Again, SARS officials kill one in Lagos (Guardian)
Four Nigeria police officials attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been arrested for shooting an unidentified youth to death in Lagos. Nigeria police are yet to release the names of the officers that killed the man at Akodo, Ajah area of Lagos State. An eyewitness said one of the policemen shot at the man to death and tried putting the victim in their vehicle but were resisted by sympathisers at the scene. Read more
We should set time for budget submission, passage as do US, others —Lawan (Punch)
President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, on Friday, underscored the need to have a budget reform that will include a law on timeliness in budget passing. Lawan made the call at business meeting of the Institute of Directors’ Annual Conference in Abuja. “We can reform our budget cycle if there is a law on timeliness for budget passing,’’ he said. Read more
Court orders permanent forfeiture of accounts linked to Oyo-Ita (Nation)
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of funds allegedly linked to former Head of Service (HoS) Winifred Oyo-Ita. PUNCH reports the particulars of the case were not read out in the open court when Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa, the judge, gave the order. Read more
Our target was to kill 20 people —Benue kidnap kingpin (Punch)
30-year-old Iorwuese Kpila, leader of the gang of suspected serial killers, kidnappers and robbers, who operated within Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Friday, revealed that he and his gang members were given a target by one ‘queen spirit’ to kill 20 people and take the victims’ blood for ritual purposes. Read more
PDP BoT, others to resolve grievances arising from Bayelsa, Kogi gov primaries (Punch)
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin, has said the BoT and other relevant stakeholders in the party would resolve grievances arising from the governorship primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States. He stated that it was imperative to resolve the disagreement, address the concerns of aggrieved former aspirants and party members so as to ensure a united and formidable party, able to win elections in the two states. Read more
Truck laden with N7m fake drug impounded in Kano (Nation)
Officials of the Kano State Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) have impounded a truck, attempting to smuggle in fake and substandard drugs worth N7 million into the drugs market in the state. A statement by KAROTA spokesperson, Nabulisi Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, explained that the truck and its contraband have since been handed over to the state task force on drugs for further action. Read more
Tunde Bakare calls for total overhaul of education (Punch)
Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, has called for a total overhaul of the education system in the country to create the right quality of student graduates. Bakare disclosed this on Friday to News Agency of Nigeria on the sideline of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Annual Goalkeepers meetings in New York. According to him, the current system has huge implications on the economic development and life outcomes of young people. Read more
FUOYE gets NUC’s accreditation for six postgraduate courses (Punch)
The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, on Friday, said that the National Universities Commission had granted full accreditation for its six postgraduate courses. The university made the known in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Godfrey Bakji, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Oye-Ekiti. Read more
Unpaid Salaries: ASUU-EKSU cries out over lecturers’ high mortality rate (Nation)
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ekiti State University (EKSU) chapter, has raised alarm over the increasing death rate and illnesses among members due to unpaid salaries spanning over nine months. The academic body said it would no longer tolerate or cooperate with the university authority over unpaid salaries and wages, since it has been affecting the lives of its members. Read more
Husband allegedly sets wife ablaze in Ondo (Punch)
A man identified as Ojo Daniyan has been arrested by the men of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly committing arson and murder. Daniyan allegedly set his wife, Dorcas, ablaze at Irese Road, Akure, Ondo State, last Saturday, September 14, 2019 at about 11pm while she was asleep. Read more
Friends allegedly kidnap 19-year-old woman in Ibadan (Punch)
An Iyaganku Customary Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday ordered that two friends, who allegedly kidnapped a 19-year-old woman, be remanded in a correctional centre, pending legal advice. The police charged Evbohon, 30, and Kalu, 25, both of Apete area, Ibadan, with three counts of conspiracy, attempt to kidnap and indecent assault. President of the Court, Mrs R.B Gbadamosi, who did not take the plea of the defendants remanded them in the Nigerian Correctional Service centre in Agodi. Read more
Father jailed 10 years for raping, impregnating teenage daughter (Punch)
Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday sentenced a 58-year old farmer, Yesiru Onajobi, to a jail term of 10 years for rape and defilement of his teenage daughter. The Judge, who noted the rising wave of rape in the society, ordered that the convict would serve 10 years imprisonment without option of fine. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the convict, a resident of Bogije St., Ibeju, in Lekki Lagos, was charged to court in 2011 on a two-count charge of having carnal knowledge of his 13-year-old daughter. Read more
Trump impeachment inquiry: Whistleblower ‘is CIA officer’ (BBC)
The whistleblower whose complaint has led to an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump is a CIA officer, US media report. The unnamed officer once worked at the White House, several US outlets said. The whistleblower says senior White House officials tried to “lock down” all details of a phone call between Mr Trump and the Ukrainian president. Read more
Brazil environment: Vast oil spill hits dozens of beaches (BBC)
Brazilian officials are investigating the source of a vast oil spill that has hit dozens of beaches along the country’s north-eastern coast. Analysis showed the oil found was of a type not produced in Brazil, the environmental agency Ibama said. Read more
India’s Gorakhpur hospital: Doctor cleared of children’s deaths demands apology (BBC)
An Indian doctor blamed for the deaths of dozens of children is demanding an apology from the government after he was cleared by an official probe. Dr Kafeel Khan was arrested for culpable homicide after more than 100 children died in August 2017 in a public hospital in Uttar Pradesh state. Read more
French MPs approve IVF for lesbians, single women (Guardian)
France moved Friday towards allowing lesbians and single women to conceive children with medical help, setting the stage for a clash with conservatives who say it would create generations of “fatherless” kids. To loud applause, France’s lower house of parliament approved a controversial draft bioethics law in a move that has already sparked outrage from defenders of the traditional family unit, and even opponents in President Emmanuel Macron’s own centrist party. Read more
‘Pedophile teacher, 51, spend months having sex with schoolboy, 14’ (Metro)
A suspected pedophile teacher spent months having sex with a 14-year-old boy then told another student about her crimes, police say. Science teacher Dayna Chidester, 51, reportedly wrote: ‘It’s horrible. (I) can go to jail,’ to a student at her school in Chicago. Read more
Saudi Arabia to open up to foreign tourists with new visas (BBC)
Saudi Arabia will open its doors to international tourists for the first time as part of a broader push to cut its economic dependence on oil. On Friday, the kingdom will launch a visa regime for 49 countries and relax strict dress codes for female visitors. Tourism Minister Ahmad al-Khateeb described it as a “historic moment” for the country. Read more
White students ‘cut off’ black girl’s dreadlocks in Virginia (BBC)
A 12-year-old African-American girl has accused three white classmates of pinning her down and cutting off her dreadlocks with scissors. Amari Allen says the assault happened during break time at her private school in Springfield, Virginia, on Monday. She alleges that the boys held her down on a slide and called her hair “ugly” and “nappy” and cut some off. Read more
School worker ‘left child crying after telling her “You don’t know who your daddy is” (Metro)
A school worker left an 11-year-old girl in floods of tears after telling her ‘You don’t know who your daddy is,’ a relative claims. Carmen Guinn says her granddaughter was appalled by the alleged ‘joke’ cracked by the school resource officer at Litchfield Middle School in Gadsden, Alabama earlier this week. Read more
Russia bans smoking on apartment balconies (BBC)
Russian smokers have been left gasping after the emergencies ministry announced that smoking on the balconies of apartment blocks would be banned under new fire regulations. Under the new rules, “open fire” is prohibited on apartment balconies, as well as in the living areas of dormitories and hotels. Read more
Husband’s ‘plot to kill wife’ backfired after he was shot and paralyzed by stepdaughter (Metro)
A would-be murderer’s elaborate plot to kill his estranged wife backfired after he was shot and paralyzed by his stepdaughter, a court heard. Henry Herbig, 65, appeared in court via videolink while hooked up to a ventilator Wednesday as prosecutors revealed the scheme he reportedly cooked up. Read more
Qandeel Baloch: Brother of murdered social media star jailed (BBC)
The brother of Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch has been jailed for life, three years after her murder. Waseem confessed to strangling Ms Baloch, 26, in July 2016. At the time, he said it was because the star had brought shame on the family. Read more
Marvel were ‘reluctant’ to make Black Panther and Captain Marvel according to Disney CEO (Metro)
Despite becoming some of Marvel’s highest-grossing movies to date, Black Panther and Captain Marvel almost didn’t get made, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger. He revealed there was resistance to making Black Panther initially, because according to an unnamed executive for Marvel, characters played by black actors underperformed in the international market. Read more
U-23 Nations Cup: Nigeria to know opponents October 2 in Cairo (Nation)
Nigeria’s Under 23 side otherwise called the Olympic Eagles will know their opponents in the U-23 Africa cup of Nations tournament holding in Egypt on Wednesday October 2nd. The draw of the event was originally scheduled for October 3rd but has been moved backwards by 24 hours following CAF/Local Organising Committee parley. The draw will however still take place at the same venue at the Montaza Palace, in Alexandria. Read more
Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Olivier Giroud fit for Brighton game (Metro)
Andreas Christensen and Olivier Giroud are set to be fit for Chelsea’s Premier League against Brighton on Saturday. The centre-back has recovered from an injury he picked up against Liverpool, while Giroud has overcome an illness which has kept him sidelined for the last week. Chelsea, though, will be without defensive duo Antonio Rudiger and Emerson Palmieri. Read more
Frank Lampard backs Christian Pulisic to ‘adapt’ and win starting place at Chelsea (Metro)
Frank Lampard insists Christian Pulisic must impress in Chelsea’s training sessions if he wants to earn a starting place but has backed the 21-year-old to be a success at Stamford Bridge. Pulisic, who joined in a £58 million deal from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, has started three of Chelsea’s six games in the Premier League this season while he was left on the bench for his side’s first Champions League group game against Valencia earlier this month. Read more
Joel Matip: Liverpool defender was one of Jurgen Klopp’s ‘best pieces of business’ (BBC)
The signing of defender Joel Matip is “one of the best pieces of business” Liverpool have done in the past few years, says Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. The 28-year-old centre-back joined the club on a free in 2016 after his deal with German club Schalke expired. Read more
Dimitar Berbatov sends ‘soft’ Manchester United triple warning about Arsenal clash (Metro)
Dimitar Berbatov believes there is plenty for Manchester United to worry about when they host bitter rivals Arsenal on Monday night. United have only won twice in the Premier League so far this season and were held to a 1-1 draw by League One outfit Rochdale on Wednesday before edging through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on penalties. Read more
Emery names Xhaka Arsenal captain (Guardian)
Arsenal coach Unai Emery has named Switzerland international Granit Xhaka as the Premier League team captain, BBC’s David Ornstein disclosed. “Exclusive: Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has named Granit Xhaka as permanent captain,” Ornstein tweeted on Friday. He said Emery “consulted players before relaying final decision to squad this (Friday) morning.” Read more
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers provides James Maddison injury update (Metro)
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers will provide James Maddison with every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United. The England international, who scored his side’s winning goal in last weekend’s comeback win over Tottenham, suffered an ankle injury and remains a doubt for the visit of Steve Bruce’s struggling side. Read more
Kompany out of Belgium’s Euro qualifiers (Punch)
Veteran defender Vincent Kompany will miss Belgium’s next two Euro 2020 qualifiers after picking up an injury in the Belgian Cup in midweek, his club Anderlecht told AFP on Friday. The former Manchester City captain will be absent for the matches against San Marino in Brussels on October 10 and the trip to Kazakhstan three days later. Kompany had been out of action since August 23 when he picked up a thigh injury against Genk. Read more
Pep Guardiola not surprised Gabriel Jesus wants to start more Manchester City games (Metro)
Pep Guardiola insists he has ‘no problem’ with Gabriel Jesus expressing his frustrations publicly after the Manchester City striker bemoaned his lack of playing time. Jesus plays second fiddle to Sergio Aguero at City, which has restricted the talented 22-year-old to just one Premier League start this season. Guardiola reacted to Jesus’ comments, praising his frontman as a ‘special’ player. Read more
Roma ban fan for life after racist abuse of defender Juan Jesus (BBC)
Roma have handed a lifetime ban to a supporter who racially abused Brazilian defender Juan Jesus on social media. The Serie A side tweeted an image of the messages – including details of the account – and confirmed they had reported the incident to the police. The public denunciation was met with widespread appreciation on Twitter. Read more
Russian GP: Max Verstappen tops close practice (BBC)
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was a surprise pacesetter as he headed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second practice at the Russian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who has a five-place grid penalty, was 0.335 seconds ahead of Leclerc. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was third, 0.646secs off the pace. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was 0.152secs slower than Bottas in fourth. Read more
Christian Coleman cannot be face of athletics after missed tests – Michael Johnson (BBC)
Sprinter Christian Coleman cannot be the face of athletics following the controversy over his missed drugs tests, says US legend Michael Johnson. The US Anti-Doping Agency charged Coleman with missing three tests in 12 months before withdrawing the claim. The 23-year-old American is the fastest man in the world over 100m this year. Read more