Former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Professor Onje Gye-Wado has been released four days after his abduction.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramham Nansel, confirmed this to DAILY POST on Monday morning.

DAILY POST reported that gunmen kidnapped Gye-Wado in Rinza village, Wamba Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

Earlier, his adductors reportedly demanded N70 million for his release.

The Police did not confirm whether the ransom was paid, but sources said his family members paid about N4 million to secure his freedom.

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, aka Davido’s fourth studio album ‘Timeless’ could indeed be timeless as it has been shattering records since it dropped.

The 17-track album officially arrived on March 31, 2023, through Davido Music Worldwide, Columbia Records, and Sony Music Entertainment.

The album features guest appearances from Nigerian artists such as Asake, Fave, The Cavemen, DMW’s latest additions, Morravey and Logos Olori, as well as Grammy-award-winning Beninese singer, Angelique Kidjo, British rapper Skepta, South African music producer/DJ Musa Keys, Jamaican dancehall/reggae singer Dexta Daps, and South African rapper, Focalistic.

Despite an initial partial leak, Davido’s ‘Timeless’ album has been breaking and setting records since its release.

Highest Charting African Album In US Apple Music History

Less than 24 hours after its release, Davido’s ‘Timeless’ peaked at Number 2 on the US Apple Music Album chart, becoming the highest charting album by an Afrobeats artiste, in the process.

Biggest First-Day Streams On Spotify Nigeria

Davido’s ‘Timeless’ album broke the record for the biggest first-day streams on Spotify Nigeria set by Burna Boy’s ‘Love, Damini’.

The album garnered 4.91 million streams on its first day of release— surpassing the previous record of 1.36M by Burna Boy’s ‘Love, Damini’ (July 8, 2022).

Biggest First-Day Streams For An African Album On Apple Music

Davido’s ‘Timeless’ broke the record for biggest first-day streams for an African album in Apple Music history.

Davido is breaking global records.

The Nigerian superstar’s #Timeless had the most first-day streams ever for an African album on Apple Music,” Apple Music announced via their verified Twitter handle on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Biggest First-Day Streams On Boomplay

Davido’s ‘Timeless’ album also broke the record for the biggest first-day streams on Boomplay— the largest music digital streaming platform in Africa.

The album tallied 7.25M streams on opening day surpassing the previously set record by Burna Boy’s “Love, Damini” (3.38M).

Biggest First-Day Streams On Audiomack

Audiomack announced via their verified Twitter page on Monday, April 3, 2023, that Davido’s ‘Timeless’ has broken the record for the biggest album first-day streams in the history of the platform.

“RECORD-BREAKING: @davido’s #Timeless had over 12 MILLION streams in its first 24 hours, more than any other album on Audiomack, ever!,” Audiomack Africa tweeted.

A Lagos High Court has dismissed a “no-case’’ submission filed by a police officer Drambi Vandi, who allegedly killed Bolanle Raheem.

Bolanle was shot dead on December 25, 2022 in the Ajah area of Lagos while in a vehicle with her husband and daughter.

Vandi was arraigned on January 16 on a one-count charge of murder after shooting the 41-year old pregnant property lawyer in the chest.

On February 28, dismissed ASP Vandi filed an application praying the court to quash the charge preferred against him.

Vandi’s lawyer, Gbenro Gbadamosi said the evidence of the prosecution witnesses were inconsistent and did not link his client to the murder.

On Monday, Justice Ibironke Harrison held that the prosecution, led by Lagos Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), had established sufficient oral and documentary evidence.

The court is currently not looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage, Justice Harrison said.

The judge ruled, the issue now is whether a prima facie case has been made by the prosecution and not whether it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The state closed its case on February 15 after calling 11 witnesses comprising eight police officers, including Vandi’s colleagues, two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.

Lagos Director of Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins said an interlocutory appeal would not stop the trial in line with the state’s Administration of Criminal Justice Laws.

The case will resume on May 16, 2023 for the defendant to open his defence.

Legal luminary, Olisa Agbakoba has said it is possible to conclude presidential election petitions in April, provided that the court systems are very proactive.

He noted that the tension around the call for an interim government was due to expectations that the tribunal may not deliver judgement before May 29.

Agbakoba said under arbitration matters, orders/directions are issued peremptorily to resolve complex jurisdictional and procedural issues.

His statement on Monday urged the presidential election tribunal to adapt the procedures very familiar with speedy conclusion of arbitration matters.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) listed the issues raised by the Labour Party, LP, and its candidate Peter Obi, who insists he won the February 25 poll.

He said, The interpretation of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution as to whether 25 percent of votes in the FCT is compulsory; Is a candidate permitted to stand for election when he is also a senatorial candidate?; Issues regarding qualification of APC candidates.

Agbakoba said if the petitions were arbitration proceedings, an arbitrator may issue a procedural order to address all complex disputes and deliver a partial final award.

The SAN charged the tribunal and the Supreme Court to give the order, address the jurisdictional issues raised, and release final summary judgment.

He added, Between the tribunal and Supreme Court, the petitions can be resolved within 7 (seven) days from today. This will cool the temperature in Nigeria on the issue of interim government etc.

Agbakoba stated that the required speed would be a radical departure from the present policy where case management plays a limited role in judicial outcomes.

He stressed, Speed of justice is the mantra that our judiciary must proclaim very loudly. This is needed in the presidential petitions proceedings urgently.

The Nigerian economy has started recovering from the three-month-long naira scarcity, but there is another brewing risk of a possible banking sector collapse as customers shun cash deposits.

The development is a spill-over effect of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s poorly implemented Cashless Policy, which caused Nigerians untold nightmares and hardship.

However, CBN’s massive evacuation of banknotes to commercial banks on March 24, 2023, had served as the antidote to the currency crisis challenge, though many Nigerians described the move as late.

But, the respite looks short-lived, following a heightened tension of banks’ insolvency amid customers declining steam to deposit cash and conduct other transactions.

Nigerian banks’ assets rose by 10.72 trillion nairas ($22.61 billion) between August 2021 and August 2022 to hit 66.76 trillion naira ($151.49 billion), according to CBN’s data.

Meanwhile, Adaeze Okolie, a resident of Abuja, said, “I no longer feel the need to deposit my money with the Bank; I rather keep it. The Naira scarcity period did expose the inefficiency of Nigeria’s banking system. It was appalling, I could not withdraw for months, and online transactions were equally frustrating. Many Nigerians have learnt their lessons.

Also, Usman Abdullahi, a yam seller in Suleiman Market, said, “He would rather keep his money rather than go to the bank to deposit cash or better look for other means.

A PoS operator in Utako Market in Abuja, Augustine Chukwu, said, “I collect cash from market men and women; I rarely visit the banking hall.

But Abdul Imoye, the Head of Media Relations at Access Bank PLC, confirmed to DAILY POST the decline in cash deposits by customers and said the apprehension held by Nigerians for not depositing cash would soon be a thing of the past.

According to him, what is happening now is typical of the Nigerian mentality, but business would bounce back in time.

He said, It is due to the ‘Nigerian mentality’; customers had struggled with cash scarcity for months, so people are normally apprehensive. But now there is cash in the banking system; I am sure things will return to normal.

Also, The CEO of SD & D Capital Management, Mr Idakolo Gbolade, said bank customers’ behaviour towards cash deposits is a natural resentment.

The bank customers will naturally shun depositing their funds, and deposit is expected to decline due to the experience of depositors in the past few months.

Bank customers went through hell to make withdrawals from their deposits, so it is natural for resentment regarding depositing their funds back to the banks.

This trend will continue for months before depositors adjust accordingly.

He stated, The economy will gradually bounce back with cash infusion into the system.

Last Month, Nigerian Deposits Insurance Corporation, NDIC, with the primary responsibility to protect Depositors, reaffirmed that it is committed to ensuring a solid banking system in collaboration with the CBN.

Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola, has been freed after perfecting his bail conditions.

Okikiola, who is otherwise known as Portable, was on Monday arraigned before an Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ifo, for alleged assault and theft.

The court had earlier granted him bail in the sum of N800,000 for the three charges with two sureties in like sum.

The court held that the sureties must be landowners within the jurisdiction of the court.

When he was unable to meet his bail conditions, Okikiola was moved to the correctional centre in Ilaro.

However, the Spokesman of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ogun, Victor Oyeleke, confirmed to newsmen this evening that Portable had perfected the bail conditions and left the prison custody.

Oyeleke said, He has perfected the bail conditions and he just left the custody.

The case has since been adjourned to April 26 for the commencement of trial.

Popular Media personality, Tolu Oniru, better known as Toolz, has openly declared that she is a feminist.

The OAP made this known via her Instagram story.

According to her, feminism is the right of a woman to choose between having a career or being a housewife.

She said, People don’t seem to understand that feminism is the right for women to choose what life they want. Whether it’s having a career and being independent, or being a housewife or stay at home mom.

The mother of two said there was nothing wrong with a feminist being submissive to her husband.

She added, toolz said, There is nothing wrong with doing something kind and helpful for your husband, and it’s not a negative thing for a woman to do just because it involves preparing food or being in the kitchen.

Linc, brother of Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has said his nephew’s death was traumatising.

Recall that Yul lost his son, Kambilichukwu last week.

The 15-year-old died after he developed a seizure while playing football with his schoolmates.

In a video on his Instagram page on Monday, Linc expressed hope that the family would emerge stronger

He said, The last couple of days have been completely traumatising. The bible says in all things, give thanks to God. It is actually difficult practising.

This because as human beings, it’s not easy but the bible doesn’t lie it says in all things give thanks.

I pray that by the grace of God, we are going to come out stronger from this and I also know that evil has an expiry date.