Ratel News

  Personnel from the crime branch unit (zone II) attached to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police have apprehended a Nigerian national who was found to be in possession of cocaine and mephedrone (MD) collectively valued at more than Rs 11.58 crore in the international market. Personnel from the crime branch unit (zone II) attached to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police have apprehended a Nigerian national who was found to be in possession of cocaine and mephedrone (MD) collectively valued at more than Rs 11.58 crore in the international market. Acting on a tip-off received by personnel -Sachin Patil, a team led by police inspector - Sameer Ahirrao raided a flat on the third floor of Mahesh Apartment in the Ever-Shine City area of Vasai at around 12:15 am on Sunday. The team found 48 grams of cocaine in the flat which was occupied by the Nigerian national identified as- Victor Odichinma Omuwala alias Daik Raymond (37). The team also recovered Victor’s fake passport ...

  Controversial Nigerian singer,  Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million by an Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State. This followed his arraignment on charges including  criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking. According to the court,  the bail is conditional upon the provision of two sureties in like sum. One must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must possess a landed property within a Government Reserved Area (GRA), backed by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). The case, documented under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was filed by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria police following a petition dated March 21, 2025, by fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa, aka Osupa. According to the petition, Portable on March 19, 2025, made a live broadcast on Instagram, ...

  The recent move by the House of Representatives to slam a five-year jail term or N500,000 fine or both on any person convicted for leaking examination questions, and a three-year jail term for persons under 18 years convicted for engaging in various forms of examination malpractices has been generating mixed reactions from Nigerians. The proposed legislation, entitled,   “Examination Malpractices Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025(HB2097) and sponsored by the member representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Esosa Iyawe, was introduced on March 6, 2025, and is currently awaiting second reading. The bill, according to its explanatory memorandum, sought to repeal, “The Examination Malpractice Act Cap. E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact the Examination Malpractices Act, 2025, to provide for non-custodial penalties, expand offences relating to the examination malpractices and prescribe adequate punishment for such offences.” I t further stated that minors co...

  VDM in the Eyes of the People VDM, a dynamic and influential Nigerian activist, stands as a figurehead in the ongoing battle for social justice, equality, and human rights in Nigeria. Over the years, he has cemented his reputation as a staunch advocate for the rights of the marginalized, tirelessly challenging societal injustices, governmental corruption, and systemic oppression. Through his various initiatives, VDM has become a household name in Nigeria, known not only for his unwavering commitment to human rights but also for his courage in the face of adversity. The Rise of VDM: A Champion of the People VDM's rise to prominence in Nigerian activism did not happen overnight. His journey began in the heart of Nigeria’s troubled political landscape, where he witnessed firsthand the struggles of ordinary citizens who faced the consequences of a system that often left them behind. Growing up in a nation grappling with corruption, inequality, and political instability, VDM develo...

  The Nigerian Government has announced that travellers who overstay their visas will, from August, face a daily fine of $15 and risk a ban of up to five years from re-entering the country. This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholders’ engagement held at NECA House in Lagos on Friday. The meeting focused on various reforms being introduced by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), including the Expatriate Quota and the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025, among other ongoing immigration reforms. Mr Tunji-Ojo explained that although the penalties will officially begin in May, there will be a grace period until August 2025, during which visa overstayers will not be penalised. This, he said, will allow visa holders time to adjust to the new policy before the full enforcement begins in August. Penalties under new policy Under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, the government has introduced a new penalty system to deter vis...

  Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has passed away at the age of 74. He died earlier today, though details surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of filing this report. In 2021, false reports of Chukwu’s death had circulated widely, prompting the legendary coach to refute the rumors during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4, 2021. Reacting then, Chukwu said: “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. I am still investigating the source of the story.” Chukwu, affectionately known as “Chairman,” was a prominent figure in Nigerian football — both as a player and as a coach. His legacy in the sport remains significant. Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.

  The  Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Usumanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof Attahiru Jega has said Nigerian universities are certificating illiterates and awarding degrees to many persons without worthy character. Jega stated this  while speaking as the Chairman of the ongoing 14th Convocation lecture of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja on Friday. President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, delivered the keynote address at the lecture. Jefa said convocation is for the graduation of students who are found worthy in learning and character after four or five years of studies in Universities. “Every time we mention found worthy in learning and character, people tend to wonder whether learning and character necessarily go together, well they do not, one can be learned but with no good character, moreover one can be certificated without learning anything and yet have good character,” he said. “The expectation is that uni...

  The ransom carrier was reportedly carrying a large sum of money to pay for the release of kidnapped pastor. Bandits suspected to be kidnappers who abducted the pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Samson Ndah Ali, in Mararaba Aboro in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have released him . However, they held back the man who delivered the ransom for the pastor’s release, Yusuf Shehu Amb[/b]i. The ransom carrier was reportedly carrying a large sum of money to pay for the release of kidnapped pastor. The kidnappers detained him, allegedly demanding more money or other concessions in exchange for his release. [b]Pastor Ali was kidnapped from his home in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, just two weeks after he was posted to the church. The kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of N100 million before they will release the kidnapped pastor . While the police authorities in Kaduna State are yet to confirm the kidnapping and release of the pastor, a so...

  2 m    ·  US revokes 40 International Students Visas Over Traffic Offenses Almost 40 international students in the US recently had their visas suddenly taken away. Experts and advocates say the US government made this decision based on small issues like traffic offences. People believe this is part of a bigger plan by Donald Trump’s administration to control immigration and how universities handle it. The decision has shocked many students and left them scared and unsure about what will happen next.. One of the students affected from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is Lisa said she was just a month away from graduation when she got an unexpected email, according to The Guardian UK. “ISS is writing to inform you that your SEVIS record was terminated,” the email said. SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. At first, Lisa thought the email was fake. But after checking on...

    The Digital Nomad Visa: A New Era of Work and Travel The concept of the digital nomad has taken the world by storm in recent years, fueled by advancements in technology and the ever-growing desire for work-life balance. No longer bound to an office or traditional 9-to-5 schedule, people are finding ways to work from anywhere in the world. The Digital Nomad Visa is an emerging trend that has caught the attention of those seeking the freedom to travel while still earning a living. In this post, we’ll explore what a Digital Nomad Visa is, the benefits it offers, and how it could transform your lifestyle. What is a Digital Nomad Visa? A Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a special visa offered by several countries to attract remote workers and freelancers who want to live in their country while continuing to work remotely for a foreign employer or running an online business. Unlike traditional visas for workers, these visas are designed for individuals who can work from anywh...

  A man, Uche Onyekaba has been lynched by an angry mob in Ukaonu street by NEPA, Aba, for allegedly killing another man with a stone during an argument. Onyekaba, who was said to be a staff of Abia Water and Sewage Corporation, had engaged in a hot argument with another man. During the argument,  Onyekaba allegedly picked up a stone and hit the man, which made the victim slump. On noticing that the man had died, a mob of angry residents gathered and beat Mr Uche Onyekaba to death. There were claims that the deceased civil servant was unhappy because of his unresolved salary issues in his office, which originated the argument. But a senior staff of Abia State Ministry of Power and Public Utilities, who spoke to DAILY POST under anonymity, dismissed the claims even though she confirmed the death of Onyekaba. Spokesperson of Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka confirmed that the incident which happened at Ukaonu street by NEPA, was reported to the police. According to...