The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Miss Abiola Adams-Odutayo, the driver accused of causing the tragic death of Adetunji ‘Teejay’ Opayele, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Bumpa, a Nigerian retail automation startup. The incident, which occurred on March 4, 2025, has sparked widespread public outcry and demands for justice. According to CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, Miss Adams-Odutayo was arraigned at Court 1 in Tinubu on March 12, 2025, following her discharge from the hospital and a thorough investigation. She was charged with reckless and careless driving on a public highway without due attention to other road users, which led to the fatal accident. The court granted her bail set at ₦1 million and adjourned the case to April 16, 2025. In response to public concerns about the case, the Lagos Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the legal process. “We acknowledge public concerns regarding the tragic accident that claimed the life of Adetunji Opayele (Teejay). We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who have been affected by this loss,” CSP Hundeyin stated. The police urged Nigerians to respect the judicial process and allow justice to take its course. The charges filed against Miss Adams-Odutayo have drawn sharp criticism on social media. Many Nigerians expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as lenient charges and questioned the granting of bail. A petition titled Justice for Teejay, demanding stricter charges such as manslaughter, has garnered over 65,000 signatures. The petition accuses Miss Adams-Odutayo of negligence during and after the accident. It alleges that she refused to assist Teejay after hitting him and prioritized avoiding blood stains on her car over helping a dying man. One excerpt from the petition reads: “Biola Adams-Odutayo must be properly charged with manslaughter also, not just a lesser offense of reckless driving.” The petition also calls on law enforcement authorities to ensure due process is followed and that no one is above the law. Remembering Adetunji ‘Teejay’ OpayeleAdetunji Opayele’s death is a devastating loss for Nigeria’s tech community. Alongside Kelvin Umechukwu, Teejay co-founded Bumpa, a startup dedicated to empowering small businesses through technology. Under his leadership as CTO, Bumpa achieved significant milestones, including raising $4 million in seed funding in 2022 and securing partnerships with Meta platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. Teejay was not only an accomplished software engineer but also a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. To honor his legacy, Bumpa announced plans to develop an AI assistant named Teejay, which will continue to provide business insights and solutions for users, reflecting his innovative spirit. Kelvin Umechukwu shared his grief over Teejay’s passing. “He wasn’t just a co-founder to me; he was my friend, my brother, my fight partner, and a brilliant engineer. This is honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with in life.” For now, all eyes are on April 16 as the court reconvenes to deliberate further on this matter.
Indomie unveils AI-powered platform to celebrate mothers on mother’s Day
Indomie, renowned for fostering family bonds, has launched an innovative AI-powered platform as part of its “Show Some Love to Mum” campaign to celebrate Mother’s Day. This groundbreaking initiative blends cutting-edge technology with heartfelt emotions, offering a unique way to honor mothers. The platform allows users to create personalized video messages featuring beloved celebrities such as Shaffy Bello, Akinyemi Omotayo (Asherkine), and Bimbo Ademoye. Each video includes the names of both the mother and child, transforming a simple greeting into a cherished keepsake that makes mothers feel valued and appreciated. Adeniyi Rahmotallahi, Indomie Nigeria’s Digital Marketing Manager, explained the simplicity of the process: users visit the microsite [showsomelovetomum.indomie.ng], select their mother’s favorite celebrity, input names, and receive a customized video message in minutes. This initiative is accessible from anywhere, ensuring no location restrictions. In addition to the digital experience, Indomie is hosting activations at Ikeja City Mall, featuring interactive activities and celebrity meet-and-greets. The campaign shows Indomie’s commitment to celebrating timeless values while leveraging modern technology. This Mother’s Day, Indomie invites everyone to create lasting memories and show love to their mothers through this innovative platform.
UBA achieves record growth in 2024, boosted by digital banking and strong profitability
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, showcasing remarkable growth across key financial metrics. The bank’s performance highlights its strategic focus on digital banking and operational efficiency. Gross Earnings: UBA recorded a 53.6% increase in gross earnings, reaching N3.19 trillion, compared to N2.08 trillion in 2023. Profit After Tax (PAT): PAT surged by 26.14% to N766.6 billion, marking the highest in the bank’s history. Profit Before Tax (PBT): PBT rose by 6.1% to N803.72 billion from N757.68 billion in 2023. Total Assets: Total assets grew by 46.8%, reaching N30.4 trillion, up from N20.65 trillion in 2023. Dividend: The bank proposed a final dividend of N3 per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to N5 per share. UBA’s electronic business transactions generated N284.7 billion in revenue for 2024, an impressive 85.9% growth from N157.1 billion in 2023. This includes fees from ATM withdrawals, online banking, and mobile transactions. However, electronic transaction expenses also rose significantly to N199.2 billion from N107.1 billion in the previous year. The bank recorded a 158% increase in remittance fee income, earning N39.91 billion compared to N15.45 billion in 2023. This reflects UBA’s growing strength in cross-border money transfers.Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, attributed the success to the bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction, geographic diversification, and robust risk management practices. He emphasized that UBA’s digital transformation and operational efficiency have been pivotal in achieving these results. Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, attributed the success to the bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction, geographic diversification, and robust risk management practices. He emphasized that UBA’s digital transformation and operational efficiency have been pivotal in achieving these results.
Elon Musk merges xAI and X in $33 billion deal to advance AI and social media integration
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced the merger of his artificial intelligence startup, xAI, with his social media platform, X, in a groundbreaking all-stock transaction valued at $33 billion. The deal not only consolidates Musk’s control over both companies but also sets the stage for a new era of AI-driven social media experiences. The merger values xAI at $80 billion, reflecting its rapid growth since its founding less than two years ago, while X is valued at $33 billion after accounting for $12 billion in debt. Both companies are privately held and share notable investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Co. In a statement posted on X, Musk highlighted the strategic benefits of the merger “This combination will unlock immense potential by blending xAI’s advanced AI capability and expertise with X’s massive reach. Together, we aim to deliver smarter, more meaningful experiences to billions of people while staying true to our mission of seeking truth and advancing knowledge” – Musk Musk emphasized that the integration of xAI’s cutting-edge AI models and computing power with X’s global user base, currently exceeding 600 million active users, will create a platform capable of accelerating human progress. He described X as a “digital town square” that has been transformed into one of the most efficient companies in the world over the past two years. The merger is expected to leverage shared resources, including data, distribution networks, and talent, to develop innovative AI applications that enhance user engagement. Musk expressed optimism about the future of the combined entity, stating that it represents “just the beginning” of their efforts to redefine how technology serves humanity. Since its launch in 2023, xAI has emerged as a leading player in artificial intelligence, rivaling industry giants like OpenAI. The company has focused on building large language models and advanced AI tools aimed at understanding complex systems and phenomena. In 2024, xAI began constructing a supercomputer named Colossus in Memphis, Tennessee, to support its AI chatbot, Grok. Part of this facility is already operational. However, xAI’s rapid growth has not been without controversy. Environmental advocates have raised concerns about the Memphis project’s reliance on natural gas turbines and its potential impact on local communities. For X, formerly known as Twitter before its rebranding under Musk’s leadership in 2023, this merger marks another step in its evolution. The platform has undergone significant changes over the past two years to improve efficiency and scalability.
Benin courts sentence 17 to prison for internet fraud
Seventeen internet fraudsters have been sentenced to prison terms by the Edo State High Courts in Benin City, following a crackdown by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The convictions were announced after the defendants were found guilty of various charges, including obtaining money under false pretenses and possessing fraudulent documents. The court proceedings, which took place before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin, saw all defendants plead guilty to the charges brought against them. The EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate conducted a sting operation that led to their arrest, based on intelligence linking them to fraudulent online activities. Sentences varied among the convicted individuals. Nine of them received two-year prison sentences or were fined N200,000 each, while five others were sentenced to three years in prison or fined the same amount. Three additional defendants were given two-year sentences or fined N400,000 each. In addition to their prison terms and fines, the court ordered all convicts to forfeit their mobile phones, computers, and any funds in their bank accounts to the federal government. They were also required to submit written commitments to maintain good behavior in the future. This latest round of convictions comes shortly after another case where 29 suspected fraudsters were also sentenced by the same court. The EFCC has been intensifying its efforts to combat internet fraud, which has seen a troubling rise in Nigeria. The agency has previously raised alarms about internet fraudsters engaging in more violent crimes and has mourned the loss of one of its officers during an operation against such activities.
Aero contractors make history as the first Nigerian airline to pay NCAA sanction fee
Aero Contractors has become the first Nigerian airline to pay a sanction fee imposed by the Consumer Protection Department of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This historic payment marks the first time the NCAA has successfully recovered costs for consumer protection-related infractions. The sanction was imposed due to Aero Contractors’ violations of passenger rights regulations, including issues related to flight delays, cancellations, and refunds. The payment highlights the NCAA’s intensified efforts to enforce compliance and protect air travelers’ rights, as outlined in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, commended Aero Contractors for addressing the underlying issues and making progress in resolving the backlog of refunds and compensation owed to passengers. He emphasized that the purpose of sanctions is not punitive but rather to minimize flight disruptions and ensure compliance. As more airlines comply with regulations, the industry is expected to see improvements in passenger experience and accountability.