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#FreeVDM: Protesters storm GTBank Abuja headquarters, demand VeryDarkMan’s release

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Protesters in Abuja have stormed the headquarters of Guaranty Trust Bank to demand the release of social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.

The demonstrators, who gathered in large numbers on Monday, chanted “#FreeVDM” while holding placards with inscriptions such as “Activism is not a sin”, “VDM is the masses’ liberator”, and “VDM has committed no offence”.

Recall that VeryDarkMan was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations of cyberstalking.

The arrest has sparked outrage online and raised questions about the bank’s alleged complicity in what critics describe as a targeted crackdown.

According to his legal representative, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan was ambushed by EFCC operatives inside the GTBank premises.

Denying the claim and releasing CCTV footage, the bank stated that the social media influencer was not picked up on its premises, and urged that further investigations be conducted.

In the video, VDM is seen leaving the banking hall and heading towards the car park moments before his arrest.

However, the footage does not capture the actual arrest, most likely because the security cameras did not cover that specific area outside the bank.

Recall that in May 2024, he was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts of cyberstalking.

The charges stemmed from alleged online harassment of the Nigeria Police Force and Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until his bail hearing.

Later in November 2024, he faced fresh charges of impersonation before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecutors accused him of unlawfully dressing as a police officer and presenting himself as one.

He again pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million.

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VIDEO: Tears As Students’s Hostel Collapses

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A building collapse occurred at Pentagon Lodge near the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State on Friday.

Students witnessed the incident, with one student captured on video expressing concern over the lodge’s collapse, saying, “See my lodge is falling, all my properties are inside.

”A video clip of the incident, seen by Naija News House , showed the moment the three-storey building collapsed.

As of the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether there were causalities as details of the collapse are still emerging.

A student, also said that students in that particular lodge had earlier noticed the cracks on the walls and some had already moved out of the facility before the collapse.

“Only properties inside the building are likely those of students that traveled out of the town,” the source said.

Recently there were reports of building collapses in Ebonyi State, including a three-storey building under construction near the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital.

In the construction building collapse, two persons were trapped and later rescued, with one labourer escaping due to stepping out to wash his hands before the collapse.

Sequel to the building collapses, the Ebonyi State government had established a special investigative committee to determine the causes of such incidents and prevent future occurrences.

The committee’s findings and recommendations aim to improve building standards and enforcement in the state.

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FG denies 12 Years Minimum Entry Age Into JSS1

Boriowo urged the public and education stakeholders to disregard any contrary claims.

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The Federal Government has debunked a report claiming that the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) has been raised to 12 years.

The Ministry of Education Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, made this known via a statement issued on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Boriowo said the report was inaccurate, noting that it did not come from any official source and did not reflect government policy.Boriowo stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, the minimum age for admission into JSS1 remains 10 years.

“No child should complete primary education below the age of 10.”

Boriowo urged the public and education stakeholders to disregard any contrary claims.

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NGE Mandates Media Organizations to set up fact-check desks in the newsroom to Fight Fake News

During the workshop, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot and the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, said that newsroom managers should acquire the skills and tools for fact-checking as a way to arrest fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

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Editors under the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have resolved today to henceforth set up a fact-check desk in their various newsrooms as a measure to tackle fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

The decision was reached on the occasion of a one-day workshop organised by the European Union (EU) NGE in Lagos on Thursday.

The editors said that having a Fact-Check Desk would help media organisations verify news hints, with the view to publishing only accurate information.

Other key decisions taken at the end of the workshop include:

Media organizations should organise trainings for their newsroom managers and line editors on fact-checking.

The Guild should set up disinformation counter groups across its zonal structures, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Media organizations should collaborate and reach out to each other to verify information.

Media organisations should look at the quality of their Online Editors to ensure that experienced and well-grounded journalists man the position.

The Guild should use other of its bigger platforms to address issues bordering on fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

During the workshop, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot and the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, said that newsroom managers should acquire the skills and tools for fact-checking as a way to arrest fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

Mignot said that the EU was taking a multi-pronged approach to address the threats posed by misleading information, which he described as a “danger to democracy and public trust.

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