News

Kwara Gov Files Defamation Charges Against Two Brothers

Published

10 months ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has filed five-count criminal defamation charges against Hon. Mashood Mustapha and his brother Bolakale Mustapha at the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital.

The suit, which came up for hearing before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar on Monday, was filed by the governor on behalf of the people of Kwara State.

The alleged defamation case, which concerns offences of perjury and inciting public disturbance, was filed by Mr Ayoola Akande, Kwara State Director of Public Prosecutions, who represented the state government in court.

Hon. Mashood Mustapha was a member of the National Assembly representing Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. He was also a gubernatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress primary election for the 2019 election.

According to the charges before the court, the defendants are alleged to have uploaded and published a five-minute, forty-one-second video likely to disturb public peace.

The first defendant, Bolakale, was also alleged to have filed an action against the governor at the Federal High Court based on a false allegation.

The charges further revealed that the second defendant, Mashood, uploaded a video containing abusive, insulting, and derogatory language against the governor, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq.

According to The PUNCH, two defendants denied the alleged offences, saying the allegations were false.

The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Akande, prayed the court to remand the defendants in federal correctional custody on the basis that their bail application was not ripe for hearing.

He added that “the alleged offences are not ordinarily bailable,” noting that one of the offences carries a 14-year jail term.

Professor Kayode Olatoke SAN and Moses Ebute SAN represented the two defendants respectively.

In their separate submissions, the counsels urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s prayers, arguing that their clients’ alleged offences are bailable.

They prayed the court to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms, arguing that they are well-known in the state and ready to provide reliable sureties.

The court, in its short ruling, admitted that the offences against the defendants are bailable and granted them bail in the sum of ₦5 million with a surety. The matter was adjourned for further hearing until July 18, 2025.

Speaking to the press after the judgment, one of the lead counsels for the second defendant, Moses Ebute SAN, said: “Ordinarily, the case was a bailable offence and the honourable judge, in his wisdom, has graciously granted our client bail with conditions being fulfilled.

“Although we indicated to the court that we were ready to proceed with the trial immediately, the prosecution requested a date, probably to get their house in order. We will return on 18 July to commence the trial.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

20 minutes 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

42 minutes 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

3 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.