Category: Entertainment

The scheduled arraignment of Nollywood actress Doris Ogala before Justice Akintayo Aluko at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, was postponed on Thursday after she failed to appear in court.

Ogala faces a four-count charge that includes publishing private materials belonging to Pastor Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation Bible Ministry, as well as cyberbullying, harassment, attempted extortion, and spreading false information aimed at incriminating the clergyman.

During the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Tolulope Mokuola requested a bench warrant to compel Ogala’s attendance, arguing that she had been properly served with a hearing notice but still did not show up.

Defense lawyer Temiloluwa Akindayini opposed the application, informing the court that Ogala had undergone surgery on Tuesday and is currently recovering in Abia State. Akindayini noted that an affidavit detailing Ogala’s medical condition had been filed on April 22, 2026.

The prosecutor countered that the defense had failed to serve the affidavit beforehand and had not given advance notice of the surgery.

In his ruling, Justice Aluko denied the request for a bench warrant but ordered that Ogala must appear for arraignment on June 9, 2026. The judge also directed her to provide a verifiable medical report from a government hospital and ensure it is served on the prosecution before the next court date.

Previously, the actress had publicly accused the pastor of criminal activities and threatened to release damaging evidence against him.

Nollywood star Bimpe Akintunde has publicly confirmed that her marriage to Ganiyu has ended. The actress and producer broke the news via her Instagram page on Friday.

In a heartfelt post, she wrote: “Some chapters close without fanfare, but they pave the way for a more resilient and beautiful tale. I never planned to share this, but life teaches us humility in unexpected moments. After much prayer, deep thought, and honest talks with myself and family, I decided to speak my truth. I once shared my joy, and now I owe it to myself to share my reality. Before my second child from my first marriage arrived—a union that lasted under three years—life took a different path. It wasn’t easy; it came with lessons, pain, strength, and growth. Yet I held onto my faith in God, the Author of my story, and I now walk with grace, choosing peace, healing, and purpose for myself and my children. Today, I am not broken but rebuilt. Not defeated but refined—a stronger woman, a loving mother, and a soul full of hope. Behind every smile is a story. Today, I choose to hint at mine: I AM SINGLE. To all who loved, prayed, supported, and stood by me—thank you. You mean more than words can say to me and my beautiful daughters. May Almighty Allah continue to guide and strengthen us. Welcome to my birth month—a season of reflection, gratitude, and new beginnings.”

The announcement has since garnered widespread reactions from fans and colleagues, who have offered messages of support. Akintunde, known for her roles in Yoruba-language films, has not provided further details about the separation.

Chikamso Amaefula, the captain of Kun Khalifat, has emphasized the team’s determination to claim a crucial victory against Kano Pillars in the upcoming NPFL matchday 36 fixture. The encounter is scheduled for Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

Amaefula stressed that the club is fully prepared after utilizing the two-week break to refine their strategies. He noted that the squad is completely focused on securing all three points against the side led by Mohammed Babaganaru.

“We have intensified our preparations during the league hiatus,” Amaefula stated in an interview with the club’s media. “Our aim is clear: we are going all out for the maximum points.”

The captain also highlighted the importance of the match for the club’s supporters. “We play for the badge and for our loyal fans. Victory is not optional in this game,” he added.

Currently, Kun Khalifat is in a fight to escape relegation, making this fixture even more critical. A win would significantly boost their chances of staying in the top flight.

El-Kanemi Warriors’ influential midfielder, Daddy Abdulrahman, is brimming with confidence as the Nigeria Premier Football League season approaches its climax. The Borno Army, as the team is popularly known, still has three crucial fixtures left against Barau FC, Niger Tornadoes, and Enyimba, and Abdulrahman is determined to make every moment count.

In a recent chat with the NPFL media, Abdulrahman acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming matches but reiterated his commitment to giving his absolute best. He emphasized goal difference could be decisive and pointed out that his side is level on points with their next opponents, Barau FC, making the clash even more significant.

The week 36 encounter against Barau FC, set to take place in Kano, is the immediate focus. Abdulrahman stated, ‘Our next test is Barau FC, whom we face in Kano. They are on the same points as us, which means the match will be very tough. Goal difference might determine our fate at the end of the season, so we need to be at our best.’

The midfielder further expressed his desire to secure a positive result away before returning home to claim maximum points against Niger Tornadoes. ‘I just want to go there and give my best. We aim to get a result in that game and then come back home and ensure we beat Niger Tornadoes,’ he added.

With the season winding down, every point matters, and Abdulrahman’s leadership could be pivotal in El-Kanemi’s push for a strong finish.

In the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, Nottingham Forest secured a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the City Ground. The decisive moment came in the second half when Chris Wood converted a penalty, sending the home crowd into ecstasy. The return fixture is set to take place at Villa Park next week, where Villa will aim to overturn the deficit.

In the second semi-final of the night, Braga showcased their attacking prowess with a 2-1 victory over Freiburg at the Braga Municipal Stadium. Goals from Demir Ege Tıknaz and Mario Dorgeles gave the Portuguese side a commanding lead, while Freiburg pulled one back but failed to level. The German outfit will host the return leg at Europa-Park-Stadion next Thursday, hoping to advance to the final.

Werder Bremen’s head coach, Daniel Thioune, has made it clear that Victor Boniface cannot rely on his reputation to secure a place in the starting eleven. The Nigerian striker, who joined the Bundesliga club on loan in the summer, has had a stop-start campaign due to recurring injuries, the latest being a knee problem that kept him sidelined.

Boniface has now recovered and returned to full training last week, but he was not included in the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw against VfB Stuttgart. With important fixtures ahead, including the upcoming clash against FC Augsburg, Thioune has stressed that every player must prove their worth on the training ground.

“It was crucial for Victor to come back. He trained well last week,” Thioune said. “But with Marco Friedl and Marco Grüll also returning, I now have a difficult task to select the squad, and some players will miss out.”

The coach acknowledged that Boniface’s physical style could be useful against a tough Augsburg side, but emphasized that other forwards in the squad possess similar attributes. “We have Salim Musah, who has done a fantastic job, and Jovan Milosevic has comparable qualities. No one has a guaranteed place,” Thioune added.

Thioune’s comments underline the intense competition in Werder Bremen’s forward line. Boniface will need to impress in the final training session to earn a spot in the squad for the Augsburg match. The team is fighting to secure their Bundesliga status, and the coach wants every player to understand that performances must be consistent.

According to renowned football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Jose Mourinho, who currently manages Benfica, has expressed a strong desire to take over as the next head coach of Real Madrid. Romano revealed this information in a recent social media post, stating that Mourinho is absolutely keen and open to returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Romano emphasized that returning to Real Madrid is a long-term aspiration for Mourinho, and the opportunity to make this move a reality in the upcoming summer transfer window is particularly appealing to the Portuguese tactician, often referred to as ‘The Special One’. Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, guiding them to a La Liga title and other successes.

The La Liga giants are actively searching for a new manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the current season. Mourinho, who has also managed top clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, has been consistently linked with a return to the Spanish capital. Romano’s comments confirm that the feeling is mutual, with Mourinho viewing a return to Real Madrid as a highly attractive prospect.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced that the upcoming first-leg match of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers between the Falconets and Malawi will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. This decision comes after receiving formal approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Earlier, there was some confusion regarding the venue, as Malawi had indicated that CAF had informed them the game would be held at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. However, the NFF successfully secured CAF’s endorsement for the Ikenne venue late Thursday evening.

Saturday’s encounter is scheduled to kick off at 4 PM local time. The return leg is set for May 9 at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi.

The aggregate winner of this tie will secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which is slated to take place in Poland.

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has voiced his belief that Declan Rice is the ideal candidate to take over the captaincy at Arsenal should Martin Odegaard depart the club. Speaking on talkSPORT, Cundy praised the England international’s defensive prowess, calling him a ‘monster’ at the back. He highlighted Rice’s ability to carry the team forward with control and brilliance, adding that he expects Rice to become both England’s and Arsenal’s future captain.

Odegaard has been the subject of transfer speculation, with rumors suggesting he could leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season. However, it remains uncertain whether the Norwegian playmaker will actually move on. Cundy’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about Arsenal’s leadership group and the need for a strong captain to guide the team through challenging times.

Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham United, has quickly established himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed, with many pundits and fans alike touting him as a future captain. Cundy’s endorsement adds weight to the growing consensus that Rice is ready to take on more responsibility at both club and international levels.

Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has cautioned manager Mikel Arteta that failure to secure silverware this season will inevitably lead to difficult conversations with the club’s hierarchy. The Gunners are currently fighting on two fronts, chasing both the Premier League title and Champions League glory.

As things stand, Arteta’s men sit three points clear at the summit of the Premier League, although Manchester City have a game in hand that could close the gap. Arsenal also have a crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, where a place in the final is at stake.

The north London side’s last taste of a major trophy came in 2020, when they defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup final under Arteta. Since then, despite significant investment and improved performances, the trophy cabinet has remained bare.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry did not mince his words. He stated that after several years of heavy spending and building what many consider the strongest squad in the league, the manager must deliver. ‘The board is going to have to decide what they are going to do with Mikel Arteta,’ Henry said. ‘At some point, after all these years and the money spent to have two strong teams, everyone has said Arsenal have the best squad this season. Eventually, you will have to answer questions if you don’t win. It’s only natural after such a long period.’

Henry added that while fans support the direction the club is heading, if the end product is missing, Arteta will have to face the music. ‘It’s all good and we’re all backing Arteta as Arsenal supporters, but if it doesn’t happen, like I’ve always said, you’re going to have to answer some questions that the board will ask you.’