Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe, activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju, and other legal practitioners are at the Federal High Court in Abuja for Omoyele Sowore’s case. Sowore is being arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force for calling Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun the “illegal IGP.” He was invited for questioning on Monday and given bail conditions requiring a level 16 federal civil servant as a surety and surrendering his international passport. Rejecting the conditions, Sowore chose to remain in custody until his court appearance before Justice Liman today.
2. The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has invited supporters of former governor Rauf Aregbesola to join its ranks following their exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Omoluabi Progressives, a political group backed by Aregbesola, recently announced its decision to leave the APC due to internal disputes. Osun PDP’s Director of Media and Publicity, Oladele Bamiji, acknowledged Aregbesola’s influence in the state’s politics and expressed openness to welcoming him and his followers. However, he cautioned that political moves are often strategic and not always straightforward. Meanwhile, a key member of the Omoluabi Progressives, speaking anonymously, hinted that the group had chosen its next political destination but declined to disclose details, stating that their plans would be revealed in due time.
3. Fifty-three passengers escaped unhurt after a Max Air plane from Lagos to Kano suffered a tyre burst while landing at Mallam Aminu International Airport on Tuesday night. The incident occurred at 10:57 PM, but all passengers were safely evacuated without injuries. Speculations suggest the accident may have been caused by the loss of the nose landing gear tyre. As of now, Max Air and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau have not issued any statements on the incident.
4. A building collapse at Northern Vulture Estate, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos, claimed the lives of a 15-year-old boy and two adult males, while six others sustained serious injuries. LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident, stating that emergency responders recovered and handed over the deceased to SEHMU officials. The collapsed two-story building, which was under construction, has been completely demolished, and rescue operations have concluded. The cause of the collapse remains unknown as investigations continue.
5. Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has addressed her legal battle with her former manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachi (EeZee Tee), in an emotional video, alleging he bullied and threatened her, forcing her to relocate from Lagos to Port Harcourt for safety. The dispute originates from a 2017 management contract, which Chinwo claims EeZee Tee began acting unfairly about when she refused to extend it. She accuses him of withholding her royalties for two years and falsely claiming she sued him first. EeZee Tee, in response, maintains that Chinwo breached their contract, leading to the court case. He alleges that the EFCC unlawfully extorted $274,000 from him and detained him for nine days, despite his company sharing royalties with Chinwo on a 50/50 basis. Chinwo’s lawyer asserts that an EFCC panel confirmed EeZee Tee diverted $274,000 from her earnings. However, EeZee Tee challenges Chinwo to release her bank statements to prove her claims. Chinwo, known for her gospel hits like Excess Love, rose to fame after winning Nigerian Idol in 2012. She signed with EeZee Conceptz in 2017 and married Pastor Blessed in 2022, welcoming a child in 2023.
6. Al-Nassr has finalized a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for 24-year-old striker Victor Boniface, who will earn €15 million net per season. He has completed his medicals, clearing the last step for his transfer. Boniface had an outstanding debut season at Leverkusen, helping the club win the Bundesliga, German Cup, and Super Cup while earning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award. He scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that the club was preparing for their final Champions League group-stage match without Boniface amid ongoing transfer discussions. With Boniface’s departure, Leverkusen is actively searching for a replacement, with Brighton’s Evan Ferguson emerging as a top target
