Lere Olayinka Counters Sowore’s Court Claims, Says ‘Free Speech Isn’t a License for Defamation’

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, reacted to a post by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore regarding his ongoing legal battle with the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore had earlier taken to his X handle to share updates from a court hearing involving himself, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter). The activist revealed that the companies were dragged into the case over alleged defamatory posts — one of which labeled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) a criminal.

According to Sowore, Meta’s legal representative appeared to side with the DSS during the hearing, sparking online discussions about freedom of expression and digital censorship in Nigeria.

In response, Olayinka fired back on his own X page, emphasizing that freedom of speech does not include making unfounded criminal allegations against individuals.

The online exchange reignited public debate about free speech, accountability, and Nigeria’s cybercrime laws, particularly given Sowore’s history with the DSS following his 2019 #RevolutionNow movement.

As of now, neither side has escalated the matter further, but Nigerians are closely watching as the court proceedings unfold and the debate over digital rights continues.

Doctors shocked as they remove 29 spoons and 19 toothbrushes from patient’s stomach.

Doctors at Devnandani Hospital in India were taken aback when a 40-year-old man from Hapur was admitted with severe stomach pain.

Scans revealed an unusual sight, dozens of foreign objects, including steel spoons, toothbrushes, and pens, lodged inside his abdomen.

Doctors shocked as they remove 29 spoons and 19 toothbrushes from patient’s stomach
Doctors.

A surgical team led by Dr. Shyam Kumar carried out a five-hour operation, during which they removed a total of 50 items: 29 steel spoons, 19 toothbrushes, and two pens.

According to hospital staff, the incident came to light on September 17 after the patient’s family rushed him to the facility, reporting symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and weakness. The man is said to be recovering following the rare and shocking procedure.

“When we performed the ultrasound, X-ray and CT scan, we were stunned to see metallic and plastic objects inside his stomach. I have never seen so many foreign bodies in one patient,” Dr. Kumar reported to the media.

Officials revealed that the 40-year-old man from Hapur had a history of substance abuse and had recently been admitted to a de-addiction centre in Ghaziabad, about a month ago.

According to reports, the man became upset after being left at the centre and, in protest, began swallowing everyday objects. Speaking to reporters after his surgery, he admitted, “I would pick them up and go to the washroom to swallow them.”

Unusual habit of breaking off toothbrush heads
Doctors further disclosed that during the operation they discovered the heads of the spoons and toothbrushes had been broken off before ingestion, making the case even more unusual. The man is currently under observation as he recovers from the rare and dangerous ordeal.

FG Arraign Sowore Over Posts Against Bola Tinubu.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government on Tuesday arraigned a human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore was arraigned on a five-count charge for allegedly making false posts against President Tinubu to cause breakdown of law and order.

Sowore, publisher of the Sahara Reporters online newspaper, is in the courtroom of the Federal High Court Abuja, to answer charges of alleged involvement in cyber bullying, cyber stalking and making false claims about Tinubu.


The charges have X. Incorporation and Meta (Facebook) as two other defendants.

Sowore was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

National Emergency: PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike, Orders Full Shutdown of Oil & Gas Sector.

The industrial dispute has exploded into a national crisis. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has escalated its action against the Dangote Refinery into a full-blown nationwide strike, effective 12:01 AM on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The union has instructed all members across the oil and gas value chain to withdraw their services, effectively paralyzing the sector and simultaneously ensuring a complete cessation of supplies to the embattled Dangote Refinery.

The Timetable for the Shutdown
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) resolution lays out a phased, non-negotiable withdrawal of services, starting immediately:

Phase Timing Directive Impact
Phase 1 (Field) 6:00 AM, Sunday, September 28, 2025 All members in field locations must withdraw services, including control room, panel, and outfield operations. Halts critical production and monitoring activities, converting work sites into “24-hour prayer vigils.”
Phase 2 (Nationwide) 12:01 AM, Monday, September 29, 2025 All PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies must withdraw all services. Complete paralysis of administrative and technical services across the entire Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Export to Sheets

Targeting the Dangote Refinery
The strike order explicitly confirms PENGASSAN’s central demand by mandating a targeted shutdown of the Dangote facility:

Supply Cut: All processes that facilitate gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery “should be let off effectively immediately.”
IOC Compliance: All International Oil Company (IOC) branches are specifically instructed to “ramp down”gas production and supply to both the Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals plant.

The union stressed that no intervention will be entertained at field locations unless it involves a risk to personnel and assets, and even then, clearance must come from the National Secretariat.

In a dramatic move, the union included a spiritual element in its directive, instructing members to commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil.

The prayer point, according to the resolution, should be a call to God to “give courage to those in authority to rein in Dangote and his co-travelers on the need to obey the laws of our country.”

The union reaffirmed its hardline stance against the tycoon and his company with the powerful declaration: “No man is bigger than our country. An injury to one is an injury to all.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the start of campaigns for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections. Campaigns officially began on September 24, 2025, and will run until February 19, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s timetable.

INEC reminded political parties and candidates to avoid hate speech, violence, and destruction of opponents’ campaign materials. It also stressed that all parties must have equal access to public facilities and media, while the use of incumbency for advantage is prohibited.

The FCT area council elections are scheduled to hold on February 21, 2026.

TikTok’s CEO used to work for Mark Zuckerberg as a Facebook intern. Just one decade later, he’s become one of Meta’s fiercest competitors

NURTW official to face trial over alleged murder, assault in Lagos.

The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it would arraign a 55-year-old official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Samsideen Oladiti, popularly known as Shamelon, over his alleged involvement in two violent crimes on Lagos Island.

The offences, according to the police, involve a case of murder and another of assault causing harm. Oladiti is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba, for discreet investigation.

On September 17, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m., the suspect allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island, using a helmet and his fists to inflict serious injuries. The victim was rushed to the hospital, placed on oxygen, and is still receiving medical treatment.

The following day, at about 11:00 a.m., police said another complaint was lodged against Oladiti in connection with an incident on August 28, 2025. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike a man on the head and face, leaving him with severe wounds. Despite medical intervention, the victim was confirmed dead by a doctor on September 17. His body has since been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, who led officers to the scene of the incident, assured residents that the suspect is in custody and would face justice after investigations are concluded.Police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, also confirmed that the suspect would be arraigned once the investigation is completed.

Police Arrest NURTW Leader For Alleged Murder In Lagos |
Fintter

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Shamsideen Adio, popularly known as Shameleon, over allegations of assault and murder.

According to the Command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, the 55-year-old suspect is being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba, where investigations are ongoing.

Police said Adio allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island, inflicting serious injuries with a helmet and his fists. The victim remains on oxygen at the hospital.

In a separate case, Adio was accused of assaulting another man with a metallic ring during an August 28 altercation. The victim later died on September 17, and his body has been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

News of the man’s death sparked protests at Adio’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, where sympathisers of the deceased set two motorcycles ablaze. Police Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh led officers to the scene to restore calm.

Jimoh assured residents that the suspect is in custody and will face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations. He also appealed to the public to remain calm and law-abiding.

You are lucky Pres. Tinubu believes in the rule of law — Nyesom Wike  fires at Sowore Over his Tinubu ‘Criminal’ Remark.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for describing President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

On August 25, Sowore wrote on X: “This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The DSS later filed charges against him for defamation, accusing him of making “false” statements that violate Nigeria’s Cybercrimes and Terrorism Prevention laws. The agency also asked X and Meta to delete the post, calling it a threat to national security. Sowore refused, describing the DSS action as “despicable.”

Supporters under the Simplified Movement thronged Government House, Port Harcourt, from 6 a.m., bringing drums, flutes, and dance troupes in a show of solidarity. 

They included sacked local government chairmen and former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo. The crowd blocked Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, causing gridlock, but dispersed by midday when Fubara failed to show.

Fubara’s absence has fueled speculation. During the emergency period, he reportedly attended a peace meeting with Wike and Assembly members at Tinubu’s behest. 

According to TheCable, insiders said conditions included Fubara abandoning a second-term bid in 2027 and ceding power to Wike to nominate all 23 LGA chairmen. Although council polls were held last month, Fubara neither participated nor commented.

Nigerian soldier sentenced to d£ath by hanging.

A General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced a soldier of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Private Lukman Musa, to death by hanging for the murder of a tricycle (Keke) rider, Abdulrahman Isa, in Azare town, Bauchi State.

The court, presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, found Musa guilty of culpable homicide, murder, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to the prosecution, Musa, alongside an accomplice identified only as Oba, lured Isa to his residence under the guise of assisting him move personal items. Evidence revealed that Musa struck the victim on the head with a wooden object before strangling him to death. He later stuffed the body in a sack and dumped it between Shira and Yala villages, while Isa’s tricycle was sold.

The court also discovered that Musa was unlawfully in possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Delivering judgment, Gen. Bello condemned Musa’s conduct, describing it as “barbaric and heartless,” stressing that the act amounted to a grave violation of military values and the Army’s constitutional mandate to protect citizens.

“You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” Bello declared.

The court sentenced Musa to death by hanging on the charge of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 220 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 221. He was further sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on the count of unlawful possession of ammunition and dismissed from service with ignominy.

Speaking after the verdict, Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services, 3 Division, Major Aminu Mairuwa, said the judgment reflects the Army’s commitment to discipline and justice.

“This ruling signifies the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure that no personnel operates outside the law or laid down standard operating procedures,” Mairuwa stated.

Meta Unveils Next-Gen AI Glasses With Built-In Displays

Meta has expanded its smart eyewear lineup, unveiling new Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses that integrate artificial intelligence and augmented reality features, as the company continues its push toward the metaverse.

At the annual Meta Connect conference in Menlo Park, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Ray-Ban Display, billed as the company’s most advanced AI glasses yet. The device features built-in screens that project messages, photos, and apps directly into the wearer’s field of vision. It is paired with “neural bands” — sensor-equipped wristbands that allow users to control the glasses with subtle hand and finger gestures. The glasses will retail at $799.

“Our goal is to build great-looking glasses that deliver personal superintelligence and a feeling of presence using realistic holograms,” Zuckerberg said, describing AI glasses as the “next major computing platform” set to replace smartphones.

Meta also launched Oakley Meta Vanguard, performance-focused smart glasses designed for sports and fitness. Priced at $499, they include an action-ready camera, fitness app integration, and immersive audio.

Meanwhile, updated Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — starting at $379 — expand on Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban and Oakley. The glasses, already the world’s best-selling AI eyewear, now feature real-time translation, hands-free cameras, and AI-powered digital assistant functions.

Despite these innovations, Meta’s Reality Labs division continues to operate at a loss. It posted a $4.5 billion loss in Q2 2025 on revenues of just $370 million. Analysts say the push into AI eyewear is less about short-term profits and more about positioning Meta to break free from reliance on Apple and Google’s smartphone ecosystems.

The global smart glasses market, valued at nearly $2 billion in 2024, is projected to grow more than fourfold by the end of the decade, according to Grand View Research.

“AI glasses connect us to real-world superpowers as we move throughout the day, tapping into a wealth of information while staying present in the moment,” Meta said in a statement.

Source: AFP / Channels Television

UPDATED: DSS Sues Sowore, X, Meta Over Post About Tinubu
The DSS had on September 8, handed Sowore a one-week ultimatum to delete what it described as a ‘false, malicious, and inciting’ social media post about President Tinubu.

Immigration Officer in Court for Allegedly Tear-Gassing Neighbour’s Family in Adamawa.

‎An officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Daniel Daniran David, was arraigned before Upper Area Court II in Yola, Adamawa State, on Monday, facing charges of assault, public nuisance, and related offenses after allegedly attacking his neighbour’s family with tear gas.

‎The case, presided over by Hon. Japhet Ibrahim Basani, stems from a direct criminal complaint filed by Yusuf Adamu Ziradzo and his wife, Precious Ndogolare Yusuf, through their counsel, H.E. Turaso Esq. The complainants, who reside in the same compound as the defendant at Jifiya Suites in Jimeta, Yola North LGA, accused David of committing offenses under sections 153, 167, 217, 240, and 241 of the Adamawa State Penal Code.

‎According to the complainants, the incident occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on September 6, 2025. Precious noticed their compound’s main gate was open and went to close it, citing a previous robbery attempt. Later, when David returned and found the gate locked, he allegedly demanded to know who closed it. Upon learning it was Precious, the defendant reportedly went to the complainants’ window and sprayed tear gas into their bedroom, where the couple and their four children were sleeping.

‎The tear gas caused immediate distress, with the children coughing, sneezing, and running in panic. Yusuf described the chaotic scene, stating that the family rushed to a hospital for treatment. The children, traumatized by the incident, pleaded not to return home, having suffered shock from the ordeal.

‎When the charges were read to David, he pleaded not guilty. His counsel, D.S. Adebole Esq., applied for bail, assuring the court of a reliable surety. Hon. Basani granted the bail application and adjourned the case to September 25, 2025, for a report of settlement or the commencement of a full hearing.

‎The incident has sparked concern in the local community, raising questions about the conduct of public officials and the safety of residents in shared compounds.

Two Air Peace Pilots Test Positive For Alcohol, Cannabis After Port Harcourt Landing Mishap

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that two Air Peace pilots tested positive for alcohol and cannabis following a runway excursion at Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

A preliminary accident report, signed by NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, revealed that the Boeing 737 aircraft, operating a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 passengers on board, veered off Runway 21 after landing from an unstabilised approach.

The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres beyond the runway threshold and came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway.

Although no injuries or structural damage were recorded, the NSIB has launched a full investigation into the incident due to its serious safety implications.

According to the report, toxicological tests revealed that both the Captain and First Officer had recently consumed alcohol. Post-incident screenings returned positive results for Ethyl Glucuronide, a metabolic marker indicating recent alcohol intake.

Source: NSIB Preliminary Report

#AirPeace #AviationSafety #NSIB

Tinubu Loyalists Plot Attack On Sowore In Secret Meeting With Governor.

Two loyalists of President Bola Tinubu, with the involvement of a state governor, allegedly held a secret virtual meeting where they vowed to attack and “demobilise” SaharaReporters publisher and activist Omoyele Sowore for criticising Tinubu. The meeting, which reportedly took place ahead of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, shifted focus from UNGA preparations to Sowore, whom the loyalists accused of “rubbishing their leader.”

Sources revealed that the loyalists threatened to physically harm Sowore if the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to act against him. This comes after the DSS petitioned both X (formerly Twitter) and Meta to deactivate Sowore’s accounts over posts critical of the president.

Sowore, a long-time critic of successive Nigerian governments, has faced repeated arrests and intimidation but has vowed not to retract his comments.

#Tinubu #Sowore #Nigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) has written to Meta, parent company of Facebook, demanding the immediate takedown of activist Omoyele Sowore’s page and posts, which it described as “defamatory and dangerous.”

#DSS #Meta #Sowore

Nobody will see my corpse, I’m the strongest spiritual man after TB Joshua’ – Odumeje predicts own death.

General Overseer of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Onitsha, Prophet Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has stirred reactions with a new revelation about his life and ministry.

During a recent church service, the preacher declared that his time on earth is limited and that when his journey comes to an end, no one will ever see his body.

“I am the strongest spirtual man in the world, after the general ‘Emmanuel’ TB Joshua. We are not many, we are just two. One has done the job and has returned home, remaining the Lion Himself. The dead man. I don’t have much time to spend here. Nobody will see my corpse,” Odumeje said, stressing that his earthly assignment was not about longevity but about fulfilling a divine mandate.

According to him, his ministry was established to “clear people’s doubt about Jesus Christ,” pointing out that his central message is anchored on the supremacy of one God and one power.

“Our mission is to clear your doubt about Jesus Christ. Our mission is one God and one power, and that man is Jesus Christ,” he added.

The Onitsha-based cleric, who has gained nationwide attention for his unorthodox style of preaching and deliverance, is no stranger to controversy.

His dramatic demonstrations on the pulpit, bold prophecies, and unconventional statements have earned him both staunch supporters and strong critics.

Odumeje has often described himself as the “liquid metal,” “the war,” and “the indaboski bahose,” titles that have become catchphrases among his followers and online audiences.

An American lawyer who shares his name with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has sued Meta, saying the company wrongly kept blocking his account for impersonation. The attorney, Mark S Zuckerberg, is based in Indiana and has been practising bankruptcy law for nearly 38 years. He says Facebook has suspended his account five times in the past eight years,

Tech Billionaire Elon Musk absent as Trump Hosts Tech Leaders at White House Dinner.

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted top technology executives at the White House on Thursday night, in a high-profile dinner focused on boosting domestic investment and innovation. One notable absence was Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, once a close ally of Trump and former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Their relationship soured earlier this year after Musk dismissed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” as “idiotic,” warning it would worsen federal debt. The feud escalated when Musk accused Trump on X of concealing Jeffrey Epstein’s files.

Instead, the guest list featured Musk’s rivals and other industry leaders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Apple’s Tim Cook, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg were among those seated around Trump at the long table.

“This is taking our country to a new level,” Trump declared, describing his guests as “high IQ people.” He pressed executives on their U.S. investments, with Zuckerberg claiming Meta spends $600 billion annually, Cook citing the same figure for Apple, Pichai noting $250 billion from Alphabet, and Nadella pledging $80 billion from Microsoft.

Other attendees included IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Oracle’s Safra Catz, Google founder Sergey Brin, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman. Trump also welcomed Blue Origin CEO David Limp, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, Palantir’s Shyam Sankar, Scale AI’s Alexandr Wang, and Code. org president Cameron Wilson.

Trump, who has long courted Silicon Valley while also sparring with its leaders, used the event to boast about America’s AI progress and frame tech investment as a cornerstone of his economic agenda.

Meta said it will introduce more guardrails to its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots - including blocking them from talking to teens about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.