The Police Command in Ondo State has initiated an investigation into allegations of extortion against Ganiyu Dauda, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Igbara-Oke in the Ifedore Local Government Area. The investigation follows a protest by residents of the community on Friday, April 11, who accused the DPO and his operatives of extorting money from locals. The protesters, who were seen carrying leaves, blocked the main road leading into the community as a show of their dissatisfaction with the alleged extortion. The protest has drawn attention to the activities of the local police officers, sparking concerns among residents. Speaking on the matter, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the allegations. He urged anyone with relevant information about the extortion claims to come forward and assist the investigation. Ayanlade stated, The command has launched an investigation into the details of the event and the alleged extortion. Although nobody has come forward to lay any report concerning the allegation against the DPO, anybody that has concrete evidence against the DPO or any of our men should please come forward with the facts. He further assured the public that the outcome of the investigation would be made known and appealed for law-abiding behavior from the people of the state. The protest was reportedly triggered by a misunderstanding between some members of a drivers union and police officers over the towing of an accident vehicle into the Igbara-Oke Divisional Police station. Ayanlade explained that the issue had been resolved with the intervention of the local government chairman.The post Police probe DPO accused of extortion appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been severely criticised for allegedly not putting up enough resistance against the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Following a long-drawn political feud, President Bola Tinubu imposed an emergency rule on the oil-rich state and announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and state House of Assembly members.

Subsequently, he appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Sole Administrator for six months.

In a swift reaction, the NBA condemned Tinubu’s pronouncement, describing it as unconstitutional and a dangerous precedent for Nigerian democracy.

ALSO READ: Protest rocks Rivers as women ask Tinubu to ‘Bring Back Our Fubara’

However, according to a civic group, the Centre for Constitutional Watch (CCW), the legal body appeared to have become lukewarm since its initial fiery reaction.

NBA accused of not fighting enough to defend democracy

In a statement issued on Saturday, April 12, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Hassan Bello, the Centre criticised the NBA leadership over what it described as a “muted, convenient reaction” to the development in Rivers.

CCW argued that relocating the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu was not a bold enough statement against the “illegal and shameful occupation of power” in Rivers.

According to the body, Nigerians expected the NBA to go beyond changing venues and instead lead a national resistance against the alleged creeping military democracy slowly strangling the nation’s Constitution.

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“You cannot applaud a doctor who simply walks away from a dying patient. By merely relocating their conference, the NBA is walking away from the heart of the crisis. Nigerians expected more. They expected resistance. They expected outrage,” Bello stated.

“Rivers State is under siege. The courts are silent. The constitution is being desecrated in broad daylight. Yet, the supposed custodians of the law are making travel plans instead of leading the charge for justice.”

NBA urged to take stronger action

ALSO READ: Nigerian economy, security need state of emergency, not Rivers – Ndume tells Tinubu

The Centre challenged the NBA to take more tangible action, including declaring a one-month boycott of all courts in Nigeria to signal zero tolerance for the unconstitutional sole administrator model in place in Rivers.

“This is not the time for cautious statements. The NBA should be declaring a national legal crisis. Their silence in the face of tyranny amounts to complicity,” the statement added.

“You do not fight dictatorship by changing venue. You fight dictatorship by taking the fight to the courtrooms, the streets, and the national conscience.

“If lawyers retreat from a constitutional battle, who will stand for Nigeria’s democracy?

“The sole administrator is an aberration. The NBA must pursue this matter to the Supreme Court and lead public interest litigation that nullifies this political atrocity.”

The CCW called on well-meaning civil society organisations, student groups, and professional bodies to demand more from the NBA, insisting that the rule of law cannot survive if those entrusted with its defence choose convenience over courage.

ALSO READ: Assembly Fire: Pressure on authorities to probe alleged plot to frame Fubara’s COS

Beyonc and Jay-Z have been officially dropped from a sensational lawsuit filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs, after the plaintiff, Manzaro Joseph, amended his initial claims and retracted an explosive story involving the music power couple. Joseph, who earlier this month accused Diddy of drugging and humiliating him during a 2015 birthday party for Diddy’s son, King Combs, had initially claimed that Beyonc and Jay-Z witnessed him in a compromised state, wearing a sexually explicit mask. In the original filing, Joseph alleged that Beyonc reacted with shock, questioning why a “half-naked white man with a c**k mask” was standing in front of her. However, in newly amended court documents, Joseph has scrubbed all references to Beyonc and Jay-Z from his allegations. The lawsuit continues to target Diddy and other figures, including music producer Emilio Estefan, but makes no mention of the Carters. Sources familiar with the matter told TMZ that the retraction came after Jay-Zs attorney, Alex Spiro, contacted Josephs legal team. Spiro reportedly presented evidence proving that Jay-Z and Beyonc were not in Miami at the time of the alleged incident. The implication was clear: pursue the false claim, and face legal consequences. This marks the second instance in recent weeks where Jay-Zs name has been cleared in connection with legal actions involving Diddy. A separate lawsuit, filed by a Jane Doe accusing the two moguls of sexual assault in 2000, was quietly dismissed last month. Despite the removal of the high-profile names, Joseph is pressing ahead with his lawsuit against Diddy and others, seeking damages for what he describes as a traumatic and degrading experience.The post Diddy accuser changes tune on Beyonc and Jay-Z’s involvement appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.