Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Police Command on Tuesday arrested the man, Adekola Jimoh Amobi, captured in a widely circulated viral video assaulting female police officers on lawful traffic control duty with baton and shovel in Ido Osun.

The suspect during parade at the State Police headquarters in Osogbo explained in Yoruba Language what led to his assault on the female police officers.

“On that day, I was riding my okada (motorcycle) to Ido Osun. I turned toward Aje Market following a vehicle from behind.

“The vehicle suddenly applied brake, making me to swerve toward left where the police officers were standing. I dodged the first three officers I met while I quickly applied brake to a halt when I met another set of four officers, in order not to hit them.

“Suddenly, the three I first met came and descended on me. They had not started recording the video then. When I said, ‘Mummy what offence did I commit?’ she just gave me another slap and my bike fell. They also pinned me down and attempted to call their station for them to come and carry me.

“At that stage, I fought back because I didn’t want them to come and carry me and my bike to the station. I had to collect baton from one of them and used it to beat them.

“But when one man came, whether he was a police officer or a civilian I don’t know, he pursued me to the other side of the road. Then a bricklayer holding a shovel used it to hit me. For me to be able to escape, I collected the shovel from him and used it as shield to make possible my escape,” Amobi narrated.

When he was asked by one of the press men where he ran to, he said: “I ran to Ilobu. From there I went to Edo.”

Asked what he now expected from the law over the act he committed, he said: ” I know I misbehaved. The woman I beat wasn’t the one that slapped me. It was the second woman who slapped and hit me with the baton.

“But I have realised that what I did was wrong. I finished doing it before my senses came back to me. It has never happened to me before. This is the first time I would even reach a police station. I am asking for forgiveness. The Police should please forgive and save me from being sent to prison. I ran away because I was afraid.”

Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, during a press conference shortly before parading the suspect vowed that he would be prosecuted in the court of law.

Key players from across Nigeria’s financial services and technology landscape gathered at the recently concluded Business Day Fintech Summit 2026, held under the theme “The Next Financial Frontier: Intelligence, Infrastructure and Inclusion in Africa’s Digital Money Economy”. The summit served as a strategy for examining how innovation, data, and emerging technologies are reshaping the continent’s financial ecosystem.

Bringing together fintech leaders, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners, the conversations focused on advancing digital infrastructure, unlocking new opportunities through artificial intelligence, and driving broader financial inclusion across Africa’s evolving digital economy.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Intelligent Finance: How AI, Data and Automation are Rewriting Financial Services,” Blessing Ehize, Chief Technology Officer, FCMB, highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in driving efficiency, personalisation, and smarter decision-making in banking.

“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is actively redefining how financial institutions operate. From improving risk assessment and fraud detection to enabling hyper-personalised customer experience, AI allows us to anticipate customer needs and respond in real time. The real value lies in how effectively we harness data to deliver smarter, faster, and more inclusive financial services.”

He also reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to responsible innovation:

“At FCMB, our approach to AI adoption is deliberate and responsible. We are integrating AI in ways that enhance efficiency without compromising trust, customer privacy, or regulatory compliance. This is why FCMB is ISO42001 certified. Technology must work for the customer, not against them, and must always align with ethical standards and human oversight.”

Speaking further, he emphasised FCMB’s alignment with global best practices:

“The intersection between what we do at FCMB, and global financial best practices lies in our ability to balance innovation with resilience. Globally, AI is taking centre stage, whether you are a bank or not. It is coming to enable businesses and change lifestyles. We are building systems that are not only intelligent but also secure, scalable, and inclusive, ensuring that as we advance technologically, we bring more people into the financial ecosystem.”

As digital transformation accelerates across Africa, FCMB continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies and data-driven insights to enhance service delivery and expand access to financial services in an ethical and responsible manner.

The newly deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, Barr. (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Babalola, on Tuesday led her team to pay a familiarization visit to the State Police Command.

Babalola and her team met with CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips on 28 April 2026 at the Police Headquarters, Ring Road, Osogbo.

The visit, according to a release by the Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, aimed to foster a stronger working relationship and enhance robust synergy between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force.

“In her remarks, Mrs Oluwatoyin commended the Commissioner of Police for his exemplary leadership and role in ensuring a peaceful and secured environment in Osun.

“She seeks for more robust synergy especially during coming Governorship election in the State.

“The CP responded by saying that, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to supporting the INEC in their efforts to conduct free, fair and credible elections while promising the REC of his continue support and cooperation in term of providing enable environment for free, fair and credible elections in the State,” Ojelabi wrote.

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused lawmakers of overturning every aspect of the Electoral Act, asserting that the final version presented was far removed from the original document worked on by the committee.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Kingibe, who was a member of the Committee for Electoral Reforms, expressed frustration over the alterations made to the Act.

She revealed that many of the key provisions in the law were not part of the original document discussed by the committee.

“What they presented was not what we worked on,” Kingibe stated. “I have the original documents, and I can show you the changes. The final version was completely different from what we agreed upon during our deliberations.”

The lawmaker also pointed out discrepancies with the handling of ballot papers, stressing that security measures on INEC ballot papers had always been a standard procedure in past elections. She questioned how any election could be conducted without proper security features to prevent fraudulent votes.

Kingibe elaborated further, stating, “In every election we’ve held, we’ve always ensured that ballot papers had security features. But when this was brought up to me, I realized that I didn’t see any mention of that in the final document. That part was clearly missing.”

Reflecting on the reform process, Kingibe revealed that the committee had worked diligently over two years, with participation from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, INEC, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). She emphasized that the goal was to create a framework for free and fair elections. However, she lamented that the reforms were ultimately undermined, with every aspect of the document being “turned upside down.”

This revelation from Kingibe raises serious concerns over the integrity of the Electoral Act and the potential consequences for future elections in Nigeria.

By Taiye Olayemi

It was a bountiful gain for Investors on Tuesday as the Nigerian stock market revived its bullish streak after a one-day downturn with gain of N3.205 trillion.

Market capitalisation rose from N143.969 trillion to N147.174 trillion, representing a 2.23 per cent increase.

The upward trend was primarily fueled by strong investor demand in consumer, energy and industrial stocks.

Industrial and Medical Gases, FTN Cocoa Processors, WAPCO, Austinlaz, and Presco, alongside 34 other gainers, lifted the market into positive territory amid renewed investor interest in these stocks.

In the same vein, the All-Share Index advanced by 4,977.51 points, or 2.23 per cent, to close at 228,579.80 from 223,602.29.

This led the Year-to-Date return to 46.89 per cent growth.

However, the market breadth recorded 42 losers against 39 gainers, closing negatively.

UBA led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent, closing at N44.55, while Trans-Nationwide Express followed by 9.99 per cent, finishing at N6.40.

Similarly, National Salt Company shed by 9.18 per cent, ending the session at N187.90 per share.

Also, Jaiz Bank dipped by 8.98 per cent, closing at N8.01 and Berger Paints fell by 8.66 per cent, settling at N68 per share.

Conversely, WAPCO, Industrial and Medical Gases (IMG) and FTN Cocoa Processors topped the gainers’ chart by 10 per cent each, closing at N324.50, N39.60 and N5.50 per share respectively.

Similarly, Austinlaz gained by 9.71 per cent, finishing at N3.73 while Presco rose by 9.52 per cent, closing at N2,300 per share.

Analysis of the market activity revealed increase in the value and volume but a decline in deals as 907.96 million shares worth N68.23 billion were exchanged across 72,886 transactions.

This is in contrast with the previous session’s 678.2 million shares valued at N44.14 billion that was traded in 82,838 deals.

Access Corporation led the volume chart with 219.5 million shares worth N5.78 billion while Nestle topped the value chart with transactions worth N15.27 billion.

(NAN)

By Taiye Agbaje

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the trial of an Abuja-based lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and his co-defendants for accusing Senator Shehu Buba Umar a sponsor of banditry in a TikTok video until June 2.

The matter, which was on number 11 on the cause list before Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia, was adjourned after the judge took some cases, including judgments and rulings.

Abdulrahman (1st defendant) and his co-defendants were initially being prosecuted by the I-G.

The I-G, in the 11-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/526/2025 and filed by Anthony Egwu on Oct. 6, 2025, named David Daure, Ishaq Muhammed, Abdulrashid Musa and Nasir Abubakar as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively.

The defendants were, on Oct. 30, 2025, arraigned on 11-count charge which also bordered on alleged cybercrime, defamation, advance fee fraud, among others.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and they were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre before they were admitted to bail.

In count one, the defendants were alleged to have, sometime in 2025, conspired among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cyberstalking against Senator Shehu Buba Umar.”

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024.

In count three, Abdulrahman was alleged to have, sometime in 2025, intentionally sent a video via his Tiktok handle with user name “Kibanna Channel” and his Youtube channel to defame the lawmaker by linking him to sponsorship of banditry with a view to tarnishing his image as a serving Senator.

The suspect was alleged to have stated that “Sen. Buba, is a sponsor of banditry and called for his investigation, a statement you made by means of computer systems and network knowing same to be false, for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order and causing the Senator fear of death”.

The offence Is also said to be contrary to Section 24(1)(5) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 (as amended) 2024, among other counts, among others.

However, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), in December 2025, took over the case.

Rabiu-Rangers Abdullahi, a 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), on Feb. 9, testified that David Daure, one of the defendants, attempted to use former Minister of Foreign Affairs’ name, Yusuf Tuggar, to defraud Sen. Umar.

The witness stated this while being led in evidence-in-chief by Leyii Abueh, counsel for the AGF.

(NAN)

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has ordered a three-week mid-semester break following violent protests over ongoing transport and welfare issues on campus.

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that the Senate approved the break after student demonstrations severely disrupted academic activities and led to a near-total shutdown of campus life.

“The Senate of the University has approved that the students proceed on a mid-semester break for a period of three weeks, with immediate effect,” the statement read.

The university management explained that the break was necessary after protests over the introduction of a new transport system escalated into violent demonstrations, blocking key access roads and disrupting movement within the campus. Despite efforts to calm tensions, concerns about student safety and lawlessness continued to rise.

The management further emphasized that the break would allow time to engage with relevant stakeholders and restore order on campus. Students were urged to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the hiatus.

The unrest stemmed from the OAU Students’ Union, which led the protests demanding urgent intervention over several critical issues, including transportation, accommodation, and delays linked to the university’s e-portal upgrade. A congress held earlier at Awo Cafe approved the peaceful demonstration.

Students sharply criticized the newly introduced intra-campus transport system, which involved compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, for creating long queues and delays. The protests also focused on the planned evacuation of Awolowo Hall and the complications caused by ongoing system upgrades that hindered access to academic services.

The transport overhaul, which followed a donation of buses by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was intended to improve mobility on campus. However, students have voiced dissatisfaction, claiming that the implementation has led to new frustrations, ultimately sparking the protests that resulted in the shutdown

By Segun Giwa

Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo have accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of aiding Mr Isaacs Kekemeke in breaking the constitution of the party and Electoral Act in his senatorial ambition bid.

The group, under the aegis of APC Arogbo-Ijaw (Ijaw Nation) made the allegation in a letter to the National Secretariat of the party and received by the office of the Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda

The letter was jointly signed by Tamara Johnson and Pere Isaac on behalf of the APC chieftains who are mostly from Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The APC stakeholders described Kekemeke’s ambition to represent Ondo South Senatorial District as “ill-timed and ill-conceived,” despite acknowledging his constitutional right to contest.

The group alleged that Kekemeke, who is the the National Vice Chairman (South-West), APC, and Chairman of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), had yet to resign from his positions as required by law before contesting elective office.

They cited Sections 84 and 88 of the Electoral Act, as well as directives by President Bola Tinubu mandating political appointees to resign on or before March 31, 2026, ahead of party primaries.

The stakeholders noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled April 23 to May 30 for party primaries, insisting that Kekemeke’s continued stay in office contravenes both legal and party provisions.

They also alleged a pattern of disregard for due process, claiming that Kekemeke had previously contested elections without resigning from office.

“As a trained lawyer, he is expected to uphold the law, not undermine it. Yet, it appears he is proceeding with this course, allegedly under assurances from Governor Aiyedatiwa to disregard legal provisions.

“It is worth recalling that both individuals previously ignored a court order restraining the conduct of the APC state congress in Ondo State.

“Party rules are explicit enough. Any aspirant who is a party official must present a resignation letter and proof of acknowledgment before being cleared to participate in the nomination process.

“It is unacceptable for anyone to supervise or preside over a process in which they are also a contestant.

“This is not the legacy of the founding fathers of our party. It contradicts the values of transparency, accountability and respect for due process.

“The very principles championed by President Bola Tinubu and which the current national leadership of the APC must uphold. Governor Aiyedatiwa, too, must respect these democratic ideals,” they said.

The group called on the national leadership of the APC to enforce compliance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act to avoid potential litigation.

They further urged Kekemeke to publicly present evidence of his resignation from both positions to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the party.

Kekemeke did not respond to phone calls and text messages sent to him by NAN Correspondent.

(NAN)