Category: PM News

Bolanle Adeyemo, a 50-year-old Ibadan housewife has been jailed for presenting a forged marriage certificate in court in order to stop the dissolution of her marriage.

She was sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Mapo Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday.

Mr Adeboye Adeyemo, 55, the husband to the now convict had on March 26, filed a divorce suit against Bolanle due to the misunderstandings between them.

However, in her attempt to save the marriage, Bolanle told the court that she had a valid marriage with Adeyemo and that it should not be dissolved.

She, therefore, tendered the forged marriage certificate to substantiate her claim.

But Adeyemo opposed the admissibility of the exhibit, arguing that no marriage certificate was issued to them on Sept. 12, 1996.

Consequently, the court ordered the police to carry out a thorough investigation to unravel the truth.

While giving report of the investigation the Prosecutor, Insp. Ayodele Ayeni noted that Bolanle tendered the marriage certificate at about 9; 00 a.m., at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ayeni said that Bolanle tendered the forged marriage certificate before the court as evidence in a divorce suit filed against her by Adeyemo.

The prosecutor noted that the husband disputed the certificate.

The prosecution said that investigation conducted revealed that Ibadan North Local Government registry which was on the certificate denied ever issuing any marriage certificate to Bolanle and that the one in her possession was a fake.

He said that the offences contravene the provision of sections 516, 465 and 430 of the criminal code cap 38 vol. ii law of Oyo State 2000.

Bolanle later accepted that she forged the marriage certificate by pleading guilty to the allegation of forgery.

Delivering judgment, the President of the court, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, convicted and sentenced Bolanle based on her guilty plea and the evidence tendered against her by the prosecution.

Akintayo also said that the court exercised its discretion in sentencing Bolanle having pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against her.

She therefore sentenced Bolanle to one year in the correctional centre for each of counts two and three respectively or an option of one month of community service for the offences of unlawful possession and forgery of marriage certificate.

The President of the court discharged the convict of the first count of conspiracy.

The Nigerian Army has intensified its campaign against terrorism with the arrest of a suspected operative allegedly linked to wanted terrorist leader Dogo Gide, alongside 60 other suspects in separate operations across several states.

The arrests were made between August 12 and 13 as troops carried out intelligence-driven operations targeting terrorist networks, collaborators and criminal hideouts. Weapons, military uniforms and other materials were also recovered.

In Kaduna State, soldiers from the 4 Demonstration Battalion apprehended a suspected ISWAP operative at Kadage Check Point while he was allegedly transporting seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp.

According to the military, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect was a close associate of Dogo Gide and had been providing logistics support to the terrorist leader.

Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards and an identity card from him.

In Adamawa, troops of the 226 Battalion, working with local hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi after receiving intelligence about suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly operating under the cover of menial workers and hawkers.

Sixty suspects were arrested during the operation and are being investigated.

The Army also stepped up its offensive in the North-West with the launch of Operation Clean Sweep IV by the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma.

The new operation combines ground and aerial attacks against terrorists and armed criminal groups across the region.

The Media Information Officer of the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said: ‘The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across the North Western States.

‘It also has the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.’

Troops operating in Katsina State on August 12 conducted a clearance operation around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma Local Government Area.

‘The operation mounted significant pressure on the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes. Clearance operation is ongoing in the general area,’ Danja said.

The offensive also extended to Zamfara, where the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out precision strikes against terrorists reportedly gathered on motorcycles in Anka Local Government Area.

The military said the strikes neutralised scores of terrorists, while those who survived fled into nearby bushes.

Separately, troops of 1 Brigade recovered an RPG bomb during a patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area following an earlier terrorist ambush.

In Benue State, soldiers under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspected terrorists during operations in Chito, Jootar and Ikyior, all in Ukum Local Government Area.

The troops subsequently destroyed suspected terrorist enclaves and recovered two motorcycles and two locally fabricated firearms.

In Borno State, troops intercepted five women and seven children believed to be family members of terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area.

Six other male children were intercepted at Ajiri after reportedly fleeing Murofari Village following clashes between rival terrorist factions.

Danja said dismantling the Lakurawa terrorist network remained a major priority of Operation Clean Sweep IV.

‘The operation is designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria while denying the group the opportunity to exploit border areas as corridors for movement, logistics and the establishment of enclaves,’ he said.

He added: ‘The launch of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV underscores the proactive and sustained posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in confronting evolving terrorist threats across the region.

‘The Theatre remains resolute in protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity and denying terrorist elements the opportunity to regroup, reinforce or establish operational footholds.’

On Saturday, the people of Osun State will go to the polls to elect the person who will be state’s helmsman for another four years.

Below are 10 Important things, Osun voters should know.

1. The election will take place across the state’s30 local government areas and 3,763 polling units

2. More than 2.3 million voters are on the register.

INEC says there are 2,339,233 registered voters. But only about 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards( PVCs) were collected.

3. There are 13 candidates on the ballot. Although 14 political parties are participating, the contest has largely been viewed as a three-way race involving Governor Ademola Adeleke, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.

4. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election. The result will determine whether he remains in Government House, Osogbo, for another four years.

5. The APC is mounting a serious challenge. Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, is seeking to return the party to power in Osun after its defeat in the 2022 governorship election. The contest is therefore significant for both parties.

6. Your PVC is essential for accreditation.Voters should go to their designated polling units with their Permanent Voter Cards. INEC has stressed that the PVC remains the document required for voter accreditation.

7. BVAS will play a central role. Accreditation will involve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). But BVAS sometimes has glitches making technical performance one issue voters and observers will be watching closely.

8. Voters should be particularly wary of attempts to buy their votes or influence their choice through money, gifts or other inducements. Vote-buying has already been identified as one of the major threats to the credibility of the election.

9. Voters should prioritise safety.Osun has experienced politically charged and sometimes violent elections in the past. Given the tensions surrounding Saturday’s poll, voters should avoid confrontations, political arguments and restricted areas, and should follow instructions from electoral and security officials.

10. The election matters beyond Osun.The poll is being closely watched as one of Nigeria’s major electoral tests before the 2027 general elections. Its conduct and outcome could influence perceptions of INEC, political parties, electoral technology and voter confidence ahead of 2027.

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed that she would like to die peacefully in her sleep, just as her late husband, Adeniyi Adeosun, did.

Adeosun made the disclosure on Thursday during the funeral service held in honour of her husband, who died on August 5 at the age of 62.

Paying tribute to her husband, the former minister said she was still struggling to come to terms with his death, particularly because he had shown no signs of illness before his sudden passing.

She recalled that the couple had recently decided to enjoy life more after years of being financially cautious. According to her, they had planned to travel every three months and spend more time together.

‘This year would have been 33 years of our wedding anniversary. We had a meeting, the two of us, and we said now every three months, we’re just going to be travelling, we spend all the money,’ she said.

‘We’ve been so sensible that it’s time for us to enjoy ourselves.

‘I’m heartbroken. I’ve found it difficult to believe that this actually happened. But at the same time, I’m very thankful.’

Describing the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, Adeosun said he had not been ill before he went to bed.

‘He wasn’t sick. He simply went to sleep and didn’t wake up… that’s the way I’d like to go,’ she said.

The former minister expressed gratitude to God for the years she shared with her husband, as well as for their children, family members and friends who supported them.

Adeosun also remembered Adeniyi for his playful and mischievous personality, saying his absence would leave a huge void among those who knew him.

Recounting one of her fond memories of her late husband, she recalled how he once pretended to be disabled and used a wheelchair to avoid a long immigration queue during a trip to the United States.

‘The kind of things that were coming to his head. That’s Niyi for you,’ she recalled.

Adeosun said their home was often filled with laughter because of her husband’s personality, adding that he would be deeply missed by the family, friends and everyone whose life he touched.

Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has shared a video documenting her latest facial transformation not long after she called off her marriage.

The actress shared a video and comments on her Instagram page on Thursday that captured the process from her consultation and preparation to the facial procedures she underwent.

According to Ogbodo, she had Threads, Fillers and PDO done to lift her face, restore volume, smooth out lines and achieve what she described as a fresh, youthful and well rested look.

The actress also explained her decision to make the change in the caption of the video.

Post reads: ‘I got myself a new face because I can! I’m a woman who believes in one thing. If you don’t like it, change it!

‘I’m not about to sit down and complain about something I have the power to improve. I love my face, I love myself, but babes… we can always upgrade!’

Ogbodo has also turned her experience with cosmetic procedures into a business venture through Baddie in Transit Consult, which she has described as a platform that helps clients with education, research and other considerations around cosmetic surgery.

Ogbodo’s latest beauty procedure has once again drawn attention and has divided opinions among social media users because it comes shortly after the actress confirmed the end of her marriage to Maris.

Okunsanya Oladamola, an entrepreneur, real estate consultant and business administrator, is positioning his company, Young Albert Enterprises, as a growing force in Nigeria’s real estate sector while expanding his professional interests into social impact and community development.

Oladamola began his professional journey in 2015, gaining experience in business, administration and real estate before establishing Young Albert Enterprises in 2019. The company operates in real estate development and advisory, providing property solutions and investment opportunities to individuals and organisations.

According to Oladamola, his decision to venture into real estate was driven by a desire to create value and address challenges associated with property transactions, particularly the need for greater integrity, transparency and professionalism.

Through Young Albert Enterprises, he has been involved in helping individuals and families acquire properties while providing advisory services aimed at supporting informed investment decisions. He said the business also seeks to contribute to community development through property investment and the creation of economic opportunities.

Oladamola’s professional background combines business administration with entrepreneurship. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management with Distinction, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Beyond his real estate activities, he has developed an interest in addiction prevention and mental health advocacy. He has undertaken professional training in substance-use prevention and mental health and is affiliated with professional organisations including the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Explaining the motivation behind his interest in mental health and addiction advocacy, Oladamola said business growth alone was not enough to create a healthy society.

He believes challenges associated with addiction and mental health can affect families, workplaces, productivity and communities, making awareness and prevention important components of sustainable development.

His broader objective is to apply knowledge gained through international education and professional development to initiatives in Nigeria. He plans to work with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, healthcare professionals and private-sector organisations on programmes focused on prevention, awareness, capacity building and community support.

Oladamola also sees entrepreneurship as a vehicle for social development. While pursuing the growth of Young Albert Enterprises, he said he remains committed to mentorship, professional development and community engagement.

Looking ahead, he plans to expand Young Albert Enterprises into a major real estate development and investment company, with technology-driven property solutions forming part of its future direction. He also intends to develop initiatives targeting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, addiction prevention and mental health awareness.

Over the next five to ten years, Oladamola hopes to build Young Albert Enterprises into one of Africa’s trusted real estate development and advisory firms, attract international partnerships, create employment opportunities and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

For Oladamola, however, the long-term measure of success extends beyond financial performance. He hopes his work will leave a legacy built around integrity, leadership, innovation and service, with Young Albert Enterprises recognised not only for its business achievements but also for its contribution to people and communities.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday added a striking technological dimension to its campaign activities in Osun State with the deployment of an automatic mobile stage at its grand finale rally in Osogbo, the state capital.

The innovative campaign infrastructure, provided by campaign management firm Monan Innovation, transformed a long trailer into a fully equipped stage within minutes, creating one of the most noticeable features of the APC’s final major campaign event ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The technology-driven platform attracted attention from party supporters and residents at the rally, demonstrating how innovation can be integrated into the traditionally elaborate logistics of political campaigns.

Unlike conventional campaign stages, which require extensive construction and dismantling, the mobile unit arrived at the venue as a trailer and was converted into a functional platform for speeches, addresses and other campaign activities.

The deployment underscored Monan Innovation’s growing emphasis on combining technology, logistics, mobility and event production to improve the organisation and execution of political campaigns.

The company’s role at the Osogbo rally also offered a high-profile demonstration of its event-management capabilities before thousands of APC supporters, senior party leaders and political figures who gathered to rally support for the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The event was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, governors, former governors, national and state party leaders and a large crowd of supporters.

The automatic mobile stage formed part of the technological and visual infrastructure supporting the rally, giving the campaign a more contemporary appearance while providing a flexible alternative to traditional fixed-stage arrangements.

Monan Innovation’s involvement in Osun builds on its experience in political campaign management, including its operations during the Ekiti governorship election.

During the Ekiti campaign, the firm deployed a combination of campaign intelligence, voter research, grassroots mobilisation, logistics and technology-driven communication to support campaign activities.

Among its innovations was the use of mobile campaign-stage trucks equipped with giant LED screens. The units could be transported between communities and converted into functional campaign platforms, enabling campaign events to be organised with greater mobility and flexibility.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Moji Yakubu, has previously explained that its campaign strategy is built around understanding voters and using data and technology to improve decision-making.

‘Our approach is centred on understanding the mindset of the electorate and helping campaign teams make informed, data-driven decisions,’ Yakubu said while discussing the firm’s operations in Ekiti.

That approach has increasingly placed Monan Innovation at the intersection of political strategy, voter engagement, technology, campaign logistics and event production, as Nigerian political parties explore more professional ways of conducting election campaigns.

The Osun rally provided another example of the model, with the automatic mobile stage bringing technology directly into the physical infrastructure of a major political event.

Beyond its visual appeal, the system demonstrated the potential of mobile campaign infrastructure to reduce the limitations associated with conventional stages by making campaign platforms easier to transport, deploy and adapt to different locations.

For Monan Innovation, the Osun assignment represents another prominent addition to its growing campaign portfolio and further advances its drive to establish itself as a major player in Nigeria’s increasingly technology-driven political campaign industry.

The Zone One Police Headquarters, Kano, has arrested five suspects over alleged impersonation and the production, sale, and distribution of counterfeit herbal medicine products disguising as registered traditional medicine practitioners.

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, in charge of Zone One, Garba Ahmed, said the suspects were arrested following a complaint received on 10th August 2026 from Dr. Abdulwahab Abubakar Goni Bauchi, Chief Executive Officer of Dr. Abdulwahab Abubakar Herbal and Islamic Clinic, Bauchi.

The complainant alleged that the suspects and others now at large had been using his name, business identity, and lectures to market and sell counterfeit products.

He further alleged that some of them collected money from members of the public in his name, but failed to supply the medicines purchased, while others sold fake herbal mixtures that can cause harm to health.

The suspects arrested are Muhammad Usman, Husaini Kabir, Hassan Kabir, Suleiman Salihu, and Nura Garba.

The suspects have volunteered statements admitting involvement in the alleged offense, while investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons connected to the activities.

The Zone One Headquarters, therefore, warned members of the public to be wary of fraudsters who use the identities and reputations of legitimate businesses to deceive people.

DSP Abdullahi Hussaini, Police Public Relations Officer, of Zone One Headquarters, Kano, advised the public to verify the authenticity of products, vendors, and payment channels before making transactions, particularly on social media.

The Police also warned those engaged in similar activities to desist, as anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has defended the use of public funds to support marriages in northern Nigeria, describing government-backed wedding schemes as a legitimate responsibility in a society governed by Shariah principles.

Gumi made the position known in a Facebook post while reacting to the recent state-sponsored mass wedding initiative in Kano, where the government facilitated marriages for vulnerable couples.

He argued that government intervention to help young people who cannot afford to marry should not be viewed simply as expenditure on private ceremonies. According to him, such intervention could help address social problems associated with unmarried young people in a society where sexual relationships outside marriage are prohibited.

‘In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,’ Gumi wrote.

His comments came after the Kano State Government sponsored a mass wedding involving 1,500 couples under its Marriage Social Welfare Initiative, popularly known as ‘Auren Gata’.

The programme, implemented through the Kano State Hisbah Board, was designed primarily to assist people from low-income and vulnerable backgrounds, including widows, divorcees and young people who could not afford the cost of getting married.

The state government had earmarked about N1.5 billion for the programme, with each selected couple receiving a support package valued at roughly N1 million. The package includes household items, food, dowry assistance and empowerment support.

Officials said each bride would receive N100,000 as empowerment capital, while another N100,000 would be provided towards the groom’s payment of dowry. The beneficiaries were also subjected to medical screening, including tests for HIV, hepatitis, genotype compatibility and pregnancy.

The initiative is not new in Kano. The state has previously organised government-supported mass weddings as part of efforts to encourage marriage and provide assistance to vulnerable residents. Officials have described the programme as a social welfare intervention aimed at strengthening families and promoting social stability.

The Kano Hisbah Board has also said participation is voluntary. Prospective couples are required to indicate their mutual consent and obtain the necessary endorsements before being considered for the programme.

Gumi’s intervention places the programme within a broader religious argument, presenting marriage as a means of addressing social problems in communities where sexual relations outside marriage are prohibited.

A mixture of fear, cautious optimism and normal activity prevailed across parts of Osun State on Friday, hours before residents vote in the governorship election.

While some residents expressed concern over threats of violence, others dismissed fears of trouble and predicted a peaceful election.

A P.M. NEWS tour of the state showed that movement remained free, with markets, shops, motor parks and garages operating normally.

Commercial activities continued without visible disruption, despite the anxiety generated by recent killings and violent incidents in other parts of the state.

However, an Obafemi Awolowo University student studying Medical Rehabilitation described the atmosphere as tense.

‘The atmosphere is tense, particularly because of the threats on the streets. Even my mother warned my brother and me not to go outside,’ she said.

‘When I was coming, some men were saying, ‘Tomorrow will be bloody.’ They said this market would be empty tomorrow.

‘I feel that if people do not vote for the opposition, there will be chaos. But definitely, after the election, there will be peace.’

A market woman, identified as Iya Alata, however, rejected fears that violence would break out in the community.

‘The community is peaceful. There is no problem, as you can see. Tomorrow, there will not be any problem or cause for concern,’ she said.

Her optimism was echoed by a supporter of one of the leading candidates, who dismissed fears of violence and expressed confidence in his candidate’s chances.

‘There is nothing to fear. The election will be peaceful, and we are confident that our candidate will secure 60 per cent of the votes. We know what we want, and we are not murderers either,’ he said.

Other Ile-Ife residents who spoke with P.M. NEWS expressed similar confidence, saying they did not expect the violence recorded elsewhere in Osun to spread to their community.

This comes against the backdrop of several deadly incidents in the state.

Three people were killed in a clash in Ilesa on Monday. Two APC supporters were also killed and two others critically injured in another attack in the town on Tuesday, which police said was suspected to be a reprisal.

P.M. NEWS reported that the victims were attacked as they gathered for the party’s final campaign rally.

In Esa-Oke, one person was killed on Wednesday night, while another victim was hospitalised with gunshot injuries.

Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently ordered security agencies to intensify surveillance and investigate the attack. P.M. NEWS reported that property was also destroyed during the violence.

Despite the incidents, observations in Ile-Ife showed no mass closure of shops or disruption of public transportation on Friday.

In Osogbo, however, residents crowded motor parks as voters travelled to the communities where they registered.

Visits by PM News showed people arriving from other states, while some Osogbo residents left the state capital for their hometowns ahead of the poll.

One of the travellers, Mrs Mufiyat Kolawole, said she was travelling with her siblings and relatives to Ejigbo to vote.

Kolawole explained that her Permanent Voter Card was registered in Ejigbo and she had been unable to transfer her polling location to Osogbo.

‘We all pray for a peaceful election, and we urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a credible process and declare the winner in accordance with the law,’ she said.

She added that she would transfer her registration to Osogbo before the 2027 general elections.

At Okefia Motor Park, Mr Kazeem Abdullazeez said he had been voting in Iwo Local Government Area since 2013.

He said some of his relatives were travelling from Kwara, Oyo and Lagos states to participate in the election, while his brother, who resides in the United Kingdom, was also expected to return to Osun to vote.

Abdullazeez appealed to the candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome and avoid violence, harassment and intimidation.

Another traveller, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adebiyi, said she was returning early to Esa-Oke, where she registered, to avoid transportation difficulties.

‘I registered to vote in my community, and I want to be there early enough to exercise my franchise,’ she said.

‘I believe every voter should make an effort to participate in the election because the outcome will determine the direction of the state for the next four years.’

Beyond the motor parks, residents demanded adequate protection, credible accreditation and freedom from intimidation.

Mrs Beatrice Adeyemi, a retired teacher, urged security agencies to create a safe environment for voters and warned the electorate against selling their votes.

According to her, accepting money in exchange for votes amounts to surrendering the people’s rights and condemning them to four years of poverty and silence.

‘Give us the chance to vote for who we want. Make this election a peaceful, free and fair one,’ she said.

Mr Ademola Fasasi, a banker, also called on security agencies to protect voters during and after the election.

‘The political tension the election is generating is uncalled for. Political actors should not see the election as war but as a call to service. We desire peace,’ he said.

Fasasi urged whoever emerges as governor to prioritise healthcare, education, job creation, accountability and the welfare of residents.

A trader, Oyindamola Alao, expressed concern over reports of vote-buying but urged residents not to allow fear or intimidation to prevent them from voting.

‘It is our civic right as citizens. Let us all come out to vote,’ she said.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations has asked INEC to ensure that Saturday’s election is free, fair, credible and transparent.

The coalition made the demand at a pre-election news conference in Osogbo themed, ‘2026 Osun State Governorship Election: Demanding Credibility, Peace and Accountability.’

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Uzoma Uchenna of the New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to ensure that all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines were tested and protected against tampering.

Uchenna said trained officials should be available at polling units to resolve technical problems and prevent voters from being disenfranchised by equipment failure.

He also called on Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to ensure that officers deployed for the election remained neutral, professional and non-partisan.

The coalition warned security personnel against intimidating voters or interfering with their choices.

It also asked party agents to observe the process responsibly and refrain from inducement, disruption or unlawful interference.

Uchenna urged voters to monitor the counting of ballots and the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing portal.

‘The 2026 Osun governorship election is not just about choosing a governor. It is a test of our democracy, our institutions and our collective resolve as a people,’ he said.

Voters across Osun’s 30 local government areas will cast their ballots on Saturday to elect a governor for the next four years.