News

Atiku Files deposition Against Buhari’s Aide On N2.5bn Libel Suit

Published

6 years ago

December 3, 2019

Former Vice President , Atiku Abubakar , on Tuesday , appeared at the registry of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja , to sign and file his deposition in support of the N2 . 5 bn libel suit which he instituted against President Muhammadu Buhari ’ s Special Assistant on Social Media , Lauretta Onochie , earlier in June this year .

Pictures of the Peoples Democratic Party ’ s candidate in the last presidential election with his lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome ( SAN ) , and others in the legal team were sent to journalists on Tuesday .

In one of the pictures, Atiku was seen seated while holding a pen above a white paper with Ozekhome bent over the table beside him .

In the caption accompanying the pictures, Ozekhome stated , “ Chief Mike Ozekhome , SAN , OFR , today , at the Central Registry of the FCT, High Court , Maitama , Abuja, with his client , His Excellency , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , Waziri Adamawa .

“ The former Vice President was physically at the Registry to sign his witness deposition (on oath ) before the Commissioner for Oaths , on the case he instituted against Lauretta Onochie .
“ The Waziri is claiming amongst others, the sum of N2 . 5 bn only , from the Presidential Assistant on Social Media , as general , aggravated , punitive and exemplary damages against her .
“ Atiku is claiming this sum from her for her defamatory story published on her twitter handle and Facebook page , in which she stated that Atiku was on the UAE watch list, as a wanted man , asking, ‘ shopping for terrorists ?”

Atiku had, on June 26 , 2019 , instituted the suit against Onochie for her alleged libelous tweet against him via her twitter handle on May 7 , 2019 .

The tweet allegedly suggested that Atiku was on the watch list of security operatives in the United Arab Emirates and had travelled to shop for terrorists in the Middle East .

He prayed the court in the suit marked CV / 2287 /19 , to order Onochie to pay him the N 2 . 5 bn as “ general , aggravated , punitive and exemplary damages over the untold embarrassment , derision , public ridicule, odium, obloquy , marital disharmony , mental agony and psychological trauma which the defendant ’ s publications have caused the claimant. ”

Denying the allegations in the said tweet, Atiku said it was “politically orchestrated” “ solely to cause maximum damage” to his “ high reputation” while challenging “ the purported victory ” of Onochie’ s boss , President Buhari in the last presidential election at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal .

The presidential candidate of the PDP in the February 23 , 2019 poll had, through a May 14 , 2019 letter signed by Ozekhome , demanded from Onochie an apology , a retraction of the said post and a payment of N500 m compensation to him “ to assuage” the damage allegedly done to him by her social media post.

He also threatened to sue her should she fail to accede to the demand “ within 48 hours ”.

Justifying his suit , Atiku stated in his statement of claim accompanying his suit , that rather than show “ remorse by retracting her earlier publication” , she further , on May 20 , made “ another derogatory publication and also published same online in the social and other print media ” against his person. ”

(Punch)

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.