Author: Ugochukwu Oha-Ema

A six-year trial came to a close yesterday as Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court handed down the death sentence to five individuals involved in the 2018 Offa bank robbery that left 32 people dead, including nine police officers. Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham were found guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide. A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial began. Justice Salman, in her four-hour ruling, stated that the convicts “acted contrary to the law and allowed their…

In a bold move to enhance user experience, Meta has integrated celebrity voices into its artificial intelligence chatbot, Meta AI. This innovation, unveiled at the Meta Connect 2024 developer conference, allows users to engage in real-time conversations using voices from renowned celebrities like Awkwafina, Dame Judi Dench, John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s founder, announced that this feature will be available across Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Facebook, providing users with a more personalized and engaging experience. This development is seen as a strategic move to compete with other AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT. *Key Features of Meta…

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has pledged to ensure a level playing field for all participating parties in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024. At least eight parties are expected to contest the polls. Governor Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Sam Ode, made this promise during the All Progressive Congress (APC) election campaign flag-off in Gboko. He urged APC supporters to work tirelessly to secure all positions for the party. As Governor Alia noted, “His Excellency, Hyacinth Alia is determined to ensure that the coming election is free and fair, hence, he has promised to provide…

The Trump campaign has revealed that former President Donald Trump was briefed on “real and specific threats” from Iran to assassinate him, citing the Islamic Republic’s efforts to destabilize the United States. According to Steven Cheung, Director of Trump Campaign Communications, Iran aims to sow chaos in the US by targeting Trump. Cheung stated that intelligence officials have identified increased coordinated attacks against Trump in recent months. Law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure Trump’s protection and prevent election interference. This development comes as tensions between the US and Iran escalate, particularly regarding Lebanon, where Israel has targeted Hezbollah,…

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has taken bold steps to alleviate the financial burden on public servants in the state. In a bid to reduce transportation costs, Adeleke has approved a reduced workweek for civil servants. Those on grade levels 01 to 10 will now work three days a week, while those on grade levels 12 to 17 will work four days a week. This decision, outlined in a circular from the Office of the Head of Service, is in line with Adeleke’s commitment to workers’ well-being and a response to the current economic climate. Essential personnel, such as medical…

A fatal car crash at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gate in Lagos has claimed three young lives, sparking outrage over the police’s handling of the incident. The 1:00 am accident involved two cars carrying eight people. Dr Love, a social media user, reported, “18-year-old driver killed 3 of his friends in accident. Police arrested the remaining 2 survivors.” Two died on the spot, while one passed away minutes later. Onlookers criticized the police for handcuffing survivors instead of prioritizing medical care. Dr Love said, “Instead of helping, the police… acted like they didn’t care about the bodies on the…

In a dramatic turn of events, three housemates – Handi, TJay, and Shaun – bid farewell to the Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ reality show yesterday. The trio’s eviction on the Sunday Live Eviction show marked the eighth week of the competition. The latest evictions have narrowed down the contestant pool to six housemates, setting the stage for an intense battle for the top prize. The reality show, which kicked off on July 23, 2024, is scheduled to conclude on October 6, 2024, after a thrilling 10-week run. Fans can expect more twists and surprises as the remaining contestants…

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, on his triumph in the Edo State governorship election.  Tinubu lauds APC leaders, party governors for securing win. “This victory is not an opportunity to gloat but a challenging call to service. I encourage you to reach out to your political rivals and foster unity in Edo State.” Call for Unity: Okpebholo urged to unite Edo people, focus on development. Tinubu applauds peaceful election, INEC, security agencies. Election reflects stability of Nigeria’s democratic process. Tinubu encourages dissatisfied candidates to seek legal redress. Okpebholo to assume…

Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata suffered a surprising defeat in his polling unit in the Edo State gubernatorial election. Results from the unit show: – PDP: 41 votes – LP: 32 votes – APC: 19 votes Akpata’s loss in his home polling unit raises questions about his chances in the overall election. Earlier, Akpata had expressed optimism about the electoral process, describing his voting experience as “seamless.” He hoped that other voters would share the same experience. “I wish every other voter in the state will have the same seamless experience as I did,” Akpata said. The Edo governorship election is…

Nigerian-born UFC sensation, Israel Adesanya, has placed a whopping $10,000 bet on Anthony Joshua to emerge victorious in his IBF heavyweight title fight against Daniel Dubois. The highly anticipated all-British clash is set for September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium, England, with 96,000 fans expected to create an electric atmosphere. Adesanya shared a picture of his stake on Instagram, captioning it: “ÒGÚN‼️ This fight got beef…grab the #stake sauce.” The bet, placed on September 17, 2024, predicts Joshua will win between the 10th and 12th rounds, with an estimated payout of $50,000. However, Dubois remains confident, declaring: “I aim to…