Tinubu Pardons Maryam Sanda Six Years After Conviction For Killing Husband

Tinubu Pardons Maryam Sanda Six Years After Conviction For Killing Husband

President Bola Tinubu has granted a state pardon to Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute in Abuja. The president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the clemency on Saturday, revealing that Sanda, 37, had regained her freedom after serving six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. Onanuga explained that the decision followed appeals from her family, who said her release would allow her to properly care for her two young children. He added that her remorse and good conduct in custody also influenced the president’s decision. In January 2020, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court found Sanda guilty of culpable homicide, ruling that she fatally stabbed her husband during an argument at their home. The court concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The victim, Bilyaminu Bello, was the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Haliru Bello. Sanda was first arraigned in November 2017 and granted bail on health grounds in 2018 after several failed attempts. Her trial lasted more than two years, marked by frequent adjournments and changes in her legal team. She is among 175 inmates who benefited from President Tinubu’s latest round of clemency and sentence reductions approved earlier this week.  

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Dave Umahi Claps Back At Makinde Over Comments On Lagos-Calabar Highway Cost

Minister of Works David Umahi has responded strongly to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s criticism of the cost per kilometre of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying the governor misunderstood the technical and financial details behind the project. During an inspection of the Keffi Bridge and Nasarawa–Toto Road projects on Saturday with Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Umahi said the project’s cost was based on internationally accepted engineering standards and should not be turned into a political talking point. Governor Makinde had, in a viral video on Friday, accused Umahi of “dancing around” the figures, saying the Ministry of Works was not being transparent enough about the project’s cost structure. In his response, Umahi described Makinde as “a brother and friend” but said it was wrong to make such comments publicly without understanding the technical background. “I heard that my brother and friend, Governor Makinde, said something about the cost per kilometre. I don’t want to join issues with him,” he said. “He’s an engineer, while I’m an electrical engineer — and this road construction matter, ‘elect-elect no reach there’.” Umahi continued, “I’m his senior both in governance and in engineering practice. So, anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask. I respect him a lot, but he should withdraw the statement that I’m dancing around. I never danced around anything. If he insists, he should come for a debate — that’s very important.” Clarifying the figures, the minister explained that the “cost per kilometre” can be expressed in two ways — as an estimated cost and as an average cost — both of which serve different purposes. “The estimated cost includes contingencies and variations that may not eventually be used. When the project is completed and you remove those, what remains is the actual cost,” he said. Umahi also mocked those who sought clarification from Artificial Intelligence on the issue, saying AI’s response backed his explanation. “When someone who doesn’t understand the topic goes to ask AI about the difference between estimated and average cost, I’m glad AI confirmed exactly what I said,” he remarked. He further noted that practical field experience in engineering qualifies as expertise, saying, “The National Universities Commission recognizes that a person can become a professor through practical experience. I believe God has made me one in field engineering — and that’s not something anyone can take away.”  

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Peter Okoye Fires Back At Foreigner Who Criticized His $60 Tip In US Restaurant

Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has called out a foreign woman who criticized him over the amount he tipped at a restaurant in the United States. The woman, identified as Sandra, reportedly messaged him to complain after seeing his $1,000 bill, accusing him of leaving too small a tip. She wrote, “How you come eat, come in hella late and chill at a restaurant. Your bill was A THOUSAND dollars and leave SIXTY dollars tip? Ridiculous. No wonder people hate y’all.” An irritated Peter Okoye shared a screenshot of her message on his social media, writing across it: “Sometimes eh! Dis oyinbos na dem no get sense! Una dey craze for dis Yankee aswear for my own money again!” He later posted the screenshot on X, captioning it: “Wait oh! For my own money again! E bi like say una done dey mad for dis Yankee😏.” The exchange has since gone viral, with many Nigerians supporting Peter for defending himself against what they described as “Western entitlement,” while others weighed in on the cultural differences surrounding tipping.

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Crypto Investor Kostya Kudo Found Dead In Lamborghini Amid Market Meltdown

Ukrainian Crypto Blogger Kostya Kudo Found Dead In Lamborghini After Market Crash

Ukrainian crypto investor and popular blogger Konstantin Galish, better known by his online alias Kostya Kudo, was found dead in a Lamborghini in Kyiv on Saturday, shortly after a major crash hit the global cryptocurrency market. Reports from Ukrainian media stated that the 32-year-old’s body was discovered in the Obolon district of the capital. His death came just a day after Bitcoin, Ethereum, and several other digital currencies suffered severe losses following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 100 per cent tariff on “any and all critical software” imports from China. A post on Galish’s official Telegram channel confirmed his passing and said authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Binance Square, a social platform for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, reported that Galish died by suicide. News of his death has sent shockwaves through the crypto community, with many users taking to social media to pay tribute and express sorrow over the loss of the influential investor.  

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World Cup Ticket Final Battle: Eagles, Cheetahs Arrive Uyo for Big Showdown

The delegations of Nigeria and Benin Republic are scheduled to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 10 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Nigeria’s Super Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday to put themselves firmly in contention for the lone automatic ticket from Group C, while table-topping Benin Republic scored late against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali to pick up the maximum points and maintain their three-point lead on their West African neighbours. Three-time African champions Nigeria fly from the South African city of Polokwane to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet Airline airplane, just as the Cheetahs’ delegation will arrive about the same time at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport. Goals by Captain William Ekong (from the penalty spot) and debutant Jerome Akor Adams earned Nigeria the three points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, and the Super Eagles, 2024 AFCON runners-up, now need a two-goal win over the neighbours to the west (plus South Africa failing to beat Rwanda in Nelspruit on the same day) to bag the only automatic ticket from Group C to North America. The circumstances are much like they were in 2001 and 2009. On both occasions, Nigeria eventually scaled through to the global finals. After away losses to Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Super Eagles were in a precarious situation and needed to win their three remaining matches. They started with a 2-0 defeat of leaders Liberia in Port Harcourt, made easy meat of Sudan 4-0 in Omdurman and then trounced Ghana’s Black Stars 3-0 in Port Harcourt to qualify for Korea/Japan 2002. In 2009, Tunisia led for most of the series, and only an added-time goal by Obinna Nsofor against Mozambique in Abuja kept Nigeria in the hunt until the final day. On that final day, Nigeria needed to beat Kenya in Nairobi and for Tunisia not to win in Maputo against Mozambique. The Eagles edged the Harambee Stars 3-2 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani while Mozambique earned a late goal against Tunisia. The ambitious Cheetahs, now on 17 points, are coached by Franco-German tactician Gernot Rohr, who qualified and led Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar will be referee for Tuesday’s explosive battle, with his compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed Tawfik Ali and Mahmoud Moustafa Elbana in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official. Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor; Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner and; Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will work as security officer.

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Macron Reappoints Lecornu As Prime Minister Days After Resignation

French President Emmanuel Macron has reinstated Sébastien Lecornu as prime minister, just days after accepting his resignation following the sudden collapse of his short-lived government. In a statement on Friday, the presidency confirmed the decision, saying Macron had reappointed Lecornu and instructed him to form a new government. Taking to X, Lecornu acknowledged France’s deep political divisions and vowed to restore stability. “We must put an end to this political crisis that is exasperating the French people and to this instability that is detrimental to France’s image and its interests,” he wrote. Lecornu’s initial appointment had already stirred controversy. After unveiling his first cabinet on Sunday, backlash erupted both inside and outside his camp. By Monday morning, he resigned, and Macron accepted. Yet in a dramatic turnaround, the president later tasked him with leading consultations with opposition leaders to find his replacement. After two days of intense talks, Macron decided to bring him back — a move that highlights the growing political uncertainty surrounding his administration. Reactions were swift and fierce. Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called the decision “a bad joke, a democratic disgrace, and a humiliation for the French people.” Marine Le Pen demanded new elections, saying Lecornu’s return proved “Macron’s contempt for voters.” On the far left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon mocked the reappointment, writing, “Macron can do nothing other than Macron.” France is currently battling a budget crisis and rising comparisons to Italy’s pattern of unstable governments. Determined to avoid further turmoil, Lecornu pledged to build a more inclusive administration and promised that issues raised in consultations would now face open parliamentary debate. He also introduced a new condition for ministers — anyone joining his cabinet must abandon any presidential ambitions before the 2027 election. “All ambitions are legitimate and useful,” he wrote, “but those who join the government must commit to disengaging themselves from the presidential ambitions for 2027.” The rule could exclude several key figures from both sides of the political divide. Lecornu’s earlier cabinet had already faced criticism for being dominated by Macron loyalists, despite promises of political renewal.  

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Phyna Says Grief Has No Timetable After Facing Backlash Over Moving On Quickly Following Sister’s Death

Phyna, Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, has addressed criticism over appearing to move on quickly after the death of her sister, Ruth. A video showing her at a nightclub with actress Regina Daniels shortly after the burial drew backlash online, with some accusing her of being insensitive. On X, Phyna shared a heartfelt message: “Grief has no manual, no fixed face, and no timetable. The fact that I choose to keep living, smiling, or sharing moments does not erase the pain I carry. Respect the process, even if you do not understand it. If you cannot extend compassion, then at least extend silence.” Her words underscore that grieving is deeply personal, and outward expressions of life and joy don’t erase the pain she feels. The backlash highlights society’s tendency to judge public figures for how they mourn. While some defended her right to process grief on her own terms, others criticized her actions. Phyna has also voiced dissatisfaction with Dangote Group over her sister’s burial, accusing the company of negligence and insensitivity. Her response shows her determination to navigate grief in her own way while remaining resilient under public scrutiny.

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Singer, Crayon Grieves Mother’s Passing With Emotional Tribute

Nigerian singer Crayon, born Charles Chibueze Chukwu, is in mourning after the death of his mother, Evelyn Chukwu, on July 4, 2025. Sharing a deeply emotional tribute on social media, Crayon described the day as “the darkest day of my life,” revealing the profound impact of her passing. In a photo showing him holding a microphone in front of his mother’s casket, he wrote: “July 4th was the darkest day of my life. I lost my soldier, my backbone, my angel and my pillar. My best friend, the best woman I have ever loved, my favorite person in the world — I lost my mum. I spoke to you the days before and like you always do every new month, you prayed for me. I didn’t know that would be your last prayer. You sounded so healthy and like nothing was wrong. Only for my whole world to suddenly crumble right in front of me.” He recalled that his mother had sounded healthy just days before her passing and had prayed for him, as she did every month. The shock of losing her so suddenly left him devastated. “Ah mummy, seeing you lie lifeless on that hospital bed broke me to pieces — it was my greatest fear. I can’t believe that’s the last image of you I’m ever going to have. You always said we should never question God, but that’s all I’ve done since that day. Mummy I don ask God why tire! Why now? Why you? Why me? Why us? How?” he wrote, expressing the pain and disbelief of seeing his mother in her final moments. Reflecting on the family’s struggles, Crayon added: “Wetin come be the reason why I dey ginger? After all the suffer wey we don suffer for decades, na now wey God don bless us, you come die leave me? Wetin come be the need? Wetin the struggle come mean? Now wey you suppose dey eat the fruits of your labor ehn! Four days to my birthday you die leave me ehn mummy. Naso we go celebrate? Ehnn my sweetheart? Naso? I literally watched you carry the family’s burden for so many years and you still pulled through, ahh my warrior! What is the essence of life? What is good or bad? So many questions I will never get answers to. I will never be the same, I’m scarred for life.” Despite the heartbreak, Crayon vowed to honor his mother’s legacy and continue supporting his family: “Nothing will ever be the same. Every milestone I hit will never be the same, every achievement will never be the same. This is an everlasting scar I’m never going to heal from. My angel as we lay you to rest today, I know you’d want me to be strong, and to keep pushing. I promise to take care of Naza, and the rest of the family. I love you so much and I miss you every day! I will never say goodbye because I know you are living through me and you are always with me. Thank you for everything my beautiful mummy. Till we meet again my angel. RIP, EVELYN CHUKWU.” Crayon’s tribute highlights the deep bond he shared with his mother, the shock of losing her suddenly, and his commitment to carry forward her love and strength in every milestone he reaches.

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