see it, find out about it or consider it.
“I’ll only do that from Sunday onwards; I’d say on Sunday.”
There will be Champions League football on the line when Benfica face Estoril this weekend.
Mourinho rejects fresh contract, reveals when he will decide on Real Madrid job
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has warned African leaders against entering into what he described as “devilish” and “anti-people” agreements with France. Frank gave the warning on Friday in a strongly worded reaction to recent diplomatic engagements between France and some African leaders, where he […]
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The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, on Friday, May 15, 2026, arraigned a social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, (also known as Blessing CEO), before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Nkiruka was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira).
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money to the petitioner.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” he said.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, stated that the prosecution was not privy to any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” he said.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that “the defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea.”
One of the counts reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Another count reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira), property of Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to her.
Following her plea, Suleiman applied for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional facility pending trial.
Counsel to the defendant, however, informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.
He, therefore, prayed that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Former Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate Thelma Lawson has claimed that her colleague, Big Soso, was suffering from a personality conflict during the show.
Speaking during a heated argument between them in the first episode of the season’s reunion aired on Thursday night, Thelma criticised Soso’s hypocrisy on the show last year, claiming that she was unsure if she wanted to be an entrepreneur, a chief, a prophetess or a prostitute.
She made the claim while defending Dede, whom Soso accused of being promiscuous and deceiving some male housemates during the show.
“You didn’t know if you wanted to be an entrepreneur, a chief, a prophetess or an ashawo,” she fumed in the heat of the argument.
It took the effort of the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu to diffuse the tension.
Even though Soso later apologised to Dede for her comments, she didn’t accept her apology.
BBNaija Reunion: You couldn’t decide between prophetess, prostitute – Thelma slams Big Soso
First Lady of Kwara State, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for stronger collaboration between Kwara State and the United Kingdom in the areas of healthcare, education, women empowerment, climate resilience and community development. While receiving the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever, and members of her delegation in Ilorin, she said, “Your Excellency, I will […]
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Former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has emerged, The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2027 election in the state.
Dan’iya confirmed the development in a statement, on Friday by his former Press Secretary, Aminu Abubakar.
The former Deputy governor, who served under ex-Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, thanked party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters for the confidence reposed in him.
He described his emergence as a major responsibility and pledged to work towards unity, stability, and development in Sokoto State.
Dan’iya also appreciated Tambuwal for his support and political guidance, noting that the backing he received from party stakeholders, youths, women groups, and political associates reflected a shared vision for the future of the state.
According to him, the ADC movement represents a platform focused on inclusive leadership, good governance, and people-oriented policies ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He called on supporters of the movement to remain peaceful and united as political consultations continue ahead of the polls.
Reports indicated that no fewer than 10 aspirants had shown interest in the ADC governorship ticket, including former Ambassador to Jordan, Faruk Malami Yabo.
2027: Ex-Sokoto Deputy Gov, Dan’iya thanks Tambuwal, ADC, after emerging consensus candidate
Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has stepped down from the 2027 Sokoto South Senatorial race, relinquishing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket to former Commissioner for Finance, Faruk Malami-Yabo.
Tambuwal, who is widely regarded as the political leader of the ADC in Sokoto State, was said to have withdrawn his ambition following consultations within the party aimed at resolving disagreements over candidate selection ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development comes amid intensifying political realignments within the ADC in Sokoto State as parties position themselves for the February 20, 2027 polls.
Confirming the development in a telephone interview with Punch on Friday, the Sokoto State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Lamir Aminu, said Tambuwal took the decision in the interest of unity and internal stability within the party.
“Senator Tambuwal decided to relinquish the ticket to promote harmony and strengthen internal democracy in the party,” he said.
According to him, the ADC leadership in Sokoto remains committed to creating opportunities for younger politicians to participate in elective positions.
“The ADC leadership in Sokoto is committed to giving younger politicians the opportunity to contest positions,” he added.
He further noted that several House of Representatives tickets in the state had also been allocated to younger aspirants as part of the party’s broader renewal strategy.
Meanwhile, ADC chieftain, Faruku Fada, has emerged as the party’s candidate for the Sokoto North/Sokoto South Federal Constituency.
His emergence was announced on Friday morning amid heightened political activities across the state ahead of the polls.
Party supporters described him as a grassroots politician with strong support base across the constituency.
Speaking after securing the ticket, Fada expressed appreciation to party leaders and supporters for their confidence, promising an inclusive campaign focused on key development issues.
“My focus would be on effective representation, youth empowerment, education, and addressing challenges affecting constituents in Sokoto North and Sokoto South,” he said.
He added that broad stakeholder support would be key to his electoral success.
Tambuwal Drops 2027 Senate Ambition For Former Finance Commissioner is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and senatorial aspirant in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has stated that he will not step down for any other aspirant. He believes that direct primaries are the best option for developing democracy. In a radio call-in program on Thursday night, Dr Shinkafi welcomed the APC’s […]
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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction and life imprisonment of two security guards, James Sule, 30, and Adamu Yau, 25, based in Abuja, for repeatedly raping a six-year-old girl. The convicts were handed life imprisonment, without the option of a fine, by Hon. Justice S.M. Mayana […]
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