Morning recap: Lagos barber dies after detention, FG seeks $500m loan, other top stories

Rhodes-Vivour (left), Hamzat (second-left), Funso Doherty (second-right) and Deji Doherty (right)at the public debate attended.

A Lagos barber has died a day after his release from 28 days in police custody, with his family alleging torture.

Funke Akindele has recounted how an influencer rejected her paid promotional offer for Everybody Loves Jenifa.

A G-100 chieftain has said the opposition’s plan to field a consensus presidential candidate in 2027 is dead.

The Federal Government is seeking a fresh $500m World Bank loan for an infrastructure financing platform.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has pledged to enforce the one-year rent payment rule. Osun workers have begun a three-day strike over withheld local government allocations.

Experts have backed the use of artificial intelligence to detect irregularities in the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 elections.

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci has responded to claims that her partner is responsible for her success.

See the top stories below:

1. Lagos barber dies a day after release from 28 days in police custody

A Lagos-based barber, Babajide Adelowo, has died after spending 28 days in police custody over alleged possession of firearms. His family accused police operatives of torturing him during detention, while the police denied the allegation and promised an official statement. The circumstances surrounding his arrest, detention and death have prompted calls for an independent investigation.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/lagos-barber-dies-after-28-days-in-police-custody-lagos-barber-dies-after-28-days-in-police-custody/

2. Influencer rejected my paid promo offer for ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ – Funke Akindele

Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed that an unnamed social media influencer rejected her offer for paid promotional content for her 2024 film, Everybody Loves Jenifa. She said the influencer’s management declined the proposed collaboration despite her willingness to pay. Akindele also spoke about how she handled the rejection.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/influencer-rejected-my-paid-promo-offer-for-everybody-loves-jenifa-funke-akindele/

3. Opposition’s consensus candidate plan dead – G-100 chieftain

A chieftain of the G-100 political pressure group, Umanu Elijah, has said efforts to unite opposition parties behind a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election have failed. He blamed the setback on politicians’ unwillingness to make concessions and abandon individual ambitions. The development raises fresh questions about the future of the proposed opposition coalition.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/oppositions-consensus-candidate-plan-dead-g-100-chieftain/

4. FG seeks fresh $`500m World Bank loan

The Federal Government is seeking a `$500m World Bank loan to establish an infrastructure financing platform aimed at attracting private investment into key sectors. The proposed facility is part of a wider $3.85bn financing initiative, with approval scheduled for May 25, 2027, subject to change. The timing places the proposed approval just days before the next presidential inauguration.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/fg-seeks-fresh-500m-world-bank-loan/

5. Lagos to enforce one-year rent rule – Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has said the state government plans to enforce the one-year rent payment provision to stop landlords from demanding multiple years’ rent in advance. Speaking at a governorship debate, he urged residents to report violations through the state’s real estate regulatory platform. The move is part of his proposed measures to address housing affordability.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/lagos-to-enforce-one-year-rent-rule-hamzat/

6. Osun workers begin strike over withheld LG funds

Workers in Osun State have begun a three-day sympathy strike following a directive by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress. The action is in solidarity with local government workers demanding the release of statutory allocations due to councils. The NLC said its earlier ultimatum to the Federal and state governments had expired without a resolution.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/osun-workers-begin-strike-over-withheld-lg-funds/

7. 2027: Experts back AI checks on voters’ register

Experts have backed the use of artificial intelligence to identify duplicate registrations and other irregularities in the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections. Their comments follow INEC’s disclosure that its biometric system flagged 268,000 records over suspected AI-generated photographs and other irregularities. They also warned about the potential use of AI to spread election misinformation and manipulate voters.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/2027-experts-back-ai-checks-on-voters-register/

8. Hilda Baci reacts to claims partner made her successful

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci has expressed displeasure over comments suggesting that her achievements are driven by her partner, music executive Damilola Akinwunmi, popularly known as Dapper. She said such remarks reflect societal attitudes towards women and their accomplishments. Baci also spoke about her commitment to representing women and creating opportunities for them.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/hilda-baci-reacts-to-claims-partner-made-her-successful/

Adetutu has three years experience in publishing stories on gender, health, education, metro and fact-checking.

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