Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has defended her past comments about Nigeria after Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima accused her of denigrating the country. Shettima suggested Badenoch could “remove the Kemi from her name” if she was not proud of her Nigerian heritage. Badenoch, born in the UK and raised partly in Nigeria, has frequently described her challenging upbringing in Lagos, citing insecurity, corruption, and lawlessness. She has used these experiences to explain her conservative political stance. Badenoch, however, “stands by what she says” and is “not the PR for Nigeria.” Shettima contrasted her remarks with those of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, praising him for never criticizing his ancestral homeland. Badenoch’s past reflections on Nigeria, including descriptions of fear and societal breakdown, have been central to her political narrative, shaping her opposition to socialism and commitment to conservative values.
2. In Abuja and Oyo State, two Nigerian courts issued orders barring human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi from publishing or distributing his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, following defamation claims by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. Farotimi was arrested on December 2, 2024, and arraigned in Ekiti State courts on charges of defamation and cyberbullying. He was remanded in prison, drawing public criticism. Civil society organizations, including Amnesty International and BudgIT, condemned the arrest, calling it unlawful and accusing authorities of treating a civil defamation case as a criminal matter. They decried the aggressive arrest tactics, police misconduct, and misuse of legal processes. They demanded Farotimi’s immediate release, the repeal of criminal defamation laws, and fair legal redress through civil courts. The subsequent court hearings are scheduled for December 6, 2024, in Abuja and January 7, 2025, in Oyo State.
3. Senate President Godswill Akpabio jokingly expressed concern that Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo might retire Senator Adams Oshiomhole if Okpebholo returns to the Senate. Oshiomhole dismissed the notion, clarifying that Okpebholo represents Edo Central, not his district. He also indicated he might retire voluntarily after two terms. The exchange occurred during the Senate’s valedictory session honoring Okpebholo, who previously represented Edo Central in the Senate before becoming governor. Okpebholo won the Edo State governorship election on September 21, defeating PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.
4. Social media critic Martins Ortse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has denied allegations of threatening the life of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike following the revocation of land owned by the family of late Colonel Paul Osakpamwan Ogbebor. The accusations arose after a WhatsApp broadcast claimed VDM issued threats over the land dispute, which gained attention when a viral video alleged Wike had reallocated the property. In response, VDM clarified on Instagram that he never threatened Wike, emphasizing that his advocacy is centered on justice for the oppressed. He explained that a video he posted appealing for reconsideration of the Ogbebor family’s land documents was edited and misrepresented. VDM reiterated his nonviolent stance and called for a fair review of the land ownership claims. The Ogbebor family also maintains that their documents are legitimate, keeping public interest in the case high.
5. Elon Musk has become the first to surpass a net worth of $400 billion, fueled by significant gains from his companies, SpaceX and Tesla. A recent insider share sale of privately held SpaceX added approximately $50 billion to his wealth. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Tesla Inc. shares hit an all-time high, further pushing Musk’s net worth to $447 billion. His fortune has surged notably since Donald Trump’s election win, reflecting the rising market value of his business ventures.
