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Journalists in Somalia arrested after airing rape allegations

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NAIROBI – Somali authorities arrested two journalists, one of them the victim of an alleged rape, on Wednesday in Mogadishu, the capital, and charged them with defamation in connection with a report on the alleged rape, according to news reports and local journalists.

In a video, which was posted online earlier this week, Radio Shabelle journalist Mohamed Bashir interviews a female reporter of Kasmo Voice Women Radio, who says that she was raped at gunpoint. The unnamed victim said she was assaulted by two journalists from the state-owned Radio Mogadishu, according to news reports.

The woman named her alleged attackers in the video. The accused denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit, according to news reports.

Mohamed and the victim of the alleged rape have been detained at the Central Investigations Department headquarters, local journalists said.

Journalists in Somalia arrested after airing rape allegations“This is not the first time in Somalia that the victim of an alleged rape and a messenger are harassed or imprisoned for reporting such allegations,” said CPJ East Africa Representative Tom Rhodes. “We call on authorities to release Mohamed Bashir and the victim of the alleged rape, and to ensure a transparent and efficient investigation into the allegations.”

The manager of the Shabelle Media Network, Abdimaalik Yusuf, was also detained for six hours in connection with the story, news reports said. He was questioned in custody about recording the interview, and then released, he told CPJ.

Government Spokesmen Abdirahman Omar Osman told CPJ that they were allowing the police and judiciary to carry out their investigations prior to any government involvement in the case.

In February, a Mogadishu court sentenced a victim of an alleged rape and freelance journalist Abdiaziz Abdinuur who interviewed her to one-year prison sentences, but released them on appeal two months later, according to CPJ research. Abdiaziz fled the country soon after release, fearing for his life, he told CPJ.

Authorities forced Radio Shabelle off the air on October 26 over a building ownership dispute and confiscated the media house’s equipment, local journalists told CPJ. The station is off the air, but still broadcasting online.The government recently returned the equipment to Shabelle Media Network but in a damaged state, Abdimaalik said.

The president’s director of communications, Malik Abdalla, denied that the equipment had been returned damaged and said the claim was “completely false,” he told CPJ.

 

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Kenya’s Edwin Koech Wins 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

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Photos: Kenyan Runner Edwin Kibet Wins 2023 Lagos City Marathon

Kenyan athlete Edwin Koech has emerged as the champion of the 2025 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, claiming victory in the men’s category with a record time of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

The win, secured on Saturday, marks his second title in the prestigious race after his triumph in 2023.

Koech takes home the $50,000 first-place prize, further cementing his dominance in the competition.

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The 10th edition of the marathon saw an impressive turnout, with 37,000 runners competing in both the 10km and 42km races.

Race General Manager and retired Nigerian long jumper Yusuf Ali confirmed the figure, explaining that it was based on the number of race kits distributed, out of more than 60,000 registered participants.

The 42km race commenced at 6:30 am from the National Stadium in Surulere, while the 10km race began at 9:30 am from Grace Garden Event Centre in Lekki. Both events concluded at Eko Atlantic City, the official finish line.

As the Lagos City Marathon celebrated its 10th anniversary, organisers reiterated their goal of securing a World Athletics platinum label, which would make it the first marathon in Africa to achieve the prestigious status.

Currently classified as a gold label race, the event has continued to attract elite athletes from across the globe.

In preparation for the race, the Lagos State Government announced an eight-hour road closure and traffic diversion, restricting movement along key routes from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday.

Since its inception in 2016, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has grown into one of Africa’s premier road races, drawing international attention and fostering a strong culture of long-distance running in Nigeria.

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Dele Farotimi Appointed National Organising Secretary of Afenifere

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In a significant development for the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, renowned lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has been appointed as its National Organising Secretary.

The appointment was ratified during a general meeting held at the residence of Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

Farotimi’s appointment comes on the heels of a legal dispute with respected legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, who had sued the activist for alleged defamatory content in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

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The Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti had granted Farotimi bail of N30 million. However, just 24 hours after Afe Babalola agreed to withdraw the lawsuit, Afenifere announced Farotimi’s new position.

A communiqué jointly signed by Afenifere Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, confirmed the appointment.

“The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere,” the communiqué read.

The meeting, chaired by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, witnessed the participation of representatives from the six South-West states, as well as Kogi and Kwara.

Notable attendees included former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Akerele, Secretary-General Chief Sola Ebiseni, Chief Akin Osuntokun, Professor Akin Onigbinde, Elder Tola Mobolurin, Dr. Gbola Adetuji, and Olorogun Pop Ayo-Banjo.

 

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I’m Now Known As The Man Who Makes Things Disappear – Abia Lawmaker

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Alex Ikwechegh, a House of Representatives member representing Aba North/South in Abia State, has addressed the viral altercation he had with e-hailing driver Stephen Abuwatseya in October 2024, playfully noting that the incident significantly raised his profile across Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Ikwechegh, who was seen in a viral video assaulting Abuwatseya outside his Maitama residence, remarked that the altercation, which occurred during a dispute over a package delivery, has earned him the tongue-in-cheek title of “the man that makes things disappear.”

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Ikwechegh described the incident as unfortunate, but one that ultimately helped him build a positive relationship with the driver.

“What happened was quite unfortunate but I take it as an avenue for me as a person to also build a relationship with the young man. Today, we are friends,” he said.

The lawmaker also addressed the video that captured the assault, in which he was seen slapping and insulting the driver.

He explained that the public only saw the aftermath, missing the events that led to the confrontation.

“The video that everybody saw was a low moment. I felt the sanctity of my home was being desecrated. The part of the video where you people saw was the part that people saw; people do not know what happened before that reaction. Like they say, actions pre-empt reactions.”

Ikwechegh, who has maintained a scandal-free reputation in his long public career, insisted that the viral video was not indicative of his character.

“But whatever anybody has seen is not indicative of who I am. I’ve been in the public space for a very long time and there has never been any scandal about me,” he remarked.

Despite the controversy, Ikwechegh stated that he has moved past the incident, even forming close ties with Abuwatseya and his pastor. “The young man is my friend now and I am very close to his bishop, his pastor, and I’ve made a bunch of new friends.”

The incident, which initially led to Ikwechegh being charged with abuse of office, assault, and threat to life, was eventually resolved through the legal system.

Ikwechegh was arraigned at a Kuje Magistrates’ Court, where he was granted ₦500,000 bail. However, the case was struck out after the court found no merit in the charges.

Ikwechegh admitted that his behavior during the altercation fell short of expectations for a public official, and he publicly apologized for his actions.

In an Instagram post, he apologized to Abuwatseya, the Nigerian Police Force, and the National Assembly, admitting that his response to the situation was inappropriate, regardless of the provocation.

In a surprising turn of events, Abuwatseya later issued a public apology, acknowledging his role in provoking the altercation and asking for forgiveness from Ikwechegh and the Nigerian public.

With the matter now behind them, Ikwechegh reflected on the unexpected outcome of the incident, noting that while it began as a controversial moment, it has helped him form new friendships and, in a lighter vein, increased his visibility across the nation.

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