The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control says boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who died in Accra, Ghana on Saturday, was not granted approval for the fatal bout after his initial fight scheduled for Friday was cancelled after being adjudged overweight.

The 40-year-old former National and West African light-heavyweight champion lost consciousness during his bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra on Saturday.

The TheNigerian learnt that Olanrewaju was leading on points before the tragic incident occurred in the scheduled eight-round light-heavyweight contest against Mbanugu, also known as “Jon Power,” who holds a record of 12 wins, one loss, and one draw, with 12 knockouts.

It took only a few seconds for officials and fans at the Bukom Boxing Arena to realise that something was seriously wrong. Olanrewaju had landed two weak punches on his opponent before Mbanugu responded with a right hand to the Nigerian’s face. After a brief impasse between both men, the Nigerian boxer staggered backwards, fell against the ropes and collapsed, to the disbelief of the fans.

The Nigerian fighter slumped on his side as the referee began the mandatory count. Moments later, he turned face down, with his throat resting against one of the ropes.

His team rushed into the ring, placed him on the canvas, removed his gum shield, and attempted to resuscitate him as he appeared to be gasping for breath. The on-site emergency medical team quickly transported him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Secretary-General, the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, told The TheNigerian that the boxing body permitted Olanrewaju to fight on Friday but the bout was cancelled. According to Aboderin, the late pugilist then decided to fight the next day so he could make some money to clear his debts back home.

“Segun got our approval to fight in Ghana, a fight that was proposed to take place on a Friday. Unfortunately, they did weigh-in on Thursday and he was found to be overweight and they told him the person he was to fight was not his weight.

“They said to do this, they would increase his purse with another $500, which he said was too small, and due to that, there was no agreement.”

Aboderin further revealed that another Nigerian fought that Friday night.

“Saturday morning, they were on their way back to Lagos, they had even left Accra and were at Aflao border when Segun said to the coach that followed him, that’s Diran Alamu, that it was not going to be easy returning home; he left Nigeria with no money and he had debts to pay and needed money. So, he wanted to call the Ghanaians and see if another fight was coming up and told them he was now ready to collect the additional $500 as discussed because he felt it would not pay him if he returned home without money.

“So, they called the matchmaker, who informed him that there was a fight on Saturday night and that they could put the fight for that Saturday, but we didn’t give him the approval for that, and this is where the GBA (Ghana Boxing Association) erred. So, he turned back and went back to Ghana because he needed the money; he owed a lot of people money,” the NBBofC secretary added.

Coach Babatunde Ojo, who trained Olanrewaju, told The TheNigerian that he advised the boxer against fighting on short notice.

“He (Olanrewaju) told me they gave him a fight last week. After he informed me, I told him, ‘the fight was at short notice, you are not training and you want to go, you can’t go, leave this fight for a better offer,’” Ojo told The TheNigerian.

“He initially told me the fight was on April 1, but he called later to say it was no longer next month but on March 29. So, I told him that it was at short notice but if he wanted us to go together, he should tell the organisers to book flights so we could go there and come back together. He called them and when he got back to me, he said they told him they would get him a car that would take him to Ghana. I said no, that’s not possible. So, he knew I didn’t want him to go.

“After that, he called me that they (NBBofC) had given him a release letter (for the fight). I didn’t hear from him afterwards, so I called him. He said he had been called again for the fight and was going that night. I told him, ‘Success, don’t you think this fight is too early?’ He said he would call me back. The next time I called him, he said he was on his way (to Ghana), and he didn’t call me because he knew I wouldn’t allow him go. That was why he didn’t tell me. He is an adult, so, I could not stop him.

“Now we have this situation, these are the things I advise my boxers against; you can’t pick a fight at short notice, you need at least one month. I am very saddened by his loss; may his soul rest in peace,” Ojo added.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has ordered a thorough investigation into the death of 24-year-old upcoming artist, Paul Obukohwo.

The directive was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who urged the deceased’s family to visit the police headquarters to initiate the probe.

Obukohwo was said to have been tortured to death while in the custody of operatives of the Rapid Response Squad.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Abaniwonda assured them that officers found culpable after the probe would face the full weight of the law.

According to the police statement, the incident occurred on March 26, 2025, at about 3:45 p.m. when RRS operatives raided a known black spot along Okpanam Road.

During the operation, they arrested a suspect, Prosper Odili, 24, who was allegedly wearing military camouflage, while others fled the scene.

The statement added, “The deceased who obstructed the police from arresting his brother and damaged the patrol vehicle in the process, was later arrested.

“While Paul Obukohwo was in custody, he fell sick and was taken to Police Hospital Asaba where he was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia (low sugar).

“Due to the severity of his condition, he was referred to Asaba Specialist Hospital and later referred to Federal Medical Centre Asaba, where he died while receiving treatment.”

According to Edafe, the command was not oblivious to the fact that there were complaints emanating from social media and the brother of the deceased alleging that the police tortured him while he was in custody.

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arraignment of Abiola Odutayo in connection with the death of 32-year-old Adetunji Opayele, co-founder of Bumpa, popularly known as Teejay.

The incident, which occurred on March 4, 2025, has sparked widespread public concern, prompting the police to reaffirm its commitment to justice and transparency.

According to a statement by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Odutayo was arraigned on March 12, 2025, at Court 1, Tinubu, following her discharge from the hospital.

She is facing charges of reckless and careless driving on a public highway, which resulted in the death of Opayele.

Hundeyin added that the court granted Odutayo bail, and the case has been adjourned until April 16, 2025.

The statement said, “We #LagosPoliceNG acknowledge public concerns regarding the tragic accident that claimed the life of Adetunji Opayele (Teejay) on March 4, 2025. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who have been affected by this loss.

“We can confirm that following a thorough investigation, Abiola Odutayo ‘f’ was arraigned in Court 1, Tinubu on March 12, 2025, after she was discharged from hospital, for driving on a ‘public highway in a reckless and careless manner without due care and attention to other road users and caus[ing] the death of one Tunji Opayele ‘m’ aged 32 and thereby committed an offence…’

“The court granted her bail and adjourned the case till April 16, 2025.

“The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to transparency, fairness, and justice.”

Nigerians have expressed outraged over the death of Opayele who died on March 4, 2025, after a collision on Ozumba Mbadiwe, Lagos.

The driver, Biola Adams-Odutayo, allegedly failed to yield and refused to assist the critically injured Teejay, reportedly citing concerns about staining her car.

Bystanders struggled to find medical help as several hospitals allegedly refused treatment.

Over 35,000 Nigerians have signed a petition demanding justice with many calling for more severe charges, including manslaughter, rather than the reckless driving charge

Petitioners have also demanded that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice oversee a thorough investigation and ensure proper prosecution.

The Edo State Police Command on Friday said his operatives have arrested one Iyayi Omokaro, who hacked his brother, Friday, to death over a disagreement on Tuesday.

The Command Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who stated this in a statement, said the killing took place at Uzalla Community, Uhunmwonde, Benin.

Yamu said that Friday was confirmed dead in the hospital; Iyayi was arrested and has confessed to the crime.

The statement read, “On 25/03/2025 at about 15:30 hours, a report was received from a camp in Uzalla Community about the killing of one Friday Omokaro (38 years).

“Police Operatives and vigilante got to the scene and took the victim to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The murder weapon was also recovered.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased and his brother Iyayi Omokaro (34 years) had a misunderstanding which resulted into a fight, in the process, Iyayi Omokaro used a cutlass and hacked his elder brother to death.

“Iyayi Omokaro has been arrested and taken into custody for investigation. He has, however, confessed to the crime and would soon be charged to court.”

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