Court okays EFCC’s arrest of former Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello (Nation)
AFederal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday issued an order empowering the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order in a ruling on an ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, filed April 17 by the EFCC.
Justice Nwite, after listening to EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who moved the motion, said he was satisfied with the grounds for the reliefs and was inclined to grant the prayer sought. Read more
DSS warned to stop harassing Arogundade, former Lagos NUJ chairman (Tribune)
The International Press Centre (IPC) has warned officials of the State Security Services (SSS), otherwise known as DSS, to stop the harassment of a former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mr Lanre Arogundade.
In a statement signed by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, made available to journalists on Wednesday, accused the DSS of harassing the IPC Executive Director at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.
“The International Press Centre (IPC) hereby strongly registers its displeasure over yet another incident of harassment of its Executive Director, Mr Lanre Arogundade, by officials of the State Security Service, otherwise known as the DSS, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria. Read more
Bandits abduct scores in fresh Kaduna attack (Leadership)
Rampaging bandits Wednesday evening invaded the Angwar Danko village in Kakangi Constituency of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State where they abducted a yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the bandits stormed the community in large numbers around 6 pm on Wednesday, shooting sporadically before whisking their victims away.
A source confirmed that the abductees whose number he could not ascertain were marched into the forest by the hoodlums. Read more
It’s criminal obstructing our operations, EFCC warns Nigerians (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned Nigerians against obstructing its operatives during the course of their duties.
The warning came after security aides attached to embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on Wednesday, obstructed operatives from arresting him at his Abuja home.
In a Wednesday statement signed by the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the commission said, “The EFCC wishes to warn members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties,” Read more
Approve bill to abolish HND/BSc dichotomy, NAPS urges Tinubu (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has been urged to approve the bill for the abolishment of dichotomy and discrimination between Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Higher National Diploma (HND).
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), made the call during a peaceful protest titled “Save Polytechnic Education Rally” and tagged: “President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Should End Hnd/BSc Dichotomy Before May 29TH, 2024” in Osogbo, Osun State on Wednesday.
The protesters who converged at the Osun State House of Assembly, marched in solidarity to the Government Secretariat, carrying different placards with inscriptions like “President Asiwaju should assent the bill to abolish HND/BSc dichotomy,” “Asiwaju should put a smile on polytechnic students,” among others. Read more
NDLEA destroys 10 trucks of illicit drugs (Vanguard)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday, destroyed 304,436kg kilograms and 40,042 litres of liquid illicit substances, seized from parts of Lagos and Ogun states, in two years.
The substances were brought for destruction in 10 trucks.
Speaking during the public destruction of the seized illicit subtances said to be the third destruction in three years, in Badagry area of Lagos, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa (retd) said the destruction followed court orders. Read more
Student Loan Scheme set for take off with 1.2m beneficiaries (Nation)
No fewer than 1.2 million young Nigerians will be in the first batch of those to benefit from the Student Loan Scheme of the Bola Tinubu Administration.
The process of participating in the programme, whose enabling law was signed by President Tinubu on April 3, will commence “anytime soon”, according to Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND’s) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Mr. Akintunde Sawyer.
The ambitious cardinal programme will be funded with one per cent of the total annual collectable revenue by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Read more
Mary J. Blige says ‘beautiful friend’ Taraji P. Henson’s ‘courage really sets her apart’ (People)
Mary J. Blige is singing the praises of one of her closest friends.
The Queen of R&B, 53, wrote a thoughtful tribute about Taraji P. Henson, as she was among the stars featured in this year’s edition of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” issue. Not only did Blige open up about their close friendship of over 15 years, she revealed what she admires most about the actress, 53.
“What I love most about her is that she is unapologetically herself,” the Grammy winner shared. “Taraji is a real woman — she doesn’t bite her tongue, and she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She’s always true and authentic.” Read more
SZA voices support for Palestinian liberation at New Zealand concert (HipHopDx)
SZA is the latest superstar to express solidarity with the people of Palestine, who have been in a bloody state of conflict with Israel over the past six months.
The Top Dawg Entertainment singer’s international SOS Tour passed through New Zealand for a three nights at Aukland’s Spark Arena this month. During the final performance on Tuesday (April 16), which comprised career-spanning fan favorites, she took a moment to voice her support for the thousands of people who have suffered as a result of the ongoing violence in Gaza.
In a fan-recorded TikTok video from the concert, the 34-year-old can be seen pointing to someone in the crowd and declaring, “Free Palestine!” Read more
Russian poetry prize bans entries from transgender people (NBC)
A Russian poetry competition has banned transgender people from submitting entries this year, in what it says is an effort to protect traditional values.
The Andrei Dementyev All-Russian Poetry Prize, organized by the government of western Russia’s Tver region, accepts applications until late April from poets “regardless of citizenship, nationality, profession and place of residence.”
But the competition explicitly bars “citizens who have changed their gender,” according to rules posted on the website of a local poetry organization. Read more
Kenya among several African nations to withdraw batch of Benylin children’s cough syrup (AfricaNews)
Kenya has joined several African countries in expressing concerns over Benylin Paediatric, a children’s cough syrup, following recent toxicity findings.
The country along with Tanzania, eSwatini, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria and Zimbabwe have all recalled a batch of the pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson’s product.
Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) directed pharmaceutical outlets countrywide to stop the distribution of the brand after its Nigerian counterpart recalled the drug over safety issues. Read more
Harry Potter star Warwick Davis’ wife Samantha tragically dies at the age of 53 (Mirror)
Warwick Davis’ wife Samantha has tragically died at the age of 53, with her husband and two children paying tribute and remembering her ‘love and happiness’
Samantha Davis, wife of Harry Potter star Warwick Davis, has died at the age of 53.
“Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs,” Warwick said as he announced his wife’s death on Wednesday night in a heartfelt tribute. He went on to describe his late spouse as his “most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career”. Read more
Major new film and TV studio campus to be built in Scotland (Sky)
A major new film and television studio campus is to be created in Stirling.
Stirling Studios will become one of the biggest media hubs in Scotland and is expected to pave the way for thousands of high-skilled jobs.
An independent economic impact assessment has estimated the project will create more than 4,000 jobs over 25 years, with the positive benefits filtering down the wider supply chains. Read more
Elephant roams streets of Butte, Montana after escaping from circus (CTV)
Butte, Montana had a surprise visitor this week.
On April 16, videos on social media showed an elephant roaming the streets after reportedly escaping from the Jordan World Circus.
NBC Montana reported that the elephant got loose outside the Civic Center after being scared by a truck backfiring while getting a bath nearby. The circus didn’t immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE. Read more
Onakoya begins 58-hour chess marathon in New York (Vanguard)
Popular chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has begun his attempt to surpass the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Onakoya announced the commencement via his X account with the caption, “Game time.”
The event, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, started at 10am on Wednesday, April 17, and is scheduled to end at 8pm on April 19. Read more
Ben Foster names Man Utd star responsible for ‘absolute disgrace’ (Metro)
Ben Foster has slammed Manchester United star Casemiro and feels the Brazilian midfielder was responsible for an ‘absolute disgrace’ of a goal.
The Red Devils luckily escaped defeat at AFC Bournemouth last time out, leaving the south coast with a 2-2 draw after the Cherries were denied a late penalty.
Former United goalkeeper Foster was left furious at Casemiro for his failure to stop Bournemouth’s second goal, which was scored by Justin Kluivert. Read more
ITTF World Cup: Aruna out as Assars progresses to second round (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has bowed out of the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup Macao 2024 after losing 3-1 to Portugal’s Marcos Freitas in the group-stage match of Group 15 of the men’s singles.
However, Egypt’s Omar Assar remains as the only African after he defeated Swedish superstar Truls Moregard in the final group 16 match of the tournament on Wednesday, April 17 to progress to the second round.
Going into the match, Nigeria’s tennis poster boy, Aruna who won Puerto Rico’s Gonzalez Daniel 4-0 in his first match could not entrench his dominance against Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, losing the first three games (10-12, 9-11,9-11) and won only the dead rubber game, 11-3 to complete four. Read more
Brazil football legend Romario announces comeback at 58 (AlJazeera)
At 58, Brazilian football legend Romario has quite a resume: World Cup winner, senator, and president of his favorite club, America Football Club of Rio de Janeiro.
Now, 15 years after hanging up his boots, the iconic striker has decided to add another entry to his CV, coming out of retirement to rejoin America as a player.
The 1994 World Cup winner announced Wednesday he has officially registered to play again for struggling America, who are currently playing in the second division of the Rio state championship and fighting to return to the top flight. Read more
Jontay Porter: Toronto Raptors forward given lifetime NBA ban for breaching betting rules (BBC)
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been given a lifetime ban by the NBA for breaching betting rules.
An NBA investigation found the 24-year-old disclosed confidential information about his fitness to sports bettors and limited his participation in games for betting purposes.
Porter also bet on NBA games using a friend’s online account. Read more
Iga Swiatek explains why she prefers to ‘‘stay away’’ from the Internet and how she manages expectations (Tennis365)
Iga Swiatek’s rise to the top of women’s tennis has resulted in a lot of unwanted attention and expectations – especially in her home country of Poland – but the world No 1 is slowly but surely learning to deal with these pressures.
Aged just 22, Swiatek has won 19 WTA titles – including four Grand Slams – and she is already in the top 10 for most weeks spent at the top of the WTA Rankings as she is currently on 99 weeks.
Her dominance over the past two years has also increased the pressure on her to constantly deliver with some people believing she should win every tournament she enters. Read more