Bodies of 3 family members recovered from Lagos collapsed building (Punch)
The bodies of 16-year-old Maleek, his 13-year-old sister Ameerah, and their 73-year-old uncle, known simply as Bolaji, were on Wednesday recovered from the rubble of a collapsed two-storey building in the Ota-Ona community of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro correspondents, who visited the scene of the incident located along Awolowo Road, gathered that the three victims were members of the same family.
The uncompleted structure, according to sources in the community, was being financed by a member of the family based in the United Kingdom, while the late septuagenarian was overseeing the construction in Nigeria. Read more
Emefiele Challenges Forfeiture Of 753 Abuja Houses (Leadership)
Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, to upturn an order of a High Court granting the takeover of 753 housing units in Abuja, to the Federal Government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had obtained a court order to seize the estate.
Emefiele, through his legal representative, A.M. Kotoye, contended that he ought to have been involved in the proceedings, as he holds an interest in the property. Read more
Pupils Take WAEC Exam At Night In Taraba (Channels)
Some pupils in Taraba State are currently taking their West African Examination Council (WAEC) exam.
As of the time of filing the report, no official reason was given by the WAEC as to why it delayed the examination which was scheduled to hold at 8am.
Parents who came in search of their wards only to be told that they were taking the supposed English Language exam described the act as uncalled for and demanded an apology from the examination body. Read more
Osun students, teachers lament nightfall WAEC exam (Nation)
Candidates of the ongoing West African Examination Council(WAEC) lamented delay in commencement of English Language subject exam Part II and III(objectives and theory).
Findings by The Nation revealed the examination commenced by 7pm and ended by 9pm as against the 4pm scheduled time.
It was learnt the candidates finished the Part I(Oral English) in the morning and waited for the Part II and III scheduled for 4pm. Read more
Nigeria reaffirms support for ECOWAS at 50th anniversary (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu, at the 50th anniversary event of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lagos, reiterated Nigeria’s deep-rooted dedication to the regional organisation. He highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal role in fostering peace, unity, and prosperity across West Africa since the bloc’s establishment in 1975.
“Nigeria has been central to ECOWAS since its creation,” he stated in his keynote address. “For almost half a century, our nation has served as a foundation for regional growth, collaboration, and mutual support.”
President Tinubu honoured General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State and the last surviving original signatory of the ECOWAS Treaty. “General Gowon laid the groundwork for what is now a powerful symbol of West African unity,” he remarked. Read more
Speed Darlington under investigation over viral video confession (Guardian)
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LSDSVA) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have commenced investigations into controversial rapper Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, following a viral Instagram Live video in which he claimed to have defiled a 15-year-old girl.
In the video, which surfaced on social media, Darlington narrated in Igbo his alleged encounter with a 15-year-old virgin, which he said resulted in bloodied sheets in an unnamed hotel.
Reacting to the video, LSDSVA condemned the incident, describing it as disturbing and noting jurisdictional challenges as the entertainer did not specify where the incident occurred. The agency stated that it has referred the case to NAPTIP for further action. Read more
Naira appreciates to N1,610/$ in parallel market (Vanguard)
The naira yesterday appreciated to N1, 610 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,620 per dollar on Tuesday.
But, the Naira depreciated to N1,592 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,592 per dollar from N1,590 per dollar on Tuesday , indicating N2 depreciation for the naira. Read more
Deborra-Lee Furness describes ‘betrayal’ amid Hugh Jackman divorce (BBC)
Australian actress Deborra-Lee Furness has said her “compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal”, after filing for divorce from her husband Hugh Jackman.
In a statement released to media, Furness, 69, said: “It’s a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe… is always working FOR us.”
The couple filed for divorce in New York on 23 May. They announced their separation in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage. Read more
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial: Judge denies mistrial request (FarOut)
A judge has denied Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs’ application for a mistrial. Combs returned to the courtroom in Manhattan on May 28th as part of his criminal trial, in which he’s facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.
Combs’ lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, moved for a mistrial over alleged destroyed evidence. Los Angeles arson investigator, Lance Jimenez, who examined Kid Cudi’s car being set on fire in 2011, revealed the destruction of fingerprint cards, with prosecutors suggesting that Combs played a role in the action.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian denied the request and told the court, “There was absolutely no testimony from the witness that was prejudicial in any way, shape or form.” Read more
Liverpool parade crash suspect is ‘married businessman and father-of-3’ (Independent)
The suspected driver arrested after almost 80 people were injured when a car ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool victory parade has been revealed to be a father-of-three.
The man arrested at the scene is reportedly a married businessman who has been described as a “nice family man” by neighbours who were left in disbelief at the devastation that unfolded on Monday, according to The Mirror.
Merseyside Police have been given extended powers to keep the 53-year-old man from the West Derby area of the city in custody, after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drug driving. Read more
Haiti health officials meet to discuss shortage of HIV/AIDS medication (AfricaNews)
Health officials and representatives from various organisations met in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday to discuss the shortage of life-saving HIV/AIDS medication.
Louis Gérald Gilles, member of the country’s Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti, assured people that the scarcity would be resolved.
“We want the population to know that we will get medicine,” he said, “We are exploring many avenues for solutions.” Read more
UK prosecutors file 21 charges, including rape, against Tate brothers (UPI)
UK prosecutors last year OK’d a total of 21 charges against brothers Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate arising from the claims of several alleged victims British media reported on Wednesday.
Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges that include rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution for gain and actual bodily harm, The Guardian reported. He is accused of harming three victims.
Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges, including rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm due to his alleged treatment of one victim. Read more
China launches landmark mission to retrieve pristine asteroid samples (AlJazeera)
China has successfully launched a spacecraft as part of its first-ever mission to retrieve pristine asteroid samples, in what researchers have described as a “significant step” in Beijing’s ambitions for interplanetary exploration.
China’s Long March 3B rocket lifted off at about 1.31am local time (18:30 GMT) on Thursday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan province. It was carrying the Tianwen-2 spacecraft, a robotic probe that could make China the third nation to fetch pristine asteroid rocks.
Announcing the launch, Chinese state-run news outlets said the “spacecraft unfolded its solar panels smoothly”, and that the China National Space Administration (CNSA) had “declared the launch a success”. Read more
Dessers on target as Nigeria beat Ghana in Unity Cup (Channels)
The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Black Stars of Ghana 2-1 on Wednesday night to advance to the final of the Unity Cup in London.
Goals from Cyriel Dessers and an own goal from a Ghanaian defender was enough to do the job as Nigeria won the bragging rights in the entertaining ‘Jollof’ derby.
Dessers opened the scoring for the Eagles in the 14th minute with a clinical finish, assisted by Sodiq Ismail. Read more
Chelsea Make History With UEFA Conference Cup Victory Over Real Betis (Leadership)
In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, Chelsea overcame an early setback to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference Cup final, held at a packed stadium in Wrocław, Poland, on Wednesday night.
The victory not only crowned Chelsea as the champions of the Conference Cup but also marked a historic moment in European football, as they became the first club to win all UEFA Club competitions.
The match began with a shocking turn of events as Real Betis took the lead in the 9th minute. A stunning goal from A. Ezzalzouli, assisted by Isco, left Chelsea trailing 1-0. As the first half progressed, Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm, entering the break still behind. Read more
Delta retains National Sports Festival title, Ogun in race to upstage Bayelsa (Guardian)
With two days of competition remaining at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State, defending champions Team Delta look set to win its ninth title.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, Team Delta has won the National Sports Festival title eight times in ten appearances. Delta, the ‘Bride of South-south,’ also known as the ‘Big Heart,’ is looking good to add the winning title of this 22nd edition in Ogun State to its kitty, having widened the gap on the medals table as at the close of events on Tuesday night.
The official medals table released late last night revealed that Team Delta has 92 gold, 59 silver, and 75 bronze medals, but an official at the collation centre told The Guardian Wednesday morning that Delta’s gold medal haul is above 100. Read more
Lewis Hamilton urges UK education reform (Independent)
Lewis Hamilton has urged the UK government to implement educational reform after new data highlighted the concerns of young students and those from a vulnerable background.
Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, 40, has previously spoken of being racially abused at school and admitted he felt as though he “didn’t belong or matter” as a student.
Hamilton’s foundation, Mission 44, last year launched a Nothing Happens in Isolation campaign, with a focus on the high rates of suspensions and exclusions in schools across the country Read more
Raducanu ‘not demotivated’ by another heavy Swiatek defeat (BBC)
Emma Raducanu says she is not feeling “demotivated” despite her miserable record against five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek continuing in a one-sided French Open defeat.
The British number two was outclassed in a 6-1 6-2 second-round exit which means she has lost all five of her matches against the world number five.
It was another reminder of the gulf that still exists between 41st-ranked Raducanu and the leading players on the WTA Tour. Read more