Category: PM News

A Kaduna housewife identified as Zainab Alhassan has divorced her husband, Tijjani Muhammad over his refusal to repair her damaged cell phone worth N70,000.

Zainab told a Sharia court on Tuesday that she was not longer interested in her marriage to Tijjani Muhammad.

She said she was ready to divorce him through Khul’i, (a type of divorce where a woman returns the dowry she received to her husband.)

Alhassan told the court that she was ready to return the N30,000 dowry to regain her freedom.

She told the court that she was watching a movie on her phone when her husband started fighting her, collected her phone and allegedly smashed it.

She, however, noted that she does not have a witness to prove her claims.

On his part, the defendant said he does not have a problem with her divorce plea but disagreed with the claim that he damaged her phone.

The Judge, Malam Mu’awiyya Shehu dissolved the marriage on the basis of Khul’i and dismissed the complainant’s plea for the repair of the phone .(NAN)

An Ikeja Special Offences Court was told on Tuesday that its order on the examination of the phone and WhatsApp conversations in the on going trial of former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele met a brick wall as parties failed to agree on modalities for the examination.

Justice Oshodi had ruled that the mobile device, marked ‘iPhone 2’, and its WhatsApp contents tendered by EFCC as evidence against Emefiele should be examined scientifically.

This was as a result of Emefiele’s lawyer’s application on the necessity of subjecting the phone device to forensic examination in the presence of experts on the sides of the prosecution and defence, to serve the interest of justice.

But at the resumed trial of the case on Tuesday, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that on two occasions, representatives of the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission, EFCC, as the prosecution, successfully blocked execution of the court’s order to examine the phone.

Ojo told the court that on the 24th and 25th September, 2025 the dates directed by the court for the forensic examination of the device, although representatives of both parties were present, together with the Registrar of the court, nothing could be done as EFCC’s representatives failed to present the phone to the examination team.

‘The first brick walls we faced was that the EFCC said the device cannot be exposed to the entire team. On 25th September, the Registrar was also present and clarified that the order directed that the WhatsApp messages can be examined. He said when the Apple expert demanded phone device, it was not produced.

‘The EFCC met us with categorical NO. The Registrar cannot take decision. The same thing happened on the 25th, equally wasted. There must be unfettered assess for the experts to do their job. We were blocked. The court should give directive to assess the phone and WhatsApp’, Ojo SAN submitted.

However, the prosecutor, Barrister Rotimi Oyedepo SAN submitted that the objection of the prosecution was based on the fact that the forensic expert presented by the defence team was not credible and has no fixed address.

In addition he said the forensic expert was trying to link the device to internet and that will disrupt the whole system of the device.

Justice Oshodi has adjourned till Wednesday 8 October for continuation of the trial.

Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage has made a surprising revelation about one of Mavin Records’ biggest anthems, ‘Dorobucci.’

The award-winning singer disclosed that when she first heard the early version of the track, she thought it sounded terrible and had no idea it would later become a continental hit.

Speaking in an interview with NotJustOk, Tiwa recalled that Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy played the unfinished version of ‘Dorobucci’ while they were in a hotel in Dubai for her wedding.

‘Don’t know if people know this, but Don Jazzy played ‘Dorobucci’ in the hotel when we were in Dubai for my wedding, and honestly, I thought it was such a crap song,’ she confessed.

However, Tiwa said her perception changed completely when she returned to Nigeria and heard the final version of the song in the studio.

‘When I got back to Nigeria, and I got to the studio, and I heard the song that I heard him play in Dubai, I was flabbergasted. I was so angry, like, I don’t know, because this had happened with Eminado too, and I did not like it,’ she said.

The ‘Somebody’s Son’ hitmaker admitted she was reluctant to record her part and was the last among the Mavin stars to lay her verse.

‘I was the last person to record my verse because I was looking at everybody and I was like, ‘Do you guys really like this?” she added.

Despite her initial hesitation, ‘Dorobucci’ went on to become a massive hit across Africa, dominating airwaves and cementing Mavin Records’ legacy in Afrobeats history.

Reflecting on the track’s success, Tiwa credited Don Jazzy for his creative brilliance and foresight.

‘We all know what happened to the record. I don’t know what Don Jazzy does, but yeah, that was. I heard it, and I didn’t want to tell him. I was like, man, who. I was like, is it Reekado he’s doing this song for? Is it Korede or Dija? Not knowing I would be on the song too, and it turned out to be phenomenal. Shoutout to Don Jazzy too,’ she said.

Released in 2014, ‘Dorobucci’ became one of Mavin’s defining records, featuring the label’s all-star lineup, including Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, D’Prince, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, and Di’Ja

A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), May Agbamuche-Mbu, has officially assumed duty as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.

This comes after Professor Mahmood Yakubu handed over responsibilities on Tuesday as he proceeds on terminal leave.

The brief handover ceremony took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.

Yakubu, who has led the electoral body since 2015, will step aside ahead of the completion of his tenure.

Further details are expected to follow.

Nigeria and Argentina will, once again, set the global football stage alight as the Round of 16 of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals commence in Chile on Wednesday evening.

Both countries have fought memorable battles in the FIFA World Cup finals, FIFA U20 World Cup finals and at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, but the most recent remains Nigeria’s spectacular 2-0 defeat of the Albiceleste in a Round of 16 encounter when Argentina hosted the FIFA U20 World Cup finals two years ago.

Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki got the goals that stunned the hosts and upturned the prediction of most pundits, with the Flying Eagles marching ahead to the quarter-finals where they lost in extra time to the Republic of Korea.

Two decades ago, the Flying Eagles narrowly lost 1-2 to the Argies in the FIFA U20 World Cup Final in The Netherlands, both Argentine goals coming through penalty kicks converted by Lionel Messi, while Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi scored a brilliant goal for Nigeria.

Argentina have won the FIFA U20 World Cup six times, while Nigeria have finished with the silver medals twice (1989 and 2005) and the bronze once (1985), but there will be no inferiority complex on the part of the seven-time African champions when they take the pitch of the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago from 8.30pm Nigeria time on Wednesday.

Self-belief, sense of purpose and pride, and resilience got the wards of Aliyu Zubair through the group stage, with four points off Saudi Arabia and Colombia, and the Colombians are unlikely to forget how the West Africans dominated a game they (Colombia) were tipped to easily win.

Thrice, the Flying Eagles struck the bar in the encounter at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, and earned a deserved point at the end when captain Daniel Bameyi cooly converted a penalty kick conceded in desperation by the South Americans as the tireless Nigerian attack went on the rampage once more.

Coach Zubair must pick a new man to team up with Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi in the fore, with Suleman Sani suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage.

The Flying Eagles arrived in Santiago from Talca on Monday evening, and will conduct a training session on Tuesday evening ahead of the clash with the Argies.

The vibrant city of Lagos came alive once again as Evergreen Musical Company Limited hosted the 2025 edition of Ariya Eko an annual celebration honouring the legends of Nigerian music and arts.

This year’s edition was specially designed to coincide with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, serving as both a tribute to the nation’s journey and to the men and women whose creative brilliance helped define its cultural identity.

Held under the radiant Lagos skyline, the event recognised 65 distinguished personalities who have made lasting contributions to music and the arts.

Among the honourees were Stella Monye, Dele Abiodun, Jossy Friday, Queen Salawa Abeni (Waka Queen), Tee Mac, a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, Evangelist J.A., and Baba Ajibiewe, among many others who helped shape the sound and soul of Nigeria.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour. In his brief but inspiring address, the governor commended the initiative and personally presented awards to three recipients, applauding Evergreen Music for its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s musical heritage.

According to her, this year’s Independence Edition underscores the enduring value of indigenous creativity to Nigeria’s national story, amplifying voices that represent strength, pride, and resilience.

‘At its heart, Ariya Eko is a bridge – between the young and the old, between the local and the global, between memory and innovation.

It is a celebration of Lagos, of Nigeria, and of the unyielding power of music to inspire, connect, and transform,’ she added.

Esho also announced that Ariya Eko would continue as an annual tradition, with future honourees to be carefully selected from the country’s rich pool of artistic talent.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism for their unwavering support before and during the event.

Concluding her remarks, she appealed to fans and supporters to keep showing love and encouragement, noting that their support serves as a strong motivation to sustain the project.

With soulful performances, emotional tributes, and a spirit of unity, Ariya Eko 2025 once again reaffirmed that Nigeria’s music is not just entertainment it is history, identity, and a timeless rhythm that tells the story of a resilient people.

Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10, Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has revealed her deep love for award-winning filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele, describing her as her number one mentor and dream collaborator.

The 23-year-old reality TV star made this known during an interview with journalists shortly after receiving her ?150 million grand prize and an SUV at the prize presentation ceremony held in Lagos on Tuesday.

Imisi, who won the hearts of fans nationwide with her lively personality and acting flair during the show, said her time in the Big Brother house reignited her passion for film and storytelling.

‘I think people saw a lot of my acting side while I was in the house. Even my fellow housemates said I’m a natural actress. I’m ready to do more,’ she said.

Speaking further, Imisi expressed her admiration for top Nollywood stars who continue to inspire her.

‘Funke Akindele is my number one mentor. I really hope to work with her one day. I also admire Bimbo Ademoye and Bolaji Ogunmola-they inspire me a lot,’ she added.

Describing her victory as ‘overwhelming,’ Imisi said she is still processing the massive love and support she has received from fans across the country.

When asked about claims that ethnic loyalty influenced her win, she responded candidly:

‘Maybe. Yoruba people are very supportive of their own, so that might’ve played a role. But honestly, I believe people connected with my realness and vulnerability.’

Imisi also thanked her Celestial Church community for their prayers and support throughout the show, adding that she intends to build a lasting career in entertainment.

‘Fame is new to me, but I’m ready to learn and grow. I’ll seek mentorship and be intentional about my next steps,’ she concluded.

The Lagos State Government has honoured 750 public servants, including six permanent secretaries, for their unwavering commitment and decades of meritorious service to the state.

The recognition took place on Tuesday, 7 October, 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, during the Year 2025 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, one of the major events marking the Public Service Week Celebration.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, said the initiative, which has been sustained for over two decades, is designed to recognise and reward diligence, loyalty and commitment among Lagos State public servants.

‘This programme, which has been consistently organised for over twenty years, is aimed at consciously recognising and rewarding diligence, commitment and loyalty amongst public servants in Lagos State.

‘Public servants deserve to be celebrated and appreciated for their long-term dedication to supporting good governance,’ he stated.

He said the long service awards not only honour those who have served for over 30 years but also motivate other officers to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence and efficient service delivery.

‘While congratulating the proud recipients of today’s awards, I urge you not to rest on your oars. Continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, commitment to duty and loyalty that earned you this recognition,’ he said.

Agoro encouraged all public officers to embrace technological advancement and continuous learning in order to meet the evolving demands of governance.

‘The changing nature of public policy and technological innovations require higher levels of skills and competences. As you remain dedicated to your duties, also focus on personal development and take advantage of the latest ICT tools to improve yourselves,’ he advised.

He assured that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to improving staff welfare and providing a conducive environment for optimal performance.

‘Government will continue to prioritise staff welfare and create the right atmosphere for the attainment of public policy objectives,’ he affirmed.

Agoro urged awardees and other officers to continue upholding the values of dedication, integrity, and professionalism that define the Lagos State Public Service.

‘Let us celebrate in moderation and continue to uphold the spirit of excellence that defines the Lagos State Public Service,’ he added.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, on Tuesday promised that there will be no more budget extensions in the Nigerian fiscal space going forward.

The Minister who spoke during plenary session on ‘The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria By 2030’ at ongoing 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) in Abuja, on Tuesday confessed that extensions of budget into the next year which has created so much confusion in the system.

‘No more extensions of budget into the next year which has created so much confusion in the system.

‘We have talked to the National Assembly and we have agreed to restore normalcy in that space,’ he said.

The minister also said that the government would make a greater use of sukuk, green bonds and diaspora bonds instead of eurobonds.

He said that there was greater transparency saying it took until Aug. 1 for the Federal Government to have visibility of its accounts with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said that the Federal Government had implemented a federal billing system, that enables it to track exact payments for goods and services.

‘We are determined to bring all Federal Government funds into visibility.

‘There is a lot of Federal Government money lying outside of CBN,’ he said.

Edun said that the fight against inflation started with the fiscal authorities and that the Federal Government would prioritise its spending, focusing on productivity-enhancing sectors.

He said that two reforms, foreign exchange unification and fuel subsidy removal, had freed five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into the Federation Account distribution to the three tiers of government.

The minister said that the federation funds allocation to states have increased by about 111 per cent.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that Nigeria’s greatest future wars may not be fought with bullets, but with lies, fake images, and AI-generated videos.

Oluyede sounded the alarm on Tuesday in Abuja during the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ quarterly seminar, saying fake news and deepfakes now pose a major threat to national security and the success of military operations.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, Commander of the Army Cyber Warfare Command, the COAS said misinformation has become a digital weapon capable of dividing the country faster than any insurgent attack.

‘With the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity,’ he said.

He added that modern conflicts are now fought both on the ground and online, where false narratives can weaken public trust and morale.

‘Victory today is not won solely on the battlefield. Increasingly, it is fought in the information domain – where narratives, perceptions, and public confidence are decisive,’ he warned.

Oluyede called on journalists and military information officers to work together to combat misinformation, emphasizing that truth is now a critical tool for national defense.

‘While weapons win battles, truth and trust win wars,’ he added.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, echoed the warning, saying fake news and deepfakes now carry as much danger as enemy propaganda in active war zones.

She stressed that only verified, fact-checked reporting can protect the country from manipulation and panic.

The Army’s warning comes as artificial intelligence continues to blur the line between reality and fiction – allowing fake videos and audio to mislead the public, distort facts, and endanger national stability.