Ogun Court Dismisses KWAM 1’s Bid To Halt Awujale Selection Process

An Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode on Monday dismissed an application by Fuji musician Otunba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to halt the selection process of the next Awujale. Ayinde, from the Fidipote ruling house, had approached the court to challenge why only the Fusengbuwa ruling house was being considered to produce the next Awujale. He filed the suit against Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, asking the court to stop the installation process pending the outcome of his lawsuit. Other respondents in the case, filed as HC3/238/2025, include the Executive Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Secretary to Ijebu-Ode Local Government, and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council. Justice A. A. Omoniyi ruled that the application lacked merit and refused to grant an interim injunction to stop the selection of the new Awujale. However, the court scheduled an accelerated hearing, with proceedings set to begin on January 14, 2026. Ayinde’s lawsuit claims that the succession process violates the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and infringes on his constitutional rights. In response to the legal challenge, the state government temporarily halted the Awujale selection process. Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, explained that the suspension was due to procedural errors, noting that the government intends to strictly follow the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law in the installation of the Awujale.

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Asake Expresses Heartbreak, Pledges Accountability After Fan Dies at Nairobi Concert

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake has issued a heartfelt statement following the tragic death of a fan at his December 20 concert in Nairobi. The incident, which occurred during a crowd crush at the venue, claimed the life of Karen Lojore and left many in mourning. Taking to Instagram, Asake wrote: “I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place at the festival on Dec 20th in Nairobi. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore, and I pledge to support and do my best to understand what happened. Those responsible should be held accountable. Music has always been my way of sharing love and joy, and it breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss. My thoughts are with everyone grieving, and I pray that Karen rests in peace. God Bless Kenya.” The singer’s statement reflects his shock and sorrow, as well as his commitment to ensure accountability for those involved. Event organizers have also expressed condolences and vowed to cooperate with authorities to investigate the tragedy and improve safety measures for future events. The heartbreaking incident has sparked widespread discussion about concert safety and the need for stricter crowd management.

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Nollywood Actress Anita Joseph Confirms End Of Five-Year Marriage To MC Fish

Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Anita Joseph has officially confirmed the end of her marriage, putting months of speculation to rest. On her Instagram page, the actress revealed that her five-year marriage to Michael Fisayo Olagunju, popularly known as MC Fish, has come to an end. Sharing the news, she wrote: “Life has a way of testing our strength in ways we never expect, especially in marriage… Lately, I’ve been walking through a season of deep reflection, pain, and healing. I may not have all the answers, but I’m choosing grace, growth, and faith — one step at a time. 🌙 Calling a spade a spade, my marriage is over 🙏 ogbugianyi! Omere ka Anyi Mara ihe! Shallom!! #Elroiknowsseesme #Elroiknowsme #faithoverfear”

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Two Suspected ISWAP Terrorists Arrested In Lagos, Residents On Edge

Tension has risen in Lagos after the arrest of two men suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP. The suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were reportedly picked up on Sunday, December 21, by operatives of the State Security Service. A security source with knowledge of the operation said the arrests took place around 8:45 a.m. in the Apapa area of the state. Both men are said to be in custody and are currently being questioned by security officials. Investigations indicated that the arrests were based on intelligence suggesting the suspects had recently moved from Nigeria’s insurgency-affected North-east region to Lagos. Attempts to get official confirmation from the SSS were unsuccessful, as a member of the agency’s media unit said the matter had not yet been formally brought to their attention. Since the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the SSS has largely limited public communication, explaining that the approach is aimed at safeguarding operational efficiency. As of the time of this report, authorities have not disclosed the reason for the suspects’ presence in Lagos, and there is no immediate indication of planned attacks in the city. However, security experts have cautioned that ISWAP has been exploring ways to expand its operations beyond its usual bases in the North-east, a development that continues to raise concerns nationwide.

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Super Eagles AFCON 2023 Squad Collect National Honours, Housing And Land Documents

Members of Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad that finished as runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations have formally received their national honours certificates alongside official documents for the houses and land allocations approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The presentation was carried out on December 22, 2025, at the team’s hotel in Fez, Morocco, just ahead of the Super Eagles’ opening fixture in the new AFCON qualifying series. President Tinubu had announced the reward package in recognition of Nigeria’s second-place finish at the AFCON tournament staged in Côte d’Ivoire between January and February 2024. The handover ceremony was led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko. In attendance were the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi; Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale; President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mrs. Nathan-Mash; officials of the Nigerian High Commission; and Mallam Saleh Amadu. Dikko disclosed that most of the players were conferred with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). He added that Ahmed Musa and Victor Osimhen were awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) due to their prior receipt of the MON. Team captain William Troost-Ekong received the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) following his emergence as Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023. According to Dikko, all presidential approvals covering national honours, housing allocations in Abuja or Lagos, and land grants in Abuja have been completed, with allocation letters already issued to the beneficiaries. He also revealed that similar reward packages approved for the Super Falcons and Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have been processed. While national honours certificates and house title documents are ready for collection, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation are finalising arrangements to credit the cash rewards, valued at $100,000 per player, directly into recipients’ bank accounts. The development reflects a renewed commitment to structured athlete welfare and fulfillment of official promises as the Super Eagles turn their attention fully to the ongoing AFCON qualification campaign.

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Gaming Icon And Call Of Duty Co-Creator Vince Zampella Dies In Auto Crash

Vince Zampella, a leading force in the video game industry and one of the minds behind the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, has died after being involved in a car accident, U.S. media reports have confirmed. NBC4 reported that the developer and studio executive died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari along a scenic roadway north of Los Angeles. Zampella’s career spanned decades and produced some of the most commercially successful titles in gaming history. He was widely recognised for co-creating Call of Duty and for founding Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind popular franchises such as Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series. Zampella entered the gaming industry in the 1990s as a designer on shooter games before co-founding Infinity Ward in 2002. The studio released the first Call of Duty title in 2003, a game that went on to redefine the first-person shooter genre. Infinity Ward was later acquired by Activision. After a public and contentious exit from Activision, Zampella launched Respawn Entertainment in 2010. The studio quickly established itself as a major player in the industry and was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017. During his time at EA, Zampella also took on the responsibility of steering the revival of the Battlefield franchise, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential figures in modern shooter game development.

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US Announces Partial Visa Ban On Nigerians Effective January 1, 2026

The United States has announced a partial halt to visa issuance for Nigerian citizens, with the new restriction set to take effect from January 1, 2026, under Presidential Proclamation 10998. The U.S. Department of State said the measure affects several nonimmigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas as well as F, M and J visas issued to students and exchange programme participants. In addition, most immigrant visa categories are covered by the suspension, though a number of exemptions have been outlined. Nigeria is one of 19 countries named in the directive. Others on the list include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” allows exceptions for certain groups. These include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not affected by the policy, Special Immigrant Visa applicants linked to U.S. government service, selected international sports participants, and lawful permanent residents. U.S. authorities clarified that the suspension applies only to individuals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not already have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. Visas issued before that date will remain valid and will not be cancelled under the new rule. The State Department also noted that applicants from affected countries can still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but final approval may be denied under the new entry restrictions.

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Harrison Gwamnishu Breaks Silence After Release From Police Custody

Rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has spoken out following his release from police custody, clarifying that he voluntarily presented himself for investigation and has not been charged. In a heartfelt message, he expressed gratitude to supporters, commended the police for their professionalism, and thanked his legal team for their dedication. Sharing a video of himself getting a haircut, Gwamnishu wrote: “Dear Family, I am pleased to inform you all that I have been released from custody. Words cannot express how grateful I am for your support, especially considering that many of you had not yet heard my own side of what truly happened. For clarity, I was neither invited nor arrested by the Police. As a law-abiding citizen, I voluntarily presented myself for investigation regarding the incident. At the moment, I have not been charged, as the matter is still under review by the Directorate of Public Prosecution. I sincerely appreciate every one of you. I will take time to personally thank you all for standing by me. My special appreciation goes to my lawyers, Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN, Barr. Dele Igbinedion, Barr. Favour Ajuebor and Barr. Awele Ideal for their professionalism and dedication in securing my release. Despite my many years of advocating against police brutality, one might have assumed the Police would be hostile towards me. Instead, I am grateful to the Edo State Commissioner of Police for his wisdom and professionalism. I must also commend the hardworking investigation team led by CSP Osagie for their care and fatherly guidance during my time in detention. Thank you all once again for being part of my journey. Harrison Gwamnishu Founder, Safe City Volunteer Foundation” The activist’s message highlights his relief at regaining freedom, his appreciation for the support he received, and the respectful treatment he experienced during the investigation, reinforcing his commitment to advocacy and community service.

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