Zambian-American Influencer Sentenced to 18 Months for Hate Speech Against President Hichilema




Ethel Chisono Edwards, a 42-year-old Zambian-American influencer known online as “One Boss Lady,” has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for hate speech against Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Edwards, an estate agent based in New York, was arrested three months ago upon arrival at Lusaka’s main airport for her grandmother’s funeral. She pleaded guilty and apologised in court, acknowledging that her comments—published online using a computer system—were unlawful and motivated by hatred. Her lawyer highlighted her remorse and philanthropic contributions, including sponsorship of a girls’ football team. Magistrate Webster Milumbe said the sentence was intended to deter the rising trend of hate speech. The case, prosecuted under Zambia’s new Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes laws, has sparked national debate over free expression. Edwards’ sentence is effective from the date of her arrest, and her legal team has yet to confirm whether she will appeal.

Alleged defamation: You’ve three days to apologise or be sued – Akpabio warns Pearse.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has threatened to sue a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos state, Adetokunbo Pearse, over what he described as false and defamatory statements made against him during a live broadcast on Arise Television.

Akpabio, in a demand letter dated October 7, 2025, and signed by his legal representatives, S. I. Ameh (SAN) & Co., alleged that Pearse made reckless and malicious comments intended to damage his reputation.

He ordered Pearse to issue a public apology and retraction within three days or face legal proceedings for defamation and criminal incitement.

The letter, titled “Demand for Immediate Retraction and Public Apology for Defamatory Publication Against Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON,” stated that during a political segment on Arise TV on October 4, 2025, Pearse made unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, manipulation, and criminality against the Senate President.

“If we get more women in the National Assembly and we have a Senate President like Akpabio, what is the point?

“The National Assembly we have now is a rubber-stamp assembly. Any president who wants to manipulate it can do so. And this one is actually manipulating it to the detriment of progress for Nigerians.

“Akpabio should not be President of the Senate. He’s a criminal; he shouldn’t be there. He has cases in the EFCC, millions that he stole when he was governor… If he has criminal cases, let him go and answer them. There’s no way a man like that should be there in the first place,” Pearse had said.

The Senate President’s legal team described the comments as false in every material particular, stating that the remarks were made with total disregard for the truth and in bad faith.

They argued that the statements were intended to portray their client as a corrupt and dishonest politician, thereby exposing him to public ridicule and hatred.

Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardon to Late Major General Mamman Vatsa

The family of Major General Mamman Vatsa has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu following the posthumous pardon of the celebrated poet and senior military officer, nearly 39 years after his execution.

Vatsa, executed in 1986 after being convicted by a secret military tribunal for allegedly plotting a coup against then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, was finally cleared through the exercise of presidential clemency, alongside Herbert Macaulay and other notable figures.

In a statement from Minna, Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, family spokesperson and former state Commissioner for Information, described the pardon as “the greatest moment of relief since the general’s death.”

He said:

“Today is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle. Though nothing can bring him back to life, the family is consoled by this display of statesmanship by our dear president. He has written his name in gold, and history will forever remember him.”


Jonathan emphasized that the family has long maintained Vatsa’s innocence, calling the coup charge a “frame-up” and the trial a “stage-managed process” fueled by envy and hatred. He added:

“Justice can never be denied but can only be delayed. The family is convinced that the late Vatsa must be happy in his grave today by this singular act of compassion by President Tinubu. This goes to show that truth doesn’t expire.”


He also recalled that General Domkat Bali, a member of the military council at the time, had publicly questioned the evidence against Vatsa and whether execution was justified.

While some of Vatsa’s closest relatives, including his wife and several children, are no longer alive to witness the pardon, the surviving family members celebrated being part of this historic moment.

“The family still maintains that the late General Vatsa was innocent of the coup. But we thank President Tinubu for his magnanimity in granting him the state pardon,” Jonathan concluded.

Court detains Scott Iguma for accusing real estate firm of fraud.

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of popular activist and influencer Scott Iguma in custody until Monday, July 21, over allegations of criminal defamation against real estate firm, PWAN Group.

Iguma, who commands a following of over one million on Instagram, was arraigned on Thursday after being arrested on Wednesday at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.

Iguma is facing a 10-count charge bordering on false publication and criminal defamation, allegedly made using his social media platform to accuse PWAN of fraudulent real estate practices.

In a series of posts reportedly made on May 27 and 28, 2025, Iguma claimed that PWAN:

Collected payments from investors without allocating land,
Was a company that “sells receipts instead of land”, and
Allegedly called PWAN’s founder “the leader of the thieves.”
He also posted:

“If anything happens to me, PWAN should be number 1 suspect. If anything happens to my family, nuclear and extended, hold PWAN responsible, even if I fall sick, hold PWAN responsible.”

The Nigeria Police, represented in court by ASP A.O. Nwabuisi, stated that Iguma’s posts were false, inciting, and posed a threat to public order and personal safety. They argued that the content contravened Section 24 (1)(b) and is punishable under Section 24 (2)(ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, recently amended in 2024.

The police claim that Iguma’s online accusations were made with the intent to damage the reputation of PWAN and to incite public hatred and unrest.

Iguma’s legal team pushes back
Reacting to his remand, a post on his verified Instagram handle @scott_iguma criticised the Nigeria Police for what it called an abuse of power.

“The Nigerian Police Force has again towed the path of illegality by detaining our client, Mr Scott Iguma, today for purportedly defaming PWAN,” the statement read.

The statement further argued that:

Defamation is no longer a criminal offence in Lagos State, following the 2011 Lagos State Criminal Law which decriminalised it.
The police have no legal basis to detain Iguma over the civil matter.
The case is an example of “using law enforcement for intimidation.”

The post also alleged that PWAN had influenced the police, claiming:

“PWAN used the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yaba Panti, to detain Scott Iguma.”

The court adjourned the matter to Monday, July 21, 2025, for hearing on Iguma’s bail application and further proceedings.

I am tired. Tired of the weight of unspoken truths, the burden of my integrity. I am a young Nigerian woman, and I am tired of the silence that violence breeds.

I see the world through eyes that have witnessed too much. Eyes that have seen power consume justice, greed devour hope. I am tired of the lies that we swallow, the truths we bury.

In my heart, I carry the dreams of a generation. Dreams that demand change, that fight for justice, that scream for freedom. I am tired of being silenced, of being pushed into the shadows.

Yet, in the depths of my exhaustion, there is a fire that burns within me. A fire fueled by the strength of my convictions, the resilience of my spirit. I will not be silenced. I will not bow to the powers that seek to oppress me.

I am a beacon of hope, a voice for the voiceless. I am a warrior, a leader, a dreamer. I am a young Nigerian woman, and I will rise. I will rise against the violence, the silence, the injustice. I will rise for my future, for my country, for my truth.

For I believe in the power of youth. I believe in our ability to demand change, to protect human rights, to speak out when things go wrong. I believe that our voices can shatter the silence, can ignite a spark that lights the way to a better tomorrow. I believe that our courage can conquer fear, that our unity can overcome division, that our love can heal the wounds inflicted by hatred and prejudice.

So I will not be silenced. I will not cower in the face of adversity. I will stand tall, I will speak loud, I will fight for what is right. I will lead by example, I will rise when others bow, I will protect those who cannot protect themselves.

For in the end, silence is a kind of violence. And I will not be a party to it. I will break the chains of fear, I will tear down the walls of injustice, I will shout my truth from the rooftops.

Because I am a young Nigerian woman. And I am unstoppable.

MONUMENTAL DISCOVERY FROM MATH:
0+7=7 1+6=7 2+5=7 3+4=7
4+3=7 5+2=7 6+1=7 7+0=7
7-0=7 8-1=7 9-2=7 10-3=7 11-4=7
12-5=7 13-6=7 14-7=7 15-8=7 16-9=7, etc.
7/1=7 14/2=7 21/3=7 28/4=7 35/5=7
42/6=7 49/7=7 56/8=7 63/9=7 70/10=7, etc.
1x7=7. 7x1=7.

What is my point?
My point is that there are so many ways of getting to your final destination.
GOD may not take you through the same path/ road/ route/ way He took your mom, dad, friend, or colleague.
What matters is that He will take you to your destination if you don't give up.
At times, you get there by adding things and people in your life.
At other times, you will get there by subtracting certain things and people from your life.
At some other times, you may need the multiplying effect of seed, information, and relationships...
At other times still, division and separation might be inevitable...

Some of these may not be fun."
When 2 was alone, it may not have been comfortable until 5 was added to make up 7.
What matters is not the addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division...
Yes, the process may differ. But the destination is still the same...
All things will work together for your good and expected end... Don't give up on the process!*
You are a 'tool'. Do not reject the Lord when He adds and subtracts things.
Do not resist. In the process, learn to let go when He subtracts.
Stop crying, lamenting, and drowning in tears of self-pity and fear of moving on.
Every circumstance is building you for the castle the Lord has prepared for you.
All things will work together for your good... Head or tail you will win.
Don't give up on the process. Don't walk away from the game...
The match has already been decided in your favour...

Here is my conclusion and answer;

YOU WILL BE WHAT GOD HAS DESTINED YOU TO BE, BY HIS GRACE, AS YOU YIELD TO HIM.

DON'T BOTHER ABOUT THE PAST, LEARN FROM IT & LOOK AHEAD.

DON'T LOOK BACK AT PEOPLE'S UNNECESSARY HATRED AND ENVY BUT LET YOUR GAZE BE ON JESUS

Do your best, be prayerful, and leave the rest to God Almighty.

There's no way all fingers can be equal.

Be thankful Always to God.
Have a pleasant weekend and a blessed Sunday.