News
ALLEGED DEFAMATION: Court Grants Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan bail
… As Trial begins September 2
Nigerian Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja, over alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

This is the second arraignment for similar charges, as she was also arraigned on June 19, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
Like in the previous arraignment, the Kogi Central Senator has pleaded not guilty to what she is being accused of.

A six-count charge against her stems from statements she allegedly made during a live television broadcast on April 3, 2025, and in a telephone conversation on March 27, 2025.
The Federal Government, through the Attorney General’s office accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of claiming that Akpabio and Bello conspired to orchestrate her assassination.
She is also accused of making statements regarding the alleged use of organs from a deceased individual for Akpabio’s wife.

The government contends that she made these imputations knowingly or with reason to believe they would harm the reputations of Akpabio and Bello, an act deemed to be criminal.
At her arraignment on June 19, she pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety. The prosecution had initially requested her remand in a correctional facility, which was opposed by her legal team.
At the Federal High Court, however, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been granted bail on self-recognition, being a serving Senator. The judge, Muhammed Umar, then fixed September 22 for the start of trial.
Similarly, Akpoti-Uduaghan has also filed a suit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate, and a ruling on that matter, along with contempt proceedings, is expected on July 4, 2025. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court is presiding over that particular case.
News
JUST IN: Mob Sets BRT Bus Ablaze After Motorcyclist’s Death in Lagos
An angry mob has set a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus on fire after it reportedly crushed a commercial motorcyclist to death at Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026. Eyewitness accounts and social media reports indicate that the motorcyclist was riding alone along the restricted BRT lane when the collision happened. He died at the scene.
Enraged residents and youths then attacked the bus driver and set the vehicle ablaze. Police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), who were nearby, intervened promptly and rescued the driver unharmed.
The identity of the deceased motorcyclist and the exact circumstances of the crash had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report. It was also unclear whether any arrests had been made in connection with the burning of the bus.
News
ARISE News Wins Seven Honours At Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
• ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female)
ARISE News has emerged as one of the major winners at the just ended Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA).
ARISE News won seven honours across television broadcasting, news reporting, presentation and production during the ceremony.
The awards recognised the network’s achievements in television journalism and programming, with ARISE News winning the Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) category.
The network’s flagship breakfast programme, The Morning Show, also won the Best TV Talk Show award, further strengthening its recognition in television broadcasting.
ARISE News Anchor and host of What’s Trending Ojy Okpe was named Best Newscaster (TV – Female).
Rufai Oseni was named Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Male), while Vimbai Mutinhiri-Ekpeyong received the Nigerian Broadcaster of the Year (Female) award.
The recognition extended to the network’s newsroom, with Ovieteme George winning Best TV News Reporter (Male) for his contributions to television news reporting.
Behind the camera, Sam Adeyemi received the Best Camera Operator/Cinematographer award, recognising his work in television production and visual storytelling.
News
Meta removes 3.7 million accounts in West Africa scam crackdown
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups linked to suspected scam networks operating in West Africa.
The joint operation led to 28 arrests, identified more than 30 suspected scam centres and rescued 117 people allegedly trafficked and forced to work in scam compounds in Ghana.
The company announced the crackdown in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It involved 14 technology companies and law enforcement agencies from 10 countries.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency coordinated the operation with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies. Nigerian authorities were involved.
Other countries included Ghana, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India.Tech companies that took part included Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Coinbase, Starlink and Adobe.
Meta said the partnership let participants share intelligence across digital platforms, countries and financial systems to identify criminal networks.
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