Category: PM News

YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump after the video-streaming platform suspended his account in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

The settlement, reached with YouTube’s parent company Alphabet, follows similar deals Trump secured with Meta and X (formerly Twitter).

Trump had accused the platforms of political bias, alleging they unfairly censored conservative voices.

At the time of his suspension, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter argued that Trump’s posts risked inciting further violence as Washington reeled from the storming of the Capitol.

Under the settlement terms, $22 million will be directed to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit raising funds to build a new White House ballroom. Another $2.5 million will go to co-plaintiffs in Trump’s case, including the American Conservative Union.

Earlier this year, Meta agreed to pay $25 million, with $22 million allocated for Trump’s planned presidential library. In February, X settled for $10 million, weeks after its purchase by Trump ally Elon Musk.

All of Trump’s accounts have since been reinstated across major platforms, marking a notable shift from the mass de-platforming that followed the Capitol attack. The settlements highlight Silicon Valley’s broader softening stance toward Trump and the Republican Party.

The tech sector has also begun easing content moderation rules, responding to long-standing Republican criticism of alleged free speech violations.

Just last week, YouTube announced plans to restore several previously banned accounts, including creators who had repeatedly shared false claims about Covid-19 and the 2020 presidential election.

In a letter to a Republican-led congressional committee, YouTube wrote, ‘YouTube values conservative voices on its platform and recognises that these creators have extensive reach and play an important role in civic discourse.’

American YouTuber James Stephen ‘Jimmy’ Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast has defended his latest stunt video while reacting to the criticisms.

The video which showed a man escaping a building on fire with bags of cash was widely criticised by his viewers who felt such challenge was unsafe.

MrBeast, however, stated in his response that there were safety precautions were taken before the video shoot. He also praised the stunt coordinator while addressing the concerns of his fans.

‘I take safety more serious than you could ever imagine. This blew up. If you’re curious obviously we had ventilation for the smoke and a kill switch to cut off the fires. We had professionals test this extensively and the guy in the video as stated is a professional stunt man. I take safety more serious than you could ever imagine. But our stunt coordinator did an amazing job as always, and none of these systems were ever needed. Just wanted to be transparent with you all since I saw some concern!,’ he stated.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged false claims against President Bola Tinubu until October 27.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the adjournment on Tuesday to give Sowore sufficient time to prepare his defence.

Sowore, who ran for president under the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019 and 2023, faces a five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government. X Incorp. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. are listed as co-defendants.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025 and dated September 16, 2025, alleges that Sowore referred to President Tinubu as ‘a criminal’ on his X and Facebook accounts.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, Sowore was present, as was counsel for Meta. There was no legal representation for X. DSS counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, requested the charge be read to all defendants for them to take their plea. Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, opposed, noting that the court bailiff had yet to serve the charge on his client and stressing the importance of proper representation for all defendants in a criminal trial.

The court confirmed that X and Meta had been served electronically. DSS then sought to serve Sowore in open court, which was granted by Justice Umar.

Sowore’s lawyer requested an adjournment to ensure the defendant had adequate opportunity to defend himself under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The court subsequently fixed October 27 for arraignment.

The charges follow an earlier DSS request for Sowore’s alleged defamatory posts to be removed from social media. Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, Sowore is accused of posting a message on August 25 via his X handle, @YeleSowore, claiming:

‘THIS CRIMINAL @ OFFICIAL PBAT ACTUALLY WENT TO BRAZIL TO STATE THAT THERE IS NO MORE CORRUPTION UNDER HIS REGIME IN NIGERIA. WHAT AUDACITY TO LIE SHAMELESSLY!’

The DSS alleges the post was knowingly false and intended ‘to cause a breakdown of law and order,’ particularly among individuals holding differing views on President Tinubu. The alleged acts are contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disclosed how her church members once rejected her over her husband’s controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, leaving her isolated in her own parish and forced to rely on her faith to survive the storm.

In her new 52-page memoir The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday, Mrs Tinubu described the period as ‘a bitter pill’ that tested her loyalty to her church and her walk with God.

She recalled how the Redeemed Christian Church of God parish where she had worshipped faithfully for 15 years split over the All Progressives Congress’ decision in 2022 to field her husband, Bola Tinubu, alongside Kashim Shettima, both Muslims.

‘One of such decisions was the unpopular ‘Muslim/Muslim ticket’. My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split,’ she wrote.

Despite the resentment, the First Lady said she refused to abandon the church where she rose from worker to Deaconess, and eventually to Assistant Pastor in 2018. Instead, she continued to attend services, drawing strength from supportive elders who prayed with her through the turbulent season.

‘But my husband’s bid for the Presidential Office was different, a bitter pill for them to chew,’ she admitted.

‘So the little resentment I witnessed from a few was met with the peace of God.’

The All Progressives Congress’ same-faith ticket was one of the most divisive political moves of 2022, sparking outrage from prominent Christian groups who warned it could deepen Nigeria’s religious fault lines. But supporters countered that competence, zoning and electoral arithmetic mattered more than religion.

Looking back, Mrs Tinubu said she learned to forgive both political allies who betrayed her husband and church members who distanced themselves during the heated campaigns.

‘I do not have anything against anyone.the question is how did I not feel the betrayal anymore? I knew the grace factor was evident, and the Holy Spirit continually comforted me. Never to avenge myself, assuring me that it is God’s prerogative. Mine is to thank Him for fighting for us,’ she wrote.

The First Lady revealed that the episode drew her closer to God, citing scripture as her anchor during the trials. She said a revelation from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ‘In everything give thanks’ helped her let go of bitterness and see her political battles through the eyes of faith.

Now looking back as the wife of Nigeria’s President, Mrs Tinubu said she has chosen peace over resentment:

‘Letting go is what I did; doing good is what matters most. Like my Saviour Jesus Christ in Acts 10:38. I am at peace, doing all I can to make Nigeria better and greater.’

Officers of the Niger State Police Command have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered two AK-47 rifles along with 49 rounds of live ammunition during a clearance operation in the Kokolo Forest area of Magama Local Government Area.

The operation, which occurred in the early hours of September 12, 2025, was carried out by the Command’s Special Task Team (STT), FID-STS, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, following credible intelligence on the location of criminal hideouts.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development in a statement released Monday, noting that the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel.

‘During the operation within Kokolo Forest, via Kawo-Auna village in Nasko, Magama LGA, the team stormed a kidnappers’ camp and engaged them in a gun battle. Three suspects were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds. One kidnapped victim was successfully rescued,’ Abiodun stated.

A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and 49 rounds of live ammunition. Abiodun added that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing gang members.

He called on residents of nearby communities to report anyone seen with unexplained injuries.

‘Members of the public, especially in neighbouring villages, are urged to report anyone found with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or security agency,’ he said.

The Rivers chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has concluded arrangements to embark on a seven-day warning strike.

A letter signed by the union’s Secretary, Mr Sunday Adeniran, and directed to branch offices across the state, said the move protests the alleged dismissal of Emohua council workers.

Adeniran explained that the union, at its state executive congress on Sept. 29, resolved to strike in solidarity with the disengaged employees.

He noted the action became necessary following what he described as unlawful treatment, which also resulted in salary denial for the affected council staff.

‘Effective from midnight of Sept. 30, 2025, all local government employees across the state are directed to withdraw their services until further notice.

‘We count on your solidarity in ensuring full compliance with this directive,’ Adeniran said.

A 22-year-old graduate, Femi Ayoade has been sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling a four-year-old girl inside a tricycle at Eti-Osa area of Lagos State.

Ayoade was jailed by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court presided over by Justice Abiola Soladoye on Tuesday.

The court ruled that the prosecution had proven the one-count charge of defilement against Ayoade beyond reasonable doubt.

Soladoye described Ayoade as a ‘criminally audacious man who turned a child’s vagina into a playground.’

‘It is indeed a shameless act.

‘The prosecution has successfully presented compelling evidence against the defendant.

‘Consequently, the defendant is hereby found guilty of the charge of defilement and is sentenced to life imprisonment,’ she held.

The judge further ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register.

Lagos State Counsel, Mrs Olufunke Alebiosu, presented two witnesses during the trial, the survivor and her father, while the convict testified as the sole witness for the defence.

The prosecution had submitted that the convict committed the offence in September 2021, at about 11.10 a.m., at No. 19, Milestone Close, Infinity Estate, Skido Bus Stop, Eti-Osa, Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law, Chapter C17, Volume 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

As the nation prepares for her 65th independence anniversary, no less than 20 people have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred on Tuesday at about 4:30pm. in the Ibaji local government area of Kogi State.

An eyewitness who is also a farmer in the area, James Otoga told journalists that the sad incident occurred in the evening of Tuesday, 30th September 2025.

According to him, the boat that was fully loaded with people departed from the Onugwa community in Ibaji heading to the Ilushi market, but it capsized on the way, leaving yet to be known numbers of people dead.

‘The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration. Only five survival have surfaced while 20 bodies have been recovered so far, and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath River Niger.

‘Even those who came for a burial in Onugwa and returning back to Ilushi were also missing, we are yet to confirm the number of people onboard and those who survived,’ he stated.

Confirming the incident the Chairman, Ibaji local government area Honourable Ugeh Emmanuel through a telephone conversation with journalists described the incident as the most disastrous in the history of the local government, saying many people have lost their lives in the accident.

‘As I am speaking with you now , nobody can authoritatively say this is the actual number of casualties. Again, we can not even ascertain the number of people onboard right from their departure destination.

‘This is a very serious accident , the boat have not even near Ilushi when the mishaps occurred around 4:30pm. Most of the victims were moving to Ilushi for the cerebration of first October, which has been a tradition in the community before they met their untimely death. ‘

It would be recalled that in the last year, there have been numerous boat mishaps in Kogi, Niger and other riverine states where many people lost their lives.

Effort to reach the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji and Assistant General Manager (AGM), Corporate Affairs, Suleiman Makama proved abortive as their cell phone could not be reached .

Former Super Eagles defender, Samuel Sodje, has said it is ’embarrassing’ for Nigerians to celebrate FIFA’s decision to punish South Africa.

On Monday, FIFA announced that Bafana Bafana lost three points and three goals for using an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their March 2025 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

The deduction means Nigeria, who are third in the group with 11 points, are now just three points behind South Africa. Some Nigerians celebrated the news, seeing it as a lifeline for the Super Eagles.

Sodje, however, disagrees. He told Soccernet:

‘South Africa broke the rules, and FIFA punished them. That is normal. What I find surprising is that Nigerians are treating this as a big achievement. To me, it is embarrassing.’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the construction of new roads in Abuja is an important part of Nigeria’s plan to host the next Commonwealth Games.

Wike made this known on Tuesday during the flag-off of the Access Arterial Road S1 project, which runs from Ring Road 2 to the FCT Fire Service Station in Kaura District, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

According to him, good roads will make Nigeria’s bid stronger. ‘I hope you know that Nigeria is bidding to host the next Commonwealth Games. We cannot succeed without a good road network,’ he said.

He explained that modern infrastructure would impress the international committee when they visit. ‘If the committee comes and sees that we are providing the basic infrastructure, it will help us get the hosting right,’ he added.

The minister also stressed that the new road will help the Fire Service respond faster to emergencies.

He said that poor road access in the past slowed down fire trucks during incidents.

The 2-kilometre road project includes a 3-span bridge. Wike expressed confidence that it would improve emergency services and make life easier for residents.

He also urged the company handling the project to employ local youths from the area. ‘Please give residents the opportunity to participate by employing our young people,’ he appealed.

Wike further noted that the FCT Administration is working on several other road projects, including the Airport-Kuje Expressway and the Kuje-Gwagwalada dualisation, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘The hope is that before the end of President Tinubu’s first term, Abuja will look very different and compete with other world-class cities,’ he said.

The FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, also spoke at the event. She said the road project supports President Tinubu’s vision for better infrastructure.

She added that it would improve fire response times, boost public safety, and open up Kaura District for more businesses, investments, and a better quality of life.