Court rules on Lagos monarch’s alleged fake kidnapping suit May 17 (Guardian)
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja , yesterday, fixed May 17, for judgment in a fake kidnapping suit involving the dethroned Monarch, Mutiu Michael Yusuf Ogundare, the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo, his wife and brother.
Baale Ogundare, his wife, Abolanle and one of his brothers, Adams Opeyemi Mohammed were arraigned for alleged fake kidnapping and breach of public peace.
The court had fixed yesterday for judgment, but Justice Oshodi further adjourned till May 17 due to the absence of the second defendant, Mohammed over ill health.
At the resumed proceeding, the second defendant’s (Mohammed) counsel, Dr. Yinka Owoeye told the court that his client couldn’t make it due to ill health. Read more
ASUU strike: Students protest in Lagos, Benin, vow to block N’ Assembly, airports (Punch)
Students from various tertiary institutions in Edo State on Monday barricaded the gate of the Benin Airport, along Airport Road, in protest against the three-month extension to the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The resulting gridlock forced motorists to divert into the Government Reserved Area in search of alternative routes.
ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, had in a statement, after a meeting of its National Executive Council at the University of Abuja on Monday, announced the extension of the strike for another 12 weeks with a view to giving the Federal Government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues between them.
While the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, stated that the government would resume talks with the lecturers this week, the union insisted that it was yet to get any official communication as regards the meeting.
The protesting students from the University of Benin; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, were also at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, to register their grievances. Read more
Lekki Deep Seaport to get 6-lane road – Sanwo-Olu (DailyTrust)
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the weekend, revealed that plan is ongoing for the construction of a six-lane road that will link the Lekki Deep Seaport to Shagamu in Ogun State.
Sanwo-Olu also revealed that the Badagry Deep Seaport would soon be granted official approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The governor made the disclosures in a speech he presented at the 2022 All Markets Conference organised by NDIGBOAMAKA Progressive Markets Association.
He noted that the land for the Badagry Deep Seaport had already been secured and that the establishment of the seaport, coupled with the Lekki Deep Seaport, would provide better economic and trading opportunities for businessmen.
He said, “A six-lane road will be constructed to link Lekki Deep Seaport to Shagamu and other locations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. This will take care of evacuation of cargo from the port to other parts of the country.” Read more
Double Murder: Lagos court shifts Dane, Peter Nielsen’s judgement to May 20 (ThisDay)
A Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annex, has shifted judgement in the double murder trial of a Danish citizen, Peter Nielsen, accused of killing his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and daughter, Petra, to May 20, 2022. The four-year old case is before Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of the Lagos High Court.
Judgment was initially fixed for Friday, May 6, but on getting to the court, Journalists gathered that the decision was not ready and a new date had been given.
At the last sitting of the court on March 1, the trial Judge fixed May 6 to deliver her judgement, after the lead defence counsel, Olasupo Shasore, SAN, and the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Adebayo Haroun, adopted their final written addresses.
The 53-year old Dane was arraigned on June 13, 2018, on a two-count charge of murder, punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015, which prescribes the death penalty, if convicted. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Read more
We’ll remove distressed structures to prevent collapse – Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Government is set to embark on a week-long demolition of identified distressed buildings in the state as part of efforts to secure lives and property in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, while giving updates on the government’s building collapse prevention plans.
According to him, structures to be demolished during the exercise are those marked as distressed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.
Noting that the exercise will also be carried out in Ebute-Metta East where an occupied building collapsed a week ago with many others vividly showing signs of distress, the commissioner said the exercise became necessary as the rains are here. Read more
Bauchi man strangles neighbour’s daughter, buries corpse in kitchen, collects ransom (Punch)
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Bauchi State have arrested a 52-year-old man for allegedly kidnapping and killing a five-year-old girl after collecting ransom from her parents.
The prime suspect, Kabiru Abdullahi, a resident of Narabi, in the Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, allegedly connived with one Alhaji Yawale (45) to kidnap the girl.
While parading the suspects before journalists at the NSCDC headquarters in Bauchi on Monday, the state Commandant, Nurudeen Abdullahi, said the men kidnapped the child in front of their house and took her to a bridge where they strangled and put her in a sack.
He said the suspects took the minor’s body and buried it in Kabiru’s kitchen and thereafter contacted her father, a businessman. Read more
Aide says Jonathan knows nothing about group that bought him APC forms (Guardian)
A spokesman to former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan Monday night said the former leader does not have any affiliation with a group of people who bought the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress for him.
Jonathan was elected president in 2011 as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.
There have been rumours that he would defect to the ruling APC and contest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, who handed him a defeat at the polls in 2011.
The rumours became stronger earlier on Monday when a group said it has purchased the N100-million forms for him. Read more
How gaps in food safety regulation compromise health of Nigerians (Vanguard)
A few weeks ago, a woman allegedly died of food poisoning after eating in a restaurant in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
About a year ago, a couple, their daughter and maid in Enugu state reportedly died after taking a local substance known as Corn a man Flour and Oha Soup, suspected to have been poisoned.
Neighbours who were on-ground were unaware to ascertain the cause of the tragic incident. The deceased left behind a 9-month-old baby.
Chinyere Njebu, a middle-aged woman, also lost her life in Lagos at the food court of the Domestic Terminal II of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja after drinking a can of beer. Read more
Research Workers Union distance self from news of strike suspension (Tribune)
The leadership of workers in the research institutions has distanced itself from the news of the suspension of the industrial action they embarked on, saying that the statement of the Ministry of Labour and Employment to that effect is a misconstruction of reality.
In a statement of the umbrella body of the workers, Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU), and signed by the national scribes of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Peters Adeyemi and Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASUR), Theophilus Ndubuaku, in Abuja at the weekend, the researchers condemned he statement by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“The press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on May 5, 2022 saying the strike has been suspended is a misconstruction of reality.
“As all our members know, ASURI is a signatory to the JORAISU strike which commenced on October 13, 2021. That strike has not been called off and we have no reason to direct our members to desist from participating in it. Read more
Wike: Success in business does not translate to good governance (Nation)
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has urged delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State not to be hoodwinked by some aspirants who claimed they were successful in their private businesses.
Wike, an aspirant in the party, said success in personal businesses does not matter in governance.
He spoke in Akure while addressing leaders and delegates of the Ondo PDP on why he should be voted as candidate of the party.
Wike, who appealed to the Ondo delegates to give him 100 per cent support, said he was the only aspirant capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Read more
Ed Sheeran joins rapper Travis Scott on line-up at 2022 Billboard Music Awards (BelfastTelegraph)
Ed Sheeran will join acts including rapper Travis Scott as part of the line-up for the 2022 Billboard Music Awards (BBMA).
The multi-award winning singer-songwriter will perform from Belfast where he is currently in the middle of his Mathematics Tour.
He is nominated for nine gongs at this year’s BBMAs including top male artist, alongside Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Beiber and Lil Nas X, which he previously won in 2018.
Adele and Dua Lipa take on Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo, for top female artist. Read more
Warhol’s Marilyn portrait sells for world record $195m (Aljazeera)
Pop artist Andy Warhol’s famed 1964 silk-screen portrait of Marilyn Monroe has sold for $195m, becoming the most expensive 20th-century artwork ever sold at a public auction.
Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is one of a series of portraits Warhol made of the actress following her death in 1962 and has become one of pop art’s best-known pieces.
It sold for exactly $195.04 million, including fees, in just four minutes in a crowded room at Christie’s headquarters in New York on Monday. Its estimate was $200m.
“‘Shot Sage Blue Marilyn’ is the absolute pinnacle of American Pop,” Alex Rotter, chairman of 20th and 21st Century art at Christie’s, said in a statement announcing the auction. “The painting transcends the genre of portraiture, superseding 20th century art and culture.” Read more
Republic Records ups Chris Blackwell to executive VP (Variety)
Republic Records has announced the promotion of Chris Blackwell to EVP of A&R and Content Strategy, as announced today by label president Wendy Goldstein.
According to the announcement, in this new role, Blackwell will continue to shepherd the creation and development of content for the entire Republic Records roster. Additionally, he will work with new artists to identify and maximize content opportunities at the onset of their careers.
Blackwell played a major role in Coi Leray’s rise by producing her viral “Cooking With Coi Leray,” and also collaborated with Ka$hdami, Lil Wayne, Benee and Kash Doll on upcoming programming. He also worked with Federal Films on several projects, including the documentary “Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop” based on Vicki Tobak’s book of the same name and directed by Oscar-winning “Summer of Soul” co-producer Joseph Patel.
Goldstein commented, “Chris is a 360-degree creative thinker and strategist. He’s made incredible inroads for our artists to reach critical mass by venturing off the beaten path and treading new territory. He’s a proven visionary whose dynamic personality will be key to our expansion.” Read more
Jack Kehler, actor in ‘The Big Lebowski,’ ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ dies at 75 (THR)
Jack Kehler, a character actor in The Big Lebowski and The Man in the High Castle, has died. He was 75.
The actor died on Saturday, a representative from Kehler’s agency SMS Talent told The Hollywood Reporter. He passed away due to complications of leukemia at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Kehler was born in 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and studied at the Actors Studio. He began his screen career in 1983 as a gas station attendant in Strange Invaders, followed up by a recurring role as Sergeant Cooper in the comedic TV series Fresno.
In 1991, Kehler appeared in Kathryn Bigelow’s thriller Point Break, with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze; and later he took a role in Lawrence Kasdan’s crime drama Grand Canyon. Kehler had subsequent roles in Waterworld, starring Kevin Costner; ABC adventure TV series McKenna and ABC mystery series Murder One.
Lorton Entertainment to launch sales on Alex Gibney’s Boris Becker doc in Cannes (Deadline)
Alex Gibney’s upcoming Boris Becker documentary is heading to Cannes, with Lorton Entertainment set to launch sales on the title on the Croisette next week.
The project, which is nearing completion, has exclusive behind-the scenes access to the former-Grand Slam champion. Gibney, the Oscar-winning director behind Taxi To The Dark Side, has been documenting Becker for more than three years, right up until the end of last month, when he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for hiding millions of dollars of assets after being made bankrupt in 2017.
The title, which is produced by John Battsek, explores every aspect of the tennis sensation who won the Wimbledon Championship at the age of just 17. He went on to win 49 career titles including six Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal. The project features a series of personal interviews with Becker as well as members of his immediate family and stars from the world of tennis such as John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.
Lorton Entertainment, the company behind Wayne Rooney documentary Rooney which launched on Amazon Prime, is financing and selling the title. Read more
Japan to decide Russia oil embargo timing while weighing impact on economy (StraitsTimes)
Japan will decide the timing and method of a Russian oil embargo while considering the possible economic impact, its industry minister said on Tuesday (May 10), after Tokyo agreed on a ban with other Group of Seven nations over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We would like to consider a method of phasing out over time in a way that minimises adverse effects on people’s lives and business activities,” Japanese industry minister Koichi Hagiuda told a news conference.
“We will think about specific methods and timing for reducing or suspending oil imports, taking into account the actual situation,” he said.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday that Japan will phase out Russian oil imports. Read more
Pop artiste Emmanuel Kelly launches Outlyer Entertainment (THR)
Pop artist Emmanuel Kelly has launched Outlyer Entertainment, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, DJ producer Paul Oakenfold and NCIS writer and producer Scott Williams as advisors.
Kelly, an Australian The X-Factor sensation who describes himself as differently abled, is looking to drive greater inclusivity and accessibility in the film, TV and music industries via Outlyer by ending stigmas around people with disabilities. With a launch event planned for the Cannes Film Festival, Outlyer will represent talent through three divisions: Outlyer Talent Agency, Outlyer Record Label and Outlyer Film and TV Production House.
Coldplay frontman Martin heads up Outlyer’s advisory board, which includes as co-founders blind film director Adam Morse, PR veteran Tim Lucas Allen, Coach CEO Rhett Power, former president of DKNY and FUBU Bernt Ullman, CEO Of Global Citizen Forum Talimka Yordanova, co-founder of Deekay Music Lars Jensen and Laura Hameed of the Columbus Children’s Foundation.
“I’m honoured to support Emmanuel and his team at Outlyer Entertainment as they continue to provide a platform for differently abled artists across the entertainment industry,” Martin said in a statement. “With a long history of important cultural contributions – from Kenny Baker to Beethoven – the differently abled and disabled communities remain vital in the fields of music, film and television, and I look forward to their increased representation.” Read more
FIFA orders NFF to pay Rohr $1m over breach of contract (Leadership)
World football governing body, FIFA, has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay the sum of one million, forty-five thousand dollars ($1,045,000) compensation and salaries to former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr.
Rohr was sacked as Super Eagles head coach in December 2021 while still being owed several months salaries as well as bonuses and allowances.
Rohr reported the NFF to FIFA and the world football governing body has ordered them to pay him $1,045,000 (about N433,873,550.00 officially) to cover his entitlements and additional compensation.
NFF sources confirmed on Monday that the ruling was made on April 22, 2022 but was kept under wraps, and the body is not considering an appeal. Read more
Norwegian prodigy Erling Haaland poised for Manchester City move after passing medical (ABC)
After months of speculation, Borussia Dortmund and Norway striker Erling Haaland is finally set to become a Manchester City player after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical this week with the reigning Premier League champions.
City have told his German club they will activate the 21-year-old’s release clause, though it’s understood the fee will be significantly less than the 75 million pounds ($133 million) that had been rumoured.
As reported by The Guardian on Monday, Haaland’s deal is expected to be announced imminently by Dortmund, who the Norwegian joined two-and-a-half years ago.
Whilst there, the prodigious striker has scored 85 goals in 88 games across multiple competitions, despite missing 26 matches over the course of his tenure due to injury. Read more
Jurgen Klopp sends Liverpool message to Diego Simeone after Antonio Conte admission (DailyStar)
Jurgen Klopp says he does not feel the need to apologise to Antonio Conte but clarified his criticism of Tottenham after Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
After being held to a well-drilled Spurs lineup who were content to play on the counter-attack at Anfield, Klopp was critical of their approach, saying it was not something he would ever try to replicate.
“I think they are world class and I think they should do more for the game,” Klopp said on Saturday before admitting in his Monday press conference that those comments were made in the heat of the moment after dropping vital points in the title race.
The Reds boss says he did not feel the need to speak directly to Conte but detailed his admiration for the job the Italian has done in north London. Read more
Al Horford, Jayson Tatum go off as Celtics beat Bucks to even series (NYPost)
Al Horford and Jayson Tatum scored 30 points apiece and led the Boston Celtics’ fourth-quarter comeback in a 116-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night that tied their Eastern Conference semifinal at two games apiece.
The two teams have alternated victories in this best-of-seven series, which continues Wednesday with Game 5 in Boston.
Horford scored 16 points and Tatum 12 in the fourth quarter alone to help the Celtics outscore the defending NBA champion Bucks 43-28 in the final period. Horford’s 30 points were a career playoff high for the 35-year-old veteran.
Tatum scored eight points and Horford had six during a 14-2 run that put the Celtics ahead for good and gave them a 106-96 advantage with 3:33 left. The Bucks wouldn’t cut the margin below six the rest of the way. Read more
Williams boss comments on Latifi’s poor form amid axe rumours (Formula1News)
Williams team principal Jost Capito has come to the defence of Nicholas Latifi after a troubled start to the 2022 campaign for the Canadian.
Latifi has suffered three significant crashes so far this season, with two of them coming in one weekend in Saudi Arabia, before a bizarre crash with Lance Stroll in qualifying in Australia proved symptomatic of a wretched run of form.
An issue in practice during the inaugural race in Miami will not have helped his acclimatisation to the 2022 car, but he qualified only marginally behind team-mate Alex Albon, before completing a clean Sunday.
However, he still ended up down in 14th while Albon grabbed his second points finish of the season, which will sadly only act to intensify the scrutiny around him. Read more
Dmitry Bivol’s promoter warns that his boxer’s best is yet to come (BoxingScene)
Andrey Ryabinskiy, promoter for WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol, believes his boxer could be even better and has not hit his athletic peak.
Last Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Bivol off a major upset when he outboxed Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to secure a twelve round unanimous decision. All three judges had it 115-113 for Bivol.
The 31-year-old Russian fighter was widely overlooked in the contest, with many observers already looking ahead to Canelo’s planned trilogy fight with Gennadiy Golovkin in September.
The outcome marked the second defeat of Canelo’s career, with Floyd Mayweather Jr. dominating Canelo to a decision win in 2013. Read more
Rafael Nadal says Carlos Alcaraz is like a car or mobile phone upgrade after bursting into the spotlight at Madrid Open (Eurosport)
Rafael Nadal appreciates the days of him being the exciting Spanish wonderkid are far behind him as the new kid on the block, Carlos Alcaraz, continues to take all the headlines in the build up to the French Open.
Nadal was beaten by his 19-year-old compatriot at the Madrid Open last week, before Alcaraz went on to see off Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev on his way to lifting the trophy.
The teenager has decided to sit out of the Italian Open in Rome, where Nadal is hoping to defend his title and win the tournament for the 11th time.
Despite not even being in a famous old city, Alcaraz’s incredible form still has everyone talking, and Nadal admits it is time for an upgrade. Read more