Court discharges 6 #Endsars protesters (Vanguard)
An Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday discharged and acquitted six men charged with breach of the public peace during the 2020 #Endsars protest.
They are: Daniel Joyinbo, 31, Adigun Sodiq, 28, Kehinde Shola,32, Salaudeen Kamilu, 29, Sodiq Usseni, 33 and Azeez Isiaka, 34.
The defendants had in a plea bargain agreement, pleaded guilty to a count charge of breach of the public peace preferred against them by Lagos State Government. Read more
Tinubu’s wife gives N50m business grant to 1,000 women in Kaduna (Nation)
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, August 22, distributed an N50 million economic empowerment grant to 1,000 women petty traders in Kaduna state.
The First Lady said the gesture is part of the N1.8 billion grant set aside for 37,000 women petty traders across the 36 states of the federation and FCT, under the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme.
Represented at the event by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajia Laila Jibrin Barau, the First Lady said that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially the petty traders, who form the backbone of our local economies were facing challenges, hence the support. Read more
Justice Olukayode Ariwoola retires as Chief Justice of Nigeria (Leadership)
The 22nd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has retired upon reaching the age of 70.
Justice Ariwoola was born on 22 August 1954.
On 22 November 2011, he was elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court and was appointed substantive CJN on 27 June 2022. Read more
A’Ibom CJ frees man accused of stealing mother’s cooking pot, 43 other inmates (Punch)
The Chief Justice of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has ordered the release of 44 inmates, including two females, across the correctional facilities in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Six of the inmates regained freedom in the Ikot Abasi centre, five in the Eket custodial centre, and 11 were freed in the Ikot Ekpene centre, while 24 inmates, including two females, were pardoned in the Uyo custodial centre.
The inmates were freed during the CJ’s 2024 first inspection visit to the correctional centres in the state. Read more
‘Multi-million Naira Scam’: Kwankwaso’s nephew challenges anti-graft agencies (DailyTrust)
Musa Garba Kwankwaso, nephew of the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said he is going to the court of law to challenge the move of three Anti-corruption agencies against him.
Kwankwaso said this shortly after he honoured the invitation of the State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission (PCACC) on Thursday in company of his lawyers.
Daily Trust reports that the PCACC had scheduled a meeting with the Managing Director of Novomed pharmaceuticals, Musa Garba Kwankwaso, over an alleged multi-million naira drug supply contract scam. Read more
Nobody can accuse me of corruption – Uzodimma (Channels)
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Thursday said nobody can accuse him of corruption as a public holder.
Speaking during the Michael Okpara leadership lecture and award 2024 at the Musa Yar’ Adua Centre in Abuja, the governor advised public officeholders to live within their legitimate means and desist from engaging in corrupt practices.
According to him, the inordinate quest for wealth, and lack of discipline, among others are responsible for the unbridled corruption in Nigeria’s system. Read more
Zamfara Floods: Rep Jaji donates N10m, 200 bags of rice (Tribune)
A Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, Hon. Dr. Aminu Sani Jaji, has donated N10 million and 200 bags of rice to victims of the recent flooding in Gummi.
Hon. Sani Jaji presented the cash assistance today to the Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan, at his palace in Gummi town.
He expressed his concern over the flooding, which has left thousands of households homeless and described it as a disaster in the area. Read more
Open defecation: Lagos continues cleanup, sets up taskforce to arrest offenders (Punch)
The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources continued cleanup of the Ojodu-Berger highway median on Thursday as part of its effort to end open defecation.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on X.com on Thursday.
According to Wahab, the state government has set up a taskforce to arrest offenders for roadside defecation while warning the public against the act. Read more
Jenna Ortega filming, will produce ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 (UPI)
Jenna Ortega was “a little terrified” when she began filming Wednesday Season 2, she said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Ortega portrays Wednesday Addams in the comedy-drama that follows Wednesday’s adventures at Nevermore Academy, a school for misfits.
“I was a little terrified just because it had been years since Wednesday, since we shot the first one,” she told Fallon. “We did that like two or three years ago in Romania.” Read more
Cate Blanchett Sets London Stage Return With Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’ (Variety)
Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett is returning to the London stage, taking on the role of Arkadina in Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.”
The production will run for six weeks at London’s Barbican Theatre beginning in February 2025.
Joining Blanchett in the cast is Tom Burke, known for his role in BBC series “Strike” and in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” The pair recently worked together on Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming film “Black Bag.” Read more
Somalia threatens to suspend Ethiopian Airlines flights amid territorial dispute (AfricaNews)
Somalia has issued a warning to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights to its territory due to an ongoing territorial dispute.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) announced on August 21, 2024, that the airline has failed to respond to concerns related to Somali sovereignty.
The dispute escalated after Ethiopia signed an agreement in January 2024 with the separatist region of Somaliland, securing access to 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years in exchange for recognizing the territory. Read more
Hulk Hogan biopic starring Chris Hemsworth takes shocking turn (ClutchPoints)
A biopic about WWE legend Hulk Hogan, with Chris Hemsworth starring as the Hulkster, was in the works at Netflix. However, after the streaming service exited the project, it has been scrapped.
During an interview with Variety, Joker: Folie à Deux director Todd Phillips revealed he is no longer working on the project. While he did not reveal the reason, it does not sound like the project — in its current form — will happen.
“I love what we were trying to do, but that’s not going to come together for me,” he said. Read more
Janet Jackson announces Las Vegas residency (People)
Janet Jackson is ready to be “together again” with all of her fans.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the pop superstar, 58, announced that she’d be heading to Las Vegas for a residency at Resorts World Theatre.
“We’re so excited to announce our new residency at Resorts World Las Vegas launching New Year’s week! This is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to spending the start of the New Year with you!! We truly can’t wait! Sending so much love -J, ” Jackson wrote on Instagram. Read more
Martine McCutcheon announces split from husband after 18 years together (RTE)
Actress Martine McCutcheon has announced she has split up with her husband, Jack McManus, after 18 years together.
In an Instagram Story post, the Love Actually star said her singer-songwriter partner had decided it is best for them to go their separate ways and she has accepted his decision.
McCutcheon said their number one priority will continue to be the “happiness and welfare” of their nine-year-old son, Rafferty, and they “look forward to being parents together” for the rest of their lives. Read more
Jeremy Clarkson hit with new complaints from neighbours over new venture (Hello!)
Clarkson’s Farm star Jeremy Clarkson is very excited ahead of his pub launch tomorrow, but there are major concerns voiced by locals.
The former Top Gear presenter has ventured just down the road from his Diddly Squat farm and purchased The Windmill pub for less than £1 million. He has now renamed it The Farmer’s Dog and it is due to open its doors on Friday.
As Jeremy’s hit TV show brought crowds to the area to see his farm, there are predictions that his pub launch will see the local area overrun. Read more
Lookman returns to Atlanta training (CompleteSports)
Ademola Lookman has resumed training with his Atalanta teammates after links with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Lookman took part in training on Thursday after skipping Monday’s 4-0 drubbing of Leece.
The Nigeria international held talks with PSG last week over a possible move to the Ligue 1 champions. Read more
Israel Adesanya arrives Lagos amid funfair despite defeat to Du Plessis (Leadership)
Nigerian born New Zealand’s mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya on Thursday arrived in Lagos with his parents after losing the UFC 305 crown to South African Dricus Du Plessis.
Adesanya arrived in Nigeria after the African Martial artist champion taunted his heritage during their press conference ahead of the UFC 305 middleweight title fight.
Du Plessis forced Adesanya to submit in the fourth round to retain his title and earned an opportunity to defend his title next in his home country of South Africa, as earlier promised by UFC President Dana White. Read more
Nigerian fans berate NFF over Eagles’ coaching job (Nation)
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is facing a barrage of criticisms from enthusiasts of the Super Eagles over the delay in appointing a head coach for the national team ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in September.
Since Finidi George resigned last June , the NFF has been looking for a substantive coach with rumours of a pending appointment of a Swede, Janne Anderson.
However, a cross section of fans who spoke on a radio station, Brila FM, have slammed the NFF for its inability to get a coach before the AFCON matches against Benin Republic on September 7 in Uyo and Rwanda on September 13 in Kigali. Read more
Newcastle defender Trippier keen to leave club (BBC)
Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier wants to leave the club this month in search of first-team football.
The 33-year-old England international was an unused substitute in the Magpies’ 1-0 win against Southampton on Saturday.
Trippier, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid in 2022, is behind former Saints full-back Tino Livramento in the pecking order for the right-back position.
Newcastle blocked Trippier from leaving the club in January following interest from Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabia. Read more
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui will be happy when the transfer window is closed (IrishExaminer)
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui admits the uncertainty surrounding the transfer window might be affecting his players.
The Hammers have brought in eight new signings but now need to let some players go in a bid to balance the squad.
Kurt Zouma is still trying to engineer a move the the Middle East while the likes of Maxwel Cornet, Nayef Aguerd and Danny Ings could also be surplus to requirements.
“In this time before the market closes, for everyone it’s still not certain who might come and go,” said Lopetegui. Read more
Hulkenberg reveals Audi “surprise” after big-name F1 signings (StraitsTimes)
Nico Hulkenberg has delivered a strong backing to Audi’s recent senior F1 signings as it continues to prepare for its 2026 entry.
Just prior to the summer break, it was announced that Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl and technical lead Oliver Hoffmann would be leaving the team, to be replaced by ex-Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer of Sauber Motorsport.
Further to this, Audi announced during the summer shutdown that long-time Red Bull team manager Jonathan Wheatley would be joining as team principal, with Hulkenberg currently the only driver signed up to the team. Read more