Entertainment
Nollywood Actor, Lawori Accuses NURTW Chieftain Of Violent Attack
The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to launch an investigation into allegations leveled by Nollywood actor Lawori against Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, a prominent figure in the National Union of Road Transport Workers.
Lawori alleges that he sustained a head injury during an assault at the 2024 Idimu Day event held on June 25, 2024.
In a video shared on social media by user Oyindamola, tweeting as #dammiedammie35, the actor displayed a stitched wound on his head while appealing for justice said he was one of the Masters of Ceremony at an event.
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the police’s response to the incident on Monday.
While performing his duties, Lawori stated that an unidentified man approached him on stage and informed him that the NURTW chief had requested his presence, to which he complied.
He narrated, “As I went to meet Koko Zaria to greet him, he asked if I didn’t see them here. Then I apologised and said I would do the needful when I returned to the stage.
“I then heard somebody ask if I was Lawori, thinking that he (the person) didn’t know me and was meeting me for the first time. It was later confirmed to him that I’m Lawori. While I was talking with Koko Zaria and I turned, the man took a bottle of Martell (in front of Koko Zaria and his guys) and broke it on my head.”
The actor further recounted that he was covered in blood and lost consciousness during the attack.
He mentioned that his memory of the incident only resumed at the hospital, where he underwent stitching for his head wound, causing him considerable pain.
“Please, Nigerians, help me. It was Koko Zaria who sent someone to summon me,” he asserted, expressing bewilderment over the motive behind the assault. “Save me from Koko Zaria. I don’t understand what I’ve done to him,” he pleaded.
Responding to the accusation on his Instagram page on Monday, NURTW chief Ganiyu Oyedepo, known as #kokozaria_americaboy, categorically denied the allegation.
“Lawori has never wronged me. We have a very close relationship. I watched a video where he claimed I instructed the attack on him. What reason would I have for such an act?” he questioned.
Oyedepo continued, “Lawori, I have no ill will towards you, but I challenge you to swear by everything dear to you, including your ambitions, that I ordered such an attack.”
The NURTW boss clarified that during the event, which drew a large crowd, he invited the actor to greet him and apologized for missing an earlier engagement the actor had invited him to.
Oyedepo recalled that upon Lawori’s return to the stage, a scuffle broke out involving two individuals as Lawori halted the music they were enjoying.
He emphasized that he did not attend the event with his associates, stating, “As you were leaving the stage, I observed people hitting bottles on your head. I immediately took you to the hospital where you received treatment.
“I stayed with you, covered your medical expenses, and even gave you a significant amount of money. All of this took place on Tuesday.”
He mentioned leaving the hospital with Lawori around 1 a.m. and said that he was the one who informed the actor’s wife about the incident.
Oyedepo also mentioned that Lawori called him on the phone on Wednesday to pray for him and to express gratitude.
“I am aware of everything that’s going on. I know who sent you. I leave you to God,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), responding to the video on X.com on Monday, stated, “This matter will be thoroughly investigated, and justice will prevail. Numerous concerned individuals have contacted me regarding this case. @BenHundeyin, @FCID_ANNEX, @LagosPoliceNG, @PoliceNG.”
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
Preliminary autopsy results have ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death for two Nollywood production crew members found dead at a movie set in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on February 7, 2026.
The victims, 36-year-old cinematographer Walter Odediran and his childhood friend Godstime Imeh, Lighting Director and Chief Officer of GeeTee Light, were discovered lifeless inside a Nissan car owned by Imeh, parked within the premises of Evercare Hospital, where a film was being shot.
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According to sources, the autopsy revealed that one of the victims had an empty stomach, while the other had only a small amount of food — “almost as if he hadn’t eaten anything,” a source said.
Walter Odediran’s elder brother, Kola Odediran, confirmed that the family had received the preliminary autopsy report. He said: “The autopsy itself is complete, and no food was found in my late brother.
“The results indicate he did not eat anything. But they are going to carry out toxicology and histology tests, which will provide the definitive answers we are looking for.”
To determine the exact cause of death, experts will conduct additional tests on blood and tissue samples to find out whether the victims ingested or inhaled any harmful substances before their deaths.
These results are expected in two to three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased, as well as colleagues in the Nollywood industry, are awaiting the findings with bated breath, hoping the upcoming tests will shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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