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 Nigerian Cherubim & Seraphim Church Disowns Bishop Caught Doing Tongue-To-Tongue Ordination, Condemns Idolatrous Practices The Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria has publicly denounced a video circulating on social media that depicts a controversial Bishop doing a "tongue-to-tongue" anointing ceremony, while calling the act “horrific” and despicable before God and man. The church in a statement issued on Wednesday distanced itself from the individuals involved, emphasising that they are not affiliated with the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria and do not represent its doctrines or values. The church expressed deep concern over the video’s content, particularly the mention of its reverred founder, St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase, and the unauthorised use of its religious symbols.  “Ordinarily, we would not dignify such incidents with a response, but we must set the record straight,” the statement read. The church said that following an ...

 Nigerian Man Arrested At South African Airport Over Ingested Cocaine Capsules Following Flight From Brazil A Nigerian man, 55, has been arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on suspicion of drug trafficking shortly after landing at OR Tambo International Airport from São Paulo, Brazil. SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Tuesday, stating that authorities discovered the suspect had allegedly swallowed cocaine capsules worth an estimated R7.5 million, IOL SA reports. “The suspect had just landed from São Paulo, Brazil when he was intercepted by police. A medical X-ray revealed that he had swallowed multiple objects suspected to be capsules containing cocaine,” said Van Wyk. She further stated that the suspect is still in the process of expelling the ingested capsules. The suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court soon.

 Gunmen kidnap and kill Catholic priest in Kaduna Gunmen suspected to be bandits have kidnapped and k!lled Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, the parish priest of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tachira in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.   Rev Fr Okechukwu, from Ozalla Nkanu in Enugu State, was kidnapped from his residence around 9:15pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.    He was brutally m8rdered by his abductors in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5.   The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, who confirmed the tragic incident in a statement said it’s yet to be determined why the priest was killed.    “This untimely and brutal loss has left us heartbroken and devastated. Fr. Sylvester was a dedicated servant of God, who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord, spreading the message of peace, love and hope,” the statement read.    “He was always available and accessible to his parishioners. His untimely ...

 Lagos Building Collapse: Two dead, Six Injured, 14 Rescued Two bodies have been recovered from the debris of a collapsed two-story building under construction at Oriwu Estate, Lagos, where several people were trapped on Wednesday. Six persons also reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury, while the number of rescued victims has risen to 14, according to Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in a statement on Wednesday night. He said, “Following distress calls received via the CRM on the 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free Lines at 1425hrs today, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans and Response Team from its Lekki and Cappa Bases. “Immediate cause of the incident is yet-to-be ascertained. Further investigations will be conducted. “So far, two adult males have been extricated from rubbles of the collapsed building. “Six seriously injured adult mal...

 Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegation leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. While speaking during the Senate Plenary session this morning March 5, Akpabio dismissed the allegation. In his words “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.” The former Akwa Ibom state governor said he had been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse. He urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and instead await the court’s decision on the matter.

 COURTESY VISIT BY THE DIRECTOR FRENCH DIRECTORATE FOR COOPERATION IN SECURITY AND DEFENCE TO NAVAL HEADQUARTERS On Wednesday 5 March 2025, the Director French Directorate for Cooperation in Security and Defence, Lieutenant General Regis Colcombet paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla at Naval Headquarters, Abuja. During the visit, the Director stated that he was in Nigeria to improve the partnership between both nations in the area of security and defence. He also extended the warm regards of the French Chief of Naval Staff who attended the Heads of Navies and Coast Guards of Gulf of Guinea countries hosted by Nigeria in November 2024. The Director went on to highlight certain areas where France-Nigeria security partnership could improve. Some of the areas are maritime exercises, training, hydrography and language skills. In response, the CNS welcomed the Director to Nigeria and thanked him for making out time to visit ...

 A Louisiana college student has lost his life after a tragic hazing incident. 20-year-old Caleb Wilson was rushed to Baton Rouge General Hospital in the early morning hours of February 27th. As doctors scrambled to save the young man's life, individuals involved in the hazing met at an undisclosed location to get their stories straight. The initial tale told to investigators was that they had all been at the BREC park in Baton Rouge when Caleb had collapsed.  Sadly, Caleb was pronounced deceased by doctors at Baton Rouge General Hospital shortly after arriving. Hospital staff contacted the Baton Rouge Police Department and an investigation into the death of Caleb Wison began. Officials quickly realized the entire story about the park had been fabricated and Caleb's passing was due to far more nefarious reasons. Caleb, who was a student at Southern University, had been involved in a hazing ritual in an attempt to join Omega Psi Phi.  According to the individuals involved,...

Suspected Drug Kingpin Arrested in Hillbrow as Police Nab 200 Suspects A suspected drug kingpin has been arrested in Hillbrow after police found a building used to make crystal meth and other illegal drugs. The arrest is part of a major crime prevention operation, which has already led to the capture of 200 suspects. Police say the operation aims to crack down on organised crime and stop the growing drug trade in the area. Watch video below. 

 Alleged N33.8bn Fraud: Mamman Paid me in Dollars for Abuja Property-Witness   The Fourteenth Prosecution Witness, PW14, Mohammed Ashelk Jidda in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh  Mamman on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 told a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho  that the former minister paid him a dollar equivalent of N200 million in cash for the purchase of a five bedroom property in Wuse, Abuja.   Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in relation to the Mambilla Power Project on a 12-count charge, bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).   Jidda, a businessman and initial owner of the five bedroom property, located at No. 12a & b Lungi Street, Wuse 2, Abuja while being led in evidence by p...

 U.S. President Donald Trump in a Tuesday night speech to a joint session of Congress defended his new tariffs on U.S. trading partners and pledged that more are coming.  “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn,” Trump said in what was his first address to U.S. lawmakers of his second term.  The remarks came after the United States imposed 25% tariffs earlier Tuesday on exports from its two biggest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, and doubled an earlier 10% tariff on Chinese imports to 20%. China is the No. 3 U.S. trading partner.  U.S. stock markets have taken a significant tumble, and the three countries have threatened retaliation, prompting concerns of a broader trade war.  Trump also said the United States will begin imposing “reciprocal tariffs” on all U.S. trading partners on April 2.  “Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them,” he said. “Whatever they tax us, we will tax them.”  “I wanted to make...

 U.S. President Donald Trump said late Tuesday he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table to discuss ending Russia’s three-year war on Ukraine.  "Wouldn't that be beautiful?" Trump said in an address to the U.S. Congress. "It's time to stop this madness. It's time to halt the killing. It's time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides."  His description of the letter matched what Zelenskyy posted earlier in the day on social media, saying Ukraine was ready to negotiate “as soon as possible” and would “work under” Trump’s “strong leadership” to reach a peace deal.  Zelenskyy said his acrimonious encounter with Trump at the White House last Friday was “regrettable” and that he remains ready to sign a deal that would give the United States substantial, long-term rights to Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals needed for the American manufact...

  SANWO-OLU TO OPEN DEMURIN ROAD, TWO OTHERS  Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to hand over yet another set of projects to Lagosians, on Thursday, with the commissioning of Demurin Road in Kosofe Local Government Area. Also to be commissioned are two other roads, Agidi and Church Street - in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area.  “It is all about boosting connectivity and making life more comfortable for our people,” the Governor said about the projects. The roads will serve as alternative links to the 3rd Axial Road with Ikorodu Road.  Demurin-Agidi Road, a major arterial that connects Ketu, a densely populated area with huge markets and estates, to other parts of the Local Government, is an important bypass to Ikorodu Road from the Third Axial Road at Alapere Housing Estate. It connects the recently commissioned Ramond Estates and Sterling Heights Estate in Ajelogo. Demurin-Agidi Road, aside from serving as an essential alternative bypa...

 SANWO-OLU PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FIRSTBANK HEADQUARTERS •Governor joins Shettima, others for groundbreaking of 43-storey eco-friendly building in Eko Atlantic City   Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday presented a Certificate of Approval to the FirstBank Group for the construction of its iconic 43-storey eco-friendly headquarters in Eko Atlantic City.   Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his Special Adviser on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, and General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), Arc. Gbolahan Oki, presented the Certificate of Approval to the Chairman, FirstHoldCo, Mr. Femi Otedola, and the CEO, FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the bank headquarters at Eko Atlantic City.   Speaking during the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended FirstBank Group for its leadership and vision, praising the financial institution's...

 Senate Declares Natasha’s Petition Invalid The Senate has dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which she accused him of sexual harassment. At a probe session on Wednesday, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, ruled the petition invalid, citing a violation of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders. He explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another person, rendering it procedurally flawed. Additionally, the matters raised were already before the courts, making them sub judice. Despite being scheduled to appear before the committee, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent. The session, set for 2:00 PM, eventually commenced at 2:58 PM after waiting for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South). While Adaramodu arrived at 2:50 PM, Akpoti-Uduaghan did...

 Chaos Erupts in Senate Over ‘Rules and Order’ in Natasha’s Petition The Nigerian Senate was thrown into disarray on Wednesday as confusion arose over the handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan invoked Order 10 of the Senate Rules, seeking to have her petition admitted and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Her submission followed Akpabio’s earlier remarks in which he denied ever harassing any woman. However, Senator Mohammed Monguno, citing Order 40, argued that the Senate lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as it was already before a court. He insisted that debating the issue in the chamber would be subjudice and an overreach of judicial authority. “Mr. Senate President, distinguished colleagues, you are aware that the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Ekaete Akpabio, and her family have taken Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to court following her alleg...

 Falana Urges AGF to Withdraw Cyberbullying Case Against Sowore Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to withdraw the cyberbullying case filed against activist Omoyele Sowore by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. In a letter dated March 4, 2025, Falana argued that the IGP cannot institute legal proceedings in his personal interest. He cited the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act 2020, and Nigeria Police Regulations, which prohibit police officers from initiating legal actions over personal grievances. The case, filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses Sowore of violating Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act by calling Egbetokun an "illegal IGP" on social media. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge. Falana emphasized that the AGF has the constitutional authority to discontinue the case in the interest of justice and to pre...

 Governor Namadi Reinstates Aide Following Investigation Governor Umar A. Namadi has lifted the suspension of his Special Adviser on Salary and Pension, Bashir Ado Kazaure, with immediate effect. A statement by the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Malam Bala Ibrahim, confirmed the decision, citing the findings of a committee led by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini. The committee investigated Kazaure’s suspension, which was linked to an early disclosure of a proposed N70,000 minimum wage. The SSG stated that the reinstatement reflects Governor Namadi’s commitment to fairness and due process in governance.

 Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire Urge Sahel Juntas to Rejoin ECOWAS Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama have called on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after their withdrawal earlier this year. The three nations, led by military juntas following coups between 2020 and 2023, left ECOWAS on January 29, forming a new alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). During a visit to Abidjan, Mahama offered to mediate between ECOWAS and AES, emphasizing the need for regional unity and a transition to constitutional democracy. Ouattara expressed hope that Mahama’s appeal would be heeded, stressing that West Africa’s future depends on reintegration. The split was triggered by ECOWAS’ response to Niger’s July 2023 coup, which included threats of military intervention and economic sanctions—measures that have since been lifted. The juntas accused ECOWAS of failing to support them in combat...

 POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED ONE CHANCE GANG MEMBER, RECOVER OPERATIONAL VEHICLE - Arrest Fake Expensive Alcohol Merchant after 5 month chase Operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Monday night arrested a member of a 4-man one-chance gang and recovered their operational Toyota Camry, 1999 model. The operatives also arrested a suspected dealer of fake expensive spirit in Ikeja after five months of being on the run. The suspected one–chance gang member, James Aniyah, 48 years old, was arrested around 8:00 p.m. near MKO Abiola Garden, Ojota while holding in their car a female victim the gang abducted at Allen Roundabout, Ikeja, Lagos. The victim, a lady, was tricked into the gang’s vehicle around 7:00 p.m. on Monday on the pretext that the vehicle was heading to Mowe-Ibafo. The gang thereafter told the victim to cooperate while they tried to collect her phone and belongings.  The suspected 4-man gang was changing their vehicle’s flat tyre when RRS operatives on patrol stopped to...