After 10 years, Lagos land agents get N1.2m fine for stealing N22.2m, prosecutor fumes (Punch)
Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi of the Lagos High Court sitting at Ikeja, on Tuesday, sentenced two land agents, Emmanuel Adejo and Obi Fortune, to two-year imprisonment for conspiracy and stealing.
The convicts were said to have committed the offences through their company, Paradigm Associates Limited.
PUNCH Metro gathered that a landowner, Mr Tani Molajo, contracted the men to sell some plots of land in the Islolo area of Lagos State at N700,000 per plot.
However, the realtors advertised each plot for N2m, saying the N1.3m extra was for facilities that would improve the worth of the land, including soil test, culvert, road and perimeter fence.
The men were said to have remitted payment for 14 subscribers at the rate of N700,000 each, while Molajo allocated land to those subscribers. Read more
Lagos arraigns driver for alleged reckless driving, manslaughter (Guardian)
Lagos State government, yesterday, arraigned a driver, Lekan Ajayi for allegedly driving recklessly, and causing the death of one Christian Nwabueze, a passer-by at Abule-Egba area of the state.
Ajayi was arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, presided by Justice Oyindamola Ogala for alleged manslaughter and reckless driving.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant committed the offence on or about September 20, 2021, at about 21:30hrs, around Super Alimosho, Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, while drunk.
Ajayi was alleged to have taken the key of a Toyota Tacoma marked KSF623GD, belonging to his boss, drove it dangerously and recklessly and consequently knocked down one Nwabueze Christian (M) at Omiata area of Abule-Egba. Read more
World Bank suspends Nigerian firm, MD for bribery (Punch)
THE World Bank has sanctioned SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd., a Nigerian information technology solutions company, and its Managing Director, Mr Isah Kantigi, for alleged corrupt practices.
The firm, which was involved in the National Social Safety Nets Project, was sanctioned for 50 months while the managing director was sanctioned for 60 months.
This was contained in a statement titled ‘World Bank Group debars SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd. and its managing director’, which was published on the bank’s website on Wednesday.
The statement read in part, “The World Bank Group today announced the 50-month debarment of SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd., an information technology solutions company based in Nigeria, and the 60-month debarment of its managing director, in connection with corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria. Read more
Train Attack: FG asks Nigerians to raise moneyFor patients’ treatment (DailyTrust)
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has asked Nigerians to contribute to the cost of treating those affected in Monday’s train attack.
At least nine people were killed while many sustained injuries when bandits attacked a train heading for Kaduna from Abuja.
Amaechi, who had visited the scene of the attack on Tuesday, said it would have been foiled if the procurement of the N3 billion high capacity rail track cameras and sensors was not blocked.
He said the equipment would eliminate all blind spots on the train corridors across the country.
Speaking when he visited the victims who are being treated at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna on Wednesday, Amaechi said the army treated them without charging a dime. Read more
Experts blame government for failure to secure rails (Guardian)
Despite several signs that the Abuja-Kaduna railway was susceptible to bandits attack and amid massive resources in loans and funds voted to revamp rail transportation across the country, the Federal Government failed to adequately protect passengers until Monday’s attack.
That incident led to the death of at least eight persons, with many injured or abducted, after several security breaches around the Kaduna axis.
Apart from last October’s incident, when terrorists blew up the rail track with explosives, other recent incidents along the corridor were warnings that it was only a matter of time before passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna route were attacked again, but the government failed to do the needful to provide protection for communities.
After the attack last October, government promised to improve security along the route. But five months after, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, blamed failure to provide the necessary security system on non/slow approvals given to procure the surveillance equipment and sensors for the effective monitoring of the rail tracks. Read more
Kyari rejects prison food, inmates excited by ex-IRT boss presence (Punch)
The embattled former Commander, Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, has rejected food offered him by the Nigerian Correctional Service after being remanded in prison custody on Monday.
The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, it was learnt, opted for the food prepared by his wife or other family members.
Kyari, who is under prosecution for drug trafficking alongside four other policemen, was denied bail by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had in the charge before the court, accused Kyari and the other four officers of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg. Read more
OAU student’s murder: You’ve case to answer, court tells Adedoyin, others (Guardian)
An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, yesterday, declared that prima facie case has been established against the owner of Hilton Hotel, Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin and six of his workers, arraigned in connection with the death of late Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
Trial judge, Adepele Ojo disclosed this while ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defendants in their murder trial.
Adedoyin and six others including, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola were arraigned on 11- count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, tampering with corpse, altering of receipt and administration of extrajudicial oath, among others. Read more
How I plucked Almajiri boy’s eye to make charm ― 17-yr-old Suspect (Vanguard)
A 17-year-old boy, identified as Isah Hassan has on Wednesday confessed how he plucked the eyeball of his victim, Mustapha Yunusa, for making charms to disappear from gunmen and bandits in the forest where he goes to fetch firewood in Bauchi State.
Hassan, an indigene of Tarauni local government of Kano State said after luring the Almajiri boy to a silent environment where he used a knife to forcefully remove the eyeball.
The suspect made the confession when he was paraded before newsmen on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Abdullahi Haruna at the Bompai police headquarters in Kano.
He said he carried out the act under the instruction of an alleged herbalist, Furera Abubakar who demanded for the human eye to make the charm. Read more
Bruce Willis gives up acting due to brain disorder aphasia (BBC)
Bruce Willis will step away from his acting career after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that impedes a person’s ability to speak and write.
The actor’s family, including his wife Emma Heming-Willis and ex-wife Demi Moore, announced his condition on Instagram on Wednesday.
Aphasia is “impacting his cognitive abilities”, the statement said.
Willis, 67, is best known for playing John McClane in the Die Hard films, which made him a star.
“With much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” his family wrote in a joint statement. “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.”. Read more
Ukraine-Russia talks offer glimmer of hope in fifth week of war (AlJazeera)
Week five of Russia’s war in Ukraine brought some Ukrainian successes around Kyiv and a Russian reorientation to focus on “liberating” the eastern Donbas region, suggesting Moscow is giving up on regime change and focusing on territorial gains with a view to a settlement.
The week also offered a glimpse of what that settlement might look like.
Ukraine put forward a detailed proposal of neutrality as negotiators met in Istanbul on March 29. It included pledges to not join military alliances or host foreign troops, and that it would remain a non-nuclear power.
That would mean Ukraine would give up its aspirations to join NATO, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded. Read more
From X Factor audition to The Wanted success: Tom Parker’s incredible career as he dies aged 33 (Metro)
The Wanted singer Tom Parker has died at the age of 33.
The musician, best known for his time in the group alongside Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, died following a battle with cancer on March 30, surrounded by his family.
His wife, Kelsey Hardwick, confirmed the sad news on Instagram, sharing a black-and-white photo of the Glad You Came singer beside a sweet family snap with their children, Aurelia and Bodhi.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side,’ she wrote alongside the upload. Read more
Pentagon explains Black Sea withdrawal (RT)
Washington made a “prudent decision” to withdraw two US Navy destroyers from the Black Sea in January, and their eventual return will be decided based on national security considerations, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
The US Navy “routinely” moves ships into or out of the Black Sea, but made the call to withdraw the two Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers sometime in January, Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon daily briefing.
Kirby was commenting on the revelation made by the European Command head, General Tod Wolters, earlier in the day, when he told the House Armed Services Committee that the two destroyers were withdrawn due to the worsening situation in Ukraine.
The US currently has no ships in the Black Sea, but should return to the area “as soon as possible,” Wolters told Congress. Currently, the US military has crewed aircraft flying in the south and drones over the northern part of the sea. Read more
Will Smith refused to leave Oscars after slap, Academy says (BBC)
Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars ceremony after hitting Chris Rock but refused, the Academy says.
The body also says it has initiated “disciplinary proceedings” against Smith.
Smith slapped Rock after the comic made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
The actor – who won the first Oscar of his career at the ceremony – has since apologised.
In its statement, the Academy said: “Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, [but] we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.” Read more
JK Rowling attends Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore premiere after absence from Harry Potter reunion (Metro)
JK Rowling has been pictured walking the red carpet of the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore premiere, after she was heavily criticised for her comments on the transgender community.
The Harry Potter author joined stars of the film including Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), Mads Mikkelsen (Gellert Grindelwald), and Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore) and even original HP star Tom Felton at the premiere in London.
Donning a sparkly blue dress with a sheer cape, Rowling, 56, struck a pose on the red carpet ahead of the release of the third film in the franchise.
Her appearance may come as a surprise to some fans, after she was absent for the Harry Potter reunion on HBO following her comments on the trans community. Read more
Hugh Hefner’s ex Karissa Shannon says she aborted the 84-Year-Old’s Blbaby, claims sex was ‘like rape’ (People)
“Playboy Twins’ ‘ Karissa and Kristina Shannon were two of Hugh Hefner’s last girlfriends as the aging mogul enjoyed his final stretch of international fame and public polyamory.
Thirteen years after the end of their 18-month relationship, which was chronicled for E!’s reality series The Girls Next Door, the sisters do not look back on their time with Hefner fondly. “It just started becoming a job right away,” Karissa said on Monday night’s episode of A&E’s docuseries Secrets of Playboy.
During this week’s episode, “Behind The Girls Next Door,” the Shannons detail the lows of the affair, the alienation and violation they felt from their much-older boyfriend, as well as the emotional processing they’ve had to undertake as a result of a sexual arrangement that they say still makes it hard for them to “emotionally connect” with others.
(PEOPLE has not independently verified the allegations reported in the episode, and A&E advises viewers, “The vast majority of allegations have not been the subject of criminal investigations or charges, and they do not constitute proof of guilt.”) Read more
We found late FIFA doctor gasping near dressing room –NFF (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the death of FIFA/CAF medical officer, Joseph Kabungo, after the 2022 World Cup play-off match between Nigeria and Ghana on Tuesday.
NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
The PUNCH earlier reported, based on a preliminary assessment, that Kabungo had died on his way to the hospital from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.
Expressing shock over the incident, Sanusi stated, “The NFF commiserates with the world football governing body – FIFA; the Confederation of African Football; the Football Association of Zambia, and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing”.
“His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock,” Sanusi said while giving an account of what happened to Kabungo who was the match’s Doping Control Officer. Read more
Rio Ferdinand makes Bruno Fernandes admission amid Manchester United contract extension talks (MEN)
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has admitted he thinks Bruno Fernandes has struggled for form this season but says he’s more than deserving of a contract extension.
Despite not having the impact he would have liked at United this season, Fernandes has still managed to record 14 assists and has scored nine goals in all competitions. As the dynamic begins to shift at Old Trafford with a number of big-name players set to depart and a new manager soon to be appointed, the club seem desperate to tie down some of their key men.
Fernandes has seemingly been earmarked as one of those players despite a relatively poor campaign by his standards. And Ferdinand believes it’s the right move by the club.
He told talkSPORT: “I think if you look over the time that he’s been at the football club, who’s been more productive in terms of goal involvements and influence on the team? Apart from David de Gea maybe, no one has been as consistent as him over that period of time he’s been at the club. Read more
Chiedozie Ogbene’s humility getting him far: Ireland’s John Egan (IrishNews)
IT says everything about Chiedozie Ogbene’s dramatic ascension on the international stage that manager Stephen Kenny would settle for more of the same from his striking ace going forward rather than expecting him to improve even further.
Ogbene, who is the first African-born player to star for the Republic of Ireland, scored a spectacular goal and assisted for the other in the side’s impressive 2-2 draw with Belgium on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Rotherham United man’s name has been on everyone’s lips following his starring role in Dublin last weekend who has now bagged three goals in six international appearances – a ratio the legendary Robbie Keane would be proud of.
Yesterday, John Egan heaped praise on the man of the moment who was at Brentford at the same time as the former Cork City player. Read more
Southgate’s penalty plan part of World Cup dream
(France24)
Gareth Southgate has told his England stars to place extra focus on penalty practice as he sets his sights on winning the World Cup.
Southgate’s side were beaten on penalties by Italy in the European Championship final last year.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed from the spot in the painful defeat at Wembley.
Southgate, who missed the key spot-kick in the Euro 96 semi-final shoot-out loss to Germany, believes the key to penalty success is skill learned by repeated practice. Read more
Elina Svitolina: “The Ukrainian war doesn’t make me think about tennis” (TennisWorld)
Elina Svitolina is not going through one of the best moments of her career. The Ukrainian player inevitably feels the weight of the war waged by Russia against her country and she is no longer able to express her talent on the court.
In the WTA 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, Svitolina appeared in trouble from all points of view and recovered two bad debuts on her debut. The first against Harriet Dart, the second against Heather Watson. “Years ago, I remember that Odessa was a much safer city than Kiev or other places in eastern Ukraine.
I spoke a few days ago to my grandmother, who lives by the sea, and she told me that they were starting to bomb boats, directly in the city. Everyone is very scared, in the last few days I have been very worried for their safety,” explained Svitolina at the press conference.
“It is very difficult for me to concentrate, it is very difficult for me to play at this particular moment. I try to be brave, to face the challenges, but I see that I am not 100%. Speaking with other Ukrainian players on Tour during Indian Wells and Miami, I noticed that they too have problems. Read more
Albon handed grid penalty for 2022 Australian Grand Prix (Formula1News)
The stewards have found that Alex Albon was to blame for his crash with Lance Stroll at the end of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and have given him a grid drop for the next race in Melbourne.
In the closing stages of the race in Jeddah, Albon attempted an ambitious move on the inside of the Canadian into Turn One, but made contact as they converged on the apex.
It cost Stroll numerous positions, and the front left puncture incurred by Williams put him out of the race as he was forced to stop at Turn 13.
Subsequently, due to the debris at Turn One, coupled with the stricken car later on in the lap, yellow flags were shown in those areas, and Charles Leclerc was unable to go flat-out in his pursuit of Max Verstappen, who had just passed him for the lead and ultimately the win. Read more
Hockey world mourns the passing of Senators owner Eugene Melnyk (CalgaryHerald)
Eugene Melnyk will be remembered “as a passionate owner” who just wanted to win after the news he died Monday night following a lengthy illness.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman described the 62-year-old Melnyk as someone who cared deeply about the team and his family.
“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk,” Bettman said in a statement Monday night. “The words ‘passion’ and ‘commitment’ define the man who has owned the Senators since 2003. Whether it was in the boardroom with his fellow governors, at the rink with his beloved Senators or in the community with his philanthropy, he cared deeply about the game, about his team and about bettering the lives of those in need, particularly underserved children, organ donation and, most recently, with his commitment to his parents’ home country of Ukraine.
“While successful in business, it was our game and his Senators that he was most passionate about. Eugene was often outspoken but he maintained an unwavering commitment to the game and his roots and he loved nothing more than donning a Senators sweater and cheering on his beloved team. Read more
