Cyber Fraud: Forensic investigations indict Naira Marley (Punch)
The Cybercrime Section of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, submitted reports of forensic investigations led by Whyte Dein to corroborate their case against singer Azeez Fashola a.k.a Naira Marley, charged with credit card fraud before the Ikoyi Federal High Court.
Dein, the Chief Detective Officer of the Section, told the court that his team’s investigations revealed that the defendant was involved in credit card fraud.
The artiste faced 11 charges bordering on alleged credit card fraud contrary to Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the Cyber Crimes Act.
It was gathered that the singer committed these offenses between November 26 and December 11, 2018, and May 10, 2018. He was arraigned on May 20, 2019, but was granted bail. Read more
Alleged N6b laundering: Mompha traveled to Dubai with new passport- EFCC (Guardian)
The Economic and social financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday that the social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha) flouted the court order and travelled to Dubai with a new international passport.
Mompha is charged with N6 billion in money laundering by EFCC.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had on March 28, ordered Mompha to submit his international passport to court after his bail sum was reduced from N200 million to N25 million.
EFCC, had on Jan.12, charged Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, with six billion Naira money laundering.
The eight-count charge include conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, and laundering of money obtained through unlawful activities. Read more
Lagos Yellow Taxi Operators congratulates Tinubu as APC presidential candidate (Independent)
The Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association Congratulates and rejoices with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, over his victory at the just concluded APC primary elections.
The congratulatory message which was contained in a press release described his victory as well deserved, emphasising that the country needs a leader in the person of Tinubu who has built the capacity to build people, the capability to envision policies, and with a detribalised mindset.
In his words, Otunba Taiwo Omolekan, President, Lagos State Taxi Driver and Cab Operators Association, “A person like Tinubu will draw from his available experience in developing Lagos state to guide elected leaders. He will command the respect and trust of the Governors and Ministers because he is a man who has travelled the road of achievements in the past.
“Asiwaju Tinubu, a former senator and a two-term governor of Lagos state, is an inspirational political leader and champion of national unity and development.” He added. Read more
2023: Panic as traders shut down Alaba Int’l Market over PVC (Sun)
There was fear and apprehension yesterday at the Alaba International market area of Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos as traders besieged the Ojo LGA to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as instructed by the leadership of the market.
The market was closed down to enable traders to go for their voter cards. The traders, especially from Ojo and its environs, besieged PVC centres, defiling the sun and rain for the voters registration exercise.
During the exercise, a group of boys, who felt that the officials of the LGA were frustrating their efforts, decided to protest but were resisted by the traders who were determined to go ahead with the registration, no matter how long it would take them.
However, some people who took the video clips of the fracas started posting it on social media, spreading rumours of war between Ndigbo and the Hausa community. A trader, Ugo Ozoemam, said the market lost over N3 billion, but that they were not bothered, provided they succeeded with the registration. Read more
Customs intercepts over 10,000 jerry cans of petrol in Lagos (DailyTrust)
Authority in charge of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, said it has intercepted several jerry cans containing petroleum products from suspected smugglers.
The seizure was made in Badagry and its environs between January and June 7, 2023.
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Bello Mohammed Jibo, said the seized product was about being smuggled into Benin Republic.
Jibo said during the period under review, the command made remarkable interceptions of 10,865 jerry cans of PMS of 30litres each, which is equivalent to 325, 950 litres. Read more
CCECC trains Nigerians ahead handing over of Lagos-Ibadan rail system (DailyTrust)
The process to hand over the operation of the newly commissioned Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway to Nigerians has commenced with the Chinese construction giant training workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on some technical aspects of the operation.
The contractor, the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), organised the one-month training for the NRC workers.
No fewer than 167 NRC workers and those of the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMOT) participated in the training.
Daily Trust reports that the 157-kilometer standard gauge commenced full commercial operation in June 2021 after its commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari and it is being operated largely by the Chinese with a handful of the NRC workers understudying them. Read more
Umahi replaces brother as Ebonyi South senatorial candidate (Nation)
Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has been successfully substituted as Ebonyi south senatorial district candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He took the ticket from his younger brother, Austin Umahi who won the primary last month.
Umahi lost the APC presidential ticket to the former Lagos Governor and National leader of the ruling party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, during the party’s just- concluded national convention.
It was gathered that the substitution took place at Afikpo North local government area Headquarters on Thursday night. Read more
Stop wasting resources on Fidau prayers, Lekki Imam urges Muslims (Guardian)
The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwanullahi Jamiu, has called on Muslims to stop the idea of flamboyant fidau prayers or ceremonies in honour of their deceased loved ones, saying the ceremonial gathering usually organised in most parts of the country is not acceptable in Islam.
The renowned scholar said that whatever Muslim will do regarding the religion must be strictly guided by the teachings and saying of Prophet Muhammed, saying that the usual gathering of people for prayers, celebration or ceremony in commemoration of a deceased Muslim must be strictly discouraged as it against the tenet of Islam.
Speaking at an event organised by the Lekki Muslim Ummah, LEMU, the Imam said that Islam enjoins Muslims to remember their loved ones who have passed on with prayers. He added that there is no proof that fidau prayers should be organised for them other than the janaza prayer, which is part of the burial rites.
Imam Jamiu said: “Anything you want to do as a Muslim must be guided by the teachings of our noble prophet Muhammed. There is no proof in the sunnah of the prophet that one can do any Fidau prayers for the deceased person. But it is the sunnah according to the Quran and sayings of the prophet, we should always remember our deceased person with prayers. Allah said we should always remember those who came before us in our prayers. That’s an individual thing. But when a person is just deceased, what is recommended in Islam is solatul jannazah. All scholars know this. Solatul janazah is the prayer where the imam stands and people stand behind him and the corpse is placed in the front of the imam who will say takbir for four times or thereabouts. That’s the only prayer that is recommended. But the coming together for a special ceremony or prayer after the funeral prayer is not found in Islam and the sunnah of the prophet. Therefore, we have to abstain from it so that we won’t end up wasting our resources on something that is not based on any evidence.” Read more
Southern, Middle-Belt leaders laud Buhari, Asiwaju over APC convention (Leadership)
Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for not interfering in the process of electing the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
SMBLF, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, also congratulated APC national leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for emerging as the party’s presidential candidate.
The statement was signed by Ambassador Okey Emuchay, for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; Comrade Jare Ajayi, for Afenifere, Dr. Isuwa Dogo for Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and Hon. Ken Robinson, who signed on behalf of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and as acting coordinator of SMBLF.
The statement reads in part: “The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for staying true to his promise of non-interference in the process of electing the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Read more
NUC hailed on reforms, new curriculum for varsities (Nation)
The Higher Education Observatory for Africa (HEOFA) has praised the efforts of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian university system which was aimed at producing quality graduates that will be globally competitive.
The organisation said the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed has led a process that has produced a new curriculum for the Nigerian university system that will be a model for other African countries.
In a statement by a board member of HEOFA, Dr Fred Awaah, the organisation said: “Nigeria’s efforts at developing a new core curriculum minimum academic standards (CCMAS), is a giant step in the march to producing 21st Century graduates who will respond effectively to the developmental needs of Nigeria and be agents for achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The unique features of the 17 disciplines of the CCMAS are indicative that graduates of Nigerian universities who will benefit from the new curriculum will be impressively entrepreneurial, steep in knowledge and skills to make them labour-market-ready and imbued with character for exemplary leadership in the public and private sectors of the economy. Read more
Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ opens Guadalajara festival (Variety)
Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” described by Variety as “a fizzy, delirious, impishly energized, compulsively watchable 2-hour-and-39-minute fever dream,” is set to open the 37th Guadalajara Int’l Film Festival (FICG) on June 10.
The biopic starring Austin Butler as Elvis opposite Tom Hanks as his controversial manager, received a rousing 12-minute standing ovation at Cannes, the longest at this year’s edition.
The Festival closes June 18 with Mexico’s own musical icons, Los Tigres del Norte, in the documentary “Los Tigres del Norte: Historias que contar,” by Carlos Pérez Osorio (“Las Cronicas del Taco”), with its band members descending on Guadalajara to present it.
The documentary debuts on Prime Video the day before but it’s all about bringing back the in-person theatrical experience, said festival director Estrella Araiza. Read more
Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy offers update on returning for movie (DigitalSpy)
Peaky Blinders’ movie spin-off is something Cillian Murphy will “be there” for, when it finally materialises.
The period gangster thriller’s creator Steven Knight has promised we’ll see Tommy Shelby on the big screen at some point, but apart from a “very specific” and “true” Second World War story, nothing more about the project is known.
Speaking to Deadline recently, the Tommy actor himself was probed for any details he could share.
“Genuinely nothing and I’d be as excited as anybody to read a script,” Murphy began. “But I think it’s good for everyone to have a little break. That’s always a healthy thing and then we can regroup. Read more
Juice WRLD engineer claims rapper’s label wants to kill him (HNHH)
Max Lord from 808 Mafia made the accusations on Thursday.
Ever since Juice WRLD’s passing, much has been said about the artist and the way his legacy has been handled. For instance, numerous posthumous albums have been released by the label and fans haven’t been thrilled about the quality. Many just want Juice to rest peacefully, and for some, these continuous releases are staining his discography.
With that being said, Juice’s girlfriend Ally Lotti had some very distressing comments on social media recently in which she said she couldn’t fully disclose what happened to Juice WRLD prior to his passing. She also made it seem like someone wanted her dead, and heavily implied that it was Juice’s label.
Now, producer-engineer Max Lord, who is part of 808 Mafia, is claiming that Juice’s former team is trying to steal from him and that they are accusing him of some serious actions. He also states that he has received threats of violence that have him fearing for his life. Lord even made reference to a Twitter account called @Chasemasta who thinks is working with George “G Money” Dickinson of Grade A Productions, and Peter Jideonwo, who was Juice’s manager. Read more
Chris Pratt recalls panic over failed mudslide prank (FilmNews)
Chris Pratt has recalled how he began to panic when his plan to prank the crew on the set of The Terminal List started to go wrong.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday, the actor opened up about how he was filming a mudslide scene for the series, in which he plays James Reece, and ended up going a bit too far.
“The last thing we did was essentially get buried alive. So, I’m lying on about a 45-degree angle, buried up to my head in dirt and what they’re going to do is cover me with dirt. I’m breathing through a straw and then they use an excavator to dump another big bucket full of dirt on top of me in the shot and I’m supposed to crawl my way out,” he remembered.
Chris explained that he thought it would be really funny if he pretended not to move and then burst from the dirt to surprise everyone. However, the idea turned out to be much harder to pull off than he anticipated. Read more
UAE: Renowned Turkish actor says Dubai could become a global hub for film production (KhaleejTimes)
Renowned Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan says Dubai is on track to becoming a global hub for the production of films and TV series. The actor is best known for his starring role in the hit Turkish drama ‘Dirilis: Ertugrul’ (‘Resurrection: Ertugrul’). The Netflix series was dubbed into six languages and broadcast in more than 70 countries, has been watched by billions of people worldwide.
The actor shared his perspectives on the influential role of TV series and films in raising the global profile of a destination at a meeting held with the Dubai Media Council. The Dubai Media Council’s meeting explored new avenues of collaboration with leading Turkish production companies.
The meeting was part of a series organised by the Dubai Media Council to foster dialogue between the Dubai community and industry leaders.
Organised at the Dubai Press Club, the meeting highlighted the importance of soft power in building bridges and dialogue between nations. Read more
Darren Criss says it is ‘invigorating’ juggling new fatherhood with Broadway role in American Buffalo (DailyMail)
Darren Criss revealed this week that he finds it ‘invigorating’ to juggle new fatherhood with eight shows a week on Broadway.
The 35-year-old heartthrob and his wife Mia welcomed their daughter Bluesy in April – just three days before he opened in a revival of American Buffalo.
However he dished to People that his grueling schedule has given him even more energy, saying: ‘If you want anything done, ask the busiest person in the room.’
The Glee alum spilled: ‘It’s a blessing to get all these things happening kind of all at once – personal, home stuff happening among the same fun, prosperity and excitement that is existing in my professional life – there’s something that’s very invigorating about that. So I’m rockin’ and rollin’.’ Read more
Dom Phillips: Blood found in search for pair missing in Brazil (BBC)
Police in Brazil are examining blood found in the search for British journalist Dom Phillips and local indigenous expert Bruno Pereira.
Traces of blood found on a boat belonging to a fisherman, who has been arrested, will be tested to see whether it is human or animal.
The pair went missing while travelling by boat on a reporting trip in the Amazon rainforest on Sunday.
Mr Pereira recently received threats over his work against illegal fishing. Read more
Nigeria wins first gold as Amusan defends hurdles crown (Guardian)
Team Nigeria grabbed its first gold medal at the ongoing 22nd African Senior Athletics Championships in Mauritius, yesterday, as sprint hurdler, Tobiloba Amusan, became the fifth woman to successfully defend the 100m hurdles title. She stormed to victory in a wind-aided 12.57 seconds.
The 25-year-old Amusan first won the title four years ago at the 21st edition of the championship, Asaba 2018. She has now become the third Nigerian after Maria Usifo (1984 and 1985) and Glory Alozie (1996, 1998 and 2000) and fifth African to successfully defend the sprint hurdles title.
The reigning African Games champion was, however, denied the chance to break the 12.77 seconds championship record set by Alozie at the 11th edition of the championship in Dakar, Senegal, in 1998 by an excessive 4.0m/s tail wind.
Amusan’s victory has increased Nigeria’s gold medal haul in sprint hurdles to 12. Read more
WAFU B AFCON Qualifiers: Golden Eaglets land in Ghana for Cote D’ Ivoire (Sun)
The contingent of players and officials of the Nigeria under-17 national team, Golden Eaglets, have landed in Accra, Ghana, for the 2022 WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations qualifiers which commence this weekend.
The Eaglets were received on arrival by officials of the Ghana Football Association and Members of the Local Organizing Committee led by Chairman Samuel Anim Addo.
Nigeria will battle six other countries including defending champions Cote D’Ivoire and host Ghana for one of two qualifying tickets to the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Algeria later this year.
The Golden Eaglets played in the final of the last edition of the Afcon qualifiers in Togo but lost 3-2 to the Baby Elephants at the Stade de Kégué on January 18, 2021. Read more
Eden Hazard hopes Nations League form for Belgium can spark revival in Real Madrid career (National)
On the evening of Real Madrid’s arrival back in the Spanish capital parading the club’s 14th European Cup, Eden Hazard took the microphone that was being passed around as the heroes of the victory over Liverpool celebrated at the city’s Cibeles fountain. It was a surprising gesture. Hazard was not, by any stretch of the imagination, one of the campaign’s heroes.
Far from it. The most expensive purchase in Madrid’s current squad, the man at the top of the club’s salary scale, played a mere eight minutes in the rollercoaster ride through comeback after comeback that was his team’s journey to Paris last month.
He sat on the bench through the 1-0 win over Liverpool. He contributed a mere seven starts to the club’s Liga triumph, and no goals. His last assist in the league was on the first day of the season.
What Hazard wanted at Cibeles was not to steal other players’ deserved limelight, but to make an apologetic promise. “Madridistas,” Hazard told the crowd. “I have been here for three seasons with lots of injuries and things. Next year, I will be giving everything for you.” Read more
USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre says he has agreement to leave Heracles this summer (ESPN)
United States international midfielder Luca de la Torre says he has an agreement with current club Heracles Almelo that he’ll be transferred later this summer.
De la Torre added that there has been interest from teams throughout Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany and France. His current contract expires in June of 2023.
“There’s always been an agreement between myself and the club that I would transfer this summer, with one year left on the contract,” he said ahead of Friday’s CONCACAF Nations League game against Grenada in Austin, Texas. “I expect [the transfer] to happen, hopefully sooner rather than later.”
De la Torre made it clear that he’s grateful for the time he spent with the club. When he arrived in 2020 from Fulham FC, both Heracles and de la Torre were making a leap of faith. He had logged a total of just 14 first team appearances over four seasons with the Cottagers. Read more
PGA Tour players have no sympathy for suspended LIV deserters (StraitsTimes)
Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and others competing at the Canadian Open had no sympathy for fellow golfers who were suspended by the PGA Tour on Thursday (June 9) for jumping to the breakaway Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.
Back on the PGA Tour schedule for the first time since 2019 following a Covid-19-forced hiatus, first-round play at the Canadian Open began under dark clouds of rain as the feud between the two Tours escalated.
Moments after golfers teed off at the LIV debut event at the Centurion Club outside London on Thursday, the PGA Tour dropped a bombshell by issuing a statement saying it would suspend those, including major winners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, who have signed on with the big-money breakaway series.
The Tour’s hardline response was greeted with enthusiasm by players at the Canadian Open with PGA Championship winner Thomas applauding the move. Read more
Brazil’s congress gives Hamilton honourary citizenship (DailyMail)
Brazil’s congress passed a symbolic motion on Thursday to make seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton an honourary citizen of the South American nation.
Congressman Andre Figueiredo first made the suggestion in November after last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, which Hamilton won at Interlagos. The Mercedes driver carried a green and yellow flag on his victory lap and at the podium to celebrate with local fans.
“Speechless. Today I was granted honorary citizenship to one of my favorite places in the world,” 37-year-old Hamilton said on Instagram, posting pictures of himself with the Brazilian flag. “I don’t really have the words right now. Thank you Brasil, I love you, I can’t wait to see you again.”
Hamilton has many fans in Brazil due to his F1 racing and his respect for three-time world champion and local hero Ayrton Senna, who died in an accident at Imola, Italy in 1994. Read more