Category: PM News

Nollywood on Tuesday as actors and filmmakers took to social media to mourn the tragic death of popular actor Alex Ekubo.

The shocking news of the actor’s passing left fans and colleagues devastated, with many struggling to come to terms with the loss of one of Nollywood’s most loved personalities. Alex Ekubo reportedly died at the age of 40.

Several stars shared emotional tributes filled with pain, memories, and disbelief as they reflected on moments spent with the late actor.

Award-winning actress Funke Akindele also reacted emotionally to the news on Instagram, sharing a short but painful tribute that captured her shock and sadness.

Actor Bolanle Ninalowo, who is currently in the United States, also joined colleagues in mourning the late movie star.

Fans across social media platforms also flooded comment sections with tears, prayers, and emotional messages, describing Ekubo as a talented actor whose smile, charm, and energy lit up screens and touched many lives.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed an appeal against the judgment delivered on 5 May 2026 by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which awarded 100 million in damages in favour of officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), a judgment SERAP considers to be “a travesty and a miscarriage of justice.”

The appeal, filed last Friday, 8 May 2026, by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, on behalf of SERAP, is accompanied by an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal, challenging what SERAP describes as “a legally flawed decision resulting in a miscarriage of justice.”

SERAP said, “the Notice of Appeal already filed will be amended upon receipt of the Certified True Copy of the judgment to incorporate key portions of the judgment that further highlight its flawed nature. Pending this, the appeal and the accompanying application for stay of execution already filed and served provide adequate legal protection for our organisation.”

Justice Yusuf Halilu had in his judgment last week ordered SERAP to pay 100 million in damages to the DSS officials for alleged defamation, issue public apologies, pay 1 million in litigation costs, and a 10 percent annual post-judgment interest on the damages until fully paid.

In its Notice of Appeal, SERAP is arguing that “the decision rests on fundamental legal and evidential errors that go to the root of jurisdiction and fairness in adjudication. The court’s decision is therefore perverse and a nullity.”

SERAP said, “the trial court relied on defective evidence, including a witness statement that was not sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths, which ought to have been discountenanced. The court’s reliance on such evidence substantially affected the outcome of the case.”

SERAP is therefore asking the Court of Appeal for: “an order allowing the appeal; an order setting aside the entire judgment of the High Court of the FCT delivered on 5 May 2026; and an order dismissing the substantive suit (CV/4547/2024) in its entirety for lacking merit.”

SERAP is arguing that, “the appeal is not merely about the outcome of the case, but about whether a court can validly sustain proceedings founded on a defective originating process, or impose liability where the legal thresholds for defamation have not been met.”

According to SERAP, “the judgment is legally defective, procedurally flawed, and unsupported by evidence, raising substantial questions of jurisdiction, defamation law, and constitutional and international fair trial standards.”

SERAP is arguing that, “the court failed to apply the well-established objective test in defamation law, relying instead on subjective perceptions within the DSS rather than the understanding of ordinary members of the public.”

By Nehru Odeh

A Liberian boy, identified as John K. Ndorbor, has murdered his father, Joseph K. Ndorbor, a government schoolteacher, with an axe on a cocoa farm in Yangbelahun Town, Kolahun District, Lofa County, in Liberia.

Family members have disclosed that the lad, who is being held at an undisclosed location for security reasons, has confessed to the crime

Reports have it that father and son went to their cocoa farm on Sunday to work on it. However. people suspected foul play when John returned to town alone later that day

When locals asked about his father’s whereabouts, John reportedly said his father had threatened to kill him while they were working on the farm, and that he ran away after his father chased him with a cutlass. John then added that his father later fell and accidentally cut his own neck.

“That is why I came to town to explain. I first told my sister,” a local chief quoted John as saying.

However, the police were notified and an investigation launched. According to reports, the investigators noticed injuries on the deceased’s chin and neck were inconsistent with John’s claims, raising doubts about his account.

Family sources gave a different account, which lent credence to the fact that John actually murdered his father. According to reports, father and son had gone to the farm on Sunday to harvest cocoa from separate areas of the farm. Trouble reportedly started after the father harvested more cocoa than his son.

The son is accused of secretly switching the cocoa bags by placing rotten cocoa in his father’s pile while taking the better harvest for himself. The father later discovered the switch, which led to an argument between them. The disagreement quickly turned violent, and the son allegedly attacked his father, causing his death.The incident has sent shock waves through the county.

However, a 15-member jury headed by Morris D. Teah was formed to examine the matter. The jury reportedly observed signs of possible foul play, noting w0unds on the deceased’s chin and neck which they believe do not match the son’s version.

Following examination, the family requested the release of the body for burial, and police granted the request.

Meanwhile, the accused remains in police custody as investigations continue.

However, in a related development, Ellen Joseph, daughter of the deceased, has posted a deeply emotional message on her Facebook page, where she accused her younger brother of killing her father.

Overwhelmed with grief and betrayal, she wrote, “Thanks for killing our father. Daddy loved you with all his heart, all you could do is to put everlasting pain in my heart.”

And she went on to say in the comment section, “It shall never be well with you.”

The incident has gone viral, with many expressing shock and disappointment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned opposition political actors that pushing for the 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the South would be self-defeating and could guarantee the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement from his camp, Atiku argued that the strategy of fielding a southern opposition candidate in 2027 is unrealistic, claiming that Nigerian political history offers no precedent for a southern opposition candidate successfully unseating a southern incumbent.

“At the core of the question is: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president?” the statement read. “Nigerian political history offers no precedent for such an outcome. To insist otherwise is to enter the contest already defeated.”

Instead, Atiku’s camp implied that if the opposition insists on zoning to the South, it might be better for them to let Tinubu run again instead of trying to field an opposition candidate from the same region, as this approach would lack the necessary strategic viability to unseat the incumbent.

The statement further criticized the push for Southern zoning, calling it “intellectually dishonest” and a reactionary decision that disregards the realities of the political landscape. “Defeating an incumbent president requires realism, not romanticism; strategy, not sentiment; honesty, not selective memory,” it read. Atiku’s camp urged the opposition to choose between making a symbolic political statement or actually winning power.

On the question of equity, often used by proponents of a southern presidency, Atiku’s camp rejected the argument, noting that by 2027, the South would have held presidential power for 18 years, compared to just 10 years for the North. “It becomes difficult to understand the justice in an argument that seeks to deepen an already existing imbalance under the guise of equity,” the statement said.

Additionally, Atiku’s camp reminded critics of the selective memory of those now calling for southern zoning, pointing out that many of them had previously supported a Southern presidency in 2011 under Goodluck Jonathan despite the North’s rightful expectation. “It is intellectually dishonest for those who supported a Southern presidency in 2011 to now posture as custodians of rotational justice,” the statement added.

While Atiku’s camp affirmed the Southeast’s legitimate aspiration to produce a president, they criticized what they called “transactional political bargaining” or “symbolic tokenism” aimed at serving individual ambitions rather than creating a sustainable, credible path for the region.

“Principles do not become sacred only when they align with personal ambition,” the statement concluded, urging the opposition to build a credible national coalition capable of defeating Tinubu at the polls rather than getting bogged down in divisive debates about zoning.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, andgteorge said the N4.444 trillion 2026 budget signed into law by Governor “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” was strategically designed to drive infrastructure sustainability, economic diversification, institutional reforms and inclusive social development.

According to him, the budget comprises N2.338 trillion capital expenditure and N2.106 trillion recurrent expenditure, representing a 53:47 capital-to-recurrent ratio aimed at accelerating economic activities and improving residents’ quality of life.

The commissioner explained that about N1.467 trillion has been allocated to critical infrastructure projects spanning transportation, healthcare, education and public works.

He identified major projects including the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and the Eti-Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway Phase IIB as key infrastructure initiatives expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity and stimulate investment across strategic economic corridors.

George said the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge would provide an alternative transport route linking communities such as Mende and Maryland to Ikeja’s commercial districts, thereby easing pressure on heavily congested roads including Kudirat Abiola Way and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.

He added that the project is expected to boost commercial activities, improve logistics efficiency, encourage urban renewal and increase property values within the axis.

On housing delivery, the commissioner disclosed that the state government is prioritising the completion of several housing projects targeted at low- and middle-income earners.

The projects include the 504-unit LAGOSHOMS Sangotedo Phase II, Epe Housing Scheme, Ibeshe Phase II, Late Abdul-Wahab Oke Benson Estate, LAGOSHOMS Ajara-Badagry and the Egan Mixed Housing Scheme.

According to George, the housing schemes are aimed at reducing the housing deficit and expanding access to affordable accommodation across Lagos.

He further revealed that N87 billion has been allocated to food security initiatives, including the Lagos Wholesale Produce Hub, while N35 billion was earmarked for tourism-related infrastructure projects such as the Badagry Point of No Return and the Lagos Heritage Centre.

The commissioner also disclosed that N112 billion would be invested in energy and power projects to improve productivity, reduce operational downtime and strengthen the competitiveness of the state economy.

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL) has transported more than 60 million passengers across the state as part of ongoing efforts to improve public transportation and provide affordable mobility for residents.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, revealed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the third year of the second term of Governor According to figures presented by the Ministry, LBSL transported a total of 60,882,000 passengers between May 2019 and February 2025. The agency currently moves an average of 42,266 passengers daily, operating about 1,000 bus trips every day across Lagos.

The report noted that LBSL has continued to provide relatively affordable transportation services for Lagosians, maintaining fares lower than those charged by many informal transport operators since its inception.

Speaking further, Osiyemi said LBSL currently operates the widest public bus network in Lagos State, covering all five IBILE divisions and extending services across 13 Local Government Areas, including Ibeju-Lekki, Ojo and Ikorodu.

The Commissioner disclosed that the agency presently operates along 21 transport corridors and more than 40 bus routes statewide, supported by six depot facilities and a fleet of 300 buses.

He said the achievements underscore the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to building an integrated, safe, efficient and affordable transportation system in line with the government’s THEMES+ Agenda.

Osiyemi added that the state government remains focused on expanding public transport infrastructure and strengthening connectivity across road, rail and water transportation networks to meet the growing mobility needs of Lagos residents.

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has reacted to controversies which followed the visit of its operatives to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday.

Some reports had indicated that the EFCC operatives disrupted and attempted to arrest and molested the Chief Medical Director of the facility during the visit.

However, in a statement, the spokesperson of EFCC, Dele Oyewale said operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency went to UUTH, in Uyo to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand by Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo.

According to him, the suspect, who was being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank had presented a medical report which required authentication by the UUTH management.

He said the EFCC operatives decided to visit the hospital following its failure to reply two different letters dated March 11, 2026 and April 20, 2026 it wrote to its management for authentication of the documents without receiving any response.

He added that the Investigating Officer handling the matter also visited the hospital to enquire about the status of the request but got no response.

Oyewale said operatives of the Commission then decided to visit the CMD, but the visit went awry as they were locked in the premises of the hospital, while the workers raise what he described as false alarm and pelted them with stones and other objects.

“As a last resort, operatives of the Commission visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries, only to be locked in with a false alarm and subjected to unprovoked attack by misguided staff of the facility who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects,”

The EFCC in the statement accused the CMD of directing that gates of the facility be shut against its operatives, thus making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made.

The Commission also said the CMD rejected appeal by police to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully.

It however said that in spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order, noting that “the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their ways out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities”

“Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the Commission are lawful. It is therefore necessary to remind the public and corporate bodies that they are obligated to cooperate with the agency in such circumstances. Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences,” the statement concluded.

Lagos-based technology company Pronalytics has secured ISO 27001 certification, strengthening its position in Nigeria’s growing compliance technology sector and reinforcing its commitment to international information security standards.

The company assembled a dedicated internal team that included lead implementers, a lead auditor, and an internal auditor, all of whom completed formal training programmes and passed certification examinations as part of the process.

According to Pronalytics, the company pursued the certification as part of a broader effort to build trusted compliance infrastructure for African businesses handling sensitive financial and regulatory data.

ISO 27001, globally recognised as the benchmark for information security management systems, requires organisations to demonstrate that they can identify, manage, monitor, and respond to information security risks through independently audited systems and controls.

Pronalytics said the certification process required the company to establish documented policies, implement operational controls, maintain evidence-based compliance systems, and undergo external scrutiny to validate its information security framework.

The company currently develops compliance and audit infrastructure solutions for businesses across Africa through its flagship platform, TaxAnchor360. The platform helps organisations validate financial records, reconcile accounting data across enterprise systems, identify tax exposures, and maintain continuous compliance documentation for regulatory reporting.

TaxAnchor360 processes highly sensitive financial information, including VAT records, withholding tax calculations, payroll tax data, and other enterprise financial records that businesses must protect against unauthorised access and data breaches.

The company also holds certification under Nigeria’s National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), giving it both international and local compliance credentials within the data governance and regulatory technology space.

Speaking on the achievement, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pronalytics, Lucky Johnson, said the certification reflects years of deliberate investment in security and compliance systems.

“We have waited for this for a long time. It goes to show that we are compliant and will make our clients know that their information is secure with us,” Johnson said.

The company secured the certification at a time when Nigeria continues to tighten regulatory requirements around digital compliance, electronic invoicing, and enterprise data governance. Industry observers say businesses providing compliance infrastructure will increasingly face the same level of scrutiny regulators apply to their clients.

Pronalytics said it moved early to strengthen its systems before such standards become mandatory across the market.

The company also acknowledged that ISO 27001 certification requires continuous compliance through regular internal audits and recurring external assessments to ensure organisations maintain security standards over time.

By Nabilu Balarabe

The Nigerian Army has listed more than 400 Starlink internet devices among the items intercepted from Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists during its ongoing operations to disrupt terror network in North East part of the country.

The Starlink internet terminals were intercepted during sustained operations across Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle and other terrorist enclaves in the North-East, Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins revealed to journalists during a briefing in Damaturu, Yobe State on Tuesday.

Martins said the internet service devices were seized during the ongoing strangulation and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and communication networks within the sector’s area of responsibility.

He said the seizures formed part of broader efforts by troops to disrupt the logistics lifelines sustaining terrorist activities in the region.

“The lifeblood of terrorist activities is logistics resupply, and we are deliberately denying them freedom to move supplies, communication equipment, fuel and other operational items across the theatre,” he said.

Martins also said the asymmetric nature of the insurgency had enabled terrorists to rely heavily on civilian supply chains and collaborators for movement of food, fuel, drugs, communication gadgets and motorcycle spare parts into remote hideouts.

He acknowledged that some members of the civilian population were voluntarily collaborating with terrorists, while others acted under coercion and intimidation.

“There is a high level of collusion between some members of the civil populace and the terrorists. Some do it willingly, while others are forced through threats and coercion,” Martins stated.

He said that troops had successfully infiltrated several transport and logistics networks used by insurgents through intelligence operations targeting transporters, traders and supply syndicates operating across the region.

According to him, troops have arrested hundreds of logistics suppliers, couriers and collaborators linked to terrorist resupply operations.

“It will interest you to know that arrests are made on a daily basis. So far, we have disrupted over 400 logistics-related cases and networks supporting terrorist operations,” he said.

The commander added that troops had intercepted consignments of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), drugs, medical supplies, food items and spare parts suspected to be destined for terrorist camps.

He noted that the seizures were made along major movement corridors stretching from Kano through Nguru and other routes leading into the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and adjoining enclaves.

Martins further revealed that local livestock markets had also been exploited by insurgents to dispose of rustled animals and generate operational funds.

To counter the trend, he said security forces, local authorities and market stakeholders had introduced livestock verification measures requiring proper identification of ownership before animals could be sold.

“If animals are not properly identified, they will not be sold. Through that arrangement, we are tracking and disrupting their sources of financing,” he said.

The commander stated that the ongoing strangulation operations had significantly weakened terrorist logistics chains and reduced their operational flexibility across the sector.

He also disclosed that sustained military offensives and intelligence-driven operations had led to the surrender of several terrorists and members of their families within the area of responsibility.

According to him, continuous pressure from troops had denied insurgents freedom of movement and disrupted their ability to sustain attacks on communities and security formations.

Martins reaffirmed the commitment of the Sector to intensifying offensive operations, intercepting terrorist supply routes and dismantling communication networks sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.

(NAN)

As part of activities marking the 2026 Lions Environment Week, members of In Ikorodu Local Government Area, the The initiative was aimed at addressing the growing challenge posed by plastic waste, which environmental experts say contributes significantly to blocked drainage systems, flooding and pollution in Lagos.

She explained that replacing disposable nylon bags with reusable alternatives would help reduce waste generation and promote healthier surroundings across communities.

Beyond distributing reusable bags, members of the club also sensitised traders and residents on proper waste disposal practices and the dangers associated with plastic pollution.

The campaign featured direct engagement with market users, with volunteers encouraging residents to embrace environmentally responsible habits and collective action towards cleaner communities.

As part of the programme, members of the club paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Alagura of Agura, The monarch commended the Lions Club for what he described as a timely and impactful intervention aimed at addressing growing environmental challenges within the community.

Oba Ogunnaike urged traders and residents to support the initiative by adopting environmentally friendly practices, adding that community cooperation remains essential to achieving lasting environmental improvement.

Stakeholders at the event noted that rising urbanisation and increasing waste generation in Lagos have made sustained public awareness campaigns and community-driven environmental actions more critical than ever.