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 Kachia Legislative Council Elects New Principal Officers  The Kachia Legislative Council has elected a new set of principal officers following the resignation of the former Speaker, Hon. Mark Bawa, former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Monday Malachy Gadani, and former Majority Leader, Hon. Timothy Abel Bako. The leadership change took place during a special sitting of the Council convened to fill the vacant positions and ensure the smooth continuation of legislative activities within the local government. Following the election, Hon. Francis Usman, Councillor representing Doka Ward, emerged as the new Speaker of the Kachia Legislative Council. Hon. Timothy Abel Bako, Councillor representing Gumel Ward and former Majority Leader, was elected Deputy Speaker, while Hon. Monday Malachy Gadani, Councillor representing Gidan Tagwai Ward and former Deputy Speaker, was chosen as the new Majority Leader. The newly elected principal officers were subsequently sworn in by the Clerk of the House ...

 LASCOPA INTENSIFIES FIGHT AGAINST SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CONSUMER PROTECTION The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting residents from the dangers posed by substandard, counterfeit, adulterated and unsafe products, describing the menace as a serious threat to public health, safety and economic development. Speaking during an interview on LTV's ‘The Conversation’ programme, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Mr. Afolabi Solebo stated that Lagos, as Nigeria's commercial hub and gateway for goods entering the country, bears a critical responsibility to ensure that products sold within the State are safe, genuine and fit for purpose. According to the General Manager, the proliferation of fake medicines, adulterated food and beverages, counterfeit electrical materials, expired products, substandard building materials and other unsafe consumer goods continues to endanger lives, undermine legitimate ...

 Anambra Leads in Criminal Justice Reforms, Says Attorney General Nweke By Chinelo Okeke The Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, has stated that Anambra remains the leading state in criminal justice sector reforms in Nigeria, citing the state's innovative legal framework and commitment to strengthening the administration of justice. Nweke made the assertion on June 17, 2026, during a workshop organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of the International IDEA for judges, magistrates, state prosecutors, police prosecutors, defence counsel, and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Awka. The workshop followed a stakeholders' meeting held on April 15, 2026, at the Attorney General's Chambers, where discussions centered on deepening collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and RoLAC towards enhancing the implementation of plea bargaining and other criminal justice reforms in Anambra State. Held at...

 GOV. OTTI CONDOLES WITH EKUBO FAMILY AS LATE NOLLYWOOD ACTOR IS LAID TO REST The Abia Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has condoled the family of Ekubo over the death of their son and renowned Abia born Nollywood actor, Dr Alex Ikenna Ekubo Okwaraeke whose body has been laid to rest. Speaking during a funeral service conducted by the Streams of Joy International, at the Mary Slessor Technical College Ground, in Arochukwu LGA, Governor Otti described the death of Dr Ekubo, as a profound loss to the state, nation,  entertainment industry and millions of admirers across the world.  The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said that the late actor was not only a celebrated entertainer but also a cultural ambassador, whose talent projected the image of Abia state and nation on the global stage and noted that the deceased life exemplified resilience, creativity and excellence. The State Chief Executive also applauded the deceased for always carrying his root...

FG Defends Nigeria–Ethiopia Prisoner Transfer Deal, Says Only 98 Inmates Covered Not 136 The Federal Government has defended its recent agreement with Ethiopia on the transfer of sentenced persons, explaining that the arrangement is intended to allow Nigerian inmates serving jail terms in the East African country to complete their sentences in Nigeria under more humane conditions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the agreement is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s citizen diplomacy policy, which prioritises the welfare of Nigerians abroad as a core element of the administration’s foreign policy. Odumegwu-Ojukwu also dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that 136 Nigerians were imprisoned in Ethiopia, describing the figures and alleged offences as false and misleading. She clarified that only 98 Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopian maximum-security facilities are covered under the transfer agreement. According to her, negotiations for the de...

Daveigh Chase's former manager implores people not to donate to her boyfriend's GoFundMe page: 'Not going toward any expenses for Daveigh' Following the death of actress Daveigh Chase at age 35, a dispute has emerged over a GoFundMe launched by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez. Hernandez claimed the fundraiser was meant to cover medical and funeral expenses, insisting to TMZ that accusations of fraud were “100% false.”  He said Chase had suffered meningitis and severe blood infections before her condition became critical, and that he was trying to honor her memory. However, Chase’s former manager and longtime friend John Ryan publicly urged fans not to donate, telling Deadline that the actress’s estate had sufficient funds to cover cremation and funeral costs. He accused Hernandez of excluding the family from hospital updates and using her passing for personal gain.  Ryan emphasized that Chase’s father and close friends were handling arrangements, and described the fundrais...

 Bunnie Xo Says She and Jelly Roll Plan to Raise a Child Together Despite Divorce Bunnie Xo has shared new details about her future with Jelly Roll, saying the pair still plan to welcome a child together despite ending their marriage. Speaking on the June 18 episode of her podcast, Dumb Blonde, Bunnie said she and the country singer have already made significant progress in finalizing their divorce. She explained that although their marriage is ending, their plans to become parents have not changed. “We're still having a baby together,” she said. Bunnie described their relationship as unconventional and said they intend to remain close friends while co-parenting. According to her, there was no infidelity involved in the separation. Instead, she said they reached a point where they felt their relationship had changed. The podcaster also reflected on their fertility journey, revealing that they lost four embryos while trying to have a child together. She said the process affected her...

 HIV: RELIGIOUS LEADERS URGED TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST STIGMA AS LSACA DRIVES COMMUNITY ACTION  The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), has called on religious leaders across the state to become champions of HIV prevention and advocates against HIV-related stigma within their communities. The call was made during a Sensitisation workshop for religious leaders on HIV and AIDS prevention and HIV-Related stigma held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.  Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun highlighted the influential role faith leaders play in shaping public attitudes, promoting healthy behaviours, and fostering compassion for people living with HIV. Dr. Animashaun noted that despite remarkable progress in HIV treatment and care, stigma and discrimination continue to hinder efforts to end the epidemic. She stressed that fear of rejection and misinformation of...

 CHAINS BROKEN IN FAFU FOREST: TROOPS RESCUE CAPTIVE, DISMANTLE TERROR HIDEOUTS IN KATSINA Troops of the Nigerian Army during Operation CLEAN SWEEP  have intensified offensive actions in Katsina State, delivering decisive blows against terrorist elements through sustained, intelligence-driven operations. These efforts, executed by troops of 17 Brigade Strike Group and Quick Response Force alongside elements of 8 Division Special Forces, underscore the Army’s resolve to dismantle criminal enclaves, disrupt terrorist supply networks and restore safety across affected communities in the North-West. On the fourth day of the operation, troops carried out a well-coordinated clearance mission targeting terrorist strongholds in and around Tuga, within Matazu Local Government Area. Leveraging real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support, complemented by precision strikes from the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, clearing  several settlements. During the ...

 Niger says soldiers, civilians killed in armed attack on Niamey airport An attack by armed men on an airport in Niger’s capital has killed 11 soldiers and two civilians, according to the country’s defence ministry, five months after a major assault. Twenty-two armed attackers were also killed in the assault and about 20 suspects were apprehended, the ministry added in a press statement read out on national television on Thursday, Al Jazeera reported. Soldiers in Niamey fought suspected rebels around the Diori Hamani International Airport and a military airbase on Thursday, sources told Al Jazeera earlier in the day. A source said gunmen affiliated with an armed group attacked at approximately 6:00am (05:00 GMT) local time. One airport employee who lives near the airport told Al Jazeera he heard heavy exchanges of gunfire and saw a large military deployment as he drove towards work and decided to turn back for safety. A second local source living close to the airport also reported ...

 Western countries warn of atrocities, imminent RSF escalation in Sudan's al-Obeid Dozens of countries including Britain, France and Germany raised the alarm at the ‌U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces could imminently escalate an assault on the central Sudanese city of al-Obeid, possibly resulting in large-scale atrocities. “We are deeply concerned at the risk of imminent escalation on the ground, leaving approximately 500,000 civilians at risk of falling victim to large-scale atrocities, including ​more than 100,000 internally displaced persons,” Tormod Endresen, the ambassador for Norway, told the council in Geneva. Norway shared a joint ​statement calling on the RSF to immediately cease its assault on al-Obeid. The statement was presented on behalf of ⁠the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan, comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway, which said they were ​also joined...

 Ebola death toll surpasses 200 in DR Congo as virus spreads across eastern provinces The death toll from the Ebola virus surpassed the 200 mark Thursday as infections surged in the outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said in an update. Confirmed cases of the disease have climbed to 875, including 202 deaths, since the outbreak was declared on May 15, with a mortality rate of 23%, Africa CDC data showed. The virus is spreading across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with Ituri accounting for nearly 95% of the cases. Donors and partners have pledged $910 million to support the Ebola response in the Congo and Uganda, according to Africa CDC, Anadolu Agency reported. The pledges were made during a recent meeting of African leaders and partners dedicated to the current disease outbreak. In a statement, the health body said the amount includes $80 million from African Union mem...

Agunloye’s Alleged $6b Mambilla Project Fraud :  Witness Affirms Authenticity of Prosecution’s Exhibit The trial of the former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, continued on Thursday, June 18, 2026 before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja with the Sixth Prosecution Witness, PW6, Iliya John Iyakwari, denying under cross-examination by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, that there is an extract of the Federal Executive Council meeting of May 21, 2003, different from the  one, marked Exhibit EFCC 3K which he certified and was tendered in evidence by the prosecution. Agunloye is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended seven-count charge, bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion United States Dollars) to Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited. Further in the cross-examination, the defence counsel appli...

 She shared all these pictures few hours ago with the caption: " It was Love at first sight in 1984. 37 years and 1 day today, after our wedding anniversary night, last night, the magic is almost the same. This time after 37 years, Akua Benson has developed that extra spice for that magic while producing 5 beautiful children for Jonathan.  I thank God for every day he has allowed us to have. While We are under the protection of God, I will continue to love my family till death do us part. Amen.🧎🏾‍♀️" Stephanie Benson, also known as Princess Akua Ohenewaa Asieanem of Kokobin, is a UK-based Ghanaian international singer and performer who is rooted in music. More photos below.