Morning recap: Three homeless men shot dead in Lagos, Super Falcons receive $100,000 each, other top stories - Punch Newspapers

A dethroned Osun monarch convicted in the United States has sued Governor Ademola Adeleke over plans to fill his vacant stool. The Federal Government has tightened payroll verification as personnel costs rise to N1.96tn. A new USSD-based credit service has been introduced to help Nigerians access loans for essential goods. Three appointees of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have resigned ahead of the 2027 elections. The Super Falcons have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each as President Bola Tinubu fulfils his reward pledge. Actress Rachael Okonkwo has sparked engagement speculation after a proposal video surfaced online. Three homeless men have been shot dead at a bus stop in Lagos. The National Assembly has proposed 74 additional legislative seats for women as part of its constitutional review. See top stories below: 1. US-convicted Osun monarch sues Adeleke over replacement plan The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has approached an Osun State High Court to stop Governor Ademola Adeleke from filling the vacant traditional stool. Oloyede, who was convicted in the US over fraud-related offences, argued that he was not formally notified of any wrongdoing before his removal. The court adjourned the case until January 21, 2027, after a hearing was stalled over the service of notices on the defendants.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources Read full story: https://punchng.com/us-convicted-osun-monarch-sues-adeleke-over-replacement-plan/ 2. FG tightens payroll checks as salaries gulp N1.96tn The Federal Government has introduced stricter verification requirements for newly recruited workers seeking admission into its payroll, following a rise in personnel costs to N1.96tn in the first quarter of 2026. The figure represents a 7.35 per cent increase from the corresponding period in 2025, with salary spending exceeding capital expenditure by about N267bn. Under the new directive, no newly recruited employee can be enrolled without completing the required validation and approval process. Read full story: https://punchng.com/fg-tightens-payroll-checks-as-salaries-gulp-n1-96tn/ President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House 3. FG introduces USSD code for loans covering food, solar, others The Federal Government has unveiled a USSD-based credit service, SPARK, to enable Nigerians to access consumer loans through basic mobile phones without internet connectivity. The service, introduced by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, can be accessed through the code 347333#, although nationwide availability has not yet been confirmed. The credit scheme covers areas including food, healthcare, digital devices, solar equipment and household appliances. Oyebamiji leads Osun APC parallel presidential campaign council US-convicted Osun monarch sues Adeleke over replacement plan 2027: Makinde’s commissioner, two aides resign Read full story: https://punchng.com/fg-introduces-ussd-code-for-loans-covering-food-solar-others/ 4. 2027: Makinde’s commissioner, two aides resign Three appointees of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have resigned from their positions, adding to the growing number of departures from the state administration. They are the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo; Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning, Adegbola Oyeleke; and a member of the state Independent Electoral Commission, Sunday Falana. While Oyeleke cited an unconducive working environment, the other two did not publicly disclose their reasons for leaving. Read full story: https://punchng.com/2027-makindes-commissioner-two-aides-resign/ File Photo: Super Falcons 5. Super Falcons receive $100,000 each as Tinubu fulfils pledge Nigeria’s Super Falcons players have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, completing the cash component of President Bola Tinubu’s reward package for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Their coaches and officials also received the equivalent of $50,000 each. The National Sports Commission said the payments fulfilled the President’s financial commitment to the team, which had earlier received title documents for three-bedroom apartments and national honours. Read full story: https://punchng.com/super-falcons-get-100000-equivalent-as-tinubu-fulfils-pledge/ File photo: Actress Rachael Okonkwo 6. Actress Rachael Okonkwo sparks engagement buzz with proposal video Nollywood actress Rachael Okonkwo has sparked speculation about her relationship status after a proposal video surfaced online. The development has drawn attention from fans, but I could not retrieve the full report to establish the details of the video or whether the actress has confirmed an engagement. Read full story: https://punchng.com/actress-rachael-okonkwo-sparks-engagement-buzz-with-proposal-video/ 7. Three homeless men shot dead at Lagos bus stop Three homeless men have been shot dead while sleeping at the Post Office Bus Stop on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Two assailants riding power bikes reportedly approached the victims and opened fire, with CCTV footage said to have captured the attack. Police confirmed the killings, saying the bodies had been deposited at a hospital for autopsy as investigations continued to identify the victims and track down the attackers. Read full story: https://punchng.com/three-homeless-men-shot-dead-at-lagos-bus-stop/ Senate President Godswill Akpabio. 8. N’Assembly proposes 74 additional seats for women The National Assembly has proposed 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives as part of efforts to address their underrepresentation in Nigerian politics. The proposal includes one additional seat for women from each state and the Federal Capital Territory in both chambers, as well as three reserved seats in every state House of Assembly. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the arrangement would run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a review. Read full story: https://punchng.com/nassembly-proposes-74-additional-seats-for-women/ Adetutu Sobowale Adetutu has three years experience in publishing stories on gender, health, education, metro and fact-checking.

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