Court orders final forfeiture of $2.04m, properties, shares linked to Emefiele (Leadership)
Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered the final forfeiture of the sum of $2.045 million linked to a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Aluko also ordered the seizure of seven choice landed properties in the Ikoyi area of the state and two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited trust for being proceeds of crime.
The judge ordered the permanent forfeiture of the money and the two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust after holding that either the former CBN governor or any other interested party contested the forfeiture application. Read more
#EndBadGovernance: Detained underage boy collapses as FG arraigns protesters (Tribune)
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, as a 15-year-old boy, among 76 protesters detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance movement, collapsed before the trial began.
The minor, who appeared malnourished and unkempt, was arraigned alongside 75 other defendants, mostly minors, on a 10-count charge.
As the charges were about to be read, the boy slumped, prompting Justice Obiora Egwuatu to halt proceedings and return to his chambers. Read more
World congress diplomats appoint Nigerian as African special youth envoy (Channels)
The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) has appointed Bayelsa State’s Iwefa Aganaba as African Special Envoy on Youth to the African Continent.
The United World Congress of Diplomats brings together the world’s diplomats to foster harmony amongst nations in pursuit of global peace and development. It provides quality mediation and intervention across nations to enhance world peace.
The international organization with headquarters in London, announced the appointment in a letter by its Global Vice President and Secretary of the Supreme Council, United World Congress of Diplomats, Amb. Tunji John Asaolu. Read more
NDDC Chairman hails court ruling affirming his appointment (Independent)
Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has applauded the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which affirmed his appointment, describing it as well-considered and sound.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the court dismissed a legal action filed by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta against President Bola Tinubu over Ebie’s appointment.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the prayers sought by the plaintiffs had become a mere academic exercise since it had become statute-barred, stating that the plaintiffs failed to institute the action within three months after President Tinubu made the appointment, as prescribed by the law. Read more
Lagos LP moves to resolves internal wrangling (Nation)
Stalwarts of the Labour Party (LP) at the weekend met in Lagos to resolve the lingering impasse in its fold. This move, the party said, is part of measures to rework its drive for better electoral performance in the next general election.
The event, organised by Seyi Sowunmi, a member of the LP Caretaker Committee and representative of Ojo Federal Constituency, brought together key figures, including the 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Yunusa Tanko.
Many support groups and party factions also participated, signaling a new chapter for the party in the state, according to the convener.
Kwara workers protest state new tax regime (Punch)
The organised labour in Kwara State has appealed to the Kwara State government to immediately reverse the new tax regime imposed on workers in the state following the implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000 for least-paid employees in the state’s public service.
The labour expressed dismay that the state government decided to effect an infamous percentage tax-deductible from workers’ salaries contrary to the negotiation it had with the government for tax relief for workers upon the payment of the new minimum wage.
Rising from a joint State Administrative Council meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in Ilorin on Thursday, the labour leaders, in a joint statement, called for a downward review of the tax percentage on salaries of workers in the state. Read more
FCTA arrests 16 for vandalising street lights within 1 week (Nation)
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has arrested sixteen suspects for vandalising street lights and other infrastructure across the nation Capital.
AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Obuah, confirmed the arrest while briefing reporters on the development during the parade of some of the suspects.
Obuah revealed that on Thursday alone, five suspects were arrested with two others. Read more
Ex-Oyo lawmaker, Eesuola is dead (NewTelegraph)
A former lawmaker in Oyo State, Hon. Hamid Babatunde Eesuola is dead.
Eesuola, who served the Atiba State Constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), died on Thursday, October 31 in Ibadan, the state capital, following a brief illness.
New Telegraph gathered that Eesuola was in his final stages of completing his doctoral studies at the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, at the time of his passing. Read more
Mariah Carey declares official start of Christmas season: ‘It’s time!’ (UPI)
Grammy-winning pop star Mariah Carey released a new video at midnight declaring the start of the 2024 Christmas season, now that Halloween is over.
The minute-long commercial for Kay jewelers starts off in black and white and features Carey glamorously dressed as Morticia Addams and dancing the tango with a partner in a creepy-looking house.
IT’S TIME!!!! #KAYPartner pic.twitter.com/ccowLwGRF1— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) November 1, 2024. Read more
‘‘Cliffhanger’’ reboot gets retooled: Lily James, Pierce Brosnan to star as Sylvester Stallone exits (THR)
Lily James and Pierce Brosnan are ready to rock with their reboot of Cliffhanger.
Principal photography commenced in Austria for an updated take on the 1993 film of the same name that starred Sylvester Stallone. Jaume Collet-Serra directs the new movie that is planning a theatrical release and hails from Rocket Science, in partnership with Thank You Pictures and Supernix.
The Cliffhanger reboot centers on mountaineer Ray Cooper (Brosnan), who runs a chalet with his daughter in the Dolomites, a mountain range in Italy. When the pair are kidnapped, older daughter Naomi (James) — still dealing with trauma from a previous climbing incident — must overcome her past to save her family. Read more
‘Amateurish’ thieves steal 2 Warhol prints, damage 2 more in botched heist at Dutch gallery (ABC)
Thieves blew open the door of an art gallery in the southern Netherlands and stole two works from a famous series of screen prints by American pop artist Andy Warhol and left two more badly damaged in the street as they fled the scene of the botched heist, the gallery owner said Friday.
Mark Peet Visser said the thieves attempted to steal all four works from a 1985 Warhol series called “Reigning Queens,” which features portraits of the then-queens of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Swaziland, a small landlocked kingdom in southern Africa which is now called Eswatini.
In a telephone interview, Visser said the heist early Friday at MPV Gallery in the town of Oisterwijk was captured on security cameras, and called it “amateurish.” Read more
“Brat” crowned 2024 Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary (MixMag)
“Brat” has been named “Word of the Year” by Collins Dictionary.
Inspired by Charli XCX’s summer mega-hit album ‘Brat’, the word was selected by Collins lexicographers due to being “one of the most talked-about words of 2024.”
While “brat” already existed in Collins Dictionary well before “Brat Summer”, as “If you call someone, especially a child, a brat, you mean that he or she behaves badly or annoys you” — the dictionary has added a new definition for 2024, which is “characterised by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” Read more
Police issue urgent ‘Amber alert’ after pregnant woman and 4 kids kidnapped at gunpoint (Mirror)
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota released a “do not approach” warning and said officers are “requesting assistance locating a pregnant woman and her four children”
Police are urgently seeking to located a pregnant woman and her four children who were kidnapped by her gun-toting boyfriend.
Minnesota authorities have requested public assistance in locating Nikkole Dobson, age 33, and her four children Brandon, 14, Haley, 11, Gracie, seven, and Chloe, three. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office said they were abducted after a man drove to the property where they were staying and fired a rifle round into the roof before forcing them into his van. Read more
Morocco: Economist arrested during Macron’s visit (AfricaNews)
A Moroccan economist known for his human rights work has been detained after criticising the government in remarks posted on social media during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the North African kingdom.
Prosecutors arrested Fouad Abdelmoumni in Casablanca on Wednesday and announced that he was being investigated on suspicion of spreading false information and accusing others of crimes on social media, Morocco’s state news agency reported. If charged and convicted, he faces up to five years in prison under cybercrime laws. Read more
Florida bail bondsman allegedly offered female inmates bond in exchange for sex; sold women he bonded out to other buyers (NBC)
A Florida bail bondsman allegedly targeted incarcerated female inmates and offered them bond in exchange for sex, the state’s attorney general said.
Russell Bruce Moncrief was charged with human trafficking and racketeering after prosecutors alleged that he used his position to prey on women being held on prostitution and drug charges, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office said in a news release. Some of the inmates were being held at Orange County jail. Read more
Captain Oritseweyinmi leads insurance ambush at Sunshine Stars (CompleteSports)
Meyiwa Oritseweyinmi, Bendel Insurance captain, has exclusively told Completesports.com that the setback the club suffered last weekend following a 1-0 defeat by Abia Warriors will inspire them to go “all out” against Sunshine Stars in this Sunday’s NPFL matchday 10 fixture at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
The midfielder, who is thrilled by his recent invitation to the Super Eagles Team B camp in preparation for the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifier against Ghana next month, believes it will also be a career boost.
“We’ve gone through some rough patches this season, and just last Sunday, we suffered a setback due to the loss to Abia Warriors on our home ground,” Oritseweyinmi told Completesports.com during a phone call on Thursday morning. Read more
Ex-Valencia star José Castillejo, 28, killed in Spanish floods (Metro)
Former Valencia footballer Jose Castillejo has died as a result of the flash floods that have devastated the Spanish city.
Flash flooding has hit eastern Spain with a year of rain falling in one day. 150 deaths have been confirmed in the Valencia region with 28-year-old Castillejo among them.
‘Valencia CF mourn the passing of José Castillejo, casualty of the flash floodings,’ a statement from the La Liga giants read. Read more
Ruben Amorim appointed Man Utd head coach: Sporting boss to move to Old Trafford on November 11 as Erik ten Hag’s replacement (SkySports)
Ruben Amorim has been appointed as the new Manchester United head coach and will join on November 11, once he has fulfilled his obligations with Sporting.
Amorim has signed a contract until June 2027, with the option of a further year, and will take charge of his first United match at Ipswich on November 24, live on Sky Sports.
United have paid Sporting an extra €1m (£840,000) on top of his €10m (£8.4m) exit clause for an early release from his 30-day notice period. Read more
Hellen Obiri unfazed by Ruth Chepngetich world record: ‘Fast times don’t scare me, I’m the best’ (Independent)
Hellen Obiri watched the 2024 Chicago Marathon last month with mixed emotions. As her compatriot and friend Ruth Chepngetich passed the half-way mark in 64 minutes, the “impossible”, as she previously believed, was starting to unfold in front of her very eyes.
The Kenyan, 30, held it together superbly over the final 13.1 miles to break the previous world record by nearly two minutes, registering an astonishing time of two hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds. The 13th October, therefore, etched forever in the history books as the day women’s marathoning running changed, the 2:10 barrier broken and a world of possibilities now imagined. Read more
Rybakina appoints Ivanisevic as coach from 2025 (BBC)
Elena Rybakina has appointed fellow former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as her coach from next season.
The world number five won her first and so far only Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2022 with former coach Stefano Vukov.
Ivanisevic, who memorably won Wimbledon as a wildcard in 2001, previously worked with Novak Djokovic for six seasons. Read more
Max Verstappen shrugs off criticism of driving style after double penalty (ESPN)
Max Verstappen has brushed off criticism of his driving style after he received 20-second worth of penalties at last weekend’s Mexico Grand Prix.
The stewards in Mexico issued Verstappen with two 10-second penalties for separate incidents on the same lap while he was fighting with title rival Lando Norris.
After the race, Norris labelled Verstappen’s driving “dangerous” while former F1 driver and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle said the Red Bull driver risked “tainting” his legacy. Read more
