Author: kayode amuda

Categories
Entertainment News

Meta Suspends Nigerian Rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem’s Instagram, Facebook Pages Over ‘Open Letter To Trump’

Eedris Abdulkareem, the veteran Nigerian rapper, has revealed that his Facebook and Instagram accounts have been deactivated.

The activist said it happened shortly after he released his new track, Open Letter to Donald Trump.

He said on Sunday that he has been unable to log into both accounts since the song came out.

Checks also showed that the pages could no longer be opened.

The rapper, known for his strong views on politics and governance, did not state how long the suspension might last or whether Meta gave him any notice.

Open Letter to Donald Trump, released in November 2025 under Lakreem Entertainment, takes aim at corruption, insecurity and poor leadership in Nigeria.

Though framed as a message to the U.S. president, the song focuses on Nigeria’s leaders.

Abdulkareem called out those in power for living well while citizens face hardship.

He also pointed to the rise in kidnappings, killings and other crimes that leave many people unsafe and worried.

By mentioning Trump, the rapper tried to draw global attention to Nigeria’s problems, hoping the world will look closer at what ordinary citizens are facing.

The song continues his long track record of using music to question those in authority, much like his earlier hit Jaga Jaga, which attacked corruption and poor governance.

In April 2025, the National Broadcasting Commission ordered radio and TV stations not to air his song Tell Your Papa, saying it contained content that went against broadcast rules.

Before that, in 2004, Jaga Jaga was banned during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

Categories
Entertainment News

Let Him Perform To Empty Seats – Angry Fans Slam Asake Over ₦300k Lagos Concert Tickets

Ahmed Ololade, the Nigerian musician, who is popularly known as Asake, is facing criticism over the ₦300,000 ticket price for his Lagos homecoming concert.

The price list spread online and drew sharp reactions from fans who said the amount was far beyond what many expected for a local show.

Social media users complained that the fee makes it hard for ordinary fans to attend.

Promoters claimed the fee covers production and service costs, adding that VIP packages come with extra benefits.

Even with this, critics insisted the organisers are shutting out the same crowd that lifted the singer during his rise.

A few fan groups have even hinted at a possible boycott unless more affordable options are introduced.

Below are some reactions:

Lara Flame wrote: “These organisers have lost touch with reality. They want to drain people and call it a show. Asake should be ashamed that his homecoming event is turning into a rich-people parade.”

Kruz Nation wrote: “Asake and his team must think Nigerians are ATMs. N300,000 for a concert in this economy? It shows they don’t rate the same fans who streamed his songs into the charts. Pure disrespect.”

Dami Ice: “So Asake is now too big for the people who built him? Charging N300k like he’s performing in heaven. Let him perform to empty seats then. We’re not begging.”

Sparrow X: “It’s funny how Asake talks about the streets in his songs but the streets can’t afford to see him. N300,000 for standing ticket? That’s daylight robbery.”

Nora Blaze: “The organisers clearly don’t care about fans. They just want quick money. Asake allowing this nonsense shows he’s enjoying the greed too. Wicked behaviour.”

Jaycee Tope: “This is not a concert price; it’s punishment. They should carry their show and keep it. Asake is becoming the same industry snob he once claimed he wasn’t.”

Rexy Lomo:b“If Asake wants only millionaires at his show, he should say it plainly. This ridiculous price is an insult to ordinary Nigerians. They’re squeezing fans dry because they think we have no choice.”

This is not the first time Asake’s concert pricing has caused uproar.

Past Lagos shows also drew complaints when VIP tickets were sold at high rates and premium tables ran into millions.

Asake broke out in 2022 with ‘Omo Ope’ and has since built a strong catalogue, blending Afrobeats, Amapiano and street-hop.

His hits include ‘Peace Be Unto You’, ‘Sungba’, ‘Terminator’ and ‘Organise’, tracks that helped cement his place in the music scene.

Categories
Entertainment News

I Have Achieved Beyond My Dreams – Nigerian Singer, Tems Opens Up

Temilade Openiyi, the world-famous Nigerian singer, who is popularly known as Tems, has said she has achieved more than her targets in the music industry.

The Love Me Jeje crooner disclosed this during a recent interactive session with fans on X.

A fan asked: “What are you currently looking forward to? Also would you say you’ve achieved all of your dreams prior to stardom?”

Tems replied: “I’m looking forward to whatever the Lord has in store and honestly I’ve achieved beyond my dreams from when I had a 9-5.”

Tems launched her music career after quitting her job as a digital marketer in January 2018. Later that year, she released her debut single, ‘Mr Rabel,’ which gained some traction in the media.

However, she rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single ‘Essence’, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber.

In a 2023, she became the first female Afrobeats artist to win a Grammy after her collaboration with Future and Drake, ‘Wait For U’ won the Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

In 2025, Tems won the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, becoming the only Nigerian artist with multiple Grammys.

She also earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for co-writting Rihanna’s ‘Lift Me Up.’

Categories
News

P-Square Fraud Trial: No Evidence To Prove Peter Okoye’s Claim That Jude And Paul Okoye Fraudulently Withdrew $800,000 – EFCC Tells Court

On Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja that it has no evidence to back Peter Okoye’s claim that his brothers, Jude and Paul Okoye of the former music group P-Square, fraudulently withdrew $800,000.

Peter had petitioned the EFCC in 2024, claiming that Jude diverted funds belonging to P-Square, operated 47 undeclared bank accounts, and manipulated the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd., a company jointly owned by the brothers.

The petition led to charges being filed against Jude over alleged financial mismanagement of the P-Square brand.

At the resumed cross-examination on Friday, the EFCC counsel, Mohammed Bashir, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not tender evidence supporting the alleged $800,000 withdrawal.

He said, “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.”

Jude and his Northside Music Limited company were arraigned on March 4, 2025, on four counts relating to the alleged stealing and conversion of $1 million and £34,000 in royalties from music digital distribution and publishing.

At the arraignment, the EFCC claimed Jude and Northside Music Limited allegedly converted $767,544.15 of payments made by Lex Records Limited for digital music distribution, intending to permanently deprive Peter of his interest. Jude was granted bail of N50m on March 6, 2025.

During the trial, on May 23, 2025, Peter testified that new evidence showed Jude and Paul withdrew and shared over $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024. Under cross-examination by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), he revised the timeline to 2013–2014.

Peter also claimed Jude operated 47 bank accounts and held an 80% stake in Northside Entertainment. The EFCC denied possessing records of the accounts.

Bashir said, “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”

The defence tendered Corporate Affairs Commission records contradicting Peter’s claim of an 80% stake.

Peter further admitted he only became aware of Northside Music in 2024 when artist Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on the company’s letterhead, though her albums were credited to Northside Inc.

Justice Oshodi adjourned proceedings to December 12, 2025, for continuation of the trial.

Categories
News

What Abia Governor, Alex Otti Discussed With Nnamdi Kanu At Sokoto Prison

Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, has asked the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to stay calm and steadfast as he continues efforts to secure his release.

It was gathered that Otti assured Nnamdi Kanu during a visit to the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

This was disclosed on Sunday night in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

Otti, who was accompanied by Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN); Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; and senior officials of the Sokoto State government, told Nnamdi Kanu that the processes he initiated more than two years ago toward resolving the issue had been “heightened despite recent developments.”

The governor encouraged Kanu to “remain calm but strong,” assuring him that the matter “will be resolved administratively” and that he would eventually regain his freedom.

He also expressed satisfaction that the Sultan of Sokoto shared his stance on the need for Kanu’s release and the broader de-escalation of regional tensions.

Responding, Kanu, who was said to be in high spirits during the visit, reportedly expressed gratitude to Otti for the gesture.

He told the governor that his primary interest was good governance and any effort that would improve the well-being of the people.

He also prayed for God’s guidance for Otti and his team as they continue to serve the state.

The Abia government noted that Kanu was “all smiles” during the meeting and appreciative of the renewed efforts to address his situation.

Recall that following Kanu’s sentencing to life imprisonment, Governor Otti had disclosed that efforts to free the IPOB leader were already underway, stressing that a release framework had been quietly activated “during the trial.”

Kanu was imprisoned after being found guilty of terrorism related crimes.

Categories
Entertainment News

I’m Ready for a Fresh Start – Nollywood Actress Shirley Igwe Speaks After AGN Suspension

Actress Shirley Igwe has reacted to the decision of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to lift the suspension placed on her after an incident that happened on a movie set in Lagos on July 19.

The news of her reinstatement, confirmed this week, brought her relief as she felt the decision cleared her name after months of waiting.

She said the support she received during the process kept her steady, and she felt her story had finally been understood.

Looking back at the July incident, the actress explained that she only acted in self-defence because the situation got out of control.

She said the experience taught her to stay calm even when she feels treated unfairly, adding that it also opened her eyes to how fast wrong stories can spread.

She said that this pushed her to work on being more composed during tense moments.

Shirley said she now plans to handle future movie sets with more caution.

She said she will keep a clear mind, communicate better, and allow her manager to take a stronger role in guiding her interactions to avoid misunderstandings.

She said during her time away, she used the break to rest and think deeply about her career.

The actress said the pause helped her reconnect with her love for acting and made her more careful about the kind of productions she wants to join.

Categories
Entertainment News

Ambassadorial List: No Igbo Can Go To Embassy Run By Reno Omokri – Charly Boy Says

Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, the legendary Nigerian musician and socialite, who is better known as Charly Boy, has described Nigeria as a sour nation.

In pidgin English, Charly Boy said “Nigeria don Sawa.”

The outspoken Imo-born musician, did not welcome the presidency’s decision to list a man who he sees as a clown and a bigot among the nominees for ambassadorial appointment.

He wondered how President Bola Tinubu could go ahead to forward Omokri’s name to the Senate for confirmation despite the volume of bigotry against the Igbo that the former presidential aide has vomited in the last few months.

According to him, nominating Reno is an endorsement of all the Delta-born politician has been ranting on social media, insisting that a President interested in national unity cannot take such a decision “to make the clown an Ambassador.”

“Perhaps Tinubu endorses the filth that issues from Reno’s mouth,” his post on X, said.

“Ambassador Reno Omokri, that’s a spectacular mockery of this country. That’s a continental joke. His lies and general stupidity aside, with the volume of bigotry against the Igbo that Reno Omokri has vomited in the last few months, how can any one who cares about national unity make the clown an Ambassador.

“It is difficult to see hope for this country. So how can any Igbo go to an embassy run by Reno with a sense of belonging or pride?

“Some might say after all he had told the world that Tinubu was a drug baron. So we should see him for what he is, a moron. So why make such a hustling moron an Ambassador?

“Tinubu’s such a let down. Why wash our national dirty linens in public? Reno is such filthy underwear. Tinubu ought to have compensated him with some backyard job, but again who knows.

“Tinubu might be sending a message. Endorsing the bigotry that Reno embodies. It’s a deliberate gut-punch to national unity, the kind that makes ‘one Nigeria’ sound like a bad Nollywood script.

“Ambassador Reno…Tufiakwa! [God forbid]! I will never go that embassy.”

Categories
News

FG Will Soon Reveal Terrorists And Their Financiers In Coming Days – Presidency Says

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has announced that the Federal Government is prepared to reveal the identities of terrorism financiers in Nigeria in the coming days.

Bwala made this revelation on Sunday during an interview on Television Continental, TVC.

He stated that the Federal Government was making far-reaching decisions, noting that the results will soon be noticeable.

According to him, terrorism is a global issue, stressing that the demand is now on governments across the world to see how they can cooperate with Nigeria.

He added that terrorism became a global issue since the incident of world trade centre in the United States on September 11, 2001.

Bwala further stated that any part where there is terrorism, it is the concern of the rest of the world, stressing that it is the reason Nigeria needs global support to end it.

“They were in the Middle East, and gradually they are coming towards the Sahel to create a hub of terrorism. That is why the demand is now on the world governments to see how they can cooperate with Nigeria.

“At home, the government is making far-reaching decisions, and in the coming days we will know who the terrorists and their financiers are,” he said.

Categories
News

Alleged $322.5m Abacha Loot: Ex-AGF, Malami Breaks Silence, Rejects EFCC Claims

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has refuted claims by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the recovery of the $322.5 million Abacha loot, calling the allegations “baseless, illogical, and devoid of factual foundation.”

Earlier, 626Blaze reported that Malami, who was summoned by the EFCC on Friday, November 28, was later released and given fresh appointment dates for further interrogation.

The EFCC is probing alleged duplication in the recovery of the Abacha loot, alongside accusations of abuse of office and money laundering.

In a statement on Sunday, Malami said the EFCC’s inquiry was premised on the claim that a Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, had completed the recovery before he assumed office in 2015.

He argued that the allegation collapses when compared with documented facts.

According to him, the recovery of illicit funds can only be deemed completed when the money is lodged into the Federation Account. He noted that as of 2016, when the Buhari administration revisited the matter, no such lodgement had been made.

Malami added that several lawyers, including Monfrini, applied in December 2016 to be engaged for the same recovery, an action he said contradicts the idea that the process had been concluded years earlier.

He explained that Monfrini requested a $5 million upfront payment and a 40 per cent success fee, later reduced to 20 per cent, terms the government rejected in line with its policy that no advance deposits should be paid and that fees must not exceed 5 per cent.

Malami said a Nigerian law firm was eventually appointed on a 5 per cent success fee, saving the country between 15 and 35 per cent of the recovered funds, amounting to tens of billions of naira at current exchange rates.

He also clarified that the Abacha recoveries handled under his tenure came in separate tranches:

$322.5 million repatriated from Switzerland between 2017 and 2018, deployed to Conditional Cash Transfers under the National Social Investment Programme, monitored by the World Bank and civil society groups;

$321 million repatriated from Jersey in 2020, earmarked for major infrastructure projects including the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Abuja–Kano Road and the Second Niger Bridge.

Malami said attempts to conflate the tranches or suggest duplication do not reflect the facts.

He maintained that his actions as Attorney General were carried out “transparently and in the public interest,” insisting that the allegations against him lack any reasonable basis.

Categories
Sport News

LaLiga: Mbappé matches Ronaldo record as Real Madrid star enters elite goal-scoring club

Kylian Mbappé has entered yet another rarefied Real Madrid bracket, joining Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players in club history to score more than 53 goals in a calendar year.

The milestone came on Sunday during Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Girona, a match in which Xabi Alonso’s side were under considerable pressure after a stuttering run of form.

Mbappé delivers at a critical moment

Real Madrid trailed at halftime after Azzedine Ounahi punished them with a well-taken opener.

But when Vinícius Jr. earned a second-half penalty, Mbappé assumed responsibility, converting confidently to level the score and tilt momentum back toward the visitors.

Exclusive company with a club legend

According to La Liga statistician MisterChip, only two players have ever hit 53 or more goals in official competitions for Real Madrid within a single calendar year:

Cristiano Ronaldo (five times)

About Us

626blaze is an entertainment and lifestyle website that brings you latest gist and scoops from the world of music, fashion, movies, sports and social commentary.

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletters