A man, Lukman, has told Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, that he is no longer interested in his marriage to his wife, Aderonke, giving troublesomeness, constant fight, infidelity, and threat to his life by the latter as his reasons. Lukman stated that he found it hard to live in peace with his wife since they got married because of her troublesome and destructive nature. The plaintiff explained that the defendant always sought every opportunity to fight him. Lukman added that any time he and his wife had a brawl, she would destroy things in the home. He gave an instance of when Aderonke broke the door of their house and the louvre blades on the windows with a pestle. According to Lukman, Aderonke once set a part of their home on fire, and rather than show remorse, she bragged that her intention was to roast him alive together with the house. The plaintiff further told the court that the defendant extended her hostility to his place of business where she turned him to a source of ridicule. Lukman stated that Aderonke brought soldiers to his shop, who attacked him, turned his shop upside down and went away with his stock. He also said that she later took to immorality and was regularly spotted with other men. Lukman stated that his wife had done him enough harm and therefore implored the court to end their union. He also pleaded that the court should order his wife to quit the two-bedroom flat she was staying in because it solely belonged to him. The plaintiff again entreated the court to grant him access to their children, who are in the defendant’s custody, at weekends and during holidays. Lukman further requested an order restricting Aderonke from threatening him and interfering with his private life. Aderonke denied all the allegations brought against her. She also refused that their marriage be dissolved. She stated that she still loved her husband and that she was sure it was same with her husband. According to the defendant, her mother-in-law was the one behind the crisis in their home. Aderonke added that she owns the land her husband built his house on. According to her, she included her husband’s name on the land document out of her love and respect for him. The defendant demanded the sum of N150,000 as monthly allowance for the maintenance of their three children. Lukman in his evidence said: “My wife and I did not hold a marriage ceremony. We met, dated and she moved in with me. “Aderonke started showing her true nature immediately she started living with me. She became troublesome and uncontrollable. She refused that I have a say in the home. “My wife also derived pleasure in fighting me. She was in the habit of creating a scene over trivial issues and would fight me. “My lord, Aderonke succeeded in ruining me because she always destroyed my property any time we fought. “She once fought me and pulled down the door to our house with a pestle. “She also broke the louvres on the windows with the same pestle. “Aderonke at another time set a part of our house on fire. “Rather than being remorseful, she boasted that she thought I was indoors and that her intention was to roast me alive. “I was afraid and left home after this because I felt she could one day make her threat real. “Aderonke refused that I had rest of mind despite leaving the whole house for her. “She came with her relatives to my shop to fight me. “My wife dug her teeth deep into my hand and almost tore off the flesh covering the spot. “Aderonke at another time brought soldiers to my shop, who attacked me, turned my shop upside down and went away with some of my goods. “This prompted me to file a claim in court. “My wife again came to my shop to fight me after the bailiff served her a court summon. “She tore my clothes and left me almost naked thus embarrassing me. “My lord, my wife is promiscuous. I have sighted her on different occasions with strange men, and I no longer trust her. “Aderonke has made life difficult for me and I do not wish to continue in our marriage. “I pray that the court rules that we go our separate ways. “I want my wife to vacate the two-bedroom apartment she is presently occupying because it belongs solely to me. “I request an order from the court granting me access to our children at weekends and during holidays. “I again request an order restraining my wife from harassing, threatening and interfering with my private life.” Aderonke, in her response said, “My husband and I did not carry out any marital rites. We only went for blessing in the church. “My lord, I do not agree that our marriage be dissolved. “I love my husband and I am sure he loves me. It is his mother that is causing the differences between us. “He lied that I made life difficult for him. “I do not know where he lives since he moved out of home. “I was also at his shop only once since he left. “He beat me blue and black for having the audacity to come to his shop and also slapped my brother who went with me. “My lord, I own the land on which he built the two-bedroom apartment. “I included his name on the land document out of the respect I have for him, while I put our first child’s name on the survey plan. “My lord, if my husband is insisting on divorce, I pray that the court rules that he gives our children N150,000 per month for their upkeep. “I further plead that the court mandate him to be responsible for our children’s education and health care.” The president of the court, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, giving her judgment stated that from the evidence given both parties, it was gathered that both were never married nor the bride price paid. She said they were merely cohabiting. She added that the plaintiff had adduced in evidence that he was no longer interested in the relationship that they shared. Owoseni ordered that both parties should go their different ways in order to avoid a breakdown of law and order between them. She added that the defendant did not contradict the evidence by her husband that she had been a threat to his life giving instances. Owoseni, therefore, gave an order restraining the defendant from harassing, threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life. She further dismissed the plaintiff’s claim on the two-bedroom apartment, stating that the court cannot grant it because according to her, the plaintiff did not contradict nor challenge the defendant’s evidence that the land belong to her during cross examination, which is deemed as admission of the fact which tilts towards joint ownership. Owoseni ruled that the plaintiff give the defendant N60,000 per month for food and be responsible for their education. She granted the plaintiff reasonable access to children upon informing the defendant ahead of time.

The Police Command in Ondo State says it has arrested a 40-year-old landlady, Nafisat Lateef, in connection with the alleged poisoning of her tenant’s three-year-old son in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state. DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s Spokesperson, made this known in a statement on Friday in Akure. Jimoh said the incident was reported on Thursday, Feb.5 at the Odigbo Police Division by the victim’s mother, Rofiyat, aged 32, both residents of Omifon, Odigbo. “According to the report, the incident occurred on Wednesday Feb.4 at about 8:30 a.m., when the suspect allegedly gave the victim identified as Abdulrasheed, a liquid substance suspected to be poisonous. “The act was reportedly carried out following a misunderstanding between the complainant and the suspect, who is the complainant’s landlady. “Shortly after consuming the substance, the child began vomiting and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received medical attention. “Police detectives, during a swift and intelligence-led operation, arrested the suspect. In the course of investigation, the detectives also recovered the liquid substance,” he said. Jimoh, who said the suspect was currently in police custody and had made useful statements, explained that investigation was ongoing, and the case would be charged to court upon its conclusion. The spokesperson also said the state Commissioner of Police (CP) advised residents to avoid landlord–tenant disputes, and warned that such disagreements often led to poor coexistence, and could escalate into criminal acts. He, therefore, reassured members of the public that the command remained readily available to respond promptly to all complaints and was fully committed to ensuring justice in all cases. “In conclusion, CP Adebowale Lawal urged the good people of Ondo State to remain law-abiding and to continue cooperating with the police by providing timely and credible information. “The information will aid crime prevention and the protection of lives and property throughout the state,” he said

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its preparedness for the official commencement of the Computer-Based Test mode of the West African Examinations Council. This aligns with the Federal Government’s directive for a gradual transition from pen-and-paper to full digital testing. According to a release on Friday issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to his office by the Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar of West African Examinations Council, Mr. Waheed Amode, and his management team. “Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has directed that the cost implications for the procurement of over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools across the state be worked out,” Olayiwola said, noting that the move aims to position Oyo State ahead of the full adoption of CBT examinations. He commended WAEC for the proactive measures taken to address the challenges experienced during the 2025 examinations, while pledging the Ministry’s continued support in curbing examination malpractice and preventing vandalisation of school facilities. In his remarks, Amode said the visit was to appreciate the Oyo State Ministry of Education for its support during the 2025 WAEC examinations and for its consistent collaboration with the Council over the years, describing the Ministry as a key stakeholder in the success of WAEC operations. He disclosed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examination closed on February 2, 2026, adding that the forthcoming examinations would be conducted using both CBT and pen-and-paper modes, depending on the readiness of individual schools. He, however, noted that schools interested in full CBT participation are expected to formally indicate their interest through official correspondence. Amode also warned that severe penalties await any candidate caught with mobile phones in the examination hall. He stressed that such misconduct could lead to the cancellation of an entire school’s results, depending on the circumstances, urging principals and teachers to uphold integrity to strengthen educational standards.

A financial analyst, Kalu Aja, said that 95 percent of Nigerians do not have up to N500,000 in their bank accounts. He made this disclosure in a statement on X on Thursday. His comment was in response to President Bola Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun’s claim on X that Nigerian Treasury Bills recently recorded a massive total subscription of N4.59 trillion. “This figure represents an oversubscription of nearly four times the initial N1.15 trillion offered by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” Olusegun wrote. Reacting, Aja explained that high yields in the debt market is not something to rejoice over because they are linked to higher inflation and issuer risk. According to him, an economy needs lower rates to grow. Aja noted that individuals who celebrate high yield are ‘the rich who can fix cash,’ but the majority of Nigerians are not. He wrote, “High yields are not a flex; oh, you are essentially compensating for higher inflation and issuer risk.” “High yields reflect higher borrowing costs to SMEs and are reflective of high government borrowings or sovereign risk. “An economy that wants to expand needs lower rates. “The folks who celebrate high yield are the rich who can fix cash, but 95 percent of Nigerians don’t have N500,000 in their accounts.” THENEWSCREDIT that capital market data on Wednesday showed that T-bill subscriptions surged as investors ran after high yields. In June 2025, Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N152.40 trillion or $99.66 billion, according to the Debt Management Office; however, it has been projected to rise amid recent borrowings by President Tinubu’s government. The 2026 budget proposal of N58.18 trillion has a deficit of N23.85 trillion.

Islamic leaders and scholars under the platform of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland have announced 18 February as the date for the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast. The League made the declaration in a communique read to journalists by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, at the end of its meeting in Ibadan on Thursday. The meeting was attended by President General of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Chief Imam of Ogun State, Sheikh Saadulah Bamgbola, Chief Imam of Osun State, Sheikh Musa Rabiu Animasahun, and Grand Chief Imam of Ondo State, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede. Others at the meeting are Chairman, Leagues of Imams and Alfas in Lagos State, Sheikh Seifudeen Ademoritan Olowooribi, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullah El-Ilory, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Adewale Hossein Doak, Professor Kamil Oloso and Dr Abdul-Barri Adetunji and other prominent Islamic leaders and scholars from the six states in South-West Nigeria. The League in the communique noted that the first day of Ramadan fast will be Wednesday 18 February based on its findings and based on the resolutions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul from November 27-30, 1978. The League while justifying its resolutions maintained that the announcement is also based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Confirmation of Lunar Months and resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy and the outcomes of International Conference on the Unification of the Hijrah Calendar held in Istanbul from May 28-30, 2016. The League noted that based on the above facts, it is confirmed that the Ramadan fast will begin on Wednesday, 18 February, 2026. “The first day of Ramadan 1447 AH, Insha Allah, will be Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The League also takes this opportunity to announce the beginning of month of Ramadan in the year 1447 AH (2026 CE), in accordance with the resolutions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul from 26-29 Dhul-Hijjah 1389 AH (November 27-30, 1978 CE). “This is also based on the confirmation by the International Fiqh Council in its Resolution No. (18) during its third conference in 1986, as well as the outcomes of the scientific symposium held in Paris on 12-13 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433 AH (February 4-5, 2012 CE), which was titled “The Beginning of Hijrah Months and the Hijrah Calendar” “Additionally, this announcement is based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Confirmation of Lunar Months, attended by scholars of Sharia and astronomical calculations, as well as the resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 19-21 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433 AH (February 11-13, 2012 CE), which was attended by a large number of jurists and Muslims astronomers. “Furthermore, it is based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Unification of the Hijrah Calendar held in Istanbul from 21-23 Sha’ban 1437 AH (May 28-30, 2016 CE), which was attended by representatives from over ninety countries, including ministries of endowments, fatwa councils, scholars, jurists, and astronomers, as well as representatives from most Islamic jurisprudential councils worldwide. “Based on the above facts, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland hereby announces the following: Precise astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Ramadan 1447AH confirm that the conjunction (Astronomical New Moon) will occur at (12:01 PM) Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1447AH, which is 1:01 (1:01 PM) local time in Nigeria. “Furthermore, the League wishes to clarify that Wednesday, 18th March 2026, shall mark the 29th day of Ramadan. There shall be no possibility of crescent sighting on the evening of 18th March 2026, as astronomical conjunction will not yet have occurred, meaning there will be no moon at all in existence for sighting on that evening. “The conjunction for the month of Shawwāl shall occur on Thursday, 19th March 2026 at 2:23 PM (Nigeria Local Time). Consequently, Ramadan this year shall be completed as 30 days, and fasting shall not end at 29 days,” parts of the communique read.

The Oyo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of squandering the sum of N2.9 billion for the 50 years anniversary of the state. The APC made the allegation in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the government led by Makinde recently celebrated the 50 anniversary of state. But the APC is saying the governor squandered N2.9 billion on the celebration. The party noted that N90 million was deducted from the federal allocation of each of the 33 local government councils to fund the anniversary celebration. Parts of the APC statement read, “We have it on good authority that a sum of N90 million was deducted from the federal allocation of each of the 33 local government councils by Gov. Makinde ostensibly to fund the anniversary project while another undisclosed amount was taken from the coffers of the state government for the same purpose at the same time and the question now is – what did they do with over N3 billion? “Was it the huge amount the cost of the misplaced air show, lopsided award conferment, colour-riot Ankara uniform for PDP members and one-man show novelty soccer match that justified the amount?”

Veteran Nigerian comic actor, Wale Akorede, popularly known as Okunnu, has called out popular marketer, Olasco Films, over an unpaid job. Speaking in a now trending interview with media personality, Olugbenga Oropo Valentine on SAWORO program, the actor stated that he hasn’t forgiven Olasco for his refusal to pay for a movie he produced for him some years ago. Narrating the incident, Okunnu who tagged the unpaid money his “sweat”, noted that he didn’t get a dime from the money made from the movie he produced, directed and played lead role. “I once did a movie for Olascoand he didn’t give me anything. Not even N5 for pure water till this moment. I don’t know if I will later be paid on judgement day. I haven’t forgiven Olasco. Mr Akeem Balogun Olasco, I don’t know about tomorrow, but as at the moment, I haven’t forgiven Olasco. “I wrote a movie ‘Aare’. I directed it and played the lead role. Both part 1 and part 2 of the movie were released at the same time. I didn’t see a dime from it. I will be lying if I say Olasco gave me anything from the money made from my sweat”, he said.

The Senate has dismissed reports claiming that it rejected the electronic transmission of election results during consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. The clarification came from Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the upper chamber passed the bill following a marathon session that lasted about four and a half hours. Consideration of the contentious amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the bill began at about 2pm and stretched until 6.26pm, fuelling speculation online that lawmakers had voted against mandatory electronic transmission of results. However, news made the rounds that the Senate shot down a proposal that would have compelled presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit results electronically from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time, after signing and stamping the prescribed result forms. According to the reports, the Senate was said to have instead retained the existing provision of the Electoral Act, which states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.” However, Akpabio insisted that the interpretation was misleading, stressing that the Senate did not remove electronic transmission from the law. He said, “Distinguished colleagues, the social media is already awash with reports that the Senate has literally rejected electronic transmission of results. That is not true. What we did was to retain the electronic transmission which has been in the act and was used in 2022. “So please, do not allow people to confuse you. If you are in doubt, we will make our final votes and proceedings available to you if you apply. “This Senate under my watch has not rejected the electronic transmission of results. It is in my interest as a participant in the next election for such to be done. So please don’t go with the crowd. “We have retained what was in the previous provision by way of amendment. That was all we did. The previous previous has made allowance for electronic transmission. So it is still there as part of our law. We cannot afford to be going backwards.” The issue of electronic transmission of results has remained a sensitive and highly debated aspect of Nigeria’s electoral reforms since the 2023 general elections, with civil society groups and opposition parties consistently pushing for clearer and more explicit legal backing to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. Akpabio’s intervention was aimed at calming public concerns and correcting what he described as deliberate or careless misrepresentation of the Senate’s action on the bill, as the National Assembly continues work on amendments ahead of future elections.

The Oyo State Fire Service has recovered the corpses of a 30-year-old man, Shina Adedeji, and another 45-year-old man, whose name was withheld, from two separate locations in the state. One of the victims was trying to rescue a goat when he was trapped in the well. The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reforms and Chairman of the state Fire Service, Moroof Akinwande, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday. He explained that while Adedeji fell into a well at the Aaje Ikose area of Ogbomoso in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area on Tuesday, the second corpse was recovered from a deep well at the Mokola area of Saki in Saki West Local Government Area on Monday. The man in the Saki incident was trying to rescue a goat when he met his death. Akinwande said, “The agency received a distress call on Monday at exactly 10:23 pm through a running caller and Yusuf Ismail that someone had fallen into a well at the Mokola area of Saki. “Fire officers, led by PFS II Kolade Taiwo, promptly mobilised and responded to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 45 years was trapped inside a deep well. “Our officers quickly swung into action, secured the area with the necessary equipment, and successfully recovered the man from the well. “The incident occurred when the man willingly entered the well in an attempt to rescue a goat, during which he became trapped.” On the Ogbomoso incident, Akinwande said, “On February 3, at exactly 9:45 am, we were summoned to a rescue operation by a running caller and CFM Adeleke at Aaje Ikose area of Ogbomoso. “The firemen, led by CFM Oladejo, promptly moved to the scene. On arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 30 years old, named Shina Adedeji, had fallen into a well and was recovered by officers of the agency. “The casualty was trapped in the well, which contained ammonia gas, while attempting to retrieve a fetcher,” he said. The chairman, therefore, warned members of the public to always prioritise their safety in their daily activities, noting that life has no duplicate. In a similar occurrence on January 25, 2026, THENEWSCREDIT reported that the Oyo State Fire Service Agency recovered the body of a 33-year-old man from a deep well at a Rain Oil Filling Station in the Alakia–Adegbayi area of Ibadan, Egbeda Local Government Area of the state. Investigations revealed that the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. when the victim, whose name was withheld, reportedly entered an abandoned well to clean debris and became trapped.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee for the Ogbomoso Marathon Race, Prince Oyebamiji Aderemi Joy, officially kicked off the 2026 edition today, February 3, with the unveiling of the registration links for the upcoming 10km road race. During the unveiling ceremony for the 5th Edition (5.0), Prince Oyebamiji welcomed athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and officials, noting that the launch of the registration portal specifically targets participants outside the Ogbomoso Zone. He described the event as a "significant milestone" in ongoing efforts to promote sports and regional unity across Oyo State and Nigeria. Highlighting the broader goals of the event, the Chairman emphasized that the marathon serves as more than just a competition. "This year`s marathon is a celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and community spirit," Prince Oyebamiji stated. "We are bringing together athletes to promote healthy lifestyles and showcase the vibrant culture of Ogbomoso." The organizers also announced a commitment to increase cash prizes across all categories for the 2026 edition. This follows the 2025 event, where organizers similarly "jacked up" prize money to encourage participation. The committee urged runners and professional athletes to register early to secure their place in the historic race. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/OgbomosoMarathonRace2026 Official Social Media: WhatsApp Channel: Ogbomosoland Marathon Race Facebook Page: OgbomosoLand Marathon Race Prince Oyebamiji Oyebamiji concluded by expressing deep appreciation to the sponsors and partners whose financial contributions led to the success of the previous 2025 edition. He invited the public to join in making the 2026 race a memorable chapter in the city`s growing sports history.