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Opinion: Okoroji Should Submit To A Forensic Audit Period!

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By Efe Omorogbe

The relentless attacks on the person and reputation of Efe Omorogbe by those masquerading as defenders of “thousands of innocent Nigerian musicians” must be condemned by every stakeholder who has the long term interest of the creative industry at heart.

Since the December 7, 2017 sacking of Tony Okoroji as chairman of the management board of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), there has been an endless string of media, legal and police attacks on Efe Omorogbe, one of six directors who voted Okoroji out in reaction to a series of serious infractions allegedly committed by Tony Okoroji during his 7-year tenure as chairman of the board.

While the industry regulator, Nigerian Copyright Commission has since suspended the operating licence of COSON, instituted criminal charges against Tony Okoroji and other officers of the society; and several cases are pending in various courts of competent jurisdiction across the country, the malicious and relentless attack on the person and character of Efe Omorogbe has continued unabated.

Efe Omorogbe has insisted on various platforms that his overriding interest is the establishment of standard corporate governance culture at COSON. His sole demand is for a full forensic audit of the account and operations of COSON from 2010 till date; an audit that will put the activities of both board (including himself) and management under scrutiny and establish the hard facts of the COSON matter. “I’ll take that (forensic audit) over board chairmanship any day”, he has repeatedly stated.

Instead of Okoroji to allow the audit to vindicate him and validate his much vaunted innocence and impeccable track record as the upright and selfless champion of intellectual property rights protection in Nigeria, he has resorted to belligerent litigation, incongruous police protection, the staging of PR events and release of corny communiques to promote an agenda that clearly delivers no value to rights owners.

The likelihood that it is royalties due to rights owners that is being used to fund this obvious battle for personal survival would be double jeopardy for stakeholders if confirmed to be true.

For genuine stakeholders, the primary desire is for the confirmation of the facts of the matter, lasting resolution of the crisis and the establishment of a new era of accountability, transparency and effective corporate governance in a critical institution within the creative industry structure.

From twisted narratives and malicious publications to blatantly false and misleading police reports, acolytes of Tony Okoroji have gone to ridiculous lengths to attack and demonize a man who has simply asked for a probe of a board that he has served on from inception.

All manner of base and divisive arguments have been bandied, all kinds of convoluted positions advanced to defend the indefensible.

Why is it easier to gather his Edo “kinsmen” together and threaten to report Efe Omorogbe to the Oba of Benin? How is it more effective to host a “select” stakeholders forum in Onitsha, invoke the wrath of the “elders” from the south east to call the “intransigent Efe Omorogbe” to order? When these “elders” gather to hold these meetings and sign these statements, why do they conveniently always forget to seek the other side of the story? Why is it easier to drop “bombshell” news headlines targeting Efe Omorogbe’s reputation than to advise Okoroji to submit to a forensic audit that neither he nor Efe Omorogbe can interfere with?

And perhaps the biggest question on them all; how long will it take for the Nigerian Copyright Commission to put this sordid drama to a halt and save the industry further damage by ordering that audit right away? Did I hear someone ask who will pay for it? COSON of course. Except the position is that it is more beneficial to right owners for the society to pay tens of millions to lawyers to fight its own members than to pay an auditing firm to save the society and indeed, collective management of copyright in Nigeria.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

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Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.

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Shiites Protest in Kano over Killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

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Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, on Sunday, took to the streets of Kano metropolis to protest the killing of the Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following a joint attack by the US-Israel on Saturday.

The demonstrators, who are simply known as Shiites, trooped out in their numbers at about 2.30pm in and trekked from the Fegge Central Mosque the Islamic Movement headquarters situated at Kofar Waika in the State capital.

The demonstration, adjudged peaceful, lasted for about two hours, terminating after 4.00pm.

The demonstration was followed by speeches by their scholars that spoke about the state of affairs in the Middle East and its implications on the rest of the world. A special prayer was also offered seeking Allahs intervention for the people of Iran.

The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abudulhi Haruna Kiyawa, resisted attempts to persuade hims for official reaction to the demonstration.

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Innovation Meets Vision As Glo Partners Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy S26

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In a convergence of technology and vision, digital solutions leader Globacom has entered a partnership with global electronics giant Samsung to introduce the much-anticipated Galaxy S26 Series to the Nigerian market. It is a device conceived for a generation that lives, works and dreams in real time.

The unveiling, held at Globacom’s corporate headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, gathered an august assembly of high-net-worth customers, industry figures and members of the media. The atmosphere was not merely ceremonial; it was symbolic — a quiet affirmation that when global engineering meets indigenous connectivity, innovation finds its true signal.

As part of the partnership, Globacom has commenced an exclusive pre-order window for its subscribers. Each Galaxy S26 purchased at any Gloworld outlet nationwide is bundled with 18GB of complimentary data under the Glo Smartphone Festival Data Plans delivered as 3GB monthly for six months.

In addition, customers receive a distinguished Platinum Number eSIM, accompanied by up to 10GB of extra data monthly. It is a proposition crafted not as an afterthought, but as a deliberate statement of value.

The Galaxy S26 Series itself is a study in assured sophistication. It fuses next-generation processing power with a sleek, immersive display, enhanced camera intelligence, durable battery performance and privacy screen technology. Its Agentic AI capabilities introduce a more intuitive user experience, one that anticipates need, protects data and enhances productivity.

In essence, it is a device built not merely to function, but to empower.

Speaking at the event, Samsung’s Product Manager, Sellout Platinum, Mr. Solomon Osibeluwo, described Globacom as the first partner to host the S26 masterclass session — a testament, he noted, to the enduring strength of the relationship between both organisations. He reaffirmed Samsung’s commitment to deepening this alliance, adding that the S26 Series has been meticulously engineered to enrich the calling, browsing and overall digital experience of Nigerians.

In his address, Globacom’s Head of Gloworld, Mr Mohamed Rabie, underscored that the collaboration is anchored on delivering real and measurable value. Premium technology, he remarked, must travel with meaningful benefit. He expressed pride that Globacom stands as the first partner to offer both the masterclass engagement and immediate pre-order advantages following the device’s launch in Nigeria.

Encouraging Nigerians to experience the device firsthand at Gloworld outlets nationwide, Rabie concluded with quiet conviction: “this moment transcends the unveiling of a smartphone. It signals the unfolding of new possibilities powered by intelligence, sustained by partnership, and carried on the dependable wings of connectivity”.

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