Headline

Obaseki Transmits Bill Abolishing Laws Of Sedition, Criminal Defamation To Edo Assembly

Published

4 years ago

March 3, 2022

The Edo State Government on Thursday disclosed that it has commenced the process to abolish the laws of sedition and criminal defamation to pave way for freedom of speech needed by media practitioners in line with the laws of the land.

Governor Godwin Obaseki made the disclosure in his keynote address at the maiden edition of Radio Nigeria’s Bronze FM, Benin inaugural lecture and award with the theme “Deepening Democracy; Role of the Media”.

Represented by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Andrew Emwanta, Obaseki said “Last Wednesday the Edo State Executive Council considered and approved 5 Executive Bills for onward transmission to the Edo State House of Assembly for legislative action. One of the Bills is the Edo State Criminal Law 2022 Bill.

“Under the proposed Law, the provisions on Sedition and Criminal Defamation were taken out in line with decisions of appellate courts, which aligns with constitutional provisions on the right to freedom of expression and the press.”

In his remarks, chairman of the event and the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo charged the media to help Nigerians choose the right candidates ahead of the 2023 general election.

He said: “Without the media, there is no democracy. We normally say the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, but the current reality is that the media is now the last hope of the common man.

“The media must be alive to its role as we move forward to 2023 election. Virtually, every state today has a presidential aspirant but the media must bring these characters to the people and help them decide the right people.”

While contributing to the lead paper which was delivered Mrs Yemi Kolapo, National President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ladi Bala regetted the non passage of women related aspects of the reviewed Constitution by the National Assembly.

In her welcome address, General Manager of the station, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde said the lecture series was instituted to impact more the station’s immediate environment and the larger society.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

4 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

33 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

36 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.