Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished literary figures and a trailblazer in broadcasting and sports, has passed away at the age of 95.  Her family announced that she died peacefully in the early hours of March 6, 2025. “It is with gratitude to God for a life well spent in the pursuit of excellence in Literature, Broadcasting and Sports that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun (nee Aig-Imoukhuede) in the early hours of the 6th of March 2025. She was 95 years old. Funeral arrangements will be…

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee has designated 17 individuals and organisations terrorism financiers. Those named on the list include: Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, and Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali. Others are Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, Ogomu Kewe, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Group. According to a document obtained from the committee on Thursday, the list was approved by the President upon the recommendation of the Attorney General of the Federation. “The Nigeria Sanctions Committee held a meeting on March 6, 2024,…

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules.  Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment, a claim the latter has denied. “That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.…

The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, has summoned blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for “criminal defamation” of the reputation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo. In the court summons dated March 5, 2025, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the defendant, VDM, to appear in person before the court on March 13, 2025, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant, Chinwo. The criminal summons stemmed from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of involvement in a contractual dispute and the purported diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record…

Renowned Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, is grieving the loss of his mother, Ifeoma Edith Ajibade.  The artist shared the sad news on Instagram, posting a heartfelt tribute alongside a touching photo of them together. In his emotional post, Mr Eazi expressed his gratitude to his mother for her unwavering support, sacrifices, and guidance throughout his life. He praised her for instilling in him valuable life lessons, including confidence, entrepreneurship, forgiveness, and the importance of family. Mr Eazi described his mother as his greatest protector, toughest critic, and truest fan. He acknowledged that while she may…

One of the civil servants, who were arrested in 2024 for allegedly stealing pension funds belonging to Abia State, Miriam Azubuike, has delivered a baby boy. The accused person, who has been in prison custody, delivered her baby in a government-owned hospital. Report says that the Abia State government reportedly took care of the medical bills of her delivery and some other post-delivery needs. Mrs Azubuike and some other defendants were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Umuahia for various charges but were granted bail in 2025 with different bail conditions. However, the defendants, including Mrs Azubuike, were unable…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has arrested a 52-year-old man, Anthony Chidi, for allegedly producing counterfeit alcoholic beverages at Mile 3 Market in Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Cyril Monye, the Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC’s South-South Zone, Chidi was caught in an unhygienic shop washing used bottles of various alcoholic beverage brands, which he refilled with substandard drinks and sold to unsuspecting consumers. Items recovered from the shop included dirty, empty bottles of different local and foreign alcoholic beverage brands, gallons and jars of ethanol,…

Nigerian military officers invaded the Ikeja Electric office in Lagos State on Thursday, following a dispute over power disconnection to an Air Force base. According to reports, armed military personnel forcibly entered Ikeja Electric’s office on Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, Lagos. Video evidence showed uniformed personnel carrying weapons and halting operations at the premises. Multiple staff members were allegedly forced to kneel while others were reportedly assaulted during the incident. The confrontation reportedly stems from Ikeja Electric’s disconnection of power to the Nigerian Air Force base in Ikeja two weeks prior, as sources indicate that the disconnection resulted…

An Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court has adjourned the case against popular Musician Habeeb Okikiola a.k.a Portable, to March 26 to enable the prosecution merge his charges with those of his workers. When the case against the artist resumed on Wednesday after his earlier arraignment on Feb. 20, the prosecution told the court that it would be a waste of the court’s time to hear the case of Portable and that of his workers separately. Mr. Timileyin Oredein, Senior State Counsel, told the court that Portable’s case had a sister case, which needed to be merged before trial begins. Oredein reminded the…

The Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), to appear before it within 48 hours regarding the conduct of the 2024 local government elections. During Wednesday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the House warned that failure to comply with the summons would result in the issuance of an arrest warrant against the RSIEC Chairman. The Assembly also resolved to formally request Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of all commissioners who were not screened by the Amaewhule-led Assembly. RSIEC, on Wednesday, scheduled August 9,…