A TikTok content creator has been given a suspended prison sentence by a Kaduna High Court over defamatory videos about the commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Yemi Olatoye.

The case

The creator faced five counts filed by the Inspector-General of Police and pleaded guilty to two of them, according to reports on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Justice Rilwanu Aikawa sentenced her to one year in prison on each count, to run concurrently, and fined her ₦250,000 per count, ₦500,000 in total. The prison terms were suspended for three years under a plea bargain. The court also ordered her to publish a public apology in two national newspapers.

The videos

The videos included captions blaming the general for the creator's possible death, among other claims.

Background

The case is one of a number of prosecutions in Nigeria over social media posts about public figures.

VeryDarkMan (VDM) does not seem to believe in fighting fairly. When he has a disagreement with someone, he appears willing to go to any length to make his point, even if it means bringing up some of the most painful moments in that person's life.

A painful chapter

Over the years, Davido has lost several close friends and associates in tragic circumstances. Their deaths set off all kinds of rumours and conspiracy theories online.

Some people even claimed the deaths were connected to rituals or sacrifices for fame and success. None of those claims was ever proven, and there is no credible evidence linking Davido to any of their deaths.

Imagine losing people who were very close to you, only to have strangers turn their deaths into accusations against you. Davido has lived with those memories for years. He has carried on with his music career, built his family and moved forward with his life, but moving forward does not mean the pain has disappeared.

Reopening old wounds

Now, amid his ongoing disagreement with Davido, VDM has reportedly brought those painful memories back into public discussion. This is where things appear to be getting out of hand.

You can criticise Davido's music, lifestyle, public statements or behaviour. You can disagree with him and challenge his opinions. That is perfectly normal. But bringing up the deaths of his close friends because of a disagreement raises serious questions.

What exactly is the intention? Is it to expose wrongdoing, to make a legitimate point, or simply to hurt someone where he is most vulnerable?

Where are the limits?

VDM has built a reputation for confronting people without holding back, and his supporters may argue he is only giving his opponents the same treatment they give others. But surely there should be limits.

Davido is not above criticism, and neither is VeryDarkMan. Both are public figures who should be held accountable for their actions. Using someone's personal tragedies as ammunition in a public quarrel, however, is something else entirely.

There are some experiences people never fully recover from. They may laugh and smile in public, but that does not mean they have forgotten. If winning an argument requires reopening another person's deepest wounds, perhaps the argument has already gone too far.

Over to you

People say all is fair in love and war, but does that mean we should abandon all compassion when we disagree with someone? Has VDM crossed the line with Davido, or is this just two public figures fighting without limits?

Shirley U. Emehelu, a lawyer born in Nigeria, has been appointed lieutenant governor of New Jersey in the United States.

The appointment

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill appointed Emehelu on Monday, 9 November 2026, making her the state's fifth lieutenant governor and the first immigrant to hold the office. She was sworn in at the Statehouse in Trenton by the state's Chief Justice, Stuart Rabner. The appointment also means that, for the first time in New Jersey's history, women hold the state's two highest executive offices at the same time. Emehelu will also serve as Secretary of State, a role that covers government administration and oversight of elections.

Why she was chosen

Sherrill described Emehelu as an experienced public servant and pointed to her record prosecuting financial crimes, protecting consumers, defending civil rights and tackling government waste. The governor also praised her leadership as acting Secretary of State, including overseeing the state's recent elections.

Her Nigerian roots

Emehelu, who moved from Nigeria to the United States as a child, said she was proud of what the appointment means for Black women, immigrants and people who share her Nigerian heritage, and expressed hope that it would inspire young people to serve. She said she would work with the governor on the cost of living and economic opportunity.

The Nigeria Police Force says it has raided facilities allegedly used to manipulate online conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

What the police said

Speaking on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at a webinar on AI, misinformation and the 2027 elections, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bashir Abdullahi, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, said officers had carried out targeted raids on so-called phone farms after receiving information about a coordinated effort to interfere with the polls. He explained that a single operator can use hundreds of phones and automated accounts to push the same message, creating the impression that many people are independently discussing an issue. He said the raids had disrupted the operation.

Suspect arrested

Abdullahi said a suspect was in custody after officers traced allegedly false reports about a candidate from the South-South. He said the reports were allegedly meant to discredit the candidate and influence voters. The suspect has not been named or charged in court.

Free speech

He said the police would prosecute people found to have spread false information capable of undermining the elections, but stressed that enforcement would be guided by the law and that the force would not interfere with legitimate public debate. He also said the police had acquired tools that can detect deepfake videos, altered photos and cloned voices.

Background

At the same event, INEC said its own staff in about 10 states had uploaded AI-generated photos to the voters' register. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.