Bamise: Again, absence of BRT driver’s lawyer stalls court hearing (Channels)
The trial of Andrew Ominikoron, a BRT driver who allegedly raped and murdered Oluwabamise Ayanwole, a 22-year-old fashion designer, again failed to go on today owing to the absence of his lawyer.
The lawyer, Abayomi Omotubora, arrived at the Lagos High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square after the trial judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, had adjourned the hearing to Thursday owing to his absence.
It is about the fifth time that Omotubora would be absent from the court hearing since the start of the trial.
He was absent at the court proceedings on July 30 but sent a junior counsel. He was also absent at the proceedings of June 7th and 9th. Read more
Woman living under Lagos bridge for 5yrs with baby begs for help (Vanguard)
She sat at a corner of her space under the bridge at Empire, Surulere area of Lagos, shivering in the cold with her eyes wide open in the dark and isolated space, she hugged herself to get warm, as the rain dropped on her from some openings in the bridge.
Her name is Blessing Okon. But the cataract of challenges fate has plunged her into, leaves her wondering if she could ever live to manifest her name.
She has been living on the street for five years with her daughter, before officials of the Lagos State Government picked her up and others with mental disorders at the Lagos State Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Owutu road, in the Ikorodu area of the State, from where she was taken to Rehabilitation Center by a good Samaritan.
However, during treatment, her condition was discovered to be depression orchestrated by her ejection from her one-room apartment on Vining street, Idi-Araba and her husband’s inability to pay for another accommodation. Read more
Lagos seeks road users’ understanding on Lekki-Epe Expressway (Nation)
To reduce travel time and ensure quick delivery of the second phase of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, the Lagos State Government has appealed to the public to exercise patience and obey traffic signs along the construction corridor.
Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, who made the appeal after an inspection of the corridor, said attitudinal change of motorists and commuters would help in bringing sanity to the road as construction works intensifies on the 16-kilometre stretch Phase One of the project – Eleko T-Junction to Abraham Adesanya Roundabout.
While urging residents and other stakeholders to support the contractors, Adeyoye said the government was aware of the pains of commuters and residents, adding that it is set to replicate the feat achieved in the Phase 1 from Eleko to Epe T-Junction.
According to her, the government would deliver a kilometre monthly. Read more
Lagos Taskforce reclaims LASAMBUS stand from illegal occupants (Independent)
The Lagos State Task Force has reclaimed, cleared and demolished all illegal structures on a portion of land belonging to the State Government allocated to the State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) from unauthorized occupants who had illegally occupied the space by erecting structures as against the original plans of usage by the government.
CSP Shola Jejeloye, the Chairman of the Agency, who coordinated the operation at Olufemi Street, Bajulaiye, Shomolu, stated that the exercise was long overdue as residents of the community expressed their displeasure over the illegal occupation of basic social amenities meant to cater for the health needs of the populace had been monopolised and converted by a few saboteurs for their selfish interest.
Speaking at the Headquarters of the Agency, Jejeloye said that the property belongs to the State LASAMBUS Services and is meant solely for that purpose and anyone who occupies it without permission from the State Government does that at his own peril. Read more
I-G reassures of peaceful 2023 poll (Guardian)
The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Usman Alkali, has re-assured that the police will work in partnership with sister security agencies to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.
Alkali, represented by DCP Basil Idegwu, the Head of Police Federal Operation, said this at a security policy dialogue entitled “2022 General Election: Insecurity as a threat to constitutional succession”, organised by Cleen Foundation in partnership with Ford Foundation on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that the police was working to sustain the noticeable improvements recorded in the conduct of security personnel at the Osun, Ekiti and Anambra off-cycle election, ahead of 2023 general election.
“We have received great commendation both from international observers and local observers on the conduct and role of security agencies at the Ekiti and Osun election.
“This shows the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure a credible election come 2023. Read more
President Buhari bestows MON honour on Dike Chigbue (Independent)
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the conferment of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) national award on Mr Dike James Chigbue, an Entrepreneur and Social reformer.
This was contained in a letter from the office of the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-government Affairs, signed by Sen. George Akume, fnim, Chigbue will be conferred with the award on the 11th October 2022 at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.
Part of the letter addressed to Mr Chigbue reads “I have the honour to formally inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the conferment of the National Honours on you, in the rank of MON (Member of the Order of the Niger).
Chigbue has had both public and private sector work experience, at the peak of his public sector service, he served as Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister for State for Niger Delta Affairs and was an integral part that coordinated the implementation of the amnesty policy; training, empowerment and capacity building of ex-militants to facilitate their reintegration. Read more
US institute hosts 1st Nigerian participant (DailyTrust)
The 2021 Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the Arizona State University (ASU) is hosting its first ever Nigerian participant, Dr. Sharafa Dauda, a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
Dr Dauda is the first Nigerian to be represented at the Cronkite School, which hosts the Institute for Journalism, Technology and Democracy.
The Nigerian scholar joins a host of other 17 participants, comprising professionals and scholars from Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Albania, Armenia, Hong Kong, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Turkey, Lebanon, Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, and Finland.
The Academic Director of the institute, Dr. Dawn Gilpin, during the orientation and guided tour of the ASU facility, said applicants went through a competitive application process where only one candidate emerged from a country. Read more
Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer accuses FG of terrorism (Punch)
The Lead Counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has accused the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, of terrorism.
Ejiofor, in a statement on Wednesday, said the AGF and his accomplices had flagrantly violated both Nigerian and international laws for the manner in which the extradition and rendition of his client, Nnamdi Kanu, was handled thus, committing an act of terrorism under the same law they had violated.
The statement read, “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), is aware of the existence of this Nigerian Extradition Act, Cap E25, Laws of the Federation 2004, particularly the compelling provision of Section 15 of this Extradition Act.
“Yet, he proceeded on a gross violation of this law, to participate in the criminal abduction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from Kenya, and extraordinarily renditioned him to Nigeria, instead of subjecting him to this extradition proceedings as also mutually provided under Kenyan laws.”
Ejiofor further questioned why Kanu’s extradition process was different from that of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, saying Kanu was not afforded the same treatment Kyari received, having been subjected to extradiction proceedings before a court of law. Read more
Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia queens to storm Japan for Miss International 2022 World finals (Sun)
The Beauty of Africa International Pageant (BAIP) has announced delegates to represent Nigeria, Kenya and Namibia at the 60th edition of the Miss International pageant world finals scheduled for Tuesday, 12 December in Tokyo, Japan.
Miss Kenya, Cindy Isendi, Miss Namibia, Erika Kazombaruru and Miss Nigeria, Precious Obisoso are previous winners of the Beauty of Africa International pageant.
As the franchise owner for Miss International in three African countries, the Baip organisation is overwhelmed with a general feeling of anticipation for the delegate to place and win the highly prestigious Crown for Africa.
In response to the challenge and preparation for the event, the president Baip, Engr Daniel Opuene noted during an interview that the organisation is mulling over the decision to be the first African pageant brand to send three delegates to an international contest. Read more
Reekado Banks loses mother (Independent)
Music star, Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, fondly referred to as Reekado Banks, has lost his mother.
Reekado who made this known on his Instagram page did not disclose the cause of her death but called on Nigerians to put his family in their prayers.
The statement read, ”It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, confidant, and friend.
”Dorcas Olubunmi Solomon is survived by her husband, sisters, children, and grandchildren. Read more
Unhappiness shortens your lifespan more than smoking, research finds (Metro)
Unhappiness may shorten your life more than smoking, scientists say.
Data from 12,000 Chinese adults revealed that having a poor mental state — feeling lonely, hopeless and having restless sleep, for example — can shave more than a year and a half off the average lifespan.
Scientists say their research shows that mental health is just as important as physical health.
The US-China team made the discovery while investigating a new AI ‘ageing clock’ trained on biological sex, blood markers, biometric data and biological age of the participants of a major population study. Read more
Ana de Armas defends explicit scenes in ‘Blonde’(NME)
Ana de Armas has defended Blonde‘s explicit scenes, claiming they’re harder for people to watch than they were for her to make.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actress – who stars in the Netflix film as Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe – discussed some of the movie’s more uncomfortable moments.
These range from sexual assault to abortion, as well as a scene in which Monroe performs oral sex on President John F. Kennedy. However, de Armas made it clear that she always felt safe on set with director and writer Andrew Dominik.
“It’s harder for people to watch [those scenes] than for me to make them, because I understood what I was doing and I felt very protected and safe,’ she said. Read more
US urges Americans to leave Russia Quickly (VOA)
The US State Department expressed concern Wednesday that Americans with dual citizenship with Russia could be conscripted by Moscow to help fight its war against Ukraine.
“Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service,” the State Department said in a statement.
It said more broadly that U.S. citizens should not travel to Russia and that anyone there now “should depart Russia immediately while limited commercial travel options remain.”
The State Department said flights out of Russia “are extremely limited at present and are often unavailable on short notice. Overland routes by car and bus are still open.” Read more
Lionsgate says it’s leaning toward spinning off studio, not Starz (Variety)
Lionsgate is now looking at spinning off its studio business — rather than kicking out the Starz premium network and streaming business.
The company, in an SEC filing Wednesday, said that “Despite the volatile market environment” Lionsgate remains “on a path to separating our Starz and studio businesses.” However, Lionsgate is increasingly focused on divesting the studio side of the house.
“As negotiations progress, we have increased our focus on the possibility of spinning our studio business, creating a number of financial and strategic benefits,” the company said in an SEC filing Wednesday. “In that regard, we are continuing productive negotiations with prospective strategic and financial partners on both sides of our business.”
Lionsgate did not identify the parties it’s involved in talks with. Read more
PnB Rock: Man implicated in rapper’s murder clears his name (HipHopDX)
A suspect in PnB Rock’s murder has yet to be identified, but one man has come forward to clear his name after being implicated in the rapper’s death.
Emmanuel Danquah, a Minneapolis-based videographer and photographer who goes by the name South Side Chief, has been accused of being the killer due to an argument he had with Rock on Instagram Live in 2021 over a stolen t-shirt design.
Despite there being no evidence linking him to the crime, various YouTubers and rap bloggers have used clips of their spat to paint Danquah as the gunman, with some erroneously claiming their argument took place shortly before PnB Rock’s murder.
In a recent interview with the Drea O Show, Danquah pushed back against the rumors and denied he was behind the Philadelphia rapper’s death. Read more
Girls Aloud to reunite to host fundraising ball in memory of Sarah Harding (Sky)
Girls Aloud will come together next month to host a fundraising gala in honour of their bandmate Sarah Harding, who died a year ago from breast cancer.
The Primrose Ball will be held in London on 8 October, with guests including It’s A Sin star Olly Alexander performing to raise money for the Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Cancer Research UK, as part of the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal.
Harding was 39 when she died last September. Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Cheryl will front the event alongside the broadcasters Fearne Cotton and Johnny Gould.
Chrissie Hynde, of the Pretenders and the Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson are also on the bill. Read more
Putin’s Central Asian allies embrace Russians fleeing draft (Aljazeera)
The Kazakh president began his speech with a proverb.
“Good ties with neighbours guarantee safety,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a former foreign minister known for his negotiating skills, said on Tuesday.
But what he went on to say may seriously strain Kazakhstan’s ties with its giant northern neighbour and former imperial master.
Tokayev instructed his government to help tens of thousands of Russian men that flooded his nation because of the chaotic and massive partial military mobilisation for the war in Ukraine. Read more
AFN, coaches kick against restrictions on hurdles, long jump (Sun)
The decision by the main organising committee of the National Sports Festival to restrict entries into some of the athletics events has been described by coaches as an attempt to kill the sport in Nigeria.
Of great concern to the coaches were hurdles and long jump, two events in which Nigerian athletes did marvelously well at international meets.
Tobi Amusa set a incredible world record with a time of 12.12 seconds at the world championships, while Ese Brume who holds the African record in the long jump also won silver.
The main organising committee is proposing that each state would be permitted to enter one athlete in most of the athletics events. The only exceptions are the sprints where 3 entries per State have been permitted.
It was gathered that the decision has not gone down well with Athletics Federation of Nigeria president Tonobok Okowa. He has asked the MOC to revert to the world standards entry per event and it remained to be seen if there would be any changes.
” This is ridiculous to say the least,” said former national heptathlon champion Patience Itanyi. Read more
NFF elections to hold in Benin despite court injunction (DailyTrust)
The much-anticipated Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elections will hold as scheduled despite the court order stopping it from holding.
This was confirmed after the sports minister, Sunday Dare held a meeting with the eleven candidates for the position of president at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
It will be recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja had recently stopped the election billed to hold on September 30 in Benin City, Edo State.
This move came after the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria filed a suit against the federation over unequal representation of all the five statutory bodies making up the NFF in terms of voting rights and representation on the NFF Board, its Congress and sub-standing committees.
Speaking after the meeting, Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Christian Emeruwa hailed the minister for convening the meeting.
“It was good the minister held this meeting. We will be having the elections. The show must go on as fixed, “ he said. Read more
Lionel Messi return to Barcelona financially possible next summer – vice president (ESPN)
Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu has said Lionel Messi’s return to the club as a player would be financially possible next summer.
Messi, 35, is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and could potentially move back to Barca on a free transfer.
The Argentina forward left the club for France in 2021 because they could not afford to renew his deal while remaining within their LaLiga-imposed spending limit.
“It would be possible financially because if he returned it would be as a free agent,” Romeu told Catalunya Radio on Wednesday when asked if the club could afford to bring Messi back. Read more
Gareth Southgate told he’s overlooking England’s ‘best centre-back’ who didn’t make squad (Express)
England manager Gareth Southgate has been told that he must stop overlooking Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as he is the Three Lions’ ‘best centre-back’. The 25-year-old has 11 international caps to his name.
Southgate has come under immense pressure of late as England are winless in their last six matches and appear to have lost the spark that saw them reach the finals at EURO 2020. The former Middlesbrough boss’ team selection has largely been highlighted as a result of the poor form.
Despite finding himself as a benchwarmer at Manchester United, Harry Maguire has remained central to Southgate’s plans – and his mistakes over the international break has proved a cause for concern. Many have questioned how the former Leicester defender has kept his place in the squad with so many inform players remaining unselected ahead of the Qatar World Cup.
One of whom has been regularly overlooked is Gomez, a decision that baffles former Tottenham striker Chris Waddle. He told compare.bet: “Why is Joe Gomez not in the squad? I just don’t get it. Read more
Bayern Munich chief responds to claims Sadio Mane is ‘unhappy’ following Liverpool exit (Mirror)
Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has admitted he is holding talks with Sadio Mane after claims the former Liverpool star is unhappy at the club.
Earlier this year Mane brought the curtain down on six trophy-laden seasons at Anfield, joining the German champions in what appeared a risk-free transfer. But after a bright start which saw him score three goals in as many Bundesliga games, his form has deserted him.
Prior to the international break Mane had gone six games without a goal, with boss Julian Nagelsmann hauling him off against Barcelona and Augbsburg. And Salihamidzic has claimed that while there is no panic about the Senegal international, he is keeping in close tag to help his integration.
“Sadio still needs a little time, he has to get used to the Bundesliga too, but he will. I speak regularly with him” he told Bild. “I know what it’s like to arrive as a newcomer to a team, in a different country, in a different city, in a slightly different football culture. Read more
Alex Albon says he will drive at the Singapore Grand Prix (RN365)
Alex Albon says he will be driving the FW44 for Williams at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
The London-born Thai had to sit out the Italian Grand Prix due to suffering from appendicitis, prompting him to be replaced by Nyck de Vries.
After being admitted to hospital for surgery, Albon subsequently had complications which led to respiratory failure and a brief period in intensive care.
Williams had put De Vries on standby in case he was needed again, after Albon admitted that it might be “tough” to be ready in time for Singapore. Read more
Rod Laver claims Nick Kyrgios did not believe he could win Wimbledon (DailyMail)
Rod Laver believes that Nick Kyrgios fell short at Wimbledon because, deep down, he did not think he could win at the All England Club as the tennis great weighs in on his compatriot’s resurgence.
Kyrgios defied the odds to reach the final of this year’s men’s singles competition in SW19, defeating No 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to the showpiece event against Novak Djokovic.
The 27-year-old took the first set of the final but failed to kick on, with his Serbian rival surging to a 3-1 win to clinch his 21st grand slam title.
Kyrgios went onto reach the quarter finals at the US Open, although he would have expected a better run, and Laver says that despite his cocksure exterior, his Wimbledon tournament was exactly what he needed for his belief. Read more