Airwaves Watch

In a major operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, used as a front for illicit substance distribution. After a thorough search, operatives recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 417.3 kilograms and valued at ₦1,042,500,000. At least three suspects, Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh, were arrested during the operation, which occurred between Friday, 25th and Saturday, 26th April 2025. Two other suspects, Noble Philip and Kenneth, are currently evading arrest. The recovered items, including vehicles and electronics, are believed to be proceeds of illicit drug trade. Items suspected to be proceeds of illicit drug trade recovered from the premises housing The Hook Hotel also known as Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim street, off Elsie Femi Pearse street, Victoria Island, Lagos, include: Toyota Prado Landcruiser Jeep (Lagos AKD 472 OZ); Toyota Sienna Vehicle (Lagos KJA 79 HJ); Volkswagen Delivery Van (Lagos AAA 525 JE); Kia Ceranto Car (Lagos BDG 860 GQ); Grand Caravan Dodge (Lagos APP 847 YF); 74 new TV sets; 10 used TV sets; and 13 refrigerators, among others. 39 Views

Ace film actor cum Producer Femi Adebayo has been awarded a sum of ₦25million in a lawsuit that involves his company and an unnamed YouTube content aggregator! In case you missed it, the said YouTube Channel was reported to have overlay promotional materials of Femi Adebayo\’s 2019 theatrical movie titled, “Survival of Jelili” to hoax audiences into believing they were watching the actual film. This deception boosted the views of another YouTube title that earned unaccounted revenue streams over a period of time. Reacting to the court judgement, Femi Adebayo wrote on his X page, \” The Nigerian film industry has experienced exponential growth over the years, but we haven\’t been able to maximise the true dividends of this business because of dare devil pirates who benefit where they didn\’t sow. This is a major reason why investors find it hard to commit their funds to filmmakers. However, through persistence and the use of the legal framework covering intellectual property, we can bring their activities to a gradual halt. Several times, I have been a victim of movie pirates and I never spare them. I recently concluded a legal battle with a notable media company that owns a big radio station and also engages in youtube content distribution. During the cinema run of \”Survival of Jelili\” in 2019, my movie was gathering good numbers at that time. They decided to use my movie poster and title to promote a movie on their platform, thereby deceiving fans and diverting revenue accrued to me. It took 3 years, but my trust in the legal and justice system remained unwavering. With the dedication of our legal team, Bola Adebowale & Co Legal Practitioners, who are seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience in handling such cases. They presented undeniable evidence, put up a strong argument, and took the case to trial. Their promptness, efficiency, and attention to detail played a huge part in the direction of the case. We won and were awarded a total of Twenty Five Million Naira. This isn\’t just my win as a filmmaker and content producer but a win for all of Nollywood. We need to be ready to fight IP theft and piracy at all levels. Every win brings us closer to protecting and getting the true economic value of our works\”. #saynotopiracy 358 Views

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dissociated itself from a phantom report circulating in sections of the media claiming it has released a full list of ex-governors being investigated for alleged corruption. In a recently released press statement, EFCC said, \”the report headlined: \”EFCC Releases Full List of 58 Ex-Governors that Embezzled N2.187 Trillion\”, in one of the news outlets, is false and mischievous as the Commission neither issued the said list nor entertained discussions on investigation of ex-governors with any news medium. This invariably means that the so-called list is a disingenuous fabrication designed to achieve motives known only to the authors. The public is enjoined to ignore the report as it is false and misleading. The media is advised to endeavour to crosscheck facts pertaining to matters under investigation with the Commission to avoid misleading the public with false and inaccurate reports\” . 426 Views

Anyim Vera, the lady who was accused of giving false testimony by the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, Paul Eneche, on Sunday, April 14, has taken to her Facebook page to clear all doubts. Speaking via her Facebook page on Monday, April 15, Vera said she was disgraced and labelled a liar by her spiritual leader just because she couldn\’t speak English and mistakenly said B.Sc instead of LLB. She further stated that she graduated with a 3rd class from NOUN and was no. 2262 on the list of graduates from the school. She wrote: \”It\’s disheartened because I couldn\’t speak English like lawyers. I was labelled a liar for mistakenly saying B.Sc instead of LLB. Actually, I graduated with a Third Class at NOUN. “The rejected stone can become the cornerstone. We\’re reminded not to look down on anyone. U can\’t imagine what I endured throughout the service. How shattered I must have felt to be disgraced by my spiritual leader in such a manner? “I am no. 2262 on the list. I Vera deserves better now\” In another post, she wrote: \”The Devil came to steal my testimony but Jesus said NO!\” A photo on her Facebook page suggests she is a policewoman as she was seen adorned in their uniform. You may recall that on Sunday, April 14, Vera came on the altar to share her testimony of how God made her the “only graduate in her family\” adding she graduated with a \”BSc in Law\” from the National Open University of Nigeria. While giving her testimony, Pastor Eneche asked what degree she graduated with and she said ‘’Law\”, he asked further, what kind of Law degree, and the lady answered \’BScc in Law\’\’ after which he accused her of lying. 486 Views

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 12, 2024, sentenced Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment over mutilation of the Naira notes. He was arraigned on Friday, April 5, 2024, on a four-count charge bordering on mutilation of the Naira notes to the tune of N490,000,00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira). He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him. Delivering judgment , Justice Awogboro held that “  The act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country. “Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others.” The Judge, therefore, sentenced him to six months imprisonment, without an option of fine, from the date of his remand. 512 Views

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced investigation of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, for allegedly spraying Naira notes. The EFCC had invited the 31-year-old following a video report of spraying and flaunting wads of new Naira notes at the premiere of a movie, Ajakaju, produced by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos on March 24, 2024. The investigation also revealed that he had also committed the alleged offence at some other event centres and parties at different times. Following the invitation by the Commission, he arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on the morning of Wednesday, April 4, 2024, for interrogation and volunteered his statements. He will soon be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations. 508 Views

The Office of the National Security Adviser has confirmed that a Binance executive, Nadeem ANJARWALLA, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria escaped from lawful custody on Friday, 22 March 2024. Upon receiving the report, ONSA said it has taken immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies , MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect. Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect . Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport. The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect is said to have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention. Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform. Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts. The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024. ONSA urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect. 354 Views

The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State While on peace mission to OkUOMA community in BOMADI LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March, 2024. The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State. The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers. The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Govt. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack. 315 Views