Christy Akingboye, widow of the late Bamidele Akingboye, former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the November 2024 Ondo State election, has denied allegations that she had a hand in her husband’s death.
She described the claims as cruel, false and deliberately orchestrated to smear her and her children.
Speaking in Lagos, Christy recounted a turbulent five-year struggle with her husband’s deteriorating health and the emotional toll it took on the family.
She said she remained silent for weeks after his death to protect his dignity, their children and grandchildren, and to avoid stigmatising him.
According to her, his illness worsened under the strain of political campaigns, heavy debts and sleepless nights.
“He was my friend. I didn’t just lose a husband, I lost my better half,” she said, describing a close marriage in which they shared almost everything.
She listed the hospitals and specialists who treated him in Lagos, Dubai and Abuja, saying the family battled his mental health challenges quietly.
She noted that his stress level was “extremely high” throughout and after his political engagements.
Trouble, she said, began when she was accused of killing their father.
She displayed what she said were authentic mortuary photographs showing her husband without bruises or cuts, contrary to images circulated online.
“To my shock, they used AI to paint blood on his face. The real pictures show nothing like that,” she said.
Christy also faulted the initial handling of the case by some police officers, alleging bias and compromise.
She claimed investigators failed to visit crucial locations, examine his room, secure the scene or review medical records before arresting her and her children. They were detained for three days shortly after the incident.
She said her petition to higher authorities led to a reassignment of the case. A later team of investigators, she added, visited the rooms, balcony and neighbouring properties.
One discovery, she said, was a second CCTV camera facing their balcony, but the footage had been overwritten because the earlier investigators did not act promptly.
Her confidence, she said, waned again when the case was returned to the original unit, leading to repeated summons and renewed fears of detention.
She described their ordeal last Friday when over 20 armed officers awaited them at Panti despite assurances they would not be detained.
Christy expressed hope that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would objectively review the file.
“My hands are clean. God knows the truth. I loved my husband and stood by him through everything. I only want the truth to prevail,” she said.
Category: City Beats
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I didn’t kill ex-governorship candidate, widow cries out
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VDM, Mr. Jollof handed over to security after clash aboard plane
- NCAA condemns passengers’ behaviour
Martins Vincent Otse, known as “VeryDarkman,” (VDM) and Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, known as “Mr. Jollof,” who clashed yesterday during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport have handed over to the airport security for interrogation.
In a statement, the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, who confirmed this, explained that the measures were taken to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of other passengers and crew members.
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The statement reads: “United Nigeria Airlines confirms that an altercation occurred between two passengers, identified as Martins Vincent Otse “VeryDarkman” and Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi “Mr. Jollof”, during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport on the morning of November 17, 2025.
“In full compliance with global aviation safety protocols, our crew responded immediately and professionally to de-escalate the situation.
“Both passengers were deboarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members. They were subsequently handed over to airport security for further investigation.
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Udoma chairs 2025 PEARL Awards
The Board of Governors of the PEARL Awards Nigeria has announced a distinguished lineup of guests for the 2025 PEARL Awards Nite, scheduled to hold at the prestigious Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Project Manager of PEARL Awards 2025, Mr. Olisemeka Obi, the Awards’ President, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, revealed that the prestigious event will be chaired by Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and current Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, whose leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development remain exemplary.
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Mr. Orekoya further disclosed that the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, will serve as Distinguished Guest of Honour, while the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, will attend as Special Guest of Honour.
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Lagos boosts justice, survivor protection with new training for health workers
Survivors of sexual assault in Lagos are set to receive faster, more professional and better-documented medical care as the state government intensifies training for healthcare workers handling rape and defilement cases.
The two-day training organised by the Ministry of Health in Alausa is expected to significantly strengthen Lagos’ frontline response, a critical step in a state that records some of the country’s highest reports of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Officials said the programme aims to ensure that no survivor is turned away, mismanaged, or denied justice due to poor documentation or lack of clinical expertise.
Declaring the training open, Dr Oluwatosin Onasanya, speaking on behalf of the Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Dr Folasade Oludara, stated that upgrading the skills of health workers would directly improve survivors’ chances of healing and securing justice. “Healthcare workers are often the first responders. When they do their part well, survivors are protected, and offenders are held accountable,” she said.
The state has supplied specimen-collection tools to facilities, but the training, she added, “ensures personnel can correctly identify, document and manage cases”, especially in LGAs with high incident rates.
SGBV Programme Manager, Dr. Juradat Aofiyebi, explained that building the capacity of 25 experienced doctors across general hospitals would improve prosecution outcomes.
She noted that accurate medical reporting is often the difference between conviction and acquittal. “This training strengthens our entire response chain, from care to courtroom,” she said.
At the session, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs Adebanke Ogunde, underscored the life-changing impact of proper medical documentation. She told participants, “A survivor’s hope for justice rests on the quality of your report. Many convictions have been won, or lost, because of it.”
Medical experts also addressed the emotional toll on health workers. Consultant Family Physician at LASUTH, Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, said timely care within 72 hours could prevent infections and produce usable forensic evidence.
He praised Lagos’ inter-agency approach but urged further investment in DNA capacity, insurance, and health worker motivation to sustain the impact.
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) reinforced the state’s safety net for survivors, explaining that under the ILERA EKO scheme and the Equity Fund, survivors are entitled to full medical coverage, from tests to follow-up care. Claims Officer Mrs. Anyebe Margret said this ensures “no survivor is denied treatment because of money.”
Another facilitator, Mrs. Ololade Babarere, emphasised self-care for health workers to prevent compassion fatigue. “When caregivers burn out, survivors suffer,” she warned.
Participants described the training as transformative. Dr. Odiawa Ijeweme of General Hospital, Apapa, said she can now handle cases “more confidently and in line with Lagos State’s protocols,” while Dr. Charity Eferaro of the Lagos State University Health Centre said the sessions strengthened her ability to support student survivors “medically, emotionally and psychologically.”
With the training completed, Lagos strengthens its position as a national leader in coordinated SGBV response, ensuring that survivors receive dignity, justice and comprehensive care each time they walk into a health facility.
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Police rescue kidnap victim tied inside hotel toilet in Ebonyi
The Ebonyi State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on violent crime, rescuing a kidnapped victim found tied up inside a hotel toilet.
The police also foiled an armed robbery attack in two separate operations that unfolded over a 48-hour period.
According to a statement issued by the police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, the kidnap incident occurred on 13th November 2025 in the Ezzangbo axis of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, where a three-man gang abducted one Obasi ThankGod.
The kidnappers, said to have been terrorising the area for some time, blindfolded and tied up their victim before hiding him inside a hotel toilet while they negotiated a ransom of ₦5 million with his family.
The police said the abductors abandoned him in the concealed location believing it would delay detection and give them enough time to secure the ransom.
However, the Command’s intelligence unit, acting on credible leads, tracked the suspects’ movements and traced the hideout.
Mr Ukandu said Police operatives stormed the facility, rescued the victim alive, and arrested three suspects identified as Uchenna Ogbozuru, Ebuka Ejiogu, and Chizoba Idenyi Ogwa.
The statement noted that the suspects are in police custody and will be prosecuted at the end of investigations.
Mr Ukandu said the rescue operation came barely a day after another successful operation by the Command.
He said, “On 2th November 2025, police patrol teams along the Ehamufu–Nkalagu Road heard sporadic gunshots and distress screams.
“Responding swiftly, the officers moved toward the noise and discovered Ali Solomon struggling with three armed robbers who were attempting to dispossess him of his motorcycle.
“Upon seeing the police, the armed men opened fire. The operatives returned fire, neutralising one of the suspects while the others escaped into the surrounding bushes”.
Mr Ukandu said a loaded AK-47 rifle containing ten rounds of ammunition was recovered at the scene while fhe victim, Solomon, was safely evacuated and the area secured.
Reacting to the two incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, praised the officers for their professionalism, courage and timely intervention.
She reaffirmed the Command’s determination to make Ebonyi State unsafe for criminal elements, stressing that police operations and intelligence surveillance would be further intensified across vulnerable locations.
CP Uche-Anya also commended residents of the state for what she described as “consistent and credible flow of information,” which, she said, has continued to strengthen the police in its crime-fighting duties.
She urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly, assuring that all reports would be handled with utmost confidentiality.
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MACBAN knocks US over sanction threat on Nigeria
- …disassociates self from killing, banditry, kidnapping, others
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Sunday criticised the newly introduced United States House Resolution 860, describing some of its assertions as incomplete and misleading regarding Nigeria’s pastoral communities.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, MACBAN President Baba Ngelzarma urged the US Congress to adopt a balanced, factual, and informed stance that accurately reflects the realities on the ground.
He advised the US to revise the resolution, which seeks to impose sanctions on the association, including visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and groups allegedly involved in religious persecution.
Ngelzarma highlighted that pastoralists have often been among the most affected groups in Nigeria’s rural conflicts, a factor overlooked in the US decision.
H.Res. 860, introduced in the 119th US Congress by Rep. Christopher Smith with co-sponsor Rep. Bill Huizenga, proposes restrictive measures against MACBAN and other Fulani-led organisations.
The resolution also recommends listing “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” from states such as Benue and Plateau on the “Entities of Particular Concern” list under the International Religious Freedom Act.
Responding to the resolution, MACBAN denied any links to terrorist groups and condemned all acts of terrorism in Nigeria, emphasizing its commitment to peace and lawful pastoral activities.
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Ngelzarma said, “MACBAN respectfully calls for revising H.R. 860 to remove all mention of MACBAN. We wish to state clearly and without ambiguity: MACBAN does not support, condone, harbour, finance, or protect any form of criminality, extremism, or violence.
“MACBAN is not and has never been an armed group or violent organisation. We condemn in the strongest possible terms banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, terrorism, or any crime whatsoever”.
He maintained that rural insecurity in Nigeria affects pastoralists and that thousands had been killed within eight years between 2015 and 2025 by cattle rustlers, bandits, armed vigilantes, militias, and extremist groups.
The president said, “Verified statistics indicate that between 2015 and 2025, over 18,640 pastoralists lost their lives, 1,298,802 were displaced, 87,543 houses were destroyed, and more than 1,114,519 cattle were rustled or killed, while over 656,555 small ruminants were lost or killed in 17 states.
“These losses represent not only human tragedy but also a massive blow to Nigeria’s livestock economy and national food systems.”
The association urged US and international stakeholders to consider the human and economic losses when assessing the pastoralist community.
He also disclosed targeted assassinations, noting that several top officials who cooperated with security agencies to expose criminal networks have been killed.
According to him, they include the chairmen of its Nasarawa, Katsina, Kogi, and Plateau State branches.
The president also said the National Vice President (I), Eng. Munnir Atiku Lamido has reportedly been missing without a trace since June 2023 while travelling from Katsina to Kaduna.
He said, “Targeted assassinations and threats to MACBAN Leadership. Several MACBAN officials committed to peace building have been assassinated, especially after cooperating with security agencies to expose criminals operating within rural communities.
“Among those killed include, Alh. Mohammed Hussaini Chairman Nasarawa State Chapter; Surajo Mairana Chairman Katsina State Chapter, Idris Abubakar Chairman Kawara State Chapter
“Alh. Shuaibu Suleiman Chairman Kogi State Chapter; Alh. Bello Gegu Vice Chairman Kogi State Chapter; Alh. Ibrahim Abubakar Jalido Chairman Kogi State; Muhammad Adamu Chairman Barikin Ladi LGA Plateau State; And Eng. Munnir Atiku Lamido, our National Vice President (I) has been missing without trace since June 2023 on his way from Katsina to Kaduna.
“Many of the zones and state executives have continued to receive threats for refusing to shield criminals. Their sacrifices exposed MACBAN’s unwavering stance against violence and criminal infiltration.”
MACBAN warned that conflating the entire pastoralist community with criminal actors reflects a misunderstanding that could fuel further stigmatization.
MACBAN called for engagement by the U.S. Congress with “credible local actors — including pastoralists, farmers, civil society, and security agencies — in conducting assessments.”
The group further urged evidence-based evaluation that accounts for the humanitarian toll on pastoral communities and recommended long-term investment in pastoralist infrastructure, including grazing reserves, veterinary services, water access, healthcare, and education.
He said, “MACBAN reaffirms its dedication to peace, justice, and national unity. We will continue to work with security agencies, development partners, and governments to address the root causes of conflict and ensure that herding and farming communities coexist in safety and mutual respect.”
MACBAN urged Nigerians and international stakeholders to stand with those who risk their lives daily, security operatives, community mediators, traditional rulers, and pastoral leaders working tirelessly to restore peace to the nation.
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One dead, six injured as bus crashes into parked tipper in Lagos
A woman was confirmed dead, and six others were severely injured on Sunday after a commercial bus crashed into a stationary tipper truck at Majidun, inward Ogolonto, opposite the MRS Filling Station in Ikorodu.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the crash occurred in the early hours of the day when a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number EPE 494 XM reportedly suffered sudden brake failure.
The vehicle, chartered to convey passengers to a programme in Ogijo, was said to have been travelling at high speed before the driver lost control and crashed into the truck, which had parked by the roadside to purchase diesel.
LASTMA officials confirmed that the impact killed an adult female passenger on the spot. Five other women and one man sustained severe injuries.
The casualties were immediately taken to Benic Special Hospital, while the deceased was handed over to security personnel and transferred to the General Hospital, Ikorodu, for formal documentation.
According to the LASTMA director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adabayo Taofiq, the operatives had apprehended both the tipper truck driver, who allegedly attempted to flee, and the commercial bus driver. They were subsequently handed over to officers at the Ipakodo Police Division for further investigation.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the fatal crash and extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
Bakare-Oki cautioned motorists against excessive speeding, stressing that high speed diminishes a driver’s ability to respond to sudden mechanical faults or unexpected hazards.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and promoting safer road habits across the state.
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Senator constructs ICT centre to boost youth digital skills in Jigawa
In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Senator representing Jigawa North-West, Babangida Hussaini, has commenced the construction of a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre aimed at expanding digital skills and opportunities for youths across the constituency.
In a statement personally signed and released in Dutse, the state capital, Senator Hussaini said the project aligns with his commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts toward human capital development.
He explained that the ICT Centre is designed to equip young people with essential digital competencies needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world, making them more productive, innovative, and self-reliant.
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“For years, residents of several communities in this area have had to travel to neighbouring towns to access reliable internet services. The new ICT hub is expected to address this challenge by providing closer access to digital learning, training, and connectivity,” he noted.
According to the senator, once completed, the facility will serve as a central hub for capacity-building, offering learning resources to students, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and innovators.
Senator Hussaini reaffirmed his dedication to creating more platforms that will help young people in Jigawa North-West develop their potential and contribute significantly to economic growth.
“Insha Allah, once completed, the centre will become a major resource for our youths and the entire community,” he added.
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Nigeria urged to lead Africa’s push for continental prosperity
Africa must urgently dismantle systemic barriers and embrace rapid continental integration if it is to move from poverty to lasting prosperity.
This was the collective message delivered by economists, policymakers, and business leaders at The Paul Alaje Colloquium 2025, which was held in Abuja under the theme, “Breaking the Cycle: How Nigeria Can Lead Africa from Poverty to Prosperity.”
Speakers maintained that the continent stands at a defining moment, insisting that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, must lead the charge toward a unified economic future.
The convener, Dr. Paul Alaje, said the continent’s setbacks have little to do with resource scarcity and everything to do with structural failure. “Africa is rich in natural resources, vast in land, brimming with youth — yet the reality remains stark.”
He said, “Our poverty is not simply a failure of resources. It is a failure of systems. It is a failure of conversion — converting potential into productivity, converting ambition into action. Our greatest enemy is not lack. It is underutilization. Potential is not prosperity.”
Delegates were reminded that despite a population of 1.4 billion people, intra-African trade still accounts for only 14 to 16 percent of total trade. Visa restrictions, weak transport networks, and bureaucratic hurdles continue to impede free movement and limit opportunities for cross-border value creation.
A major consensus emerged that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers the clearest path for unlocking the continent’s full potential. Brigadier General Dr. Wallace W. Williams, Global Board Chairman of the Africa International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AICCI), who represented the PLO leader, Patrice Lumumba, described AfCFTA as “one of the greatest opportunities in our history.”
He urged countries to abandon isolated strategies, saying, “Africa cannot continue to function as 54 disconnected markets. We must build interconnected regional value chains driven by innovation, production, and trade. Africa will not rise through isolated national strategies. Africa will rise through unified regional action.”
General Williams said Nigeria’s role remains pivotal and referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assurance that current hardships will not define the nation’s future. “We may be poor; poverty is not going to be our milestone.
We are going to come out of it,” the President was quoted as saying. According to Williams, this outlook reinforces that “economic challenges are not destiny; they are a phase.”
The colloquium also featured the presentation of a four-pillar transformation blueprint by Dr. Alaje, who described poverty as a condition that must be confronted intentionally.
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The first pillar focuses on economic transformation through a shift from consumption to production. He argued that Africa must stop importing goods it can competitively produce, calling for stronger regional value chains and the establishment of anchor factories supported by a massive expansion of Technical and Vocational Education (TVET). The goal, he explained, is to train millions of artisans and skilled professionals within five years.
The second pillar targets governance and institutional reform. Dr. Alaje insisted that no development plan can succeed without institutions that are “competent, transparent, and meritocratic.” He said the fight against corruption must be “real, not symbolic,” and urged border agencies to facilitate rather than obstruct continental trade and mobility. “Customs authorities, migration bodies, regulators — all must become facilitators of pan-African trade and movement, not gatekeepers of exclusion,” he added.
Security formed the third pillar, with the audience told that prosperity cannot be achieved without stability. The proposal calls for integrated territorial, internal, food, and economic security systems supported by drones, satellites, data-driven intelligence tools, and strong regional alliances.
The fourth pillar emphasises technology and innovation as Africa’s future growth engine. Delegates were urged to support broadband expansion, fintech and agritech hubs, and Digital Government platforms to reduce leakages and improve transparency.
General Williams closed the session with an appeal for a continental mindset. “Africa’s progress depends on our ability to collaborate, coordinate, and act collectively. We must adopt a continental mindset. We must embrace cooperation over competition. Africa’s prosperity is a shared project—one that requires patience, courage, vision, and continental solidarity.”
Speakers also urged young people and the African diaspora — which contributes over $50 billion annually — to take up leadership roles in enterprise development and governance reform.
As proceedings drew to an end, Dr. Alaje delivered a final message of determination: “We will break the cycle. We will build prosperity. We will rise — Nigeria, Africa, together.”
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ROSOWA to drivers: improve vehicle checks to reduce road fatalities
…donates items to crash victims
The Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) has urged motorists to prioritise safety and avoid reckless behaviour on the roads, especially in the Ember Months.
The Ember months are a period often associated with heightened travel and increased road crashes across the country.
Speaking during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, to commemorate the 2025 African Road Safety Day and the World Day for Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims, the President of ROSOWA, Hajia Nafisah Shehu Mohammed, urged drivers to exercise maximum caution to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Mrs Mohammed advised motorists to avoid speeding, refrain from using phones while driving, and ensure their vehicles are properly checked before trips, noting that most crashes during festive periods result from human error and poor vehicle maintenance.
“My advice is simple. Drive safely, avoid distractions, check your vehicles, and don’t drink and drive.
“A lot of crashes we see are preventable, especially during this period when movement increases,” she said.
She lamented the rise in hit-and-run cases, particularly in Abuja, describing the trend as worrisome and demanding stiffer penalties for offenders.
“We are seeing too many hit-and-run incidents. This is a wake-up call for stronger deterrents,” the ROSOWA President added.
She reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting road safety and supporting crash victims across the country.
Deputy Corps Commander Henrietta Henshaw, who represented the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), urged motorists and passengers to remain vigilant, advising travellers to monitor drivers during long trips and insist on rest stops when necessary.
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The Head of Emergency at FMC Jabi, Dr. Sumaila Timothy, on behalf of the Management, commended the group, noting that most RTC cases treated at the hospital stem from reckless driving, brake failure, and poor road use practices.
“Only yesterday, we treated 18 victims from a single crash caused by brake failure. Many of these tragedies are avoidable,” he said.
He thanked ROSOWA for its continued support, describing the visit as “timely and impactful”.
The ROSOWA visit featured targeted welfare support, including full sponsorship of the medical bills of an elderly female hit-and-run victim who suffers memory loss, and special medical package for a male patient with kidney complications, and financial support for an elderly amputee.
The association donated hospital stretchers, wheelchairs, crutches, toiletries, disinfectants, and cash tokens to road crash victims.