Cow saga: Commercial bus driver, conductor among suspects; now in Panti (Vanguard)
Fresh facts on the arrest of suspects in connection with the murder of a man by some herders over the death of a cow in Mowo, Badagry area of Lagos, last Monday, have emerged.
Vanguard reliably gathered that five persons have been arrested, including the driver of the commercial bus that accidentally hit the cow, his conductor, two herders and the owner of the cow that died.
But wife of the driver, Favour Bright, who spoke with Vanguard, wondered why her husband and his conductor were being detained as common criminals over the murder they had no hand in.
She said: “My husband, Bright Okpara, drove the vehicle that accidentally hit the cow that died. Immediately the incident happened, he and his conductor ran to the Police station to incident the matter.
“When the Police escorted them back, they saw a dead body on the floor. A woman there told them that herders killed the man, thinking he was the one that killed their cow. Read more
Mompha’s absence stalls trial for third time (Guardian)
The rescheduled trial of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, (alias Mompha), before a Lagos Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja was stalled again yesterday.
The trial presided by Justice Mojisola Dada was stalled for the third time, after the social media celebrity did not attend the court. He was absent in court on June 16 and 22.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had charged Mustapha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on eight-count charge bordering on money laundering of the sum of N6 billion.
The trial judge had on June 22 issued a bench warrant of arrest against Mompha following his absence in court. The judge also revoked his bail. Read more
Civil Defence deputy commandant in multimillion naira fraud scandal (DailyTrust)
A Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Edike Mboutidem Akpan, is currently enmeshed in alleged N26.7 million fraud scandal.
Akpan, who has already been charged to the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Kwali, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), used a private real estate company, Danemy Nig Ltd, to defraud land subscribers.
In a statement, spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, said the deputy NSCDC commandant was arraigned on a 17-count charge before Justice V. S. Gaba.
Ogugua said the charge sheet revealed that the deputy commandant convinced many subscribers with the claim of being in partnership with NSCDC, to pay various sums of money for plots of land both in Karshi, Nasarawa State and Sabon Lugbe Extension, Airport Road, Abuja, which were never allocated to them. Read more
74-year-old retired soldier alleges threat to life, seeks govt protection over leased property (Guardian)
A retired soldier, Mr. Julius Abiodun Soares, 74, has urged Lagos State Government and the State Attorney General to help him recover his piece of undeveloped land at Shasha area of Lagos.
Alleging threat to life, Soares, who lives at No 19 Jaiyeoba road, Shasha, said he signed a lease agreement with one Mr. Ogunji Sulaiman, for temporary use of a property, who is now trying to convert Soares’ property.
According to the retired soldier, Sulaiman, who lives at No 5 Folorunsho Joseph Street, Coker Estate Shasha, Lagos, has started constructing permanent structures with blocks in the land in attempt to take over the land.
Narrating his ordeal during his visit to Rutam House Headquarters of The Guardian in Isolo, Soares said he and Suliaman both agreed and signed documents that the lease will be for five years on an annual rent of N120,000, payable in advance. Read more
We paid bandits N400m to allow us farm in Birnin Gwari ― Community Leader (Tribune)
A member of the Birnin Emirate in Kaduna State, Danmasani Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Abdulra’uf has lamented that bandits had for over two years, imposed tax on the Birni-Gwari farmers.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, he affirmed, “N200 million was paid to bandits in Randegi district alone.”
He continued, “When you talk of Birni-Gwari Local Government as a whole, it’s between N300 million to N400 million paid to these bandits.”
According to the former Managing Director of Kaduna State Media Corporation, “there are three stages of paying these types of taxes to these bandits. Read more
COVID-19: Nigeria misses WHO vaccination target, experts task NPHCDA (Punch)
With Nigeria vaccinating only 20.5 per cent of its population so far, the country has missed the 70 per cent mid-year COVID-19 vaccination target set by the World Health Organisation, The PUNCH reports.
This is even as the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, revealed that only two African countries have achieved the 70 per cent coverage target set by the WHO.
In 2021, the global health body had put forward a global target of 70 per cent total population coverage by mid-2022.
However, the latest data obtained from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, on Thursday, showed that only 20.5 per cent of the total eligible population targeted for COVID-19 vaccination had been fully vaccinated while 10.7 per cent have been partially vaccinated. Read more
Soludo abolishes revenue collection by proxy in Anambra (Vanguard)
The Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has abolished revenue collection in the state by proxy.
The abolition is part of the government’s decision to commence implementation of a new tax and levy regime in all markets, roads and parks as from July 1, 2022.
Under the new arrangement, all taxes and levies paid in the state would receive digital identification, just as commercial vehicle operators who make daily payments would not be charged to pay again in any public park.
Also, five percent of the revenue generated by any union would be given to them to manage the respective business places. Read more
PDP Crisis: I won’t rest until all aggrieved members are brought back – Atiku (DailyTrust)
Following the crisis that engulfed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as vice presidential candidate of the opposition party, the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to put in place measures to placate all aggrieved members.
Daily Trust had reported how the choice of Okowa plunged the opposition party into crisis.
Amid the full-blown disagreement among party leaders, some persons called for the ouster of the national chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
In a chat with Daily Trust on Thursday, Atiku’s spokesman, Mr. Paul Ibe, said since the conclusion of the process that produced Okowa, the former vice-president had commenced the process of bringing members of the party together. Read more
Nigerian govt shields herdsmen, blames ISWAP for Owo attack – Report (Punch)
Nigerian officials blamed the terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on the Islamic State West Africa Province while avoiding references to networks of politically powerful herdsmen, Knoxville News Sentinel reports.
According to a senior fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington DC, Stephen Rasche, Nigerian Christians no longer trust their own government or the leaders of the United States and the European Union.
On the Owo massacre, Rasche said, “These types of murders are taking place weekly, almost daily, in Nigeria — murders of innocent Christians, being gunned down, slaughtered indiscriminately, throughout the north and, increasingly, into the central part of Nigeria and into the south.” Read more
Russian state TV claims ‘chubby Boris Johnson is jealous of Putin’s good shape’ (Metro)
Putin propagandists have rounded in on Boris Johnson after he mocked the Russian leader’s topless photos and ‘toxic masculinity’.
In one particularly savage takedown, a Kremlin journalist branded the prime minister ‘chubby’, made a dig about partygate and claimed he was ‘jealous of Putin’s good shape’.
The war of words kicked off earlier this week when the PM made a joke at his Russian counterpart’s expense, telling a G7 summit: ‘Shall we take our clothes off? We have to show we’re tougher than Putin.’
Canada’s Justin Trudeau then cited the dictator’s infamous photos of him riding a horse topless, saying, ‘We’re going to get the bare-chested horseback riding display’, before Mr Johnson quipped: ‘We’ve got to show them our pecs.’ Read more
Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as first black woman on US top court (BBC)
Ketanji Brown Jackson has been sworn in as the newest associate Supreme Court justice, becoming the first black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
The appointment follows one of the most consequential Supreme Court terms in recent memory, with significant rulings on abortion and gun rights.
Ms Jackson, 51, will replace Justice Stephen Breyer, joining the court’s three-member liberal minority.
She accepts “the solemn responsibility” of the role, she said in a statement.
The former public defender joins the court at a tumultuous period in its history. The nine-member court is currently split between six Republican-appointed justices and three picked by Democrats. Read more
Stephen King candidly reveals the ‘only film’ he’s ever ‘walked out of’ (Independent)
Stephen King has revealed the title of the only film he’s ever walked out of.
The horror author didn’t hold back in a response to a tweet by author Linwood Barclay.
After Barclay revealed that he disliked Jurassic World Dominion so much he had to leave the cinema, Bay waded in to share the name of the only film that made him do the same.
King wrote: “I have walked out of only one movie as an adult: Transformers.” Read more
Frank Zappa’s entire song catalogue, films and more acquired by Universal Music Group (TheWrap)
Composer, guitar virtuoso, activist, iconoclast – and now the latest rock artist whose entire catalogue belongs to a corporation.
Frank Zappa’s estate – including his recordings, songs, film archive and likeness – has been acquired by Universal Music Group in a deal made with Zappa children Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva. The sale was announced Thursday morning by UMG.
Zappa certainly wasn’t much of a follower, but his heirs are trailing in the footsteps of artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Justin Timberlake, all of whom have recently sold their entire song catalogues to a single corporate buyer.
Universal Music Group has been working with the Zappa family for over a decade to digitally distribute the late artist’s catalogues, so Thursday’s announcement was an extension of a longstanding relationship. Read more
Canadian pop station plays Rage Against the Machine song on repeat (Loudwire)
Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” has been playing non-stop on the Canadian radio station KiSS FM 104.9 in Vancouver since two of its DJs were laid off Tuesday (June 28), per Rolling Stone.
When Loudwire tuned in early Thursday (June 30), the station was still repeating the protest song from the American rap-metal band’s self-titled 1992 debut, Rage Against the Machine. KiSS Vancouver and its partner stations usually play hot contemporary pop.
The Rage song reportedly started blasting continuously on Wednesday (June 29), roughly 24 hours after longtime KiSS morning duo Kevin & Sonia, Kevin Lim and Sonia Sidhu, announced their departure due to what they alluded to in a statement as a format change.
“Our 5 years on KiSS RADiO has come to an end,” the pair said on social media. “KiSS is changing and unfortunately we were informed that we won’t be part of this new chapter.”
Stranger Things star Maya Hawke says she ‘wouldn’t exist’ if mum Uma Thurman didn’t get abortion (Metro)
Stranger Things star Maya Hawke revealed that she ‘wouldn’t exist’ if mom Uma Thurman hadn’t previously had an abortion.
The actress, who plays Robin Buckley in the hugely popular Netflix sci-fi drama, is the eldest child of Uma and Ethan Hawke, and spoke about a discussion she had with her mother before appearing on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
At the beginning of her interview, the 23-year-old told the host that she had phoned the Kill Bill star to ask for advice over the TV interview, but their talk turned to last week’s Supreme Court ruling.
In a bombshell decision that has sparked protests across the US and around the world, Roe v Wade was overturned, ending the constitutional protections for abortion. Read more
ICC issues arrest warrants for 3 suspects linked to Russo-Georgian war (AlArabiya)
International Criminal Court judges have issued arrest warrants for three men wanted on suspicion of committing war crimes during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the court announced Thursday.
The Hague-based court opened an investigation in 2016 into the conflict, which killed hundreds and left thousands of civilians displaced. Russia invaded Georgia after violence broke out between separatist groups and Georgian forces.
In 2021, the European Court of Human Rights concluded that “grave human rights abuses” occurred on Russian-held territory.
The three wanted men – Lt.-Gen. Mikhail Mindzaev, Gamlet Guchmazov and David Sanakoev – served in the governments of the Russian-backed self-declared republic of South Ossetia. Read more
Leeds move to hijack Moses Simon from Nice (Guardian)
One of the leading figures in Super Eagles’ attack, Moses Simon, is in the middle of a big tussle involving Leeds United of England and French club, Nice.
Simon is on the verge of joining Nice from Nantes, which have been discussing a transfer with the Lique 1 club for a while. But Leeds have other ideas. The Whites face the likely reality of losing Raphinha this summer, with the winger seemingly closing in on a move to Chelsea.
The Blues’ bid could surpass £60 million and is reportedly agreed with Leeds, but Leeds Manager, Jesse Marsch, now has a tricky job to do to replace the Brazilian, as well as Kalvin Phillips, who is Manchester City-bound.
One of the leading candidates to fill the void out wide is the aforementioned Simon, who is destined for a move this summer. Read more
Katie Boulter reacts to landmark Wimbledon win over Karolina Pliskova (Metro)
Katie Boulter registered the biggest win of her tennis career with victory over Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon – as the Great British star dedicated it to her late grandmother in an emotional interview as she fought back the tears.
World No.118 Boulter produced a stunning performance to topple last year’s finalist and sixth seed Karolina Pliskova – a former world No 1 and current world No 7 – as she reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time ever.
Boulter dropped the first set but roared back to win 3-6 7-6 6-4 in front of a delighted home Centre Court crowd – just a day after Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray crashed out – and will next face Serena Williams slayer Harmony Tan.
Speaking after the match, the 25-year-old from Leicester said: ‘I’ve got no words right now, I’m literally shaking.
‘The crowd was unbelievable, thanks so much for getting me through that. I’m going to get emotional. My gran passed away two days ago. Read more
Barcelona get financial boost after TV rights sale (Punch)
FC Barcelona have given themselves a major financial boost that should see their salary cap increase significantly after selling 10 per cent of their LaLiga TV rights for the next 25 years to an investment firm.
Last week, club president Joan Laporta promised to activate the “levers” that would ease FC Barcelona’s financial concerns, and Thursday’s announcement is the first such step.
The deal sees FC Barcelona generate capital gains totalling €267 million with Sixth Street Partners making an initial investment of €207.5 million.
The investment group will subsequently receive 10 per cent of Barca’s domestic TV rights revenue until 2047. Read more
Oldham Athletic set for new local owner following relegation from Football League after 115 years (ITV)
A takeover of Oldham Athletic has been agreed with new local owners expected to buy the club by the end of the season.
Owner Abdallah Lemsagam and stadium landlords Brass Bank Ltd have agreed to sell after the team dropped out of the Football League for the first time in its 115-year history.
In a statement on Thursday, 30 June, the club said the new buyer is “not a consortium but a longstanding successful local business.”
Their identity will not be made public until the deal has been completed and the owner’s and director’s test passed. Read more
Nick Kyrgios demands ‘respect’ on his name after epic Wimbledon win over Filip Krajinovic (Express)
Nick Kyrgios feels as though he doesn’t get the respect he deserves after his scintillating win over Filip Krajinovic to set up a third-round match with Stefanos Tsitsipas. Kyrgios started off his Wimbledon campaign with a turbulent performance against Britain’s Paul Jubb, where he appeared to be distracted by fans overstepping the mark.
He needed all five sets to get past the qualifier and progress to the next round, but it was a different match entirely against Serbia’s Krajinovic. The 27-year-old was locked in from the very first game and immediately broke his opponent.
Kyrgios would not drop a single point on his own serve until midway through the second set, winning the first in just under 30 minutes. The second followed a similar fashion and Krajinovic looked devoid of any motivation to mount a comeback in the third.
The match was wrapped up in just 84 minutes to reassert Kyrgios’ potential of winning a Grand Slam. Speaking on court afterwards, Kyrgios admitted that he feels Wimbledon is his best chance of winning a major title. Read more
Max Verstappen issues Lewis Hamilton verdict one year on from 180mph British GP crash (Mirror)
Max Verstappen says he has “no hard feelings” ahead of his return to the site of his huge 180 mph crash after contact with Lewis Hamilton.
The Red Bull star will race at Silverstone this weekend for the first time since the crash, which caused him to be taken to hospital for precautionary checks after a 51G impact. He is also bidding to win the British Grand Prix for the first time in his Formula 1 career.
He might have already managed that achievement last year, but he never got the chance to try after banging wheels with Hamilton on the first lap of the race. The Mercedes ace was given a time penalty for his role in the smash, but still went on to win with ease while Verstappen watched the celebrations on TV from the hospital.
The Dutchman responded angrily afterwards, and tensions between the title rivals only intensified from that point – leading to the epic and controversial Abu Dhabi finale. But it seems winning that duel has softened Verstappen, who insists he is feeling good ahead of his return to the scene of the crash. Read more
Charlotte Hornets’ Miles Bridges arrested in Los Angeles (NBC)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges was arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles after a warrant was issued, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
LAPD spokeswoman Lizeth Lomeli confirmed Bridges was arrested, but did not release details on the charges. TMZ reported that Bridges is facing felony domestic violence charges.
The Hornets have not responded to news of Bridges’ arrest.
Bridges, the Hornets’ leading scorer last season, is set to become a restricted free agent and could command a max contract in the coming weeks. The news comes on the eve of NBA free agency, which begins Thursday night with teams able to speak with free agents. Read more