NEWS

Story of Bode Thomas,the iconic Nigerian lawyer who ‘died barking like a dog after insulting a king’

Published

6 years ago

January 4, 2020

This was the case of Olabode Akanbi Thomas, popularly known as Chief Bode Thomas.

Thomas, born October 1919, died tragically on November 23, 1953, under curious circumstances aged just 34.
The day was also his daughter’s second birthday, thus, bringing joy and pain to the Bode household.

A day prior, on November 22, 1953, Bode, who had been made the chairman of the Oyo Divisional Council having taken over from Alaafin Adeyemi II, arrived at a meeting of the council with the Oba (king) in attendance as a member.

The report holds that all the other councillors, except Oba Adeyemi in his 60s, stood to welcome him. Thomas then impolitely told the king “why were you sitting when I walked in? Why can’t you show me respect?”

The Alaafin, feeling disrespected, asked Thomas “shey emi on gbo mo baun? emi ni ongbo bi aja mo baun” meaning “is it me you are barking at like that?’ is it me you are barking like a dog at like that? keep barking.”

Various accounts further hold that Thomas, upon reaching home after the meeting in Oyo, started barking through the night at his Yaba, Lagos home. He died the following day (November 23, 1953) despite being sent to Ijebu-Igbo for further treatment.

Thomas, being a chief himself, must have known the time-held Yoruba practice of respecting the elderly and traditional authority as he and Alaafin Aderemi II were Yorubas.

However, it appears the two not seeing eye to eye had to do with power-play regarding tax mobilization, political party support and rights of traditional authority.

Political leader Obafemi Awolowo had established the Action Group to wrestle power from the British with Thomas as deputy leader.The Alaafin, one of the few highly placed men of Yoruba extraction, rather threw his weight behind Nnamdi Azikiwe and the National Council of Nigerians and the Cameroons (NCNC).

There had been a test of powers of sorts with Alaafin on one hand and Awolowo and Thomas on the other. The rift led to banishing of the Oba’s son, the death of Thomas and the dethronement of the Alaafin by Awolowo.

Thomas was Nigeria’s first Minister of Transportation and later Minister of Works. He also served as both a colonial minister of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria and a nobleman and privy counsellor of the historic Oyo clan of Yorubaland.

He was Balogun of Oyo – a royal name given to a village’s warhead although it can also mean one who can’t be defeated or conquered. He received the Balogun title in 1949.

Thomas was instrumental in the fight for self-rule against the British serving as a lawyer, politician, statesman and traditional aristocrat.He was born to Andrew Thomas, a wealthy trader and auctioneer who was originally from Oyo but migrated to Lagos. He studied law in London and was called to the bar in 1942.
He subsequently returned to Nigeria to establish the law firm “Thomas, Williams and Kayode” in 1948, together with Chief Frederick Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode.

Among his other feats, he became the legal adviser of Egbe Omo Oduduwa in 1946. He was one of the founding members of the Action Group. Prior to joining Action Group, he was a successful Lagos lawyer and was a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement.

With Thomas’ style, he was regarded as brilliant, logical, astute, thoughtful, forward-looking and a workaholic. On the downside, he was viewed as arrogant, hot-tempered and a bully.

Thomas married Lucretia Shobola Odunsi having children Eniola and Dapo together. He was chancellor of the African Church of Nigeria and became a member of Regional House of Assembly in 1951.

Entertainment

Shola Omoemi’s Birthday Turns into a Mega Celebration as She Gifts Over ₦2 Million to Fans

Published

4 months ago

August 9, 2025

Baba Blow

The gospel music world is still buzzing with excitement after the sensational gospel minister Shola Omoemi marked her birthday in a truly unforgettable way. Known for her soul-lifting songs and deep passion for touching lives, Shola once again proved that her ministry extends far beyond music, it’s about love, generosity, and impacting lives.
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‎On her special day, instead of simply receiving gifts and well-wishes, Shola decided to flip the script and pour out blessings on her fans. In a grand show of gratitude, she gave out over ₦2,000,000 to her loyal supporters across various platforms. From random cash giveaways to bank transfers and surprise alerts, fans couldn’t stop sharing their joy online as testimonies rolled in.
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‎The celebration went viral on social media, with positive comments flooding every corner of the internet. Fans hailed her as a woman with a heart of gold, praising her for using her birthday as a platform to uplift others in a time when many are facing financial challenges.

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‎The day wasn’t just about money; it was filled with music, prayers, and heartfelt moments. Shola Omoemi took time to appreciate God publicly for His grace upon her life, her growing ministry, and the countless testimonies her songs have inspired especially following the success of her latest album, IPE (Calling).
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‎Pictures and videos from the celebration showed a joyful Shola surrounded by family, friends, and fans both online and offline. Her warm smile, coupled with her generous acts, made this year’s birthday one of the most talked-about events in the Nigerian gospel scene.
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‎Industry colleagues, gospel artists, and church leaders also joined the conversation, applauding her for embodying the true meaning of giving and service in ministry. Many described her act as a reminder that success is not just about what you receive, but about how much you can give back to those who love and support you.
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‎In her own words, Shola Omoemi said:
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‎ “My life is a testimony of God’s grace. This birthday is not just mine, it’s for everyone who has supported me, prayed for me, and believed in my calling. I am blessed to be a blessing.”
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NEWS

EeZee Tee Refutes Apostle Anselm Madubuko’s Claims, Reaffirms Transparency and Catalogue Ownership

Published

11 months ago

January 21, 2025

Baba Blow

EeZee Tee Refutes Apostle Anselm Madubuko’s Claims, Reaffirms Transparency and Catalogue Ownership

Mercy Chinwo former label EeZee Conceptz has issued an official response to Apostle Anselm Madubuko’s press statement, rejecting claims of financial impropriety and non-cooperation during mediation efforts in its ongoing dispute with former artist Mercy Chinwo.

The label has strongly reaffirmed its transparency, contractual compliance, and rightful ownership of the music catalogue created during Mercy Chinwo’s time with the label.

In its response, EeZee Conceptz highlighted key inaccuracies in Apostle Madubuko’s account of events, asserting that the mediation process has been hindered by bias and misrepresentation of facts.

According to EeZee Conceptz, while the Apostle’s press statement attempts to frame the dispute as a financial issue, the real contention has always been the ownership of master rights.

“At the mediation meetings, the artists demanded the transfer of master rights to them, despite the clear terms of their contracts, which state that the music catalogue is owned by the label in perpetuity. These demands are not only legally unfounded but also go against the principles of fairness and respect for agreements,” the label stated.

The label emphasized that the artists are entitled only to royalties from the catalogue, which have been transparently accounted for.

“No funds were diverted by EeZee Conceptz. This entire campaign against the EeZee Tee is an orchestrated attempt to forcefully claim ownership of the music catalogue we fully funded and produced. This is a clear violation of the contract terms that both parties agreed to,” the statement added.

EeZee Conceptz also addressed allegations by Apostle Madubuko that it failed to cooperate with the audit process. According to the label, it submitted its financial records to Judikay’s personal auditors to commence the process but faced roadblocks when Apostle Madubuko stopped responding to follow-up attempts to schedule meetings for appointing mutually trusted auditors.

“Contrary to the Apostle’s claims, I personally called him several times, sent messages, and even visited his house twice in an effort to reschedule the meeting for appointing new auditors. He assured me he would revert, but to date, I have received no response,” said EeZee Tee, CEO of EeZee Conceptz.

The label further revealed that it endured undue hardship during the dispute, including the nine-day detention of its CEO in Ilorin, during which all personal and corporate accounts were frozen.

However, after extensive investigations into its books, no evidence of financial misconduct was found.

“Despite the ordeal I faced, including losing access to my family and business operations during my detention, our records were thoroughly investigated, and no wrongdoing was discovered. This is a testament to the transparency and integrity with which EeZee Conceptz operates,” the EeZee Tee stated.

EeZee Conceptz expressed disappointment in what it described as Apostle Madubuko’s biased handling of the mediation process.

“When men of God are entrusted with resolving conflicts, they must approach the matter with fairness, impartiality, and a commitment to truth.

Unfortunately, Apostle Madubuko has allowed bias to cloud his role, making false claims and failing to address breaches on the part of the artist,” the label said.

The label cited examples from the first mediation meeting, where it raised issues of one of the artists boycotting scheduled events and diverting funds to personal accounts in breach of her contract. According to EeZee Conceptz, the Apostle failed to address these breaches, further questioning the neutrality of the process.

Despite the ongoing challenges, EeZee Conceptz reiterated its commitment to fairness, integrity, and adherence to contractual agreements.

“Throughout our history, EeZee Conceptz has provided periodic financial reports to all our talents, ensuring full transparency. We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold justice, protect the integrity of our contracts, and defend the investments we have made to support gospel creatives. We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail,” the label concluded.

Background

The dispute between EeZee Conceptz and Mercy Chinwo has gained significant public attention, centered around claims of unpaid royalties, fund diversion, and disagreements over the ownership of master rights.

In a press statement dated January 18, 2025, Apostle Anselm Madubuko detailed his involvement as a mediator, accusing EeZee Conceptz of various wrongs.

The label, however, has denied these allegations, maintaining that the real issue lies in attempts to unlawfully claim ownership of its music catalogue.

The label also revealed that its CEO, EeZee Tee, was detained for nine days during the dispute, during which its accounts were thoroughly investigated, and no wrongdoing was discovered.

The dispute has seen several failed mediation attempts, including multiple sessions where the focus shifted to the demand for master rights. EeZee Conceptz has maintained that it owns the catalogue in perpetuity and is only obligated to pay royalties to the artist under the terms of their agreement.

NEWS

Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin’s Generous Act: Donates Over 30 Million Naira to Help Alleviate Soaring Food Prices in Nigeria (Watch Video)

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2024

Baba Blow

Billionaire prophet and General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry in Warri, Delta State, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, has given out over N30 million in charity to reduce the current economic crisis faced by the masses.

In a viral video on social media, Fufeyin, known for his philanthropic gestures, was seen giving out wads of cash to church members to ameliorate the rising price of food items in the country.

The humanitarian effort has caught the attention of netizens, capturing the hearts of many amid the current challenging times.

Fufeyin has emerged as a beacon of hope by extending a remarkable gesture of kindness towards struggling church members even as he stressed the need for well-meaning Nigerians to help assuage the challenges of the masses.

This spontaneous and substantial donation not only alleviated immediate concerns but also underscored Fufeyin’s deep empathy for those affected by economic hardship.

The response to Fufeyin’s act of benevolence has been overwhelmingly positive, with Nigerians taking to social media platforms to commend his compassion and selflessness. Amidst a climate of economic uncertainty and rising living costs, Fufeyin’s initiative has resonated deeply, sparking discussions about the importance of generosity and communal support during trying times.

Fufeyin expressed his motivation for the donation, citing a desire to alleviate the suffering of his church members and fellow Nigerians in tangible ways.

He emphasised the necessity of collective action in addressing societal challenges and urged others, particularly those in positions of influence, to contribute towards uplifting the less fortunate.

The impact of Fufeyin’s philanthropy extends beyond financial assistance, serving as a powerful reminder of the potential for positive change when individuals leverage their resources for the greater good of all.