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Adeyanju hits back at Obi over defamation charge

Published

10 months ago

August 29, 2025

Adeyanju hits back at Obi over defamation charge

Lawyer and political activist Deji Adeyanju has opened up on his past encounters with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as a “political fraud” while reacting to a defamation suit filed against him.

Adeyanju made the revelation on Friday morning during Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme, where he narrated how his early excitement about Obi’s candidacy later turned into disappointment.

“I’m just expressing my thoughts about why the opposition should come together and unite against the criminal APC and roguish APC government that always rig elections, that if the opposition is divided, that there’s no way they can win,” Adeyanju said.

He explained that the idea of Obi’s candidacy initially appealed to him.

“The idea of the Obi candidacy excited me, and I said that he needed a buy-in of Atiku and Konkosu. I even urged Konkosu to deputize Obi. I urged Atiku to step down for Peter Obi,” he stated.

According to Adeyanju, Obi persistently sought to meet with him after his comments.

“So then Peter Obi, all of a sudden, started trying to reach out to me, to meet me. But at that time, I was out of the country… So he was persistently reaching out to me, and I was avoiding him,” he said.

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Adeyanju said he eventually met Obi through one of his aides but was left unimpressed by Obi’s defense over corruption allegations.

“I now made some observations about the things that he has been accused of doing in the past… Then I also raised the issue about these issues of him using state resources in Anambra to invest in his family business. His explanation to me in his defense was that he had resigned from the company before he became a governor. I was flabbergasted… I was completely disgusted.”

He further alleged that Obi attempted to offer him an envelope during the meeting.

“Then he got into a room and said, oh, please, he’s coming. That he wants to go inside the room and he has something for me. So he brought one envelope or something like that. And said, no, this is just a small thing. It’s just for company. I said, oh, I laughed… I said, God forbid.”

The activist also criticized Obi’s political judgment during the Ekiti election, alleging that his supporters responded with online attacks.
“I criticized and said, you should be in Ekiti and not in Egypt. And I said, because you want to be president, you must go and campaign for your candidate and try to win… Some of these young boys that are around him… they insulted me… I said, me?”

He accused Obi’s supporters, popularly known as Obidients, of political intolerance.

“We cannot have a situation in our country or in our polity where political extremism becomes the order of the day… After the Buharis, the obedient mob is the most toxic political movement that we have ever witnessed in this country. They’re threatening Supreme Court judges, Court of Appeal court judges, threatening artists, threatening Professor Wole Showinka, insulting everybody in this country. Because of Peter.”

On Obi’s political character, Adeyanju maintained,
“What are the things I said? I said he’s a political fraud. That he’s parading himself as a messiah. Of course he is a political fraud… The only thing that I forgot to say, among the things that he should not add to his defamation suit, is that he’s a political prostitute. He’s a political prostitute.”

He added that Obi’s current political moves contradict his earlier stance.

“Look at what he said about the people that he wanted to defeat in the last election. He said they operate a structure of criminality. But today he’s with them. He has one leg in PDP, they are discussing with him. Another leg in ADC. And he’s still a member of a Labour Party. So if you do, it’s worse.”

Adeyanju insisted that his remarks were truthful and therefore defensible.

“In a civil suit or criminal suit of defamation, justification, truth is a defense,” he said.

Adeyanju hits back at Obi over defamation charge

Related Topics:Adeyanju Defamation Featured Obi political fraud

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“I Gave Her 15 Strokes” – Pastor Confesses to Flogging 13-Year-Old to Death

Published

8 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Pastor Okoye and Mother of the deceased

“I Gave Her 15 Strokes” – Pastor Confesses to Flogging 13-Year-Old to Death

A 45-year-old pastor in Cross River State has been arrested for allegedly flogging a 13-year-old girl to death with a horsewhip after she was accused of stealing N30,000 from her mother, with both the pastor and the victim’s mother now in police custody as investigations continue into the tragic incident that has sparked outrage in the community. The incident occurred on June 1, 2026, in Obanleku Community, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, when the victim, Nancy Peter, a secondary school pupil, was taken to the residence of Pastor Roman Samson Okoye, the General Overseer of Goodness of Jesus Ministry in Wula, by her mother, Agnes Peter, following allegations of theft.

The tragedy began when Agnes Peter discovered that the N30,000 she had kept at home was missing and accused her daughter of taking it, with a source at the Homicide Section of the Cross River State Police Command explaining that the mother took the teenager to the pastor’s house for discipline. “The woman complained that she had kept N30,000 at home and could not find the money when she needed it. She accused her daughter of stealing the money,” the source said. The mother left the girl with the pastor and went home, but by the time she returned, the pastor had allegedly flogged the girl with a horsewhip and was taking her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

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Agnes Peter, a mother of three, insisted she did not ask the pastor to beat her daughter, claiming she only wanted the cleric to counsel and pray for the girl. “It is true that I took my daughter to the pastor after I discovered that my N30,000 was missing from where I kept it. That was not the first time my daughter had stolen my money, and it was not the first time I reported her to the pastor,” she said. Agnes narrated that while at the pastor’s house, the teenager confessed to stealing the money and told her mother she had hidden it in one of her trousers. “That was when I quickly stood up to go and confirm where she kept the money, and I found my N30,000 in the pocket of one of her trousers. The pastor had not beaten her when I left to search for the money. It was while I was returning that I saw him rushing my daughter to the hospital. I met him on the way,” she explained. “I didn’t tell him to kill my daughter. I have reported her to the pastor before, and I only wanted him to scold and counsel her. I was not there when he beat my daughter. I only saw him taking her to the hospital,” she lamented.

Pastor Samson, however, gave a conflicting account, claiming the mother asked him to beat the teenager. The 45-year-old cleric, who is the founder of Goodness of Jesus Ministry in Wula, Boki LGA, said he had known the family for about four years and had supported them after the mother had marital problems. “When the woman came, she had nothing. She was rejected by her husband with two children. I began to fund their schooling and upkeep,” he said. The pastor alleged that Nancy had repeatedly stolen from her mother, with incidents reported to him more than 20 times. “On the day she brought the girl to my house, she complained that she had stolen her money again. She also complained that her daughter was in the habit of sleeping away from home. She told me that the girl stole her N30,000 and asked me to beat her. She also said she had already beaten her but wanted me to beat her as well,” he claimed. The pastor admitted using a horsewhip on the teenager but insisted he never intended to kill her. “I went for my horsewhip and started beating her. I only gave her about 13 to 15 strokes when I discovered that the girl became very weak. I quickly rushed her to the hospital, but she died by the time we got there,” he said. Visibly remorseful, Samson expressed regret over the incident: “I feel very sad. I didn’t want to kill her. It was her mother who insisted that I must beat her. She was like a daughter to me.”

The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Ewa Eitokpah Sunday, confirmed the arrest of both suspects and assured that a thorough investigation was ongoing to ensure justice is served. “The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Rashid Afegbua, assures residents of its commitment to sustaining the ongoing offensive against criminality and dismantling all criminal networks operating within the state,” the police spokesperson stated. The incident has triggered outrage within the community and beyond, with residents demanding justice for the teenager.

“I Gave Her 15 Strokes” – Pastor Confesses to Flogging 13-Year-Old to Death

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JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

Published

26 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu

JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of 18 senior generals to strategic operational, command, training and administrative positions as part of efforts to strengthen leadership, enhance operational effectiveness and improve the country’s response to evolving security threats.

The postings, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

According to the Army, the redeployment affects General Officers Commanding (GOCs), commanders of operational formations, heads of military training institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters, and is aimed at reinvigorating leadership across critical commands.

“The postings are part of the Nigerian Army’s deliberate efforts to strengthen command structures, enhance operational efficiency and reposition the service for greater effectiveness in addressing contemporary and emerging security challenges,” the statement said.

Among the key appointments, Major General WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also redeployed Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was appointed Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.

Other operational appointments include Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, and Brigadier General K Rabiu as Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

As part of efforts to strengthen emerging military capabilities, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe was posted to Defence Headquarters as Director of Intelligence and Security.

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The redeployment also affected key military training institutions across the country.

Under the new postings, Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, Major General SD Makolo takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School, while Major General SO Adejimi was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.

Also, Major General FS Etim will serve as Chief of Training at Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), while Brigadier General U Ahmad assumes office as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

Beyond operational and training commands, the Army also made fresh appointments into strategic defence-related organisations.

Major General KO Ukandu was named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison was appointed Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly posted senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, discipline, innovation and commitment in their new assignments.

He also urged them to sustain the momentum in ongoing military operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other emerging security threats confronting the country.

The latest redeployment comes as the Nigerian Army intensifies operations across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-South theatres, where troops are engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations.

Military authorities said the periodic redeployment of senior officers is a routine exercise designed to inject fresh ideas into operational commands, strengthen leadership at all levels and improve coordination among formations and units in line with the Army’s transformation agenda.

Full list of major appointments

Major General WM Dangana – GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army/Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE
Major General EI Okoro – GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE
Major General JR Lar – Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison
Brigadier General OM Oyekola – Acting Military Secretary (Army)
Brigadier General I Waziri – Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff
Brigadier General IB Buhari – Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade
Brigadier General K Rabiu – Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade
Major General SA Emmanuel – Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command
Major General O Adegbe – Director of Intelligence and Security, Defence Headquarters
Major General KE Chigbu – Deputy Commandant, National Defence College
Major General SD Makolo – Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School
Major General SO Adejimi – Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport
Major General FS Etim – Chief of Training, Headquarters TRADOC NA
Brigadier General U Ahmad – Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria
Major General KO Ukandu – Managing Director/CEO, Post Housing Development Limited
Major General AI Allison – Managing Director, Defence Properties Limited

JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

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“I’ve Been a Thief” – Charly Boy Confesses to White-Collar Crime, Drug Abuse in Youth

Published

35 minutes ago

June 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy

“I’ve Been a Thief” – Charly Boy Confesses to White-Collar Crime, Drug Abuse in Youth

Veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has made startling revelations about his troubled past, admitting that he engaged in white-collar crime, shoplifting, drug abuse and committed several “foolish mistakes” in his youth, sharing these confessions during an interview on Arise Prime Time where he discussed his forthcoming memoir, 999, which he describes as a brutally honest account of his journey from rebellion to redemption. The outspoken media personality, who will turn 76 in June, said he deliberately chose to tell his life story without filtering out embarrassing or controversial moments, insisting that the book reflects his journey of mistakes, survival and transformation.

Speaking candidly about his past, Charly Boy did not hold back, saying, “I’ve made mistakes in my life. I’ve been a thief. I’ve done very risky things. I’ve done very stupid things, very foolish things. In fact, I have no business being here with you tonight, but I guess there’s a purpose for my life.” Explaining further, the entertainer disclosed that while living in the United States in his twenties, he became involved in various criminal activities before eventually turning his life around, stating, “I was doing white-collar crime when I was in America. I was about 25 years old. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. That’s why I say I’ve been there.” In previous interviews, Charly Boy provided more details about his troubled youth, admitting to being involved in “all manners of crime including shop-lifting, marrying multiple women, substance and drug abuse,” and noted that he discovered early the dangers of drugs because he realised what drugs had done to other people.

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Charly Boy described 999 as “a terrible kind of book,” explaining that readers should expect an unfiltered memoir that exposes both his failures and triumphs, saying, “I don’t leave anything out. The only few things I left out were because I genuinely couldn’t remember them. Otherwise, everything is there.” According to him, the title 999 symbolises a new chapter in his life rather than the rebellious image many Nigerians have associated with him for decades, adding, “I’ve been smart, I’ve been stupid, I’ve been foolish. Old things have passed away. This is a new beginning for me. All I want now is peace and tranquillity.” The memoir, which comes nine years after his first book My Private Part, is divided into seven parts and covers his heritage, childhood memories, his time in America, his “gangsta life,” his return to Nigeria, his activism, relationships, and his philosophy on life, with former President Olusegun Obasanjo writing the foreword and tributes by Bishop Hassan Kukah and Dele Famoroti. The book is set to be launched on July 31, 2026, at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, with Charly Boy saying “999” is “wider, it’s more, it is blunter,” with many stories not included in his previous work.

Charly Boy also reflected on how his past experiences shaped the person he has become today, revealing that his purpose now lies in helping others, particularly men facing health challenges, and spoke extensively about surviving prostate cancer, saying the experience inspired him to support other Nigerian men facing similar health challenges. “I wanted to free a lot of men because we’ve been brainwashed into believing men don’t cry and shouldn’t talk about what they’re going through,” he explained, adding, “After my surgery, I spent almost two years speaking with complete strangers who called me for advice. They trusted me enough to tell me very intimate things.” Through the Charly Boy Foundation, he has launched a nationwide prostate cancer screening campaign to educate men about risks, encourage regular screening, and promote early treatment, with the foundation running mobile screening outreaches in rural communities and partnering with labs to bring testing closer to the grassroots, with over 500 men already benefiting from free prostate tests funded by the foundation.

Speaking further, Charly Boy said advancing age has changed his outlook on life, replacing confrontation with personal growth and service to humanity, stating, “Before, I was always asking, ‘Where is the trouble? Let’s go there.’ Right now, I know how to shut off stress. I’m a sleep professor. I exercise, I watch what I eat, the company I keep and even what I watch on television because I don’t want anything disturbing my spirit.” On the state of the nation, Charly Boy maintained that despite growing frustration among Nigerians, he remains optimistic about the country’s future, saying, “No matter how dark the tunnel is, I still believe the salvation of this country lies in the hands of young people.” Reflecting on his strained relationship with his late father, former Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Charly Boy said he rebelled because he wanted to build an identity outside his father’s shadow, noting that his life has been marked by defiance, mistakes, reinvention and survival, and adding that his new memoir is not an attempt to present himself as perfect but to show the full weight of his journey.