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Research Finds Possible Connection Between Anti-Covid Drug And Virus Mutations
Research Finds Possible Connection Between Anti-Covid Drug And Virus Mutations....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Researchers reported on Monday that a widely used anti-Covid drug worldwide may have induced mutations in the virus. However, there is no evidence suggesting that these mutations have resulted in more dangerous variants.
Merck, a pharmaceutical giant, introduced the antiviral pill molnupiravir early in the pandemic to prevent Covid from worsening in vulnerable individuals. Administered orally over a five-day course, the drug primarily aims to introduce mutations in the virus to weaken and eliminate it.
Nonetheless, a recent study led by the UK indicates that molnupiravir “can lead to the emergence of significantly mutated viruses that remain viable,” according to Theo Sanderson, the lead author of the study, from London’s Francis Crick Institute. Sanderson stressed that there is no current evidence that “molnupiravir has produced more transmissible or virulent viruses.” He also stated that none of the global variants can be attributed to the drug.
However, he added that it is challenging to predict whether molnupiravir treatment could potentially give rise to a new widely circulating variant for which people lack prior immunity.
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For the study, published in the journal Nature, researchers examined databases containing over 15 million genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid. They tracked changes in the virus’s mutations during the pandemic and discovered a specific “mutational signature” in patients believed to be linked to molnupiravir.
In 2022, when the drug was widely prescribed, there was a notable increase in patients displaying this mutational signature. It was more prevalent in countries where the drug was commonly prescribed, including the United States, UK, Australia, and Japan. In contrast, it was less common in countries where the drug was not approved, such as Canada and France.
Merck disputed the study, arguing that the researchers relied on “circumstantial associations” regarding where and when the sequences were collected.
Sanderson countered this assertion, stating that the researchers used “multiple independent lines of evidence” to confidently establish molnupiravir’s role in driving this mutational signature. This included a separate analysis of treatment data in England, which revealed that over 30 percent of mutation events linked to the signature occurred in individuals who had taken molnupiravir. However, the study noted that only 0.04 percent of people in England received the drug in 2022.
Other anti-Covid drugs do not operate in the same manner and would not induce these types of mutations, according to Sanderson.
Experts who were not involved in the study tended to support the British researchers’ findings. They emphasized that molnupiravir is not harmful to individuals currently taking the drug and did not call for its complete discontinuation.
Molnupiravir is increasingly being used in combination with other treatments, as its effectiveness has diminished among vaccinated individuals who are not at risk. Sales of molnupiravir, marketed as Lagevrio, exceeded $20 billion last year, but Merck reported an 82 percent drop in sales in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has insisted that terrorists and their collaborators deserve the death penalty, not forgiveness.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Adeyanju made the statement while urging the Federal Government to adopt a stricter approach in tackling terrorism. On his X page, he argued that anyone involved in terrorism—or those supporting them—should face capital punishment rather than leniency.
He criticized what he described as the government’s tendency to show mercy toward terrorists, warning that such leniency could undermine national efforts to combat insecurity.
Adeyanju called on authorities to end policies that appear to pardon or reintegrate terrorists, insisting that a firm and uncompromising stance is essential to deter violent extremism and protect citizens.
“Terrorists and their sympathizers deserve death, not forgiveness. The Nigerian government must stop forgiving and romancing terrorism,” he wrote.
The comments come as Minister of Defence Christopher Musa assured Nigerians that terrorists and bandits are sustaining heavy losses in ongoing military operations. Speaking after a security briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Musa said the Armed Forces had updated the President on the latest security situation and clarified what he described as “misleading interpretations” circulating in the media.
Residents of Lagos took to the streets on Friday to voice their frustration over persistent electricity outages, describing the state’s power supply as “epileptic” and unsustainable for both daily life and business operations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
A video shared widely on social media showed dozens of protesters, mostly youths, marching through the Fadeyi area, holding placards and chanting for consistent electricity.
The demonstrators criticized what they called the collapse of the nation’s power sector, insisting that erratic electricity is disrupting livelihoods and making life increasingly difficult across Lagos.
Placards carried by the protesters included messages such as:
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“No More Estimated Billing”
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“No More Epileptic Power Supply”
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“No Light, No Life, No Nation”
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“You’re Destroying Businesses; Give Us Regular Light”
One protester shouted, “We are not asking for too much. Give us light!” as the march continued.
Local business owners highlighted the heavy toll of inconsistent electricity on their operations, noting that reliance on fuel-powered generators has driven up costs. A shop owner said, “We cannot continue like this. Every day we spend money on fuel because there is no electricity. Many small businesses are closing because they cannot cope.”
The protest reflects growing public dissatisfaction with power supply in Lagos, with residents calling on authorities and electricity providers to ensure a stable and reliable service.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary seizure of a multi-billion naira hotel linked to Edward Olutoke, Managing Director of the Ikeja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, following allegations that the property was purchased with funds obtained through a fraudulent forex and investment scheme.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice A.O. Owoeye, sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, March 12, 2026, ruled that the Responsible Leaders Hotel, located at 1 Ostra Close, Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja, be temporarily handed over to the government. The property is valued at approximately ₦1.3 billion.
The order followed an urgent application by the EFCC, presented by its lawyer, C.C. Okezie, who provided evidence suggesting the hotel was acquired through illicit means. The application was supported by an affidavit sworn by Obed Tanko, an EFCC investigator.
According to the EFCC, Olutoke allegedly convinced numerous Nigerians to invest billions of naira in a capital-guaranteed forex trading and investment scheme, promising secure funds and high returns.
“The suspect allegedly obtained billions of naira from unsuspecting investors under the guise of operating a capital-guaranteed forex trading and investment scheme,” the commission said.
Investigations revealed that neither Olutoke nor his company had the required legal permits to operate an investment business. Instead of trading the funds as promised, the EFCC claims the money was used to acquire expensive properties, including the Ikeja hotel.
During the hearing, Okezie argued that the hotel should be seized as it was reasonably suspected to have been purchased with proceeds from unlawful activities. After reviewing the evidence, Justice Owoeye agreed, ruling that the asset should be temporarily taken over while the case proceeds.
The judge also ordered the EFCC to publish the decision in a national newspaper, allowing anyone with a legal claim to the hotel to come forward and explain why the property should not ultimately be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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