Don Jazzy gifts woman N6m for having N67 ‘unhealthy’ account balance (Punch)
Social media was set abuzz on Thursday when Nigerian music stars Michael Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, and Crown Uzama aka Shallipopi, surprised fans with millions of naira in spontaneous giveaways following viral online interactions.
Don Jazzy gifted a woman, Adeyemi Adejoke Abidemi, a total of ₦6 million after noticing that her account balance was “not healthy.”
It all started with a trending post on X.com that encouraged users to tag one celebrity to gift them ₦1 million. Read more
Nigerian nurse found dead in her UK apartment after hospital shift (Vanguard)
Grief and shock have rippled through the nursing communities in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria following the sudden death of a Nigerian nurse, Nnena Miriam, who was based in Leeds.
Her lifeless body was discovered in her apartment by UK police after she was declared missing, according to Fellow Nurses Africa — a platform committed to the growth and support of African nurses.
Concerns were raised when Miriam failed to show up for work and did not respond to calls from friends. One close friend, alarmed by her silence, ultimately filed a missing person report. Police later found Miriam dead in her home. Read more
Court sentences BRT driver to death by hanging for killing Bamise (Nation)
Justice Sherifat Sonaike on Friday sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron to death by hanging after the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square annex, found the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver guilty of the murder of 22-year-old Ayanwola Oluwabamise and the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria.
Ominikoron faced a five-count charge including murder, conspiracy, and rape — in connection with Bamise’s death, the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike, and the rape of one Maryland Ojiezelu.
He had, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Read more
VeryDarkMan arrested inside Abuja bank (Sun)
Activist, Martins Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan has been arrested by police in Abuja.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Friday.
Daily Sun reports that VeryDarkMan and his mother visited a branch of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), better known as GTBank, on Friday over alleged unauthorised deductions from her account with the bank. Read more
‘No arms found on Nnamdi Kanu during 2015 arrest,’ DSS witness testifies (Leadership)
A witness of the Federal Government testified on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja that no weapon of terrorism or violence were recovered from the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu during his arrest on October 15, 2015 in Lagos.
Kanu’s trail resumed on Friday before Justice James Omotosho with the cross-examination of principal witness.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the court granted the request of the Federal Government for witnesses to testify behind the screens while the prosecution counsel is Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), a former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, led the defence team. Read more
AfDB commits $650m annually to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation (Channels)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a new five-year Country Strategy Paper (2025-2030) for Nigeria, committing about $650 million annually to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The bank, in a statement published on its website, disclosed that the fund will not only drive economic transformation but also build resilience and foster broad-based prosperity across the country.
Part of the statement reads: “The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has a new five-year Country Strategy Paper (2025-2030) for Nigeria, committing about $650 million annually to drive economic transformation, build resilience, and foster broad-based prosperity across the country.” Read more
Fire razes shops in Ibadan, destroys goods worth millions of naira (Tribune)
Goods valued at millions of naira were reportedly lost in an early morning fire in Sango, located in the Ibadan North local government area, on Friday.
At least three shops were engulfed in flames during the incident, which lasted for several hours. The affected shops were situated behind the Fart Oil filling station in Sango, Ibadan.
Investigations suggest that the fire was caused by electrical sparks from one of the appliances in one of the affected shops, which then spread to the others. Read more
‘Redwood,’ starring Idina Menzel, posts closing notice following Tonys Snub (THR)
Redwood, starring Idina Menzel, is ending its run after being snubbed by the Tony Awards.
The musical, which opened at the Nederlander Theatre on Feb. 13, will now end its run May 18. The show, directed by Tina Landau and featuring music by Kate Diaz and lyrics by Diaz and Landau, is the first show to announce closing after the Tony nominations were announced Thursday, suggesting it was depending on the nomination and a possible win to propel it forward.
The show follows Menzel as she plays a grieving mother who goes to the woods, and climbs a giant redwood tree, to process her grief. Read more
Diddy rejects plea deal in sex trafficking trial (BBC)
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has formally rejected the US government’s offer to plead guilty and spare himself the possibility of a prolonged prison sentence.
The musician appeared in court on Thursday, wearing glasses and a beige prison uniform, ahead of the start of his sex trafficking trial next week. He appeared to be in a good mood, and waved to the gallery as he arrived.
Asked by judge Arun Subramanian if he rejected prosecutors’ plea deal, Combs replied: “Yes, I do, your honour. Thank you.” Read more
Former federal agent and his wife shot dead after he testified against son of powerful Mexico cartel leader (CBS)
A former Mexican federal agent who testified against the drug trafficker son of the country’s most wanted man was shot dead in the central state of Morelos, authorities said Thursday.
Ivan Morales was a prosecution witness in the U.S. trial of Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez, a leader of Mexico’s violent Jalisco New Generation cartel, who was jailed for life by a Washington court in March.
Gonzalez’s father is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — better known as “El Mencho” — who heads the cartel and has a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head. Read more
Russell Brand’s rape and sexual assault case set to be heard in court (Standard)
The criminal case against comedian and actor Russell Brand is set to be heard in court after he was charged with sexual offences, including rape.
Brand was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women.
A probe was launched into the 49-year-old after he was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023. Read more
Former Possessed guitarist Brian Montana killed in stand-off with police in San Francisco (FarOut)
Brian Montana, the early guitarist for the long-standing death metal band Possessed, was killed in a standoff with San Francisco police on April 28th. He was 60 years old.
Montana was a member of Possessed from 1983 to 1984. While he didn’t perform on any studio albums, his playing can be heard on the band’s 1984 demo, Death Metal.
The incident that led to his demise began when Montana got into an argument over a tree that was spilling branches and leaves into his property. Montana started shooting firearms during the disagreement. Read more
Eamonn Holmes, 65, rushed to hospital in ambulance after ‘painful’ accident (Metro)
Eamonn Holmes has been rushed to the hospital following an accident at his home.
On May 2, the GB News presenter posted a photo of the inside of an ambulance along with a caption explaining he’d had a fall.
‘An unexpected journey this morning,’ the 65-year-old wrote. ‘Bit of a fall on the bathroom floor. Gosh, it hurts. Thank you ambulance crew.’ Read more
Nigerian Chibuike Nwaiwu Wins Austrian Cup With Wolfsberger AC (Leadership)
Nigerian forward, Chibuike Nwaiwu has won the Austrian Cup with Wolfsberger AC.
Wolfsberger AC defeated Hartberg 1-0 in a keenly contested final at the 28 Black Arena.
Angelo Gattermayer scored the decisive goal with a powerful header in the 77th minute. Nwaiwu was in action for the entire duration of the game. Read more
Coco Gauff storms into Madrid final to face Aryna Sabalenka (Deadspin)
No. 4 seed Coco Gauff dominated No. seed Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-1, 6-1 in a mere 64 minutes in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday.
Gauff set up a showdown in the final against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who took care of business in the semis with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over No. 17 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
Gauff reached the final at this WTA 1000 event for the first time and is on the precipice of her first title of 2025. Read more
NBA insider claims LeBron James won’t retire until he fulfils final objective (PFN)
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ five-game first-round playoff series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, speculation about LeBron James’ future has taken center stage.
James concluded Year 22 of his illustrious career — his first alongside co-star Luka Dončić — on Wednesday, with his undersized squad struggling to compete against Minnesota’s size.
L.A. lost Game 5 103-96 on its home floor with Timberwolves star center Rudy Gobert recording playoff career highs of 27 points and 24 rebounds. Read more
Bruno Fernandes clashes with Spanish journalist in fiery interview after Man Utd’s win over Athletic Bilbao (SportsBible)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was in no mood to allow the Spanish press to blame Athletic Club’s defeat to the Red Devils on the referee.
Man Utd benefited from a key incident in the first half in Bilbao. The visitors were already a goal ahead in their Europa League semi-final first leg fixture at San Mames when a VAR check resulted in a penalty for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund.
Athletic’s Dani Vivian was also shown a straight red card on review before Fernandes tucked in the penalty, later adding United’s third to put them firmly in the driving seat ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford. Read more
Bucks predicted to send Giannis Antetokounmpo to Thunder for young star in blockbuster trade (SportingNews)
The 2025 NBA playoffs are heating up, but one of the biggest storylines has surprisingly emerged from the Milwaukee Bucks and their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After a heartbreaking early exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, thanks in part to a devastating injury to Damian Lillard and a stunning overtime performance from Tyrese Haliburton, the Bucks are left reeling. With three straight first-round exits, there’s a lot of chatter about whether Milwaukee and Giannis might be heading for a split. Read more