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Less than 24 hours after learning his fate in federal court, music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is back in the headlines, this time facing a new sexual assault lawsuit filed in Los Angeles.

According to TMZ, the new lawsuit was filed by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents over 100 alleged victims suing Diddy for sexual assault. The complainant, identified as Leiana Ripley, alleged the incident happened around November 1, 2016, at Club Playhouse in L.A.

Ripley claims Diddy approached her with a drink and ordered her to take it. When she hesitated, he allegedly snapped: ‘Bitch, I’m not asking you. Drink that st and shut the f up.’* Feeling intimidated, she said she complied – only for Diddy to allegedly put his arm around her, shove his hand under her skirt, and penetrate her with his fingers while saying, ‘Bitch, I do what I want, take that s*.’*

The lawsuit claims Ripley tried to push him off but Diddy laughed, appearing amused by her discomfort, before eventually letting her go. She reportedly left the club in shock, returned to her hotel, and later discovered bruising and a tear in her genital area.

Ripley says the incident left her traumatized and is seeking damages for emotional and physical distress.

Diddy’s legal team ,who were in a New York courtroom on October 3 for his sentencing in a separate criminal case have not yet responded to the latest allegations.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ben Kalu has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he called demolition of the houses and offices of South Easterners in Lagos State

Kalu made the request on Friday while speaking during the reception at the Enyimba International Stadium organised in honour of Tinubu after inaugurating some projects in Abia.

Kalu pleaded with the president to speak with the Lagos State governor to allow the Igbo people whose houses have not been destroyed already to regularize their documents.

He said that destruction at this time of hardship makes the hearts of victims bleed, stressing that the need for an amicable resolution rather than destruction of property.

‘I also want to say that the destruction and the demolition of the houses, the offices of our brothers in Lagos makes our hearts bleed,’ he said.

The Deputy Speaker also urged the President to grant a sea port to enhance trade in the Southeast zone.

‘Mr President, we want to thank you for what you are doing in our state through our governor and what you are doing around the south East.

‘But I must say it is about time that we had another sea port in the South East; South Easterners are mainly traders and We need a sea port to enhance our trading.

Kalu said governance is about partnership hence the state must partner the federal government and the federal government must partner the state.

He said although he is an All Progressives Congress (APC) party member, it is his character to support the governors of his state to ensure the state succeeded and promised to support Alex Otti to succeed.

‘I have gone with him from the morning, visiting all the projects till this evening and I have seen the state’s projects carried out by the governor and for that we commend him.

‘But as a member and citizen of this state, I request, like Oliver Twist, that the governor should do more,’ he said.

He thanked the president for his assistance in the projects in Abia and urged the Abia Information Commissioner and media houses in Abia to accord Tinubu his merited credits.

Kalu said this would induce the president to do more for the state and the South East which he had shown love to.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has celebrated 15-year-old Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a Nigerian teenager living with autism, for making history by creating the world’s largest canvas painting by an individual.

The monumental artwork, titled ‘Impossibility is a Myth’, spans an astonishing 12,303.87 square metres, earning Kanyeyachukwu a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and international acclaim. The piece was unveiled at Marina, Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, the governor described the achievement as a powerful statement on youth potential, disability inclusion, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit.

‘At just 15, Kanyeyachukwu has done what many thought impossible. His painting is not just a personal triumph – it is a symbol of possibility, inclusion, and hope,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

He highlighted the infinity symbol at the centre of the painting as a message of boundless potential, particularly for people on the autism spectrum. The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in platforms that promote youth creativity and global competitiveness.

The painting, first unveiled on World Autism Awareness Day 2025, combines turquoise and coral hues with imagery of multiple human faces to reflect emotions, diversity, and shared humanity.

Kanyeyachukwu, who is non-verbal, has used visual art as his primary form of communication since early childhood. His work has inspired global attention and advocacy for neurodiverse creatives.

The Concerned Taraba Youth Group has advised Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the better future of Taraba.

Mr Shadrach Gani, Leader of the group gave the advice on Saturday, while briefing newsmen in Jalingo.

He stressed the need for the state to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration. He noted that the state lacked the capacity to turn around infrastructural development that could create jobs and attract modern amenities.

According to him, Taraba must not be left behind in Nigeria’s development journey.

‘Today, Taraba stands at a defining moment. As young people, we carry the weight of tomorrow on our shoulders, and our greatest desire is to see our state prosper with opportunities, jobs, and modern amenities.

‘Gov. Kefas has already inspired us with bold reforms in education, healthcare, and empowerment. His energy and commitment have rekindled confidence among young people.

‘But the truth remains that many of the challenges holding our state back are beyond what Taraba alone can solve hence the state beeds strong federal support.

‘Critical projects that could transform our economy and create jobs for our youth have been abandoned for too long.

‘The Ibi Bridge, a gateway for trade and commerce. The collapsed Namnai Bridge, which has cut off communities and opportunities.

‘Federal highways in worsening condition, especially the Jalingo-Lau-Karim Lamido road and the River Benue crossing.

‘The massive Wukari-Jalingo-Zing Road project, running into hundreds of billions of naira, far beyond the state’s purse.

‘The Mambilla Hydro Power Project, a dream that can power industries and households across Nigeria.

‘These are not luxury projects; they are lifelines for Taraba’s growth. Without federal partnership, they will remain unfulfilled promises.

‘If Governor Kefas joins the APC, Taraba will gain direct access to federal projects, resources, and opportunities that our people, especially the youth desperately need,’ he said.

Tragedy has struck in the Federal Capital Territory as unknown gunmen brutally murdered a veterinary doctor, Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbu, and abducted his three children during a late-night invasion of his residence in Kubwa, Abuja.

Dr. Ogbu, a respected veterinarian and former Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA),

FCT Chapter, was reportedly taken along with his children on Friday night after the armed assailants stormed his home along the Kubwa-Kaduna Road.

His lifeless body was later discovered by the roadside, raising deep concerns about the growing wave of violent crimes in the capital city.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by a close associate, Andrew Gabriel Ikechukwu, through a Facebook post. He wrote:

‘Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbu, the immediate past chairman of the NVMA FCT chapter, who was kidnapped alongside his three children from his home in Kubwa Abuja, has been found dead. The children are still missing.

May God please intervene.’

Dr. Ogbu was widely admired for his dedication to animal health and community service.

Friends and professional colleagues described him as a man of integrity and compassion whose death leaves a painful void in the veterinary community.

The deceased leaves behind his wife, who is reportedly in deep distress, and other grieving family members as search efforts intensify to rescue the abducted children.

This gruesome incident follows closely on the heels of another violent crime in Abuja the killing of Arise TV journalist Somtochukwu Maduagwu during a robbery in Katampe last week.

Security experts and residents have expressed alarm over the rising cases of abductions and killings across the FCT, calling for urgent government intervention.

As of press time, the FCT Police Command had yet to issue an official statement concerning thebjwCalls and messages to police spokespersons went unanswered, though sources said an investigation into the attack is ongoing.

Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria has said the reforms being carried out by the bank are aimed at stabilising the economy, restoring confidence and bringing inflation down to single digits in the medium term.

Cardoso said this while taking questions during a fireside chat at his inaugural lecture series at the Lagos Business School (LBS).

The lecture had the theme ‘Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy and Nation Building’ and marked the launch of the CBN Governor’s Lecture Series.

The lecture had in attendance students from various tertiary institutions, members of academia, bankers and industry experts.

Cardoso explained the challenges of stabilising the nation’s economy and how hard work and credibility had helped CBN to redirect the nation’s economy on a positive growth path.

He explained ongoing reforms and achievements in the last two years geared toward stabilising the economy and restoring investor confidence.

‘The idea is to ensure that in the medium term we achieve single-digit inflation,’ he said.

He said interest rates and the foreign exchange market were areas of concern for everyone, adding that, at one point in time, the foreign exchange market had multiple challenges.

He explained the crisis of access to foreign exchange when he assumed office two years ago and efforts through necessary and stringent reforms that restored sanity, transparency and credibility.

He said credibility is at the heart of any central bank to win people’s trust and investor confidence, while listing some benefits of the reforms, including the ability of citizens to use Naira debit cards abroad.

Cardoso said when he promised to clear verifiable FX backlog estimated at over seven billion dollars, the feat was a daunting task which credibility, transparency and resilience helped him to achieve.

He said promises must be kept for people to keep trusting the nation’s economy, adding that people invest where there is integrity, credibility and trust, and that transparency and credibility restored sanity and attracted foreign investors.

Cardoso said during his tenure the apex bank began publishing financial statements, a practice that had been suspended for several years.

‘For years, the financial statements of the Central Bank had not been published. We have gone ahead to publish it. It’s on our website,’ he said.

He also explained how CBN used technology to eliminate sharp practices, citing adoption of a new electronic matching system, which made market activities open and transparent.

According to him, beyond macroeconomic stability, vision building involves creating opportunities for young people, in particular areas like financial inclusion and support for small and medium-scale businesses.

Cardoso said he was not seeking to praise himself but urged Nigerians to read positive comments of various local and international rating agencies about the efforts of the bank under his leadership.

Earlier, while delivering his keynote, he insisted that the CBN is building an institution that can be trusted, while urging the youths to embrace credibility.

Cardoso said the inaugural lecture initiative was aimed at deepening public understanding and strengthening the transmission of monetary policy.

The governor said the country’s most important asset is its next generation, which forms the largest demographic comprising more youths who must be groomed to drive the nation’s future development and growth.

He said when he assumed office as governor in 2023, Nigeria’s economy faced formidable headwinds with high inflation rates, depleted external reserves, low investor confidence, and nearly every macroeconomic indicator under pressure.

Cardoso said he tackled inflation with tightening policy aggressively, raising rates by more than 800 basis points and strengthening liquidity management.

He explained other reforms including strengthening reserves, now standing above 42 billion dollars, and new channels for diaspora remittances and investments.

‘On financial inclusion, we expanded mobile and agency banking to underserved communities, raising access from 56 per cent in 2020 to over 64 per cent in 2025, and commenced the recapitalisation of banks to ensure a stronger, more resilient financial system,’ he said.

He said the nation’s inflation, which peaked at almost 35 per cent, moderated to about 20 per cent, adding that real GDP expanded by 4.2 per cent in the second quarter, signaling a re-emergence of growth momentum.

The apex bank boss also explained the future of digital payments, credit, savings, investment and others being redefined by fintech and digital platforms.

Prof. Olayinka David-West, Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, delivering a welcome address, explained the role of the institution since inception in 1991.

She praised the partnership with the CBN governor to foster thought leadership, policy engagement, and in-depth discourse between town and gown.

Real Madrid secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu, with goals from Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and a spirited team display.

The hosts dominated possession from the onset, controlling 81% of the ball in the opening stages and keeping Villarreal pinned in their own half.

Despite several early half-chances, Real had to wait until the second half to make their breakthrough.

After a goalless first period, Real Madrid found the breakthrough just two minutes after the restart.

Vinícius Júnior showcased his trademark quick feet and dribbling ability, weaving through multiple yellow shirts before his deflected effort wrong-footed goalkeeper Arnau Tenas and found the back of the net to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute.

Villarreal, however, refused to be subdued and attempted to respond swiftly through Georges Mikautadze and Pape Gueye, who both came close to testing Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid extended their lead in the 69th minute when Pape Gueye’s handball inside the box prompted referee Guillermo Cuadra to point to the spot. Vinícius stepped up confidently and, despite Tenas getting a hand to the ball, slotted home to make it 2-0.

The goal came after a series of substitutions by Alonso, including the introduction of Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, which injected more energy and precision into Madrid’s midfield.

Villarreal managed to pull one back just four minutes later when Gueye’s clever pass found Mikautadze at the edge of the box. The Georgian forward unleashed a pinpoint strike into the bottom left corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and giving the visitors a brief glimmer of hope.

That hope, however, was extinguished in the 81st minute. Brahim Díaz, who had just come off the bench, slipped an incisive pass to Mbappé inside the penalty area.

The French star calmly slotted past Tenas from close range to restore Madrid’s two-goal cushion at 3-1. Moments later, Mbappé limped off after appearing to suffer a minor knock, replaced by Rodrygo.

In stoppage time, Real Madrid continued to press for a fourth goal. Federico Valverde sent a fierce long-range effort over the bar, while Bellingham saw his late strike blocked inside the box. Villarreal offered little in response, especially after Santiago Mourino was sent off for a second yellow card in the 77th minute.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed viral claims suggesting he accused the late President Muhammadu Buhari of having ties to Boko Haram, describing the reports as ‘twisted and misleading.’

The rumours began circulating after Jonathan’s remarks at the public presentation of a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd), were allegedly misrepresented by some media outlets.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said his words were deliberately taken out of context.

‘At no time did Dr. Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form,’ the statement read.

He explained that his comments were meant to highlight how Boko Haram used deceit and manipulation in its early days to sow confusion in Nigeria’s political space.

‘The reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent Boko Haram and named prominent Nigerians as possible mediators – without their consent,’ he clarified.

According to him, the terrorist group often invoked the names of respected figures like Buhari to ‘exploit political divisions and undermine public trust.’

Jonathan also questioned the logic of the false claims, asking rhetorically:

‘If indeed Buhari was their chosen negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram end their evil campaign when he became president?’

He further stressed that both he and Buhari fought terrorism during their respective administrations, sharing ‘a common commitment to peace and stability.’

Jonathan urged Nigerians to disregard any political mischief or sensational distortion of his comments.

‘Dr. Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria. The nation’s progress depends on truth, not twisted narratives,’ his office said.

The Federal Government has distributed free inputs, including motorised and solar powered water pumps, sprayers, pesticides, fungicides, power tillers, multipurpose trashers, dehydrators, motorized weeders and others to 49 agricultural cooperative groups in Sokoto State.

The free inputs, distributed through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Sokoto state were part of the Federal Government’s initiative to increase food production.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, told beneficiaries that the initiative was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s food security especially among small holder farmers adding that the farmers’ groups were selected to benefit with free items across the country.

Represented by a Director from the ministry, Mr Abdulmajid Sule, the minister said all the beneficiaries would received the farming inputs completely free of charge.

He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu considered food security as emergency and aligned the agriculture sector among the Renewed Hope Initiatives to ameliorate food crises in the country.

According to him, the present administration was implementing numerous economic reforms to stimulate productive capacity, create jobs, and reduce cost of living among the citizens.

He reiterated that the Fed Government was prioritising the agricultural programmes and overhauled it through promoting profitable synergies with non governmental organisations, federal institutions and state governments in order the achieve the objective.

He explained that the beneficiaries included commodity groups, cooperatives, persons with disabilities, women and youths associations, and other agricultural stakeholders across the state.

Kyari warned the beneficiaries not to sell the inputs but to use them responsibly highlighting that agro-inputs and basic machinery were meant for small-scale farmers who were constrained by the hight market cost of the products.

‘The present administration developed agricultural sector toward improved agriculture and rural productivity as well as attaining objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and zero hunger,’ Kyari said.

The Coordinator of Federal Ministry of Agriculture Office in Sokoto, Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi, said all the cooperative groups were registered and drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.

Abdullahi said the gesture would boost food production and improve the state’s role in national and regional agricultural output.

‘It is part of a national push to support smallholder farmers with critical tools and resources,’ dhe said.

Speaking also, the Programme Manager of Sokoto State Agricultural Development Project (SADP), Alhaji Abubakar Danmaliki, said the state government had opened more irrigation sites and procured 250 tractors to support agriculture production in the state.

Danmaliki said the inputs’ support had augmented the state government’s efforts adding that mor extension workers were recruited to support farmers in all parts of the state.

Speaking on behalf of benefiting groups, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu and Kabiru Dange, Chairmen of Onion Producers and Cotton farmers unions respectively, commended the Federal Government and assured that members would use the items to improve their yields.

Police said they have initiated investigations investigations into viral videos showing officers of Lagos Command tear-gassing students in Alakuko and an accident in Ikorodu injuring two people.

The command confirmed the probe in a statement posted on its X handle @LagosPoliceNG on Friday.

According to the post, Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to conduct a thorough investigation into both incidents.

Jimoh condemned the unprofessional conduct seen in the Alakuko video, stressing that misuse of power and overzealousness by officers would not be tolerated.

He urged representatives of the victims in the Ikorodu accident to come forward with information to establish the facts and ensure justice.

The command assured the public that due process would be followed and any officer found culpable would face disciplinary action.

The Lagos police Command also reaffirmed their commitment to accountability and professionalism, urging residents to remain calm as investigations progress. (NAN)