PINK REPUBLIC/ MY BLOG IS A STORY MARATHON.

 Appeal Court upholds Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha’s five-year jail term The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday upheld a previous ruling by a Lagos State High Court, confirming a five-year prison sentence for Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, also known as Baba Ijesha, for the sexual assault of a minor aged 14. The Court of Appeal, in a judgment delivered by Justice Folashade Ojo, upheld the conviction of Baba Ijesha on two counts, specifically indecent touching and sexual assault of a 14-year-old minor. Justices Abdullahi Bayero and Paul Bassi concurred with the lead judgment, aligning themselves with Justice Folashade Ojo’s decision. Justice Folashade Ojo delivered a judgment setting aside Baba Ijesha’s conviction for indecent treatment and sexual assault, citing that the testimony of the prosecution’s witness (PW1), Damilola Adekoya, was hearsay, and therefore, unreliable. However, Justice Ojo ruled that the testimony of Adekoya was a credible eyewitness account of...

14 die as trailer rams into Kano mosque No fewer than 14 worshippers lost their lives while several others sustained varying injuries when a trailer ran into Jumuat prayer worshippers in Imama town, Kura Local Government Area of Kano State. The accident occurred shortly after the Friday prayer when the driver of the trailer coming from Kaduna axis with number plate MKA 537XN lost control and ran into the worshippers. The Kano Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in a statement issued by the Corps spokesman, Abdullahi Labaran on Friday, said the accident was reported around 1.50pm. Abdullahi said nine of the deceased were buried on Friday afternoon while those injured are receiving treatment at a hospital. The statement read, “Upon receiving the distress call, FRSC Kano State Command promptly dispatched personnel to the scene, alongside other security agencies, to initiate rescue operations and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured victims....

Ok  Olubadan-Designate Olakulehin gets staff of office July 12 Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the new olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin.  The ceremony is scheduled to hold on Friday, July 12, 2024. Commissioner for information, Prince Dotun Oyelade announced this in a statement on Friday night. He enjoined the people to be patient with government saying “Our people must learn to be patient and believe an administration that has not let them down in five years.” Oyelade added that insinuations and mischievous innuendos have not derailed Makinde from the path of justice and fairness.  He advised residents of Oyo State and Ibadan in particular to await the spectacle of the coronation and presentation of the staff of office on July 12.

 Footballer slumps, dies during Oke-Ogun competition Tragedy struck on the field of play when a young footballer, identified as Oyekunle Baaki, known to fans and teammates as Smart, on Wednesday night collapsed and died during a local tournament. Baaki, 27, was playing for United FC Okeho in the Eleniyan football competition against Accurate FC, Iganna in Okeho, Kajola local government Area, Oyo State, when the tragic incident happened. The incident was said to have occurred during extra time of the match after the initial 90 minutes ended goalless without any winner. It was gathered that the young footballer was pronounced dead shortly after efforts to revive him proved abortive. According to one of the fans who witnessed the sad incident, the player showed no sign of ill health before the incident happened.  “Before the match commenced, he snapped with some of the players and uploaded them on his Snap chat. “He was alone, nobody was with him, he just slumped, and people rush...

 30 Nigerians on the ballot in UK poll No fewer than 30 men and women of Nigerian origin will be on the ballot in the United Kingdom’s elections scheduled for Thursday, July 4. The outcome of the poll should be known by Friday. An analysis of the finalised list of candidates by a UK election data supplier, Democracy Club, showed that 20 British-Nigerians will be representing mainstream parties, including the Labour Party, Conservatives Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Reform UK, while the rest are from smaller parties or contesting as independents. With days before the make-or-mar election, the new Parliament is expected to be the most diverse in Britain’s history as more ethnic minorities, including Nigerians, in mainstream and fringe parties, are making strong overtures to the electorate with persuasive manifestos. To stand as a candidate in a UK Parliamentary General Election, a candidate must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of a commonwealth country who does not req...

 Minimum wage: Labour rejects govs bid to take over negotiations ....Govs unfriendly, some states yet to pay N30, 000 approved five years ago – NLC ....States should be allowed to negotiate with workers, govs insist Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, has rejected the proposal of the Southern Governors’ Forum to decentralise minimum wage negotiations to state governments. The NLC condemned the proposal as “unfriendly and anti-worker”, noting that allowing states to determine their minimum wages would be detrimental to workers’ welfare. On Friday, The PUNCH had reported that the Southern Governors’ Forum sought for states to be allowed to negotiate the minimum wage for workers independently. At the end of a meeting held on Monday at the Ogun State Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, the forum resolved that wages should be reflective of the cost of living. This was revealed in a communique issued from the meeting and signed by the newly-a...

Lagos asks police to probe domestic violence claim against influencer, SirJarus The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has reported that an allegation of abuse involving a popular online influencer, Suraj Oyewale, widely recognised as #SirJarus, has been referred for investigation. The agency noted that Sir Jarus addressed the issue through a series of tweets, providing clarification on the incident involving him and his wife, Mrs Oyewale Ayoola. In the now-deleted tweets, Oyewale alleged that his wife engaged in fetish practices and provocative behaviour, which he claimed led to a physical altercation. These statements have ignited outrage on social media, particularly on X.com, where users have expressed a wide range of opinions on the matter. He further indicated in his responses to critics that his 14-year marriage might be nearing its end. This situation appears to be related to his recent decision to take a second wife. But Lagos DSVA, in a post on its X account on Friday,...