Marijuana Trafficking: 35-Year Old Man Bags 6 Months Jail Term

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a 35-year-old man, Deji Adesanya, to six months’ imprisonment for unlawful dealing in cannabis sativa, popularly known as marijuana.

Justice Akintayo Aluko handed down the sentence after Adesanya pleaded guilty to a one-count charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

At the arraignment, the NDLEA prosecution counsel, Peter Ekuri, told the court that Adesanya was arrested on November 22, 2025, at Safecourt Apartment, Ikate–Elegushi, Lagos State, with five kilograms of cannabis sativa, a prohibited substance.

The prosecutor said the convict dealt in the drug without lawful authority, thereby committing an offence under the NDLEA Act.

According to Ekuri, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Following Adesanya’s guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case and tendered several exhibits in evidence.

He thereafter urged the court to convict and sentence Adesanya in line with his plea and the exhibits before the court.

In her plea for leniency, defence counsel R.M.J. Nyiew urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

She asked the court to consider her client’s early guilty plea, his remorse, and his promise to refrain from engaging in any illegal activity in the future.

She also appealed for a non-custodial sentence.

In his ruling, Justice Aluko noted that the convict was a first-time offender with no previous criminal record, as confirmed by the prosecution.

The judge consequently sentenced Adesanya to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of a fine of N450,000.

 

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Lagos Taskforce Arrests 32 Omotaku Miscreants On Mainland And Island

The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested 32 street urchins, popularly known as Omotaku, for allegedly causing public nuisance and obstructing traffic on major highways across the state.

The agency, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Raheem Gbadeyan, on Monday, stated that the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated enforcement operation carried out on Tuesday across the Island and Mainland following complaints by residents over the activities of the miscreants.

He added that the operation, which was part of the Taskforce’s ongoing clean-up exercise, covered areas such as Apongbon, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Yaba Phase 1, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba, and Surulere, among other adjoining roads.

“In these locations, the Taskforce observed the illegal activities of these miscreants who were unlawfully stopping articulated vehicles such as petroleum tankers, lorries, trucks, trailers, and private cars.

“During the raid, a total of 32 suspects were apprehended for constituting public nuisance, illegal road obstruction, and violating the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, as well as the Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. Some of the suspects were also found to be smoking substances suspected to be hard drugs and Indian hemp,” the statement added.

According to him, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the agency remained committed to ensuring public safety across the state.

“We will not relent in our efforts to comb all nooks and crannies of Lagos to rid the state of criminal elements and other undesirable activities on our roads,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

He added that the operation restored sanity to the affected areas while the suspects had been charged in court.

 

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Actress Allwell Ademola Laid To Rest In Lagos

Nollywood stars on Friday bid a final farewell to actress, producer and filmmaker, Allwell Ademola, who was buried in Lagos amid grief and emotional scenes from colleagues, friends and family members.

It was a sombre moment as Ademola’s coffin was lowered into the grave, with several colleagues struggling to hold back tears.

Actress Liz DaSilva was visibly emotional at the graveside, while actors Rotimi Salami, Biola Adebayo, Saheed Balogun and Kunle Afod were present during the final rites.

The burial followed a candlelight procession held in her honour on Thursday night, led by actors Fathia Balogun, Femi Adebayo and Iyabo Ojo.

The procession began hours after a service of songs organised at LTV8 in Lagos.

Several Nollywood figures attended the service of songs, including Wumi Toriola, Afeez Owo, Faithia Williams, Mr Latin, Odunlade Adekola, Eniola Ajao, Yemi Solade, Bakare Zainab, Foluke Daramola and Jigan Babaoja, among others.

During the service, Salami, described by colleagues as one of Ademola’s closest friends, delivered an emotional tribute and appealed for forgiveness on her behalf.

He said, “If there’s anyone Allwell has offended, directly or indirectly, please, forgive her and keep praying for her.”

He added, “I think the only thing we can actually do is to find a way in unity to keep her legacy. Even if she’s gone, let all that she has done stay with us and be with us.”

The service of songs also showed a moment of reconciliation after Ademola’s brother publicly apologised to Iyabo Ojo over comments he made following his sister’s death.

Addressing Ojo during the service of songs, he said, “ please ma, don’t be offended. I did not mean to abuse you, I was not referring to you at all.”

His apology followed a video he posted in December 2025, in which he criticised some Nollywood colleagues over what he described as insincere tributes.

In that video, he said, “All the ‘Rest in Peace’ messages and public displays of love are fake and hypocritical. Where was this love when she was alive?

When she produced Eniobanke, none of you promoted it. You all claimed friendship, yet you never supported her work or career, even though she supported many of you. During the Jagun Jagun production, no one called her or offered her a role.”

He also added, “Some of you the likes of Lateef Adedimeji, Owonikoko, Iyabo Ojo and others came to our house to shoot movies, yet you never found it worthy to stand by her. If you couldn’t support her while she was alive, don’t perform loyalty now that she is gone.”

Responding to the claims at the time, Iyabo Ojo insisted she supported the late actress while she was alive. She said, “I over supported your sister when she was Alive, when she was building her career as Producer and director, I featured in her movies countless times for free, and I also supported her financially and emotionally. May her beautiful soul continue to rest in perfect peace.”

Allwell Ademola, known for her work in both Yoruba and English-language films, died on December 27, 2025, after suffering a heart attack at her residence.

 

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Medical Negligence Blamed For Chimamanda's Son's Death

Fresh details have emerged surrounding the death of the 21-month-old son of writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, following a brief illness while the family was in Lagos during the Christmas holidays.

The child, identified as Nkanu Nnamdi, reportedly fell ill after developing an infection. Sources familiar with the matter said the parents had already arranged for a full medical evacuation abroad, with a specialist medical team scheduled to transfer him to the United States for further treatment on January 7.

According to the sources, the child was taken to a private medical facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 6, 2026, primarily to undergo medical tests requested by the overseas medical team. He was said to have arrived at the facility in a stable condition.

However, before the planned evacuation could take place, the child’s condition reportedly deteriorated. Individuals close to the family have raised concerns about the medical care provided in the hours before his death, describing it as inadequate and questioning whether established clinical protocols were fully observed.

“This wasn’t an act of God,” one source said, reflecting the views of those who believe the outcome could have been different. “This was a failure of care. If those professionals had done their jobs for just a few hours, that child would be alive today.”

The family has not made a public statement beyond requesting privacy during their period of mourning. Efforts are ongoing to obtain responses from the medical facility involved, as further details continue to emerge.

Lagos Today Extra! will keep you posted.

 

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Nigerian Producers Now Churn Out 'Fast Food' Music And Movies - Baba Dee

Singer and actor, Baba Dee, who was also an elder brother to the late music icon Sound Sultan, has expressed concern about the current state of Nigerian music, warning that the industry is drifting away from meaningful and impactful content.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, Baba Dee contrasted contemporary trends with music from past decades.

He said, “Why are conscious songs not commercially viable? When Blackface made ‘Hard Life’, that was the music we were dancing to. Sound Sultan’s ‘Ole’ was commercially viable. What I’m telling you is that the pattern has changed. What is music saying now? You must at least say something that contributes to our general well-being,” he said.

Baba Dee highlighted the challenges facing Nigerian entertainment, stressing the need for adaptability and creativity. Drawing on his experience as a theatre artiste and filmmaker, he noted that while he pursued quality projects, many creators today are pushed to produce quick, low-budget “fast food” content.

Addressing the challenges faced by creators on digital platforms like YouTube, he said, “Now that budgets have become smaller, the approach has become ‘fast food’; finish one project and move on to the next. Just like every other sector in Nigeria, the cinema industry is affected. Some people become both judge and jury in their own case. Now that alternatives exist to track revenue objectively, things are changing. Streaming in the music industry has become the ‘new cheat code,’ and sometimes it tends to short-change artistes. But that’s where we are. There are different mediums of selling films, and we have to adapt and evolve.”

Baba Dee, who also directs films, expressed concern about repetitive content on YouTube. “I am not a fan of YouTube films that use the same houses, the same people, and the same characters. No creativity. It’s messed up, but it is what it is,” he said.

Culled from The Punch Newspapers 

 

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Why Living In Old Houses May Cause Headaches, Tummy Pains And Memory Loss - Dr. Ajidahun, Internal Medicine Physician

Many old houses in Lagos, especially those in the Ebute Metta and Lagos Island parts of the state, were built by grandparents or great-grandparents, passed down through generations, and filled with memories. These homes often symbolise heritage and family history. But behind the walls of these houses are materials that may be quietly affecting the health of those who live in them.

The conversation emerged after Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, popularly known as The Bearded Shina, an internal medicine physician, shared an explanation on X (formerly Twitter) that recurring symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, constipation, and even memory problems experienced by people living in older houses may have a medical explanation rather than a spiritual one.

According to Dr Ajidahun, many houses built several decades ago were constructed with materials that contained lead, a toxic metal now known to pose serious health risks when exposure occurs over time.

For years, lead was widely used in building materials because it was durable, affordable, and easy to work with, long before its dangers became widely recognised.

In the 1960s and 1970s, lead was commonly found in household paint, plumbing pipes and solder. At the time, the long-term health effects of constant exposure were not fully understood or taken seriously. As a result, many homes built during that era still contain these materials today.

Decades later, as these houses age, the materials used in their construction begin to break down. Paint peels, walls crack and old pipes corrode, creating opportunities for lead to enter the living environment. The exposure happens slowly, which makes it difficult to detect.

Tiny particles from deteriorating lead-based paint can turn into dust and settle on floors, furniture and household surfaces.

This dust can be inhaled or transferred through contaminated hands to food and water. In older plumbing systems, lead may also leach into drinking water, particularly when water remains stagnant in pipes for long periods. Over time, repeated exposure allows the metal to accumulate in the body.

Dr Ajidahun explained that lead poisoning does not always present with dramatic or immediate symptoms, which is why it is often overlooked. Instead, affected individuals may experience persistent but unexplained health issues that come and go, making it harder to identify a clear cause.

Headaches, abdominal discomfort, constipation, fatigue and problems with concentration are among the common complaints associated with prolonged exposure.

Because these symptoms are vague and overlap with many everyday illnesses, people often attribute them to stress, poor diet, infections or lifestyle changes. In some cases, cultural and religious beliefs may also lead individuals to interpret their experiences through a spiritual lens.

The issue is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where many families still live in inherited homes built several decades ago.

Beyond individual households, Dr Ajidahun’s comments have drawn attention to a broader public health issue that is rarely discussed. As Nigeria continues to grapple with housing challenges, ageing buildings and limited regulation of older structures, the conversation highlights the need for greater awareness about how the places people live can influence their health.

While old houses carry emotional value and family history, this discussion serves as a reminder that understanding their potential risks is important. Sometimes, the cause of recurring headaches or tummy pain may not be mysterious or supernatural, but rooted in the very walls people call home.

 

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Adekunle Gold And Simi Welcome A Set Of Twins

Nigerian stars couple, Adekunle Gold and Simi, have welcomed a set of twins. Adekunle Gold announced the news via his Snapchat story on Wednesday where he wrote, “Asked God for another child and He blessed me double.”

The announcement follows weeks of speculation after Simi shared a post in December 2025 featuring a clip from Adekunle Gold’s music video, My Love Is the Same.

She captioned the video, “From my baby, for my babies.”

In the clip, Simi appeared with a visible baby

bump, sparking reports that the couple was expecting another child.

The couple got married in a private ceremony in January 2019 after years of friendship and musical collaboration.

They welcomed their first child, a daughter, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.

 

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TECNO Enhances Grassroots Football With A New Football Pitch In Alimosho

Nigeria’s mobile phone brand, TECNO, has reinforced its commitment to grassroots football and youth development with the completion of a new 5-a-side football pitch at the Alade Sports Complex in Command, Alimosho Local Government Area.

According to a statement from TECNO on Monday, the facility, officially opened on 24 December 2025, is the latest in a series of initiatives by the company aimed at supporting underserved communities and fostering local football talent.

The pitch was developed in partnership with Prince Babatunde Alade, Proprietor of the Alade Sports Complex, who has independently managed the facility for nearly 25 years, nurturing young players and discovering notable talents, including two former Nigerian Golden Eaglets, Mr Basit Ojediran and Mr Tijani Samson, who represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

The new astro-turf pitch was commissioned in a ceremony attended by community leaders, TECNO representatives and local residents.

Mr Olumide Yomi-Omolayo, TECNO Marketing Manager, and Elder Philip Ajayi, Community Leader from Amikanle, highlighted the significance of the project for local youth development and inclusive access to quality sports infrastructure.

“This project is a source of pride and collective joy for our community,” Elder Philip Ajayi said. “TECNO’s intervention validates decades of hard work by Prince Babatunde Alade and provides young footballers with opportunities that were previously unavailable in this part of Lagos.”

The 5-a-side pitch at Ajasa Ikola is part of TECNO’s broader grassroots football development strategy, which began with the Sura Mini Stadium on Lagos Island, delivered in collaboration with the Lagos State Government. Both facilities mark the first phase of a wider programme across Lagos State and Nigeria, designed to create pathways for young players to progress from grassroots football to professional careers.

Speaking on the initiative, Founder and CEO of Mono, Mr Abdulhamid Hassan, said, “This partnership enables young Africans to access world-class infrastructure and opportunities, bridging the gap between raw talent and professional football. We are proud to support communities where the potential of youth is often overlooked.”

Beyond Lagos, TECNO’s efforts are aligned with its continental sponsorship of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, reinforcing its commitment to football development across Nigeria and Africa. Through these projects, TECNO aims to combine corporate social responsibility with long-term investments in youth empowerment and sports excellence.

The Alade Sports Complex project demonstrates TECNO’s dedication to sustainable community development, providing young footballers with modern facilities, structured coaching environments, and access to competitive opportunities, while ensuring the legacy of privately run grassroots initiatives continues.

 

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16 Ships Laden With Petrol, Diesel And Aviation Fuel Arrive Lagos Port

No fewer than 16 ships have arrived at Lekki, Tincan, and Apapa ports in Lagos, waiting to discharge petrol, diesel, and bulk gas.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its publication ‘Shipping Position’ on Thursday in Lagos.

The document noted that 40 ships laden with petroleum products, food items, and other goods were expected to arrive at Apapa, Lekki, and Tin-Can Island Ports from January 8 to January 16.

NPA explained that the expected ships contained buck wheat, bulk diesel, petrol, crude oil, fresh fish, condensate, raw oil, bulk urea, bulk gas, and containers of different goods.

NAN reports that eight other ships are at the ports discharging containers, diesel, bulk urea, and crude oil.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it generated a total revenue of N2.93 trillion from import and export facilitation at Apapa port in 2025, representing a 24.32 per cent growth of N573.2 billion over the N2.35 trillion collected in 2024.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, who disclosed this on Wednesday, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, attributed the achievement to the strategic deployment of technology, effective leadership, and disciplined manpower.

Oshoba added that a major contributor to the success was the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which enhanced transparency, efficiency, and accountability in cargo clearance processes.

According to him, regular performance reviews and timely revenue recovery measures further strengthened collections.

He also commended compliant stakeholders whose lawful trade practices contributed significantly to the revenue growth.

The Controller said the Command intensified stakeholder sensitisation following the rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and expanded the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative to ensure faster processing and release of compliant cargoes.

He said efforts are also at an advanced stage to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour.

Oshoba disclosed that the Command also recorded enforcement successes, intercepting 53 containers laden with illicit drugs and prohibited items, including cocaine, Canadian Loud, tramadol, and expired pharmaceuticals with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12.6 billion.

He said some of the interceptions in the year 2025 were handed over to relevant agencies such as NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Looking ahead, Oshoba expressed optimism that the Command would achieve a greater revenue milestone in 2026, driven by deeper implementation of B’Odogwu, AEO, OSS, stronger intelligence-led enforcement, and expanded collaboration with sister agencies.

 

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Lagos Assembly Passes N4.4 Trillion 2026 'Budget Of Shared Prosperity'

    

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a ₦4.4 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year following the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.

Chairman of the committee, Sa’ad Olumoh, presented the report during plenary on Thursday, outlining the assumptions, projections, and structure of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged the “Budget of Shared Prosperity.”

According to the report, the 2026 budget is the third budget cycle of the current administration and the final new-cycle budget of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.

It is aligned with the administration’s development agenda, anchored on four strategic pillars: human-centric development, modern and adaptive infrastructure, a thriving 21st-century megacity economy, and effective governance that exceeds citizens’ expectations.

Olumoh said the budget framework was informed by key macroeconomic indices, including an exchange rate benchmark of ₦1,512 to the dollar, an inflation rate of 14.7 per cent, oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day, and a benchmark oil price of $64 per barrel.

The committee also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, reporting a cumulative performance of 79 per cent as of November 2025. Capital expenditure performance stood at 75 per cent, recurrent expenditure at 87 per cent, while overall revenue performance was put at 79 per cent.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the approved budget size stands at about ₦4.4 trillion, comprising proposed recurrent expenditure of ₦2.052 trillion and capital expenditure of ₦2.185 trillion. The capital component represents a significant share of the budget, underscoring the state government’s commitment to infrastructure development.

The budget makes provisions for personnel costs, overheads, debt servicing and debt repayment, with a projected deficit of about ₦243 billion to be financed through approved deficit financing options.

During deliberations, lawmakers commended the budget, describing it as realistic and growth-oriented.

Aro Moshood disclosed that an additional ₦171 billion was added to the budget during the review process.

Femi Saheed said the size and structure of the budget showed that Lagos State remained on a strong economic footing, provided all stakeholders played their roles.

Similarly, Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa Constituency II, emphasised the importance of revenue reforms and prudent loan repayment structures, noting that effective implementation would further strengthen the state’s fiscal position.

The Assembly also received assurances from relevant officials that revenue-generating agencies would collaborate to ensure that projected revenues are met and possibly exceeded.

Following deliberations, the House adopted the committee’s report, took the third reading and passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier presented a ₦4.237 trillion spending proposal to the House on November 25, 2025, stating that the budget was designed to accelerate economic growth, deepen infrastructure development and maintain fiscal responsibility.

He disclosed that the budget projected total revenue of about ₦3.99 trillion, with ₦3.12 trillion expected from internally generated revenue and ₦874 billion from federal transfers, while the deficit financing plan stood at approximately ₦243.3 billion.

 

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