Bandits kidnap 23, kill one in Kaduna community (Vanguard)
Twenty three people were allegedly kidnapped while one was killed by bandits at the Dogon-Daji community along the Abuja-Kaduna road near Kagarko in Kaduna State.
Although the police could not be reached for comments as at press time, a local said the bandits raided the community on Wednesday around 12 pm.
“They moved from house to house, shot sporadically and kidnapped 23.people.When one tried to escape,they shot him and he died,” he said. Read more
Presidential polls: Outcome of election results manipulated –TMG (Sun)
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) which deployed 774 roving observers across the 774 local government areas in the country in the February 25th presidential and legislative election in Nigeria, has declared that the result of the presidential poll was manipulated.
In a statement by its Chairman, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, TMG, a foremost independent civil society election observation organization in Nigeria with 400 strong membership, said that it conducted its activities strictly in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines as well as other laws of the land and collaborated closely with other domestic and international observers to observe the polls.
It particularly noted that the disparity in the credibility level of the National Assembly elections where incumbent governors and serving members of parliament contested and lost across political parties and across the country from that of the presidential election points further to the efficacy of the system when applied as it should be. Read more
Supreme Court Ruling on Naira: APC vice chair asks Emefiele, Malami to resign (DailyTrust)
The North West zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami to resign for “misleading” President Muhammmadu Buhari on the naira redesign and swap policy.
The Supreme Court on Friday validated the use of N200, N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender till December 31, 2023.
The suit was instituted against the federal government by Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi), following the hardship being experienced by Nigerians as a result of the policy. Read more
Tinubu’s campaign has admitted election was rigged – Atiku (Tribune)
The Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Friday said that the claim by the Tinubu’s presidential campaign council that there was rigging in the southeast is evidence that indeed the election was fraught with irregularities.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the PDP Presidential Candidate said it was unfortunate that the APC presidential campaign council had continued to attack and mock Nigerians whose mandate it stole.
He said it was obvious that Nigerians did not want Tinubu as was proved in Lagos.
Atiku stated: “Festus Keyamo’s claim that there was massive rigging in the southeast and that the APC will be challenging the votes in that region validates our position that this election was fraught with irregularities. This is the reason we are seeking the cancellation of the results. Read more
Leaders of thought rally support for Sanwo-Olu (ThisDay)
Committed to peaceful co-existence through the spirit of unity, a joint leadership of the Lagos State Leaders of Thought led by Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) and Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, have called for calm and understanding with the non-indigenous citizens, especially the Igbo extraction and supporters to support and re-elect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term in office.
Addressing journalists in Ikeja, President, Yoruba Council Worldwide/Secretary General, Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council, Aare Oba Oladotun Hassan, on behalf of the group said the call for support for Sanwo-Olu’s re-election was hinged on his landmark achievements and sustainability of peace, unity and development of Lagos and by extension the Yoruba land.
Reading from a statement, Hassan said careful observation shows the incendiary plot and intrigues by the fake elements of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by its Secretary-General, one Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who has been unveiled through a news platform where he hides under the camouflage of ethnicity in inciting the public to vote out Governor Sanwo-Olu in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Read more
7 states withdraw suit seeking to void Tinubu’s victory (Vanguard)
Seven States of the federation that approached the Supreme Court to nullify the election victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have withdrawn their suit.
The states- Adamawa State, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Taraba and Sokoto- through their team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on Friday, filed a notice of discontinuance of the case.
The plaintiffs had gone before the apex court to challenge the outcome of Presidential and National Assembly elections that were held on February 25, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, acted in breach of the Electoral Act, 2022. Read more
2023 Polls: I haven’t resigned from PDP, says Fayose (Leadership)
A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has denied a viral news report about him quitting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he did not resign from the party but only stepped aside for a purpose.
In a statement personally signed by Fayose, a copy of which was sent to LEADERSHIP on Friday, the former governor insisted that he remained a bonafide member of the PDP.
“I am still a bonafide member of the PDP. I only said I stepped aside because I need to speak the truth to power without the fear of my view being tainted by party colouration.Resigning from a political party has procedure and the same will be followed if I strongly find the need to leave the party. Read more
Fraud: Court sends former accountant in Head of Service office to 21 years imprisonment (Independent)
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday sentenced a former accountant in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Garba Abdullahi Tahir, to 21 years imprisonment for stealing N26.1 million meant for pensioners.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Abdullahi on an amended seven-count charge of money laundering.
The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the development in a statement in Abuja, said the offence contravened Section 14(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and was punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act. Read more
De La Soul celebrates streaming release — and Trugoy the Dove’s life (NYPost)
It was a trippy trip back to the Daisy Age when De La Soul celebrated the long-awaited streaming release of its catalog — and the life of recently deceased member Trugoy the Dove — at New York’s Webster Hall on Thursday night.
The innovative, influential Long Island trio — which broadened the scope of hip-hop with their eclectic experimentation and quirky sensibility — had long been MIA from streaming services due to years of legal battles with their former label, Tommy Boy.
But after Reservoir Media purchased the Tommy Boy catalog, De La Soul’s first six studio albums — including their groundbreaking debut, 1989’s “3 Feet High and Rising” — finally became available to stream on Friday. Read more
Miley Cyrus unveils demo version of “Flowers” (TheLineofBestFit)
Miley Cyrus has treated fans to the demo version of her chart-topping single “Flowers”, which has spent six consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Next week Cyrus will release her new album “Endless Summer Vacation”, and after giving fans the chart-topping lead single “Flowers” in January and sharing the full tracklist earlier this week, Cyrus has unveiled the demo version of “Flowers” as a celebration for the track retaining the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the sixth week in a row.
The new album will follow 2020’s Plastic Hearts, and was recorded the album in LA with Kid Harpoon, Greg Kurstin, Mike WiLL Made-It and Tyler Johnson. Cyrus describes the album as her love letter to LA. It’ll feature collaborations with Brandi Carlile and Sia. Read more
Glastonbury rename John Peel stage after 18 years following historical sexual abuse claims (Mirror)
Glastonbury has renamed their iconic John Peel stage after 18 years, following historic sexual abuse claims against the BBC Radio One DJ.
The sexual abuse allegations included one from a woman who claimed she became pregnant by Peel when she was a 15-year-old school girl in 1969.
Jane Nevin spoke out in 2012 and said she fell pregnant during a three-month affair with the DJ.
The claims sparked a petition last year for the festival to take action. Read more
Kelsey Grammer says he ‘‘won’t apologise for faith which helped him through tragic times’’ (Standard)
Kelsey Grammer has said he “won’t apologise” for his faith as he discussed religion while promoting his latest film, Jesus Revolution.
Based on the book of the same name by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn, the film follows the true story of youth minister Laurie.
Grammer, 68, who is best known for playing Frasier Crane in TV sitcom Frasier, portrays pastor Chuck Smith who helps Laurie to spread the Christian movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s across the United States. Read more
A24 buys New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre for $10m (TheWrap)
A24 is getting into the theater business with the purchase of the Off-Broadway venue Cherry Lane Theatre for the purchase price was $10 million, according to a deed filed on Friday.
Cherry Lane Theatre is the longest continuously running theater in New York City’s West Village. It features a 179-seat mainstage and a 60-seat studio theater. The space will reportedly be maintained as a place for live theater.
The studio behind Everything Everywhere All at Once, Uncut Gems, Hereditary and Lady Bird raised a $225 million equity round in March of last year, with plans to use the money to produce and distribute films while also continuing to develop initiatives beyond just big-screen cinema. Read more
France’s Macron continues African tour with stop in Brazzavile ahead of DR Congo visit (France24)
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday carried his African tour aimed at renewing frayed ties to the Republic of Congo after inking an economic accord with Angola.
Macron landed in the Congolese capital Brazzaville just before 5 pm (1600 GMT), on the third leg of his voyage after visiting Angola and Gabon.
He met with President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Brazzaville before travelling to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which lies on the opposite bank of the Congo river. Read more
Joe Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed, White House says (BBC)
US President Joe Biden had a cancerous skin lesion removed last month during a routine health screening, the White House has said.
All cancerous tissue was removed and no further treatment is required, Mr Biden’s doctor said.
Mr Biden will continue dermatologic surveillance as part of his ongoing healthcare, the doctor added.
The president, 80, had a physical exam in February which the White House said found him healthy and “fit for duty”. Read more
Paris 2024: Olympic Eagles back in camp for Guinea (Guardian)
Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf, has called to camp, 30 players ahead of this month’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Guinea.
The list includes four goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and eight forwards. Nigeria, conquerors of Tanzania in the second round of the race, will host the first leg of the fixture against Guinea at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Wednesday, 22nd March.
All the players reported at the Chida Hotel, Abuja, yesterday, ahead of the contingent’s departure to the Oyo State capital. In the second round of the series, the Olympic Eagles drew 1-1 with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, and then spanked their visitors 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium a week later. Read more
Rangers’ resumes training, charged to improve performance (Sun)
Players of the Rangers International FC, Enugu, have resumed training after one week break for the just-concluded presidential election with a charge from club management for them to improve their performance in the national league.
The club administrative secretary, Ferdinand Ugwuarua, gave the charge in his welcome address to the players on Thursday after the morning drills in Enugu.
Ugwuarua thanked God for the safe return of the players that traveled for the national polls and encouraged them and their coaches to improve their performances. Read more
European round-up:Serie A leaders Napoli lose to Lazio (RTE)
Runaway Serie A leaders Napoli suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat by Lazio.
Matias Vecino condemned Napoli to only their second league loss of the season with a vicious 25-yard strike after 67 minutes.
Lazio’s win moved them above Inter Milan and AC Milan into second place, still 17 points adrift of Napoli.
Borussia Dortmund took over top spot in the Bundesliga by beating RB Leipzig 2-1. Read more
Jamie Carragher reacts to Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool exit (DailyMail)
Jamie Carragher has reacted to Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool exit on social media, with the former Reds defender claiming it is ‘best for all parties’.
The Brazil international is in his eighth year at Anfield, but has made just five appearances since scoring his last goal on November 12.
Carragher, 45, tweeted: ‘If the reports about Firmino leaving at the end of the season are true, I do think it’s best for all parties.
‘He’s a Liverpool great & will be remembered for being part of one of the best front three’s we’ve seen.’ Read more
Tiger Woods won’t tee it up in Players Championship (StraitsTimes)
Tiger Woods will not compete in next week’s Players Championship, making it look likely the 15-time Major champion’s next event will be the Masters at Augusta National in April.
The PGA Tour announced the field for its flagship event at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Friday, and Woods – who won the Players in 2001 and 2013 – was not on the list.
The American, still limited by the severe lower right leg injuries he suffered in a February 2021 car accident, last played at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera in February. Read more
Wimbledon to scrap Russia player ban (France24)
British tennis chiefs are set to abandon their controversial ban on Russian and Belarusian players ahead of this year’s Wimbledon championships, it was reported Friday.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, the UK’s governing Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) came under pressure from the British government to impose a ban.
Russian and Belarusian players were eventually barred from all five ATP tournaments staged by the LTA, including the longstanding Queen’s Club event in London. Read more