Author: Lifestyle & Wellness Desk

A Spanish-Brazilian man, Marcus Monzo, has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old British-Nigerian schoolboy, Daniel Anjorin, during a brutal spree of attacks in northeast London. The jury at London’s Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) convicted 37-year-old Monzo on Wednesday of murder, three counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. Monzo launched the 20-minute rampage in Hainault on April 30 last year, intending to kill as many people as possible, the court heard. Daniel’s life was tragically cut short when Monzo attacked him from behind with a samurai sword, delivering what prosecutors described as a “devastating and unsurvivable” blow to the side of his face and neck. Witnesses recalled Monzo dropping to his knees and screaming “in delight” after the fatal attack. Daniel’s devastated parents, who sat through the harrowing trial, described him as a “beloved son” and “loving brother,” expressing heartbreak that their child never returned home after leaving for school that morning. Before killing Daniel, Monzo drove his van into a pedestrian, Donato Iwule, and attacked him with a sword. He later attacked two police officers and a couple in their home, demanding to know if they “believe in God” before leaving. A police officer, PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, was struck multiple times with the 60cm blade, while Inspector Molloy Campbell suffered a slash wound to his hand during efforts to detain Monzo. Monzo, a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, was eventually subdued after climbing onto a garage roof. He later compared his actions to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games, claiming an alternate persona took over during the attacks. Although Monzo admitted drinking ayahuasca a hallucinogenic brew before the incident, tests showed no trace of the Class A drug in his system. The prosecution argued that self-induced intoxication or psychosis did not excuse his violent actions. Jurors also heard that Monzo had a fascination with “killing films” and was seen reenacting stabbing motions while detained at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital. Monzo was cleared of one attempted murder charge but found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent in relation to that victim. He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday.

MultiChoice Nigeria has reduced the price of its DStv decoder by 50 per cent, lowering it from ₦20,000 to ₦10,000, in a bid to attract new customers and address declining subscription rates. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, announced the price cut on Tuesday, describing it as part of efforts to reward customer loyalty and offer greater value to subscribers. “We want our customers to feel appreciated and have easy access to top-quality entertainment every day,” Ugbe said. “The ‘We Got You’ campaign is about making premium content more affordable and highlighting that DStv provides something for everyone beyond just football.” He explained that DStv is repositioning itself as a platform offering daily value, with a broad range of content across genres such as movies, drama, kids’ shows, and news. “This translates to more channels, more shows, and more reasons for families to tune in daily,” the statement added. As part of the campaign, MultiChoice also introduced a promotional offer where subscribers who pay for their current DStv package in full between June 16 and July 31, 2025, will receive a free upgrade to the next package tier. The company noted that both the decoder price reduction and the free upgrade initiative are designed to cushion the economic challenges facing many Nigerians. The move follows a significant drop in MultiChoice’s subscriber base, with the company losing 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025. It also comes after three price hikes on DStv and GOtv packages within a 12-month period first in April 2023, followed by another in November 2023, and the latest increase, announced in April 2024, which took effect on May 1, 2024.

Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has alleged that a property belonging to his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without any valid legal order. Obi made the claim on Tuesday via a post on his verified X handle, stating that the property, owned by his brother’s company, had been standing for over 15 years before it was torn down by unidentified individuals. According to him, the demolition was carried out based on what he described as a questionable court judgment, which neither mentioned his brother, the property, nor contained any demolition directive. “This morning, my youngest brother called me in distress to inform me that his company property in Ikeja, Lagos, was being demolished by unknown individuals,” Obi wrote. “He had just arrived from Port Harcourt and was denied access to the premises by security men, who told him the building was being pulled down.” Obi said he flew in from Abuja immediately and was also prevented from accessing the site. Those carrying out the demolition claimed they were acting on a court order. However, Obi insisted that the court judgment only referenced unnamed squatters and made no mention of a demolition order or any directive against his brother or the property. “How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a case? No one was served; no names were mentioned. Yet they arrived with excavators and destroyed a building that has stood for over 15 years,” Obi lamented. He described the incident as an example of “coordinated lawlessness,” expressing concern over what he sees as Nigeria’s growing culture of impunity. “I stood at the site from 10 am to 2 pm, waiting to hear from whoever ordered the demolition. No one came. The contractor didn’t even know who hired him,” he recounted. “Two men eventually suggested we go to a police station, but they couldn’t produce a demolition order. The whole process reeked of impunity. Our country is sliding into lawlessness.” Obi also used the incident to highlight broader concerns about Nigeria’s investment climate, citing a recent conversation with an investor who refused to invest in Nigeria due to its reputation for lawlessness. “This isn’t about me or my brother. It’s about what ordinary Nigerians face daily. If this can happen to a legitimate company with documented ownership, what chance does the average citizen have?” he asked. Obi reaffirmed his commitment to building a new Nigeria where the rule of law is respected, and citizens’ lives and property are protected. As of the time of this report, no government agency had claimed responsibility for the demolition, and no official explanation had been provided.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receiving applications from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Wednesday during the commission’s second quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja. “As of Monday, June 23, 2025, the commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations wishing to register as political parties. We are processing these requests in line with relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines,” Yakubu stated. He noted that all but six of the requests have been acknowledged, with the remaining set to be addressed before the end of the week. Addressing concerns about impartiality, the INEC Chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to fairness, stating: “We will treat all requests equally, regardless of the status of those promoting them whether ordinary citizens or prominent individuals.” Yakubu dismissed claims that INEC was compromising its independence, describing such allegations as recycled accusations similar to those made in 2013. He also announced that a comprehensive list of the 110 associations, including proposed names, acronyms, addresses, and details of their protem leaders, will soon be published on the commission’s website and social media platforms to ensure public transparency. Other Electoral Updates Yakubu revealed that INEC is now ready to conduct outstanding by-elections and resume the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. “The commission met yesterday and finalised arrangements for the bye-elections and CVR. Full details will be made public within the next 24 hours,” he confirmed. He also provided an update on the ongoing primaries for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, which will conclude by June 30, 2025. Elections will be held across 68 constituencies, covering Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, and Councillors for six Area Councils and 62 Wards. The six Area Councils include Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Notably, AMAC has 12 Wards due to its larger population, while the others each have 10. The delimitation details for the FCT are available on the INEC website. Anambra Governorship Election The meeting also addressed preparations for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025. Yakubu reminded media organisations to begin applying for accreditation once the portal opens to ensure seamless coverage of the polls. “I appeal to the media to submit their accreditation applications for the Anambra election as soon as possible,” he urged. The campaign period for the election runs from June 11 until midnight on November 6, 2025. Yakubu concluded by appreciating the media for their support and called for continued collaboration.

A malfunctioning locking mechanism on the captain’s seat was the root cause of the Air India Boeing 787 crash that claimed 270 lives, according to a preliminary investigation report. The report revealed that the captain’s seat unexpectedly slid backward during takeoff, causing the pilot to unintentionally pull the throttle levers to idle. This sudden reduction in engine power occurred just seconds after liftoff, leading to the aircraft stalling and crashing into a nearby building that housed medical workers. The co-pilot’s efforts to regain control were hindered by the captain’s reclined position, investigators added. Key cockpit recordings revealed the following timeline: 12 seconds after takeoff: The captain’s seat slides backward. 15 seconds: The co-pilot shouts, “We’re losing thrust!” 26 seconds: The aircraft stalls at an altitude of 214 feet. The investigation also highlighted missing safety features in the 787’s throttle system, including protections against reverse movement and weight-based lockouts that could have prevented the accident. In response to the findings, aviation regulators in the U.S. (FAA) and Europe (EASA) have ordered immediate inspections of all Boeing 787 pilot seats. Air India has grounded 12 aircraft with similar maintenance histories, while Boeing has committed to redesigning the affected seats by 2026. The tragic crash resulted in the deaths of passengers, crew members, and residents of the building struck by the plane. A British national was the sole survivor. The final investigation report is expected in July, with aviation authorities pledging stricter inspections and broader global safety reforms.

An assassination attempt targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was successfully foiled at Rzeszów Airport in Poland, according to Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The suspected mastermind, identified as a Polish citizen and former soldier, was allegedly recruited decades ago and is believed to have maintained loyalty to Soviet-era ideology. According to Malyuk, the suspect had been planning an attack for several years, with potential methods including the use of an FPV drone or sniper weapons. The plot was uncovered and neutralized through the coordinated efforts of the SBU and Poland’s Internal Security Agency. Malyuk confirmed that several assassination attempts were in preparation, including one specifically targeting President Zelenskyy during a planned visit to the Polish city of Rzeszów. “As part of their criminal plan, they were recruiting individuals to carry out the assassination during the president’s movement within the Office of the President of Ukraine,” Malyuk explained. He further revealed that last year, a senior colonel of Ukraine’s State Guard Department—responsible for protecting the country’s top officials—was arrested, along with another colonel. Both individuals were reportedly working for Russia’s FSB intelligence agency, particularly the 5th Service, which at the time was headed by Lieutenant General Sergey Beseda. Following the exposure of the plot, Beseda was removed from his position but remains an adviser within the FSB. “This was an extremely complex operation,” Malyuk added. “We worked on infiltrating this group for nearly two years, essentially since the beginning of the war.” Meanwhile, Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least 14 civilians and left dozens injured, according to local officials. Nine fatalities were reported in Kyiv, where part of an apartment building collapsed. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 352 drones and decoys, along with 11 ballistic missiles and five cruise missiles. Air defenses successfully intercepted or jammed 339 drones and 15 missiles before they reached their intended targets. Later in the day, a Russian ballistic missile strike destroyed a high school in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, killing two school staff members. Fortunately, no students were present due to the summer holiday. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it “absolutely insane.” The strikes occurred as President Zelenskyy began an official visit to the United Kingdom, where he held private talks with King Charles III.

Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep sorrow over the deadly suicide attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Syria last weekend. The attack, which took place on Sunday at the Saint Elias Church in Damascus, claimed the lives of 25 people and left more than 60 others injured. A little-known Sunni extremist group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombing, although authorities initially suspected the Islamic State group was behind the incident. In a statement delivered by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope conveyed his sympathy and support for the victims and their families. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction caused by the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Mar Elias in Damascus,” Cardinal Parolin said. “He expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy.” According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack marks the first suicide bombing targeting a church in Syria since the outbreak of the country’s civil war in 2011. Syria’s Christian population has suffered heavily during the conflict, with numbers declining from around one million in 2011 to approximately 300,000 today.

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a N2 billion intervention fund to support infrastructural development at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Ojere, Abeokuta. Governor Abiodun also revealed a cash award of N2.5 million for each of the best graduating students from the 2015/2016 to 2023/2024 academic sessions. He made these announcements during the institution’s 15th combined convocation ceremony, which covered nine academic sessions between 2016 and 2024. The governor expressed regret over the previous administration’s decision to relocate MAPOLY to Ipokia and rename it Ogun State Polytechnic, describing the move as a setback for the institution. He noted that restoring the institution to its former glory was one of the early challenges his administration faced. According to him, through multiple engagements with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the efforts of a fact-finding committee, the polytechnic was eventually revived. Governor Abiodun explained that due to the poorly conceived relocation plan, student enrollment at the 46-year-old institution plummeted from around 30,000 to just 5,000. However, with sustained revitalization efforts, enrollment has now risen to approximately 13,000. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to making MAPOLY a centre of excellence in human capital development, the governor unveiled several projects under the N2 billion intervention plan. These include: Construction of a 500-seater ultra-modern lecture theatre Construction of access roads to the polytechnic auditorium Establishment of a state-of-the-art library Development of a new building for the Accountancy Department Additional road infrastructure within the institution He added, “For each best graduating student across the nine sessions, a cash prize of N2.5 million will be awarded.” Governor Abiodun also charged the over 51,000 graduating students to be bold, innovative, and determined to make a positive impact on society. “The future may come with challenges, but it holds even greater possibilities. You must be daring, resilient, and innovative. Let the knowledge and values acquired here guide you to be agents of change. Go forth, impact your community, the state, the nation, and the world, and always be proud ambassadors of this great institution,” he stated. In his remarks, the Rector of MAPOLY, Dr. Babatunde Jolaoso, highlighted the achievements of his six-month tenure, including restoring peace and stability among staff and students, securing the long-awaited approval from the National Broadcasting Commission for the polytechnic’s 99.7FM campus radio station, and clearing a N76 million debt owed to a commercial bank. Dr. Jolaoso appealed to the state government for adequate support to complete pending accreditation exercises, abandoned student hostel projects, lecture rooms, and internal road networks. While congratulating the graduating students, the rector urged them to apply their knowledge for meaningful contributions to society and to avoid actions that could tarnish their reputation or that of the institution. Also speaking, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Emeritus Professor Kamaldeen Balogun, commended Governor Abiodun for his unwavering support and qualitative leadership, which, he noted, is redefining academic excellence at the polytechnic. Delivering the convocation lecture titled “Diaspora Perspectives and the Influence of STEM in Today’s Globalised World,” the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, encouraged young Nigerians seeking to migrate to do so legally to avoid tragic and life-threatening consequences. She recounted harrowing experiences of Nigerians who, due to illegal migration, fell victim to slavery, forced prostitution, and even death. Dr. Dabiri-Erewa urged the polytechnic to foster collaborations with Nigerians in the diaspora and leverage the opportunities such partnerships present for the institution’s growth and development.

The use of Point of Sale (POS) terminals in Nigeria surged significantly in 2024, with transactions valued at N223.27 trillion, nearly doubling the N110.35 trillion recorded in 2023. This is according to the latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), highlighting a growing preference for POS platforms over Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for financial transactions. The total number of POS transactions rose by 32.7 per cent, from 9.85 billion in 2023 to 13.08 billion in 2024. In contrast, ATM transaction volume remained largely stagnant, inching up from 1.012 billion to 1.022 billion, with the value of ATM withdrawals reaching N29.12 trillion, compared to N28.21 trillion in 2023. POS vs ATM Monthly Trends in 2024 January: POS transactions hit N11.50tn, more than double January 2023’s N5.28tn. ATM withdrawals dropped from N3.24tn to N2.15tn. February: POS value climbed to N12.46tn, a 69% increase, while ATM withdrawals slipped to N1.72tn. March: POS transactions rose to N14.73tn, up from N10.62tn. ATM usage declined to N1.60tn. April: POS transactions stood at N13.74tn, while ATM withdrawals dropped to N1.81tn. May: POS value rose to N13.91tn, while ATM withdrawals declined slightly to N2.49tn. June: POS transactions surged to N19.57tn, more than double the N8.31tn recorded in June 2023, while ATM value remained flat at N2.45tn. July: ATM withdrawals rose to N3.21tn, while POS value reached N15.24tn, an 83% year-on-year increase. August: POS transactions hit N18.90tn, doubling the N9.10tn of August 2023. ATM withdrawals rose marginally to N2.21tn. September: POS value jumped to N19.69tn, while ATM withdrawals increased modestly to N2.30tn. October: POS transactions grew to N22.27tn, as ATM withdrawals fell to N1.93tn, the lowest for the year. November: POS value spiked to N29.42tn, while ATM withdrawals peaked at N3.35tn, their highest for the year. December: POS transactions hit N31.84tn, with ATM withdrawals also peaking at N3.91tn. The data reflects the growing reliance on agency banking and digital payment platforms, with POS terminals becoming increasingly accessible across both urban and rural areas. This trend points to greater convenience, speed, and financial inclusion but has also exposed vulnerabilities in the system. High POS Charges, Cash Shortages, and CBN Sanctions Despite the rise in digital payments, the end of 2024 saw severe cash shortages, forcing many Nigerians to depend on POS agents who hiked charges by up to 100%, collecting N200 per N5,000 withdrawal. Many ATMs were empty, and banks limited cash withdrawals to N10,000 or N20,000, despite CBN directives warning banks against withholding cash. The CBN fined nine commercial banks a total of N1.35 billion for failing to make cash available at ATMs during the festive season. The sanctioned banks include: Fidelity Bank First Bank Keystone Bank Union Bank Globus Bank Providus Bank Zenith Bank UBA Sterling Bank Growing POS Fraud and New CBN Regulations The surge in POS transactions has also been accompanied by rising fraud. According to FITC’s Fraud and Forgeries Report for Q1 2024: POS fraud cases rose by 31.12%, from 2,683 in Q4 2023 to 3,518 in Q1 2024. POS fraud accounted for over 30% of all fraud cases in the quarter. Computer, mobile, and POS-related fraud made up the majority of incidents. In response, the CBN introduced new regulations, including: A daily cash-out limit of N100,000 per customer for POS transactions. A cumulative N1.2 million daily cash-out limit per POS agent. A weekly cash withdrawal limit of N500,000 per customer. Mandatory use of float accounts for all agency banking transactions. All agent terminals must be connected to the Payments Terminal Service Aggregator. Daily reporting of transaction data and float account balances to the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). Strict monitoring of agents’ Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to prevent misuse. The CBN warned that principals of agency banking operations will be held accountable for their agents’ actions. Non-compliance will attract financial penalties and administrative sanctions.

As public anger mounts over the worsening violence in Benue State, former Governor Samuel Ortom has accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of politicising security matters and neglecting President Bola Tinubu’s proposed peace strategy. Meanwhile, prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticised both the federal and state governments for their failure to prosecute individuals arrested in connection with a string of deadly attacks in the state. Ortom, in a statement issued by his media aide Terver Akase in Makurdi, responded to comments from Alia’s spokesperson, Kula Tersoo. Tersoo had claimed that under Ortom’s administration, Benue State recorded the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in its history, with over four million people driven from their homes a figure he said reflected the failure of Ortom’s security approach. However, Ortom dismissed these claims, insisting that the same verified figure of 1.5 million IDPs he handed over to Alia in 2023 is what the current administration still uses. The former governor warned his successor against politicising the security crisis ravaging the state. “Armed herdsmen are killing our people like animals. Downplaying the scale of the attacks by concealing the casualty figures, understating the number of displaced persons, or describing the violence as mere communal clashes will not solve the problem,” Ortom said. He accused Alia of sending conflicting narratives about the killings. “At one time, the governor claims the attackers are foreigners; next, he says it’s reprisals because Fulani cows were rustled and sold in wheelbarrows. Then he blames so-called ‘Abuja politicians’ as the sponsors. Recently, he accused clergymen of being ‘religious bandits’ responsible for the violence. “This inconsistency shows either a lack of understanding of the security situation or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public,” Ortom stated. He urged the governor to begin implementing the security roadmap provided by President Tinubu during his recent visit to the state. “It’s been five days since the President visited and offered concrete recommendations to address insecurity, yet the governor appears reluctant to act,” Ortom added. The former governor also advised Alia to grant full autonomy to the 23 local governments in the state to better manage security and development efforts at the grassroots level. “Thanks to the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 and the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on local government autonomy, allocations to LGAs have increased by 400 per cent, similar to state-level allocations. “The governor should respect the Supreme Court ruling and allow the councils to control their own resources. “The local governments have been crying out, the State House of Assembly has passed multiple resolutions urging the governor to release the funds, but all appeals have been ignored,” Ortom said. In a separate statement on Sunday, Femi Falana condemned the authorities’ inaction in prosecuting those arrested for attacks in Benue. “It is obvious that the suspected killers in Benue State are being treated as sacred cows,” Falana stated. He urged the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, to immediately commence the prosecution of all suspects in custody. Falana expressed concern that despite numerous arrests linked to previous attacks, no meaningful legal action had followed. He cited police records showing that on December 30, 2024, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects for capital offences, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition. Falana also referenced a police operation on January 11, 2024, which uncovered an illegal arms factory in the state, leading to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of nine locally fabricated pistols, an unfinished AK-47 rifle, and various tools used for arms manufacturing. Additionally, he noted that on April 17, 2025, Governor Alia confirmed the arrest of three herdsmen linked to an attack that killed 11 people in Otobi, Otukpo Local Government Area. In another incident on June 19, 2025, three suspected kidnappers were arrested by Community Volunteer Guards at Otukpo Motor Park with ransom money believed to be proceeds from their crimes. “Between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of dangerous criminal suspects have been arrested by the police. In the past 10 days, at least 43 suspected killers have been taken into custody,” Falana said. Despite these arrests, he lamented the absence of prosecutions, describing the situation as unacceptable. Falana also criticised the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for blaming the residents of Yelwata for allegedly harbouring the attackers. He described the remark as a diversionary tactic that unfairly blames victims for government failures. Meanwhile, the Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Union in Nasarawa State has called on President Tinubu to direct the National Boundary Commission to physically demarcate the boundary between Nasarawa and Benue states. The group believes that clear demarcation would help curb the persistent armed attacks in the region. The appeal was made in a statement jointly signed by the union’s President, Mohammed Oshafu, and its Publicity Secretary, Hassan Ozegya, and made available to journalists in Lafia on Sunday. The group’s demand follows similar concerns raised by the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, during President Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State regarding the security challenges facing border communities such as Yelwata.