Drama at Police SFU unit as DPR Director vows to expose accomplices in N3b contract scam (Vanguard)
Police detectives attached to the Special Fraud Unit SFU Lekki Lagos weekend, grilled a female Deputy Director, department of Contract and procurement (names withheld) of Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, for allegedly awarding a contract worth N300,000.000.00 (Three hundred million naira only) to a Nigeria company, Shoama Nigeria Ltd without due process.
Sources said the Deputy Director was being investigated following a revelation that the Nigeria company allegedly forged a certificate of the Nigeria Pension Commission which was one of the criteria to secure the contract.
Police sources intimated that the female Deputy Director who was spotted at the Lekki unit of the police at 11.45 am went through a grueling interrogation session which lasted several hours during which she admitted signing the contract papers without due diligence but vowed to implicate her counterparts of the accounts and administration directors who she alleged were part and parcel of the irregularities. Read more
11 suspected cultists, traffic robbers nabbed in Lagos (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 11 suspected cultists and traffic robbers for terrorising and dispossessing members of the public of their valuables in the Ikeja area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Monday that the suspects were arrested following a distress call from a victim, adding that the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation.
He said, “The command has been arresting traffic robbers, who terrorise and dispossess innocent people of their belongings in the state, while many of them are being kept at bay due to the consistency and commitment of the command to tackling the menace and other forms of criminality in the state.
“In furtherance of the command’s anti-crime measures, the police operatives attached to the Strike Team of the command, on May 1, 2021, around 2pm, arrested 11 suspected cultists and traffic robbers, who were attacking and dispossessing innocent people of their belongings at the Railway Crossing, Ikeja Along, Lagos. Read more
Sanwo-Olu pledges to uphold press freedom (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed the commitment of his administration not to do anything to abridge press freedom in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, made the remark on Monday, in a congratulatory message to journalists on the occasion of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, with the theme: “Information as a public good”.
The governor, in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, commended the role of the media in the development of society.
The press, he noted, “mirrors the society, exposes ills, and bridges the gap between the government and the people to create mutual understanding and cooperation.” Read more
COVID-19: Lagos bans non-Nigeria passengers from Brazil, India, Turkey (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has revealed plans to prevent the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it will monitor positive cases to detect new variants.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a statement on Monday said there had been a reduction in the cases being recorded in the state.
Abayomi said what could cause the third wave in Lagos was likely to be the importation of new COVID-19 strains from inbound travellers.
“Following the flattening of the second wave; we are seeing a significant dip in the number of positive cases and deaths; going by the low occupancy rate in our isolation centers, reduction in the demand for oxygen and the positivity rate that has decreased from around an all-time high 35 per cent in December 2020 to 1.5 per cent as of April 2021. Read more
APC releases guidelines for Lagos LG poll (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released guidelines for aspirants contesting on its platform for Chairmanship, Vice Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in July 24 Local Government election in the state.
The party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman and the Caretaker Committee Secretary, Alhaji Tunde Balogun and Mr Lanre Ogunyemi respectively, made this known in the guidelines jointly signed on Monday,
They said that it was the duty of the party to provide guidelines for its members seeking to contest election. Read more
Government promises Lagosians security, safety (Punch)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to stop at nothing to make Lagos State remain safe and secure for the residents.
Sanwo-Olu said his administration would ensure that Lagos became a state to be proud of.
The governor stated this at the 3rd Session of the 34th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, held at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
He said, “Talking about security, we can say Lagos is relatively better, but I know what we are doing and the things we need to do. We know we have issues to deal with as a country and Lagos will certainly be leading that conversation because we know how critical this state is to the nation. Read more
Bandits threaten to kill abducted Greenfield University students today (ThisDay)
Bandits who abducted some students of Greenfield University in Kaduna have threatened to kill the remaining ones still in captivity if their demand for ransom is not met by today.
In an interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Hausa service, one Sani Jalingo who claimed to be the leader of the abductors, warned that if the state government or parents of the students fail to pay a ransom of N100 million and provide them with 10 new Honda motorcycles by today, the remaining students would be killed.
This is coming as no fewer than 17 villagers were feared killed in a fresh attack by suspected herdsmen in Benue State. Read more
NBA insists governors must respect Judicial autonomy (Vanguard)
The Ado-Ekiti branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) insists that the 36 state governors must respect the provisions of the 1999 Constitution on the contending issue of full autonomy for the Judiciary.
The legal body regretted that the closure of courts across the country had not only debased the country’s democracy, but adversely affected the fortunes of the legal practitioners, urging the governors to swiftly accede to the request of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to resolve the conundrum.
The NBA also urged the Federal Government to convene a roundtable discussion, where all stakeholders could meet, ruminate and proffer solutions to the senseless killings and kidnappings of innocent Nigerians. Read more
NIN registration deadline now June 30 with 54m enrolled (Nation)
There were feelers on Monday that the Federal Government may allow the National Identity Number (NIN) registration to run till June 30.
The planned extension followed the capturing of about 54 million Nigerians by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The Nation learnt that a presidential committee has recommended the extension following a huge success recorded in the last nine months.
A policy pronouncement on the deadline will be made anytime from now by the NIMC after approval by President Muhammadu Buhari. Read more
Around 30 reportedly killed in Burkina Faso village attack (BBC)
Suspected jihadists have killed around 30 people in eastern Burkina Faso, security sources in the country said.
A large group of armed men attacked the village of Kodyel in Komandjari province early on Monday morning, a local official said.
If estimates of the number killed are correct it would make the attack one of the deadliest ever in Burkina Faso.
Islamist attacks are increasingly common in the country, especially in regions bordering Niger and Mali. Read more
First look at Eternals as Marvel shares epic glimpse at Angelina Jolie and Richard Madden in MCU (Metro)
We’ve been blessed with the first look at Marvel’s Avengers, as Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan and co assemble for the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe epic. The studios released a teaser of their upcoming slate of Phase Four, along with release dates, which also includes Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow standalone as well as Shang-Chi, today and, sorry to borrow a cliche, but it does not disappoint. While what we’re absolutely gasping for air over, though, is the long-awaited teaser of the upcoming Eternals flick which boasts a truly star-studded cast only the Avengers can challenge. Read more
Covid: Germany’s Oktoberfest cancelled for the second time (BBC)
Authorities in Germany have cancelled the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich over coronavirus concerns.
This is the second year in a row that the event has been called off due to the pandemic.
“The situation is too uncertain,” Bavaria’s Premier Markus Söder said on Monday.
Around six million people would normally attend the annual festival, which takes place in September and October. Read more
FBI agents shoot ‘armed intruder’ after hours-long standoff at CIA entrance gate (RT)
An armed suspect who tried to gain access to the CIA’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia was shot and wounded by FBI agents after a lengthy faceoff with the man, who reportedly claimed to have a bomb.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office said Monday evening that agents opened fire on an intruder sometime after 6 pm local time.
“An individual involved in a security incident outside Central Intelligence Agency Headquarters in McLean, VA, emerged from his vehicle with a weapon and was engaged by law enforcement officers,” the bureau said in a statement, adding that “the subject was wounded and has been transported to a hospital for medical attention.” Read more
India says infections ‘slowing down’ as it passes 20 million cases (BBC)
The number of new Covid infections in India has officially passed 20 million cases, even as the government says that infection rates are coming down.
India says infections have consistently dropped since 30 April, when it recorded more than 400,000 cases. It reported 355,832 cases on Tuesday.
Experts say the number of deaths and infections are being underreported.
In the capital Delhi, an oxygen crunch has shown no signs of abating and people are struggling for treatment. Read more
The Weeknd doubles down on Grammy Awards corruption accusation, insists he will not be submitting music in the future (Metro)
The Weeknd does not want to be part of the Grammy Awards in the future due to what he claims is ‘their own admission of corruption’. The Recording Academy announced on Friday they had made changes to the awards process, including the elimination of controversial ‘secret’ nominating committees that decided which artists or recordings were nominated in certain categories. The singer, 31, says he will ‘not be submitting in the future’ but recognises the change is an important beginning. He told Variety: ‘The trust has been broken for so long between the Grammy organisation and artists that it would be unwise to raise a victory flag.’ Read more
Lewis Hamilton: Out of an early mistake comes another masterclass (BBC)
This one meant a lot to Lewis Hamilton.
Any victory feels good, but even as the Mercedes driver closes on 100 Grand Prix victories – the one in Portugal on Sunday was his 97th – some are more special than others. And this was undoubtedly one of the special ones.
The fight Hamilton and Mercedes are facing against Max Verstappen and Red Bull this year is arguably the toughest they have faced since they began their domination of Formula 1 in 2014.
So for Hamilton to pass not only Verstappen but also his own Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas to take his second victory in three races in a season the team started very much on the back foot was an achievement to savour.
“It feels fantastic,” Hamilton said. Read more
Jamie Carragher aims dig at Graeme Souness over Manchester United protest comments (Metro)
Liverpool legends appear to be falling out over the Manchester United protests on Sunday, with Jamie Carragher labelling Graeme Souness’ comments on the matter as ‘nonsense’ and ‘lazy’. Manchester United fans protested at Old Trafford, with some breaking into the stadium and making their presence felt on the pitch. The demonstration was against the owners of the club, the Glazer family, with fans wanting the Americans out, although Souness suggested otherwise. Read more
Antonio double gives West Ham win at Burnley (BBC)
West Ham forward Michail Antonio said they will not give up on their dream of securing Champions League football after he scored twice in a comeback victory over Burnley.
The Hammers moved up to fifth place in the table, just three points behind Chelsea in fourth, with four games of the season remaining.
Chris Wood scored from a penalty to give Burnley the lead before Antonio headed in Vladimir Coufal’s teasing cross and poked in Said Benrahma’s delivery eight minutes later.
Antonio, who returned after four weeks out with a hamstring injury, said: “It would be unbelievable. Everybody wants to play in the Champions League. Read more
Fans rip ‘whining’ LeBron as Lakers star says ‘someone should be fired’ for NBA postseason plans (RT)
Basketball fans have hit out at Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James’ criticism of the NBA’s newly-introduced postseason plans after he said that the designer of the new ‘play-in’ system “should be fired”.
James’ defending NBA champion Lakers look anything but the sport’s pacesetters today after coming up short once again on Sunday, losing by 121-114 to the Toronto Raptors to cap a horrid recent run which has seen them lose six of their last seven.
And with their spot in the postseason playoffs anything but assured, James was critical in his post-game comments of the adapted playoffs format. Read more
World Snooker Championship final: Mark Selby wins fourth world title (BBC)
Mark Selby claimed his fourth World Championship title with an 18-15 victory over Shaun Murphy at a sold-out Crucible Theatre.
Selby, who led 14-11 prior to the final session, is now three Crucible crowns off Stephen Hendry’s record of seven.
Runs of 66, 68 and a superb 120 helped him break Murphy’s resistance in a high-quality encounter.
Selby, 37, collects £500,000 in prize money and moves up to second in the world behind Judd Trump. Read more
Thierry Henry lifts lid on Daniel Ek’s approach to buy Arsenal (Metro) Thierry Henry has provided some details of Spotify owner Daniel Ek’s move to buy Arsenal, confirming that he has ‘reached out’ to the Kroenke family and plans to make a bid for the club. The Swede has written to Stan Kroenke, the owner of Arsenal, and Sky Sports report that he is expected to make a £1.8bn bid in the coming days. Ek is backed by Henry, along with fellow club legends Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp and they, along with Ek, are confident in being successful with the bid. Read more