Evening recap: Sowore disputes police account, FG begins N50,000 support, other top stories

File: African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the police account of the incident in Ekiti State, insisting that he and his associates were attacked, not involved in an altercation.

Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, has knelt before a Lagos court to apologise for disrupting proceedings, but will remain in custody until her bail ruling.

The Federal Government has commenced a N50,000 monthly cash relief programme for vulnerable Nigerians.

An Ogbomoso-based pastor has recounted his involvement in ritual practices while pursuing wealth and the restrictions he said were imposed on him.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated six executive directors for the NMDPRA and sought Senate confirmation.

Police in Ondo State have begun investigating the suspected suicide of a businessman who reportedly left a video explaining his struggles.

See the top stories below:

1. Sowore rejects police account of Ekiti incident, insists ‘we were attacked’

The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed that African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore sustained injuries during an incident at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti and is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital.

The police described the incident as an altercation and denied reports that he was kidnapped. However, Sowore has rejected that account, insisting that he and his associates were attacked and accusing the command of downplaying the violence.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/sowore-injured-in-ekiti-altercation-hospitalised-police/

2. Actress Doris Ogala kneels, apologises for disrupting court

Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has apologised to a Federal High Court in Lagos after her behaviour disrupted proceedings at an earlier sitting. She knelt before the judge and promised not to repeat the conduct, but was returned to Kirikiri Correctional Centre after the court reserved its ruling on her bail application until November 6. Ogala is facing charges bordering on alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion involving Pastor Chris Okafor.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/actress-doris-ogala-kneels-apologises-for-disrupting-court/

3. FG begins N50,000 monthly cash support for poor Nigerians

The Federal Government has commenced a monthly N50,000 cash relief programme for vulnerable households to cushion the effects of rising living costs. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, said the intervention would provide direct financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries.

The government says recipients will be contacted directly and warned Nigerians against paying agents or sharing their banking details to access the support.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/fg-begins-n50000-monthly-cash-support-for-poor-nigerians/

4. ‘I was warned not to buy car, house,’ pastor recounts quest for ritual wealth

An Ogbomoso-based pastor, Joel Olasunkanmi, has recounted how his pursuit of wealth led him into ritual practices and the restrictions allegedly imposed by a ritualist. In an interview with BBC Yoruba, he said he was warned against buying a car or house with the money he obtained through the practice.

He also linked his involvement to a car accident in 2001 that resulted in the amputation of his leg, urging young Nigerians to avoid seeking instant wealth.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/i-was-warned-not-to-buy-car-house-pastor-recounts-quest-for-ritual-wealth/

5. Tinubu nominates six executive directors for NMDPRA, seeks Senate confirmation

President Bola Tinubu has nominated six executive directors for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and forwarded their names to the Senate for confirmation. The nominees comprise three returning directors and three new appointees, who are expected to serve five-year terms if confirmed.

Tinubu has also approved the appointment of Jumoke Gafar as the authority’s Secretary to the Board and Legal Adviser, subject to statutory procedures.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/tinubu-nominates-six-executive-directors-for-nmdpra-seeks-senate-confirmation/

6. Ondo businessman dies by suicide, police begin probe

Police in Ondo State have commenced an investigation into the suspected suicide of 46-year-old businessman Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe. He was reportedly found dead in his office in Igba town on Thursday, with two empty bottles suspected to have contained insecticide recovered near the scene.

A video recorded before his death, in which he reportedly spoke about his struggles and bequeathed his properties to his family, has circulated on social media.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/ondo-businessman-dies-by-suicide-police-begin-probe/