Appeal Court orders status quo in Kano emirship tussle (Leadership) The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has halted the enforcement of its January 10 judgement, which upheld the Kano State governmentโs repeal of the 2019 Emirates Council Law, pending the Supreme Courtโs determination of an appeal on the same matter.
The ruling, delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Okon Abang on Friday granted a stay of execution, effectively maintaining the status quo in the ongoing legal tussle over the Kano Emirate tussle.
LEADERSHIP reports the appellate court had earlier set aside a June 20, 2024 ruling by Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, which had nullified the Kano State governmentโs dissolution of five Emirates in the State and the subsequent reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. The Court of Appeal had ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction over the case, which concerns chieftaincy matters under the exclusive purview of State High Courts. Read more
Okuama Killings: Perpetrators yet to be identified 1 year after, Urhobo leader laments (Channels)
A member of the World Council of Urhobo Professors, Prof. Sunny Ahwefeada, says they have found it confusing that after one year, those responsible for killing 17 army personnel in Okuma in Delta State are yet to be found by the security operatives.
Ahwefeada, who was a guest on Channels Televisionโs Sunrise Daily on Friday, said that identifying those behind the heinous crime and bringing them to book will go a long way in bringing closure to the case.
โWe are all confused that one year after, the intelligence community has not been able to make any headway in identifying the real perpetrators of this and bringing them to book, it is quite unfortunate,โ Ahwefeada said. Read more
Nekede poly lecturer suspended for assaulting student (Sun)
The Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Owerri, Imo State has suspended a facilitator, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okoroafor for allegedly assaulting a student.
A video of the lecturer appearing to slap and wrestle a male student to the ground circulated on social media on Thursday evening.
Okoroaforโs suspension was conveyed in a letter signed by the Director, Technical and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (TEDC) of the institution, Engr. (Dr.) P.C. Okoye. Read more
Rivers Assembly adjourns sitting indefinitely (Nation)
The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday adjourned its sittings indefinitely.
The decision was reached during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Fubara’s letter to Rivers Assembly on budget presentation leaks
The adjournment follows a letter from Governor Siminalayi Fubara, proposing Wednesday for the re-presentation of the 2025 budget in compliance with the recent Supreme Court judgment. Read more
Cultist shoots Osun grocery seller for demanding payment for drinks (Punch)
A suspected cultist, Segun Ogunfunmilayo, has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command for shooting a grocery seller in the Ede area of the state.
Ogunfunmilayo, who allegedly committed the act on March 8, 2025, at about 9:00 pm in the Bihari/Ishola area, Ede, had reportedly bought a bottle of energy drink from the victim and promised to transfer the amount to him.
However, when the seller did not see the transfer alert, he approached Ogunfunmilayo and requested that he be paid her money, which got the suspect angry. Read more
Presidency slams US Congress for sanction on Nigeria over killing of Christians (Guardian)
The Presidency has criticised the sanctions approved against Nigeria by the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee over widespread killings of Christians and religious violence in the country.
The committee issued a report stating that between October 2019 and September 2023, terrorist groups killed 55,910 people and abducted 21,000 others in the country.
In the document, Committee Chairman, Chris Smith, cited a testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, describing it as compelling and disturbing. Read more
Tinubu, Catholic Bishops meet in Aso Rock (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu on Friday met with a delegation of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The delegation of the CBCN was led by its President and Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji alongside Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and the Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onayikan among others.
The meeting was held behind closed doors and the agenda was not made public at the time of filing this report. Read more
PANDEF accuses Wike of blocking peace efforts in Rivers crisis (Tribune)
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of obstructing peace efforts in Rivers State, despite President Bola Tinubuโs appeal for reconciliation.
The group also expressed deep disappointment over Wikeโs public disparagement of PANDEF less than 24 hours after its delegation met with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman of PANDEFโs Peace and Reconciliation Committee and former Governor of Cross River State, Obong Victor Attah, lamented that Wikeโs refusal to engage with the committee had stalled mediation efforts in the political crisis rocking Rivers State. Read more
Jonathan Majors reveals he was sexually abused from age 9 as he charts comeback after assault conviction (People)
Jonathan Majors says he unpacked childhood trauma during therapy and a domestic violence program he attended in the wake of his 2023 assault trial in New York City.
The actor, 35, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter for his first formal interview since his April 2024 sentencing in a feature published Friday, March 14. Majors revealed he experienced “sexual abuse from both men and women from the time I was 9.” Majors, who said his father left his family when he was 8, added, โFrom people who are supposed to look after you, in the absence of a father. I was f—ed up.โ
Majors said he opened up to his mother โ whom Majors remains close with, THR noted โ about the abuse in recent months and she apologized for not being able to protect him. Read more
British man killed in hit-and-run involving Kenyan presidential motorcade (AfricaNews)
A 79-year-old British man, Edgar Charles Frederick, has died after being struck by a vehicle linked to Kenyan President William Rutoโs motorcade in Nairobi.
The incident occurred on Thursday along a main road in the capital. Police confirmed that the driver, who was behind the wheel of a support vehicle in the convoy, failed to stop but was later arrested and released on bail. Authorities say an investigation is ongoing, and the driver is expected to appear in court.
Frederick had been visiting Kenya to see family members living in the country. His next-of-kin have been informed, and a post-mortem is expected to take place. Read more
Prime Minister Mark Carney sworn in at Rideau Hall (CBC)
Mark Carney, 59, took the oath of office as prime minister alongside his cabinet.
The new prime minister takes the reins as Canada faces extraordinary challenges from the United States.
He will give a speech and take questions after the ceremony.
There hasn’t been a ton of polling done since Carney won the Liberal leadership five days ago, but the results that have been published suggest it’s close between the Liberals and Conservatives.
If Canadians voted today, the latest polls suggest it would be a toss-up as to which party would win. Read more
Fierce protests as eight-year-old rape victim dies in Bangladesh (BBC)
An eight-year-old child who was raped in Bangladesh died of her injuries on Thursday, setting off fierce protests around the country.
The girl was raped while visiting her elder sister’s house in the city of Magura some time between the night of 5 March and the following morning, according to a case filed by her mother.
The elder sister’s 18-year-old husband, along with his parents and brother, were arrested and placed on remand. Read more
Where Jennifer Lopez stands with Jennifer Garner after cozy Ben Affleck photos (PageSix)
Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner reportedly donโt have any bad blood โ despite the โAliasโ star spending more time with their mutual ex-husband, Ben Affleck.
Lopez, who settled her divorce from Affleck in January, and Garner, who split from the Oscar winner in 2015, are โfriendsโ who stay in touch, a source told People on Thursday.
โJennifer Garner reaches out to Jennifer Lopez about her kids. Jennifer Lopez reaches out to Jennifer Garner about her kids. Theyโre friends,โ the insider added. Read more
Legionaries of Christ priest accused of abusing 5 schoolgirls in Spain (CNA)
Father Marcelino de Andrรฉs Nรบรฑez, a priest of the Legionaries of Christ and former secretary of Marcial Maciel, was arrested in Spain and released subject to restrictions, accused of abusing five underage girls at a school where he served as a primary and secondary school chaplain.
Maciel, the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, sexually abused at least 60 minors, most between the ages of 11 and 16, according to a report issued by the Legionaries of Christ in December 2019.
According to several statements released by Highlands El Encinar School in recent days, Spainโs National Police arrested de Andrรฉs on March 6, initially accused of sexually abusing one female student. Read more
Strictly star savagely reveals BBC series changed her life โnot in a good wayโ (Metro)
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Gabby Logan has revealed the BBC One competition changed her life โbut not in a good wayโ.
The presenter and former gymnast starred on Strictly in 2007, partnered with James Jordan.
The same year, Gabbyโs husband Kenny also competed on Strictly, partnered with Jamesโ wife Ola. Read more
Nigeria secure historic semi-final spot at World U-23 handball tourney (DailyTrust)
A stellar performance from Faruk Yusuf propelled Nigeria menโs U-23 handball team to a hard-fought 25-22 victory over Moldova yesterday, securing a historic semi-final berth at the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship in Varna, Bulgaria.
Coach Solomon Yolaโs squad entered the match knowing victory was essential, as Azerbaijan was already out of contention and Moldova was equally desperate for a win. The European side started strong, with goalkeeper Ion Saharnean making crucial saves.
It will be recalled they had defeated Azerbaijan, 29-17 following their opening day 31-31 draw against the United States of America. Read more
Morocco 2025: Flamingos wonโt underrate South Africa โ Olowookere (CompleteSports)
Head coach Bankole Olowookere said on Friday that Nigeriaโs U17 girls, Flamingos, will not leave any room for a possible sucker punch as they take on their South African counterparts in a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying match in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday.
โWe are very much aware of the fact that it is never over until it is over. It will be foolish to assume otherwise. Yes, we won 3-1 away in South Africa, but the contest is still alive. That is our mentality. That has been at the heart of our preparations since we returned from Pretoria.
โMy assistants and I have been working on the teamโs mental strength while drumming it into the ears of the girls that focus is key. No loss of concentration is allowed. Our objective is to win on Saturday and make sure of a place in the final qualifying round.โ Read more
Swiatek to face Andreeva in Indian Wells semis (BBC)
Defending champion Iga Swiatek cruised past Zheng Qinwen to set up an Indian Wells semi-final against teenager Mirra Andreeva.
Zheng beat Swiatek on the way to winning gold at last year’s Paris Olympics – but she was no match for the Pole in their first meeting since.
The world number two led by a set and a double break before bad weather led to play being suspended. Read more
Rashford named in Tuchelโs first England squad (AlJazeera)
Marcus Rashford has been included in Thomas Tuchelโs first England squad before the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
The Aston Villa forwardโs international future had been uncertain after he was sent out on loan by Manchester United in January.
Tuchel on Friday also recalled midfielder Jordan Henderson of Ajax and included uncapped defenders Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn. Read more
Rory McIlroy makes fast start at Players Championship after heckler apologises (Independent)
Rory McIlroy finished day one of the Players Championship one shot off the lead as he batted away questions about an awkward exchange with a heckler.
Lucas Glover, JJ Spaun and Camilo Villegas shared the lead heading into the second day at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy enjoyed a strong outing to open his tournament, splitting seven birdies โ including four in a row at the turn โ with two bogeys.
Afterwards he was interested in talking only about the golf, having clashed with American golfer Luke Potter during a practice round. Read more
Stephen Curry becomes 1st player in NBA history to make 4,000 3-pointers (CBC)
Stephen Curry’s shooting range and accuracy from way back have long stood alone โ whether with a defender or two in his face or when letting it fly from the logo.
Now, the NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers has reached new territory from beyond the arc: Golden State’s star guard is the first player in league history to reach 4,000 3s.
He did it a day before his 37th birthday. Read more