Certificate of Return: Why we can’t help Okorocha now —APC (Punch)
The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday says it cannot help the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who has been denied a certificate of return as a senator-elect because he is still on suspension. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Isa-Onilu, said this at a Press conference in Abuja. He said the governor himself was aware of his suspension, hence, “he has not reported his dilemma to the party.” Read more
INEC issues Certificate of Return to Okowa, Makinde, others (Guardian)
Several elected governors and state lawmakers have been presented Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Delta State Governor-elect Ifeanyi Okowa alongside his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro were issued their Certificate of Return by the National Commissioner of INEC, Dr Mohammed Lecky, at INEC office in Delta State on Wednesday. Okowa commended Deltans, INEC and the security agencies for their roles in the success of the elections. He also sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives during the election. Read more
Make me deputy, or I’ll vie for Senate Presidency, Orji Kalu tells APC (Punch)
A former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that unless the ruling All Progressives Congress makes him the Deputy President of the 9th Senate, he will fight to become the Senate President. He said this while indicating his interest to contest for the position of Deputy Senate President in the soon-to-be constituted 9th National Assembly. Kalu also wants the APC to zone the position to the South-East “in the interest of equity and justice.” The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Abia North Senator-elect spoke with newsmen on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Read more
Party, candidate allege violations in petition against President Buhari, INEC, APC (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) have again been dragged before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal over the allegedly unlawful manner the February 23 Presidential Election was conducted and the winner declared. The petitioner, Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and its presidential candidate, Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru, are challenging the legality of the election earlier slated for February 16 and later February 23. The petition marked CA/EPT/PRE/001/2019 filed March 7, 2019 is praying the tribunal to nullify the purported election of February 23 and the subsequent declaration of Buhari as winner on the ground that INEC has no power under any law to shift the February 16 date to 23 because the conditions precedent for the postponement of the elections were not observed. Read more
Addressing root cause of Boko Haram would be priority, says Borno Governor-elect (Punch)
The governor-elect of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara on Wednesday said addressing the root cause of Boko Haram would be the priority of his administration. He said this was the foremost option to putting an end to the crisis. Umara made the promise after he received his Certificate of Return in Maiduguri from the Independent National Electoral Commission. The governor-elected who received the Certificate of Return alongside the deputy governor-elect, Usman Kadafur and 28 newly elected members of Borno State House of Assembly, said he would accord priority to the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement programmes to fast track restoration of peace and resettlement of displaced communities. Read more
Sheikh Ahmad Sulaiman regains freedom after 15 days in captivity (Guardian)
Kano-based Islamic scholar and Chairman, Kano state Council of Prerogative of Mercy, Sheikh Ahmad Sulaiman, has been released from captivity. The famous Quranic reciter and member of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, a Northern-based Islamic propagation movement, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Katsina and demanded N300million before his release. Sheikh Ahmad was abducted along five other members of the group on their way to Sokoto State after attending a First Aid Camp in Dutse, Jigawa State. Read more
INEC to propose constitutional amendment to overhaul electoral process (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will embark on aggressive constitutional and electoral reforms to enhance the integrity of the electoral process. The Commission also promised to consider the duality of electronic and manual collation and transmission of results to prevent noticeable lapses. A National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu during the presentation of Certificates of Return to elected members of state Sssembly, governor- and deputy governor-elect in the March 9 elections. Read more
New judge to hear Patience Jonathan’s suit against EFCC (Nation)
A new judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has taken over a suit filed by former first lady Dame Patience Jonathan challenging a “no-debit-order” placed on her account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It followed the elevation of Justice Mohammed Idris to the Court of Appeal. Justice Aneke on Wednesday adjourned until May 22. The EFCC, Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank) and three companies – Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd are the respondents. Read more
NMA closes illegal medical facility, arrests one in Cross River (Punch)
The Nigerian Medical Association in Cross River State has shut down a medical facility in Yala Local Government Area in its ongoing fight against quackery in the state. The NMA Chairman in the state, Dr Agam Ayuk, disclosed this on Wednesday in Calabar in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. He said that the clinic in Ugaga village was shut after an inspection visit to the facility. Ayuk, who led members of the association, including the Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke on the inspection, told NAN that the association had received incessant complaints about medical quackery in the area. Read more
IPOB: DSS electrocuted me, witness alleges in court (Guardian)
Chidiebere Onwudiwe, a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), on Wednesday, told the Federal High Court, Abuja that officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly electrocuted him while was in their custody. Onwudiwe was testifying as a witness in the trial-within-trial ordered by the court to ascertain the veracity of his claim that DSS officials coerced him to give them a statement. The witness who was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor also told the court that he was locked up in an underground cell in a blindfold. “I was brought from Port Harcourt to Abuja in July 2016, blindfolded, chained and kept in a room. Read more
Lawyer writes Baru, condemns NNPC’s recruitment criteria (Punch)
An Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, has written a letter to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, condemning what he described as “discriminatory recruitment process.” Olajengbesi, in the letter dated March 26, vowed to approach the court to ensure protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians who are qualified to apply but are barred from participating because of age criteria. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the criteria for Graduate Trainee, among others, require applicants to have graduated from an accredited university/polytechnic/monotechnic not earlier than 2014. Read more
Police arrest soldier for allegedly stealing phones (Nation)
The police in Lagos have arrested a soldier, Lance Corporal Shedrack Christopher for allegedly stealing two mobile phones at a hotel in Ijanikin. Christopher was arrested on March 19, around 6am at Express View Hotel following complaints from the management of the facility on the alleged theft. Parading the suspect Wednesday, Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu said he stole two mobile phones worth N86,000 from the bar and hotel, adding that the phones, an axe, a cutlass and knife were recovered from the suspect. Read more
Man gets death sentence for killing ex-Ondo deputy gov’s daughter (Punch)
An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, on Wednesday sentenced one Seidu Adeyemi to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend, Khadijat Oluboyo. Khadijat, who was a daughter of a former deputy governor of the state, Lasisi Oluboyo, was killed by the convict after inviting her to his house in July 2018. It was reported that, after killing the deceased, Adeyemi buried her in his room for five days; but the deed was later exposed by his father who reported to the Ondo State Police Command. Read more
Gunmen abduct policeman, others in Edo (Nation)
A police officer simply identified as DSP Godwin and four other persons have been abducted by gunmen at Ubiaja, headquarters of Esan South East local government area. DSP Godwin was travelling to Asaba when the vehicle he was travelling in was stopped by the gunmen who were on the road apparently for kidnapping. Police sources said DSP Godwin and others were taken into the bush. The source said a Pastor who was travelled along the same route was shot and is receiving treatment in a hospital. Read more
Pope to visit Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius (Guardian)
Pope Francis is to visit flood-ravaged Mozambique and Indian Ocean nations Madagascar and Mauritius in September, the Vatican announced on Wednesday. He will travel to their capitals Maputo, Antananarivo and Port Louis during the September 4-10 visit, a statement said, with the precise programme to be decided later. Mozambique is reeling from a cyclone and floods that this month killed nearly 500 people and sparked cases of cholera. Senior Mozambican priest Giorgio Ferreti said in February Francis would this year make the first visit by a pope to the southern African nation since 1988. Read more
Shadowy group claims N Korean embassy raid (BBC)
A shadowy group committed to ousting North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has claimed it was behind a raid last month at the North Korean embassy in Spain. Cheollima Civil Defense, a self-styled human rights group, reportedly fled with computers, a phone and hard discs. The break-in occurred just days before a key summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, Vietnam. The group denied using force, saying it was “not an attack”. Read more
Boeing 737 MAX makes emergency landing during US transfer (Guardian)
A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines made an emergency landing Tuesday after experiencing an engine problem as it was being ferried from Florida to California, the US Federal Aviation Agency said. “The aircraft returned and landed safely in Orlando,” the FAA said in a statement, adding that no passengers were on board the aircraft, which was being transferred to Victorville, California for storage. “The FAA is investigating,” added the agency, which grounded the Boeing 737 MAX on March 13 following two deadly accidents involving Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air but continues to allow the planes to be ferried from airport to airport. Read more
New York county declares measles outbreak emergency (BBC)
A county in New York state has declared a state of emergency following a severe outbreak of measles. Rockland County, on the Hudson river north of New York City, has barred unvaccinated children from public spaces after 153 cases were confirmed. Violating the order will be punishable by a fine of $500 (£378) and up to six months in prison. The announcement follows other outbreaks of the disease in Washington, California, Texas and Illinois. Vaccination rates have dropped steadily in the US with many parents objecting for philosophical or religious reasons, or because they believe discredited information that vaccines cause autism in children. Read more
Meng Hongwei: China to prosecute former Interpol chief (BBC)
Meng Hongwei, the former Chinese head of Interpol, will be prosecuted in his home country for allegedly taking bribes, China’s Communist Party says. He has also been expelled from the party and stripped of all government positions, according to the party’s watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). Mr Meng’s disappearance in September prompted international concern. He was reported missing by his wife during a trip back to China. Read more
Man told he was an orphan discovers he was lied to for 40 years (Metro)
A man found out his family was still alive after 40 years believing he was an orphan. James McGregor, now 78, was put into care when he was a baby in Scotland, and shipped to Western Australia. He was sent to be looked after by a Christian religious order, but instead suffered emotional and sexual abuse. He gave evidence at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry on Monday, saying he has still not come to terms with finding out his family was alive in Scotland. Read more
Mother has twins 26 days after first birth (Punch)
A Bangladeshi mother has stunned doctors by giving birth to healthy twins 26 days after a first child was born prematurely. Arifa Sultana, 20, gave birth to a baby boy last month through normal delivery, but doctors missed the presence of a second uterus. “She didn’t realise she was still pregnant with the twins. Her waters broke again 26 days after the first baby was born and she rushed to us,” Sheila Poddar, a gynaecologist who treated the woman, told AFP. Read more
Sterling calls for Premier League to clamp down on racism (Guardian)
England star Raheem Sterling has called on the Premier League to show the way to other European countries in the fight against racism. Sterling and his England team-mates were subjected to racist chants during Sunday’s 5-1 victory in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica. Sterling reacted by pulling his ears in front of the home fans when he scored England’s fifth goal, with a missile thrown in his direction in retaliation. Speaking after the game, the Manchester City winger demanded a stadium ban for Montenegro as punishment, while the Football Association released a statement on Tuesday which condemned “abhorrent racist chanting” during the game at the Gradski Stadion. Read more
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea offer winger counselling after racist abuse (BBC)
Chelsea have offered counselling to teenage winger Callum Hudson-Odoi after he was subjected to racist abuse twice in 11 days. The club reported that the 18-year-old heard monkey chants during Chelsea’s Europa League win at Dynamo Kiev on 14 March, which Uefa is now investigating. Hudson-Odoi was one of several England players abused during the 5-1 win over Montenegro on Monday. England boss Gareth Southgate has also been in touch with the player. Read more
It’s time to ditch Willian or Pedro for Callum Hudson-Odoi, says Chelsea hero Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Metro)
It is time for Callum Hudson-Odoi to be given a place in the Chelsea starting XI, according to former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The 18-year-old made his England debut last Friday and then started an international for the first time on Tuesday as the Three Lions thrashed Montenegro 5-1 in Podgorica. Hudson-Odoi caught the eye playing for his country, with his two England caps coming before he has started a Premier League game for Chelsea. Hasselbaink now thinks it is high time that the teenager is given the chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge. Read more
Pep set to seal multi-million-pound puma deal (Nation)
Pep Guardiola is on the verge of signing a multi-million-pound deal with Manchester City’s new kit manufacturer Puma. The Premier League champions last month announced a 10-year contract with the sportswear giant, worth up to £650million and also covering four of its sister clubs. Puma are working on landing a number of City’s star players but the manager is viewed as a prized asset. Salaries for top talent usually reach seven figures. Guardiola, seen as one of very few managers worth sponsorship commercially, was with Gore-Tex while Bayern Munich manager before that agreement ended mutually. Read more
Hummels ‘not resentful’ over Loew decision (Guardian)
Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels has said he does not bear a grudge over Germany coach Joachim Loew’s decision to axe him and teammates Thomas Mueller and Jerome Boateng. “I myself do things that other people aren’t happy with, so I am not resentful about decisions other people make which have an effect on me,” Hummels said in an interview with Sport Bild magazine on Wednesday. Loew’s decision to send the experienced Bayern trio into international retirement sent shockwaves through German football three weeks ago. Read more
Former Liverpool ace names the world’s best two goalkeepers (Metro)
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld believes Reds stopper Alisson Becker is one of the world’s best two stoppers, along with Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer. Alisson has impressed at Anfield this season and has been a key factor in Jurgen Klopp’s side becoming the meanest defence in the Premier League. The Reds have shipped just 18 goals in 31 league matches – form that has kept them firmly in the title race with just seven games to play. Read more
Bundesliga opens office in China (Punch)
The Bundesliga has opened its first office in China, the German Football League announced in a statement on Wednesday. The new representative office was opened in Beijing on Wednesday, and is intended to improve communication between the German league and its fans and partners in China, the statement said. One of its first acts will be to organise a four-day visit to Beijing in April by former Germany and Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann as part of the “Bundesliga Legends Tour”. Read more