The Government of Benin Republic on Tuesday jailed at least 30 people, most of whom are soldiers, accused of links to a foiled coup attempt earlier this month.

DAILY POST recalls that soldiers appeared on national television on December 7 to announce that President Patrice Talon had been deposed.

However, the attempted coup was swiftly defeated by loyalist army forces with the help of the Nigerian air force and French special forces.

Several people were killed and the alleged coup leader lieutenant-colonel Pascal Tigri and other mutinous soldiers are still on the run.

At least 30 accused people on Monday appeared before a special prosecutor for the court for economic crimes and terrorism in the city of Cotonou.

They were reportedly placed in pre-trial detention the following day at the end of their hearing.

They are being prosecuted for treason, murder and endangering state security.

Meanwhile, Chabi Yayi, son of former Beninese President and current opposition figure Thomas Boni Yayi, who was earlier arrested, was released on Monday after being questioned but remains under prosecution in connection with the coup bid for reasons that are not known.

He is alleged to be a member of the opposition party led by his father.

President Talon is accused by critics of authoritarianism in a country once praised for its democratic dynamism.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licenses of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc.

This was announced in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali.

Naija News reports that the operational licenses of the two primary mortgage banks were revoked based on multiple regulatory violations and financial distress.

The apex bank explained that the decision was taken as part of efforts to reposition the mortgage subsector and promote a culture of compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

The CBN added that its actions are backed by Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 7.3 of the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks in Nigeria.

The affected institutions were found to have breached various provisions, including:

– Failure to meet the minimum paid-up share capital requirement for their license category.
– Having insufficient assets to cover liabilities.
– Being critically undercapitalized, with capital adequacy ratios below the CBN’s prudential minimum.
– Non-compliance with several directives and obligations imposed by the regulator.

Furthermore, the two institutions have faced longstanding challenges, including past complaints from depositors, allegations of corporate governance issues, and delisting from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in 2024 due to failure to submit audited accounts for over six years.

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• Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has died in Saudi Arabia.
• His death was confirmed by close sources and officially announced by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students, which described his passing as a monumental loss.

The former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has passed away. A close source confirmed his death early Tuesday morning, stating he died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) officially confirmed his passing in a condolence statement dated December 16, 2025, describing it as a “monumental loss” to the country.

The statement honored his career, noting that he was “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice”. NAMLAS emphasized that throughout his judicial career, he “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law,”.

Beyond his service as the head of Nigeria’s judiciary, NAMLAS highlighted his role as a mentor: “To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students across the country,”.

The association extended condolences, concluding with the prayer: “Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” and asking that Allah grants him “the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus,”.

In other news….. Record producer Samklef has criticized singer Davido, accusing him of fueling rivalry and negativity within the Nigerian music scene.

The producer made the remarks in response to a tweet by fellow producer-turned-singer Pheelz, who had expressed concerns about the competitive and toxic atmosphere in the industry. Pheelz wrote, “Music was meant to be enjoyed, not compared. This comparison game is damaging the sound and culture more than we realize.”

Samklef argued that the Nigerian music industry used to thrive on mutual respect when artists like Wizkid and Olamide dominated the scene. He suggested that the dynamics shifted after Davido entered the industry.

According to Samklef, Davido’s presence introduced toxicity, a “cultist mindset,” threats, and fraudulent streaming practices. He emphasized that music should be about passion, not rivalry.

He added, “Music was fun when we started. With Wizkid, there were no comparisons just love for the craft. Olamide came in, and it was the same no pressure, no animosity, just music. Then this one Scorpio boy who moves like Diddy arrived, and the industry changed. Toxicity, fake streams, threats, and dirty tactics became common.”

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December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

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By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka

The Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, has commended security operatives for rescuing three of the five persons kidnapped by bandits in Zurin Mahauta village, Lakwaya town, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, on Sunday night. The statement was issued by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, on Monday.

According to Mudashir’s press release, bandits suspected to be from neighbouring states stormed Zurin Mahauta village late Sunday night and abducted five residents. Senator Barau, in the statement, described the invasion as “condemnable” and called for immediate action against the criminals.

“The good news, however, is that security operatives have rescued three out of the five persons kidnapped,” Senator Barau said, urging the gallant officers to “go after the criminals to rescue the remaining two persons.” He emphasized that the incursion must be the last in a series of attacks on peace‑loving communities in Kano.

The rescue operation was confirmed by Captain Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, who told Daily Trust around 3 p.m. on Monday that “three persons have so far been rescued.”

Senator Barau, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, warned that “this unfortunate incursion must be the last in the series of attacks on our peace‑loving people.” He noted that the area had been quiet for weeks before Sunday’s raid.

He appealed to security agencies to “redouble their efforts in fortifying the areas and remain vigilant in tackling these marauding criminal elements,” stressing that “the security of our people’s lives and properties is paramount.”

The Deputy Senate President reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies with logistics to enhance their performance, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance to prevent future attacks in Kano State.

The statement concluded with a call for swift justice for the kidnappers and continued collaboration between community leaders and security operatives to safeguard rural settlements across the state.

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• A trending video has shown a lady’s epic reaction when she met internet personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, at the airport
• The lady, a serving corps member, was overwhelmed with emotion and stuttered as she made a video with the calm VeryDarkMan
• While many people trolled the lady over her outburst of emotion on seeing VeryDarkMan, others excused her behaviour

A serving corps member, @alao_eunice, has shared a video on TikTok showing her emotional reaction when she met VeryDarkMan aboard an aeroplane.

In the clip, the thrilled lady couldn’t keep calm as she interacted with VeryDarkMan and made a video with him for her sister, Mercy Owolabi, whom she said is his biggest fan.

A lady loses her composure after meeting VeryDarkMan at the airport.
Photo Credit: @alao_eunice
Source: TikTok

Lady speaks on meeting VeryDarkMan at airport

“My sister loves you so much. She is crazy about you. Mercy Owolabi,” the lady told VeryDarkMan while stuttering.

She further informed him that her sister was waiting at the airport and looked forward to seeing him. A calm VeryDarkMan gave a shoutout to the lady’s sister while speaking to the camera.

Read also

Lady in tears as theives break into new shop weeks after taking loan to launch it: “Cruel world”

“Mercy Owolabi, how are you doing? Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance,” VeryDarkMan said.

Speaking about her emotional outburst on seeing the celebrity, the lady admitted that she never expected that she would behave that way, as she is not usually moved by celebrities.

She further said she had been on flights with celebrities and even turned down some of their offers to take pictures, but when she got close to VeryDarkMan, she said she lost her steeze and composure.

She observed that celebrities carry a kind of sparkle that overwhelms one in proximity with them, and VeryDarkMan wasn’t any different. In her words:

“Guys… I couldn’t believe I actually got nervous and started stuttering around a celebrity 😭✨ Normally, I’m that person who doesn’t get moved. I’ve been on flights, met a couple of celebrities before, even had some ask me to take pictures and I said no because I just… don’t freeze over celebrities. But then… I met VDM at the airport. I told my sister, who’s his biggest fan ever, that I might make a video for her. And she was screaming on the other line, so excited. And then, when I got close…

Read also

“Babygirl took a little break”: Lady missing 8 days found at boyfriend’s house, story goes viral

“I completely lost my composure. I was stuttering, shaking, I was a mess guys😅 Honestly, celebrities carry this kind of sparkle that just overwhelms you, and I could feel it being around him. So yeah… that’s how I lost my steeze, my composure, and my aura went straight to zero 🥲✨ Hopefully, I’ll recover soon… but for now, let’s just say Zero steeze.”A lady says she lost her composure when she got close to VeryDarkMan.
Photo Credit: @alao_eunice
Source: TikTok

Watch her video below:

Reactions trail lady’s meeting with VeryDarkMan

Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the lady’s meeting with VeryDarkMan below:

Chiks🫦 said:

“Wizkid, Dbanj, Timaya, Kizz , Duncan, Davido these are celebrities I love and can remember I’ve been in same close space with and I wasn’t star struck. But guess who I was star struck for. MARY REMY NJOKU 😭😭 I couldn’t control my emotions. One of my role models.”

Chisom Ifeanyi said:

“My love u have the right to react anyhow u want to react when u see someone u like for the first time is normal.”

Oluwonder said:

“Omo anytime I see celebrity, I go do like say I no see them make they no vex say I no greet them.”

CHI_SOM🧚‍♀️💕 said:

“Imagine? 😂😭I can only say sir pls let’s take a picture (if I want to 🙄) buh for this one mbahhh 😂😭make I get bp cause say I see celebrity.”

Read also

“I was so confused”: Lady figures out the marital status of Apostle Joshua Selman, post trends

Ceph_code said:

“There’s one thing I’ve always loved to have… influence + positive impact.”

SIM_2 said:

“First of all, you no get steeze, aura and whatever composure before ma.”

Gillian 💙💦☯️ said:

“Awww I was just smiling throughout the video.”

Dera nwa said:

“Please next time take a deep breath 😩and calmly make your video.”

Biggest 💪🇬🇭🇳🇬🇹🇷 said:

“Don’t mind there comment ooo them go do pass you self if them there favorite 😻 darki till death.”

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a lady had shared a video of VeryDarkMan in a community playing ball with children.

Videographer shares her experience with VeryDarkMan

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a videographer who approached VeryDarkMan to work with him shares his response.

The lady approached VerDarkMan at the event and introduced herself as a huge fan. A video captured the lady’s bold move as she asked VDM for an opportunity to collaborate with him professionally.

Read also

“God, forgive me”: Lady who wishes to marry Joshua Selman speaks out, mentions who she saw

VeryDarkMan’s response was brief, as he asked if she could operate a drone, to which she replied in the negative. Despite this, he promised to take her phone number, igniting hope for a potential collaboration. The lady expressed her gratitude towards him for giving her the chance to showcase her work.

Source: Legit.ng

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A Nigerian man has taken to social media to express outrage after suspecting that his course representative may have inflated the cost of a departmental textbook for personal gain.

According to the man, doubts arose when the course representative announced a textbook price that seemed unusually high.

Acting on instinct, he stated that he decided to verify the actual cost of the book and the recent phone purchase proves that the amount charged to students was significantly above the real price.

He said that the situation became more suspicious after the course representative was later seen with a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max, prompting speculation that students’ money may have been misappropriated.

The man added that if he were not positioned to become the next course representative, there would be an issue.

He said in part …

“I talk am say that textbook no be N8,500. Something in me told me ‘bro go and verify’ if I no be me course rep next session…”

In reaction, one netizen @PRINCE STAMP FLOORING DESIGN shared: “why this video come now way we dey get class issue about this same thing,and nah same human Anatomy 🤣🤣🤣”

@E🖤L💙M💜A said: “Jezzz I talk am oooo. Because she just buy am last month ooo”

@danny_oyie remarked: “the textbook nah 2500
the remaining 6000 x 200 students nah 1.2m
why E no go buy 17 pro max
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”

Watch video below …

@uzebe_7

Just for cruise……..😂😂😂😂 #zebvii #goviral #foryoupagе #fyp #igboamaka

♬ original sound – ZEB Vii

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The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed growing concerns that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state, describing such claims as “an odious comment” by those he called “internally displaced politicians.”

Basiru stated this on Monday during an interview on Prime Time on ARISE NEWS, where he defended the dominance of the ruling party, the wave of defections to the APC, and the policies of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Responding to concerns that multi-party democracy was weakening, Basiru said Nigeria remained firmly a multiparty state, pointing to the spread of political parties controlling different states across the country.

“I don’t think so. I think it’s a very odious comment and opinion by those I call internally displaced politicians,” he said.

“Today we have multiparty democracy even well illustrated by the spread of the political parties that are in control of various states in Nigeria.”

He noted that while the APC currently controls 27 states, other parties still hold governorship positions.

“Yes, my party, the APC has 27 governors, the PDP has five governors, APGA has one, NNPP has one, and AP party just got a governor,” Basiru said, asking, “What other illustration of multiparty democracy do you have?”

He argued that multiparty democracy did not require the ruling party to weaken itself for the opposition’s sake.

“Multiparty democracy does not mean that the ruling party should allow itself to be weakened, should become indolent and complacent,” he said.

“If multiparty democracy means canvassing your ideas, expressing freedom of association, freedom of information and freedom to organise, then definitely Nigeria is a multiparty democracy and working stronger.”

The APC scribe also rejected allegations that the Tinubu administration was weaponising anti-corruption agencies against opposition figures, insisting that law enforcement institutions were independent.

“I must immediately address the erroneous impression which is rather ridiculous for people to say that the presidency is weaponising EFCC. There’s no such thing like that,” Basiru said.

He cited examples of APC members facing prosecution to counter claims of selective justice.

“Governor Bello is a prominent member of our party and is currently standing trial before at least two courts in Nigeria. Is that victimisation?” he asked.

Basiru added that politicians with clean records had nothing to fear.

“If you don’t have skeleton in your cupboard, nobody should be afraid that anybody will go after you,” he said.

“Do you have immunity against criminal investigation or criminal prosecution just for the fact that you belong to opposition?”

Drawing parallels with Tinubu’s past, Basiru recalled that the president himself had once been subjected to anti-corruption trials.

“When our now president was prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to full trial, that did not stop Bola Tinubu from continuing to organise and mobilise the opposition,” he said.

Addressing claims that governors were defecting to the APC to escape prosecution, Basiru dismissed the argument as illogical.

“People are harassing and saying some very unpalatable comment about governors who have defected as if they did not know that under the Nigerian law a sitting governor has immunity against criminal prosecution,” he said.

He cited reasons publicly given by defecting governors, including infrastructure projects and federal support.

“When governors had come forward to say the reasons why they decided to join the APC, the governor mentioned four important factors,” Basiru said, referencing road construction, electrification projects, and federal waivers granted under Tinubu’s administration.

He further rejected reports that the APC was scheming to secure bloc votes from specific regions to guarantee Tinubu’s re-election.

“That’s a fallacy,” he said. “We are creating a pan-Nigerian political party and the strength of the APC is all over Nigeria.”

He described claims that the party was targeting votes from the South-South and North-Central as “fertile imagination,” adding, “We have become a pan-Nigerian political party, we propagate our party and our programmes and get membership acceptance from Nigerians from all walks of life.”

Responding to suggestions that Tinubu was losing support in the North, Basiru cited recent election outcomes as evidence of APC’s strength.

“The barometer for acceptance of the president and political party is election,” he said. “Elections are not done on the pages of newspapers. They are not done in the studio of ARISE Television. They are done with the masses.”

He added that in the most recent elections, the APC won the majority of available seats.

On the economy, Basiru insisted that Tinubu’s reforms were yielding results, particularly in inflation and food prices.

“Just today (Monday) 14.5% is the inflation rate. On the contrary, it was about 34% in 2024,” he said, claiming that food prices had declined significantly.

“The uppermost bag of rice in Nigeria today is ₦60,000. In the corresponding period last year, it was about ₦100,000,” Basiru said, urging Nigerians to “go and price.”

Acknowledging initial hardship following subsidy removal and naira reforms, he maintained that the economy was stabilising.

“We thank God today that Nigerians are beginning to see the good side effect of the fact that we are now recalibrating Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

Basiru admitted that insecurity remained a challenge but rejected claims that no progress had been made.

“To say that we have not made advancement in the past two and a half years of the Bola Tinubu administration would not be correct,” he said.

He pointed to improvements in the South-East and parts of Southern Kaduna, while conceding that insecurity had not been completely eradicated.

“It’s a lingering problem… and we are very serious and very committed in being able to do so,” he added.

Defending Nigeria’s intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic, Basiru said the move was lawful, strategic and later ratified by the National Assembly.

“If there’s a major crisis in Benin, how do you envisage that will not spill over to Nigeria?” he asked.

He added that swift action was sometimes necessary. “Time is essential in terms of intervention in such a kind of matter,” Basiru said, noting that parliamentary approval followed shortly after.

He also defended the nomination of former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and other names that raised controversy on the ambassadorial list.

“Everybody is presumed to be innocent until proven otherwise,” he said, adding that none of the nominees was facing criminal prosecution.

On Yakubu’s nomination, he said, “There’s no law inhibiting somebody who has served his country creditably well from being appointed as an ambassador.”

He stressed that APC had both wins and losses under Yakubu’s watch at INEC. “Even under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, our party lost elections,” Basiru said.

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The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate fake reports circulating about the health of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

The resolution was adopted on Tuesday during plenary following a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam, who drew attention to false reports on media platforms alleging that Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.

Zam described the misinformation as unacceptable and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

Responding while presiding over the plenary, Akpabio lamented the growing difficulty in regulating media content, particularly reports concerning politicians, and described some publications on online platforms as “garbage in, garbage out,” highlighting the difficulty in curbing falsehoods.

This development follows recent online rumors alleging Akpabio’s collapse and hospitalization, which his aides have firmly denied as “fake news.”

Photos of Senate President presiding over senate plenary:

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Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has spoken publicly on whether she intends to remarry following the death of her husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

She made it clear that remarriage is not part of her plans, stressing that the decision is based on practicality and personal reflection, not morality or public expectation.

Her position became public during the unveiling of a new biography on the late former president at the State House in Abuja on Monday.

The book, authored by Dr Charles Omole, offers rare personal insights into Buhari’s life, leadership, and family, including Aisha Buhari’s thoughts on life after widowhood.

“She will not remarry, she says, almost with a shrug,” Aisha Buhari told Omole during interactions captured in the book.

The biography further explains that her choice is rooted in her stage of life and family responsibilities.

“It is not a moral pronouncement so much as a pragmatic one: she has grandchildren; one husband was enough.”

The author presents her stance as a deliberate rejection of societal pressure often placed on widows. “In a culture that sometimes reads remarriage as betrayal or saintliness, her answer refuses both scripts. It is simply a woman naming the contours of her future.”

According to the book, Aisha Buhari is preparing for a quieter and more private phase of life. She intends to divide her time between family commitments, humanitarian work, and personal travel.

“Her plans are domestic and cosmopolitan at once. She will holiday with friends and associates.

She will dote on grandchildren so they will remember her not as a moving figure behind tinted glass but as a presence in their childhood rooms.”

The former First Lady is also expected to continue her philanthropic efforts. “She will run her foundation, the Aisha Buhari Foundation, and the cardiovascular and medical centre in Kano that has already completed over two hundred procedures.”

“She will host, collaborate, and extend the same ethic of care that animated her politics into a quieter, more sustainable hospitality,” the book added.

Omole described her current outlook as a conscious withdrawal from years of intense public scrutiny. “If the republic expects a politics of eternal return, she offers a politics of departure instead: let others take the stage; let the house heal,” he wrote.

The biography also reflects on the complexity of her years as First Lady. “For Aisha Buhari, her marriage served as both a refuge and a trial.”

“It gave her a platform to voice her opinions, only to punish her for doing so. It opened doors to the decision-making spaces, but those spaces became unwelcoming.”

“In 2014, she was entrusted with meeting the nation’s expectations; by 2014, she was excluded from acknowledgement,” the text noted.

Muhammadu Buhari married Aisha Buhari, née Halilu, on December 2, 1989, after his divorce in 1988. Born in 1971 in Adamawa State, she became Nigeria’s First Lady in 2015 when Buhari assumed office as president.
Their marriage lasted 35 years and produced five children.

Recall, Buhari passed away in mid-July 2025 in a London hospital, marking the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political history.

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The United States Government has warned that any Nigerian who is involved in visa fraud will face serious consequences.

The caution is contained in a post by the US Embassy in Abuja on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, December 15, 2025.

The government noted that submitting fake documents as well as providing false information in a bid to get the visa can lead to a permanent visa ban, meaning that the affected individuals will not be able to gain entry into the United States again.

The US Embassy in its post said, ‘’Visa fraud has serious consequences. Lying or providing fake documents can lead to permanent visa bans under U.S. immigration law. This means you will never go.’’

This seems to have reinforced the tough stance of the US President, Donald Trump, on immigration since he got into office for his second term, vowing mass deportation of criminals who illegally gained entry into the United States.

US, FG to work together

The advisory from the US Government coincides with the meeting between the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja.

The two top government officials discussed areas of cooperation by their respective countries, with Ambassador Mills noting that the US Government looks forward to continuing to work with Nigeria on issues of mutual concern.

‘’US Ambassador Mills and Nigerian Foreign Minister Tuggar met today to discuss areas of cooperation between our two countries. The United States looks forward to continuing to work together with Nigeria on issues of mutual concern,’ the US Embassy added.

What you should know

This is not the first time that the United States Government is threatening permanent visa ban for travellers who violate its immigration rules.

Recall that in March 2025, the US Government travellers against overstaying their visas, threatening to permanently ban them from coming into the country, as well as face criminal prosecution.

It stated that consular officers have full access to immigration history and will know about past violations.

The mission also stated that it is the responsibility of individuals to use their visas correctly.

The US mission in Nigeria, in its statement, said, ‘’If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States as well as criminal prosecution. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an “honest mistake” – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.’’

Meanwhile, President Trump had in June 2025, announced travel restriction policy imposing a ban on citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.

In addition to this, visitors from seven other nations faced heightened entry restrictions.

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