Court hears suit against Lagos okada ban Dec 15 (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed December 15, 2020, to hear a suit praying for the reversal of the ban placed by the Lagos State Government on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles, popularly known as okada and Keke Marwa, respectively, in parts of the state.
A Lagos-based lawyer, Julius Ajibulu, who filed the suit before Justice Chuka Obiozor, said the ban on okada and Keke Marwa, without a replacement with an alternative means of transportation, had subjected Lagosians to untold hardship and taken away the source of livelihood of the operators.
The lawyer claimed that the ban had led to “massive unemployment” and an escalation in the rate of crime and insecurity in Lagos State due to the loss of jobs.
He said the ban violated his fundamental rights and those of other Lagosians under sections 33, 34, 36, 38, 41, and 42 of the 1999 Constitution. Read more
800 houses to go as Lagos proposes $2.2b for 4th Mainland Bridge (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government is proposing the sum of $2.2 billion for the construction of the 37.4 kilometres 4th Mainland Bridge.
Upon completion, the bridge would have 2 x 4 lane carriageway cross-sectional road with allowance for BRT Lane and future road expansion.
It would also become the longest Bridge in Africa second only to the 6th October Bridge in Cairo, Egypt, featuring three toll plazas, nine interchanges, 4.5Km Lagoon Bridge, Rest and Service Areas and an eco- friendly environment amongst other added features.
800 houses are also expected to go when construction begins against the 4,000 houses earlier marked for demolition in the previous design before it was realigned.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu disclosed this Tuesday at the first stakeholders meeting on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the bridge held at Adeyemi Bero Hall, Ikeja . Read more
CUPP rejects FG-Labour truce, insists on reversal of fuel price hike (Thisday)
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has rejected last Sunday’s agreement reached between organized labour and the federal government to suspend the planned protest against the increase in fuel price and electricity tariff.
It said that as far as it is concerned, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) no longer have the capacity to represent the interest of the Nigerian people.
In a statement issued Tuesday by its National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, CUPP said that NLC and TUC cannot claim to be unaware of the suffocating and life threatening suffering being experienced by Nigerians as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Buhari seeks confirmation of eight Supreme Court Justices (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the Senate to confirm the nomination of eight Justices of the Appeal Court for appointment as Supreme Court Justices.
The affected Justices of the Appeal Court include M. Lawal Garba (North West); Helen M. Ogunwumiju (South West); Abdul Aboki (North West); I. M. Saulawa (North West); Adamu Jauro (North East); Samuel C. Oseji South-South); Tijjani Abubakar (North East) and Emmanuel A. Agim (South-South).
Buhari’s letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 231 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and upon the advice of the National Judicial Council, I hereby present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the underlisted Eight (8) Justices of the Court of Appeal as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, according to their ranking of seniority at the Court of Appeal.” Read more
FG declares Oct 1 public holiday (Punch)
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, 2020, as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration, congratulated all Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s Diamond Jubilee while stressing the government’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the country.
This was contained in a statement titled, ‘FG Declares Thursday, October 1, 2020, Public Holiday To Mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary’ and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah.
According to the statement, the minister praised Nigerians for the feats in economy, education, the creative sector, amongst others. Read more
Rivers, Bayelsa renew hostilities over Soku oil well (Nation)
Rivers and Bayelsa have renewed hostilities over ownership of the Soku oil fields reportedly situated in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area and the revenue accruing from it.
The Federal High Court in December 2019 declared the oil wells belonged to Rivers and ordered the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to pay revenue from the oil fields to Rivers.
Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri faulted the payment of the Soku revenue to Rivers and appealed the judgement. Read more
Buhari to present 2021 budget next week (Guardian)
Nigeria’s Senate President Ahmed Lawan on Tuesday said the National Assembly would receive the 2021 Appropriation Bill from President Muhammadu Buhari next week.
“I am aware that the executive will be presenting the 2021 budget estimates by next week,” Lawan said at the resumption of plenary Tuesday morning.
Lawan said the senate will provide a one-month window for budget defense by ministries, departments, and agencies. Read more
Court remands man, 35, for allegedly fingering a minor (Vanguard)
A Magistrates’ court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Femi Michael, over alleged fingering a minor.
Michael was said to have indecently assaulted a 5-year-old minor (name withheld) by inserting his finger in her virginal after removing her pants.
The offences committed, according to the prosecutor, Adeoye were contrary and punishable under section 249(D),359 and 222 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol ll Law of Osun State 2020. Read more
INEC begins migration to electronic voting (Thisday)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced replacing manual voting with automated voting system, as part of the efforts to migrate fully to electronic voting as soon as enabling legislation is put in place.
The National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, assured Nigerians that the commission has taken another decisive step towards the full automation of the electoral process.
According to him, INEC has invited 40 manufacturers of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) around the world to practically demonstrate how the machines could work, preparatory to full migration. Read more
Jet suit paramedic’ makes 25 minute journey in 90 seconds (Metro)
A jet suit which could fly a paramedic to an isolated casualty in minutes has been described as ‘awesome’ by an air ambulance service, which said it could save lives. The system has been demonstrated in a test flight in the Lake District after a year of discussions between the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and the firm which has developed the technology, Gravity Industries. This test involved Gravity Industries founder and chief test pilot Richard Browning flying from the valley bottom in Langdale, Cumbria, to a simulated casualty site on The Band, near Bowfell. GNAAS said the casualty site would have taken around 25 minutes to reach by foot but Mr Browning arrived in his 1050 brake horsepower jet suit in 90 seconds. Read more
US man faces jail in Thailand over hotel review (BBC)
A US man is facing up to two years in jail in Thailand after posting negative reviews of a hotel he stayed in.
He was sued by the resort under the country’s strict anti-defamation laws.
Wesley Barnes, who works in Thailand, had posted several reviews on different platforms allegedly accusing the resort of “modern day slavery”.
The Sea View Resort, however, said the harsh criticism by the former guest was untrue and damaging to the hotel’s reputation.
“The owner filed a complaint that the defendant had posted unfair reviews on his hotel on the TripAdvisor website,” police told the AFP news agency. Read more
Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah dies aged 91 (BBC)
Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, has died at the age of 91, state media report.
He was expected to be succeeded by his 83-year-old half-brother and crown prince, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed.
In July, Sheikh Sabah was flown to the United States for medical treatment following surgery for an unspecified condition in Kuwait.
He had ruled the oil-rich Gulf Arab state since 2006 and had overseen its foreign policy for more than 50 years.
He was dubbed the “dean of Arab diplomacy” for his efforts to restore relations with states that backed Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when Kuwait was invaded by Iraqi forces. Read more
Elon Musk says he won’t take coronavirus vaccine (NYPost)
Elon Musk said the coronavirus lockdown diminished his faith in humanity.
Elon Musk said the coronavirus lockdown diminished his faith in humanity.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk stirred the pot yet again after claiming that neither he nor his family would take a COVID-19 vaccine even if it was readily available.
The 49-year-old billionaire dropped the bombshell during a Monday appearance on the New York Times opinion podcast “Sway.”
“I’m not at risk, neither are my kids,” Musk told host Kara Swisher about the rationale behind his decision. Read more
Chadwick Boseman gave some of his 21 Bridges salary to co-star Sienna Miller (BBC)
Sienna Miller has praised late Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman for donating part of his own salary to boost her pay packet on 21 Bridges.
The pair starred as detectives in the thriller, which was released last year.
Miller told Empire: “Everybody understands about the pay disparity in Hollywood, but I asked for a number that the studio wouldn’t get to.
“And Chadwick ended up donating some of his salary to get me to the number I had asked for.”
She added: “He said that that was what I deserved to be paid.” Read more
Amazon’s new gadget lets you pay with the palm of your hand (NYPost)
Amazon is getting into palm-reading — but it wants to sell you groceries rather than tell your fortune.
The e-commerce colossus on Thursday officially announced a new device which will allow shoppers to pay for groceries at retail stores using the palms of their hands, a year after The Post first reported that the project was in the works.
The so-called Amazon One device uses high-tech imagingand algorithms to create a “unique palm signature” based on the ridges, lines and veins in each person’s hand. Read more
Cameroonian player arrested in Mauritius over passport scam (BBC)
Marcel Wamba Kepdep has been arrested and jailed for trying to obtain an illegal Mauritian passport
Cameroonian midfielder Marcel Wamba Kepdep has been arrested in Mauritius after he tried to illegally obtain a Mauritian passport.
The 27-year-old has been playing for Mauritian side Roche-Bois Bolton City and was hoping to travel to Europe with the documents.
Kepdep remains in police custody after his provisional indictment in court.
One major advantage enjoyed by Mauritian passport holders can travel visa-free to the Schengen region in Europe for tourism and business purposes for a period of up to 90 days.
Mauritius’ Central Criminal Investigation Division (CCID) is investigating a network trying to sell Mauritian passports to foreigners, including African footballers playing in the country. Read more
Hazard ‘ready’ for Madrid return, says Zidane (Guardian)
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Tuesday Belgium’s Eden Hazard is set to return to play after missing the opening two games of the La Liga season with an ankle problem.
Hazard last played for the Spanish champions in August’s Champions League loss at Manchester City in his first campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu where he scored just once after suffering various injuries.
“I see him very close, he is as ready as possible, he’s training well with the team,” Zidane said ahead of Wednesday’s home league game against Real Valladolid. Read more
Mick Schumacher one of 3 Ferrari academy drivers to make F1 race weekend debuts (BBC)
Mick Schumacher is one of three Ferrari academy drivers who will be given Formula 1 race weekend debuts in forthcoming races.
Schumacher, son of seven-time champion Michael, and British driver Callum Ilott will both drive in first practice at the Eifel Grand Prix on 9 October.
German Schumacher will drive an Alfa Romeo and Ilott a Haas. Both are Ferrari-affiliated customer teams. Read more
French Open 2020: Karolina Pliskova survives scare against qualifier (BBC)
Karolina Pliskova reached the Italian Open final earlier in September
Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova came from a set down to avoid an upset against Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif in the French Open first round.
World number four Pliskova, 28, had eight set points in the opener, before losing to Sherif – ranked 172nd in the world – in a tie-break.
The 2017 semi-finalist wrapped up a quick second set against the 24-year-old after winning four games in a row. Read more
Alaba doubtful, Sane out of Bayern Munich’s German Super Cup match (Nation)
Defender David Alaba is doubtful while winger Leroy Sane will miss Wednesday’s domestic Super Cup game against Borussia Dortmund with a knee injury, Bayern Munich’s coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich, who won four titles this year, lost Sunday’s league game at Hoffenheim 4-1 to suffer their first defeat of 2020.
“Leroy is out. He will most likely be out until after the break for international matches (between Oct. 7 and Oct. 13),” Flick told reporters. Read more
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes driver admits he ‘may not always get it right’ (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he “may not always get it right” after accusing Formula 1 bosses of “trying to stop him” at the Russian Grand Prix.
Hamilton lost the lead of the race as a result of a 10-second penalty for making two practice starts in the wrong place.
“I may not always react the way you want me to when tensions are high,” Hamilton posted on social media.
“But I am only human and I am passionate about what I do.” Read more