EFCC cautions Saraki over witch-hunt comment (Guardian)
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Wednesday cautioned the Senate President Bukola Saraki of casting a “slur” on its investigative duties. “The Commission takes great exception at the desperate attempt to cast a slur on its investigative activities by portraying Saraki as a victim of persecution,” the anti-graft agency said. EFCC Monday declared it will probe Saraki’s activities between 2003 to 2011 when he was the governor of Kwara State. Read more
Kano Assembly passes Bill creating four new emirates (Punch)
The Kano State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the Bill for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs into law, paving way for the decentralisation of the Kano Emirate council. Among others, the law will give room for the creation of four more first class emirs in the state, which include Rano, Karaye, Bichi and Gaya emirate councils. Earlier, a committee was constituted by the House to decentralise and create four more first class emirs, following a petition written by some legal practitioners. Read more
I didn’t invite thugs to attack protesting workers, says Ngige (Punch)
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has denied inviting thugs to manhandle protesting workers who blocked the entrance to his residence in Abuja on Wednesday. Ngige explained this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Nwachukwu Obidiwe. It would be recalled that the NLC had, in the early hours of Wednesday, blocked the entrance to the Asokoro private resident of the minister with two fuel tanks. During the protest, a group of thugs attacked the protesting workers with sticks and stones, and chased them away from the minister’s residence. Read more
Abuja-Kaduna highway most dangerous in Africa, says Senate (Nation)
The Senate Wednesday labeled the popular Abuja-Kaduna highway the most dangerous in Africa due to the activities of kidnappers and armed bandits operating on the expressway. The position of the upper chamber may be contrary to the declaration of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu who assured travelers plying the route that the road had been cleared of undesirable elements terrorising travelers on the road. Read more
Obasanjo sues Punch for defamation of character (Guardian)
Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has sued The Punch Newspapers and its columnist Sonala Olumhense for defamation of character. The publication was published January 27, 2019 and considered defamatory, injurious, false, malicious, unjustified and harmful to the former president who is demanding N1 billion from the newspaper and columnist. According to the report, Olumhense titled the article “This is the best Obasanjo can make”, noting Obasanjo’s persistent efforts to distort Nigeria’s history and colour it in his own image. Read more
NLC protest at Labour minister’s residence (Guardian)
Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress have on Wednesday stormed the residence of Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, at Asokoro, Abuja, in protest. The protest was over the delay in the inauguration of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) board by the minister. On Thursday, April 2019, the inauguration of the Board of the NSITF was postponed indefinitely. Read more
Presidential election tribunal: Protesting women invade court premises on Atiku’s behalf (Punch)
Some women in Abuja on Wednesday protested the alleged failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission to obey the order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja permitting the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to inspect the materials used for the February 23 poll. The women, numbering up to 40, held their protest on the premises of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal venue of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which held its inaugural sitting on Wednesday. The protest continued until sitting ended at about 1.20pm. Read more
EFCC’s allegations against me ‘weighty’, says Patience Jonathan (Nation)
Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan Wednesday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos for time to respond to “weighty” allegations against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, on April 26, 2017, ordered the temporary forfeiture of $5.7million and N2, 421,953,522.78 allegedly belonging to Mrs. Jonathan. The judge made the order based on an ex-parte application by the EFCC. Read more
Buhari inaugurates North-East Development Commission (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari has just inaugurated the North-East Development Commission. It is chaired by Gen. Paul Tarfa (retd.). The commission, which is to see to the rehabilitation of devastated communities in the North-East, caused by Boko Haram insurgency, has an N10bn take-off grant. Read more
Akwa Ibom governor bans appointees from granting interviews (Guardian)
Akwa Ibom state government has barred its appointees from granting interviews or speaking on issues concerning the state without permission from the governor. The directive was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and made available to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday. The government appointees directly affected by the directive include all Commissioners, Special Advisers, Members of Boards and Commissions, Special Assistants and other Personal Aides. Read more
Eleven killed, many displaced as herdsmen attack Taraba villages (Punch)
Local residents of Murbai, Kisbap, Sembe, and Yawai – Abbare villages of Ardo-Kola and Jalingo Local Government Areas in Taraba State on Wednesday said eleven people were killed and scores injured when armed Fulani gunmen invaded their villages. The villages are located on the outskirts of Jalingo the state capital. One of the residents, Hon. Cyprian Kamai said the trouble started four days ago at Yawai village when a Fulani herdsman invaded the farm of one of the locals and in an attempt to stop his cows the herdsman stabbed him with a machete. Read more
Police deny killing motorcyclist in Lagos (Nation)
The police in Lagos Wednesday refuted reports that an operative attached to Ago Division in Okota chased a motorcyclist to his death over alleged N100 bribe. A viral video on social media had alleged that the unnamed policeman described as tall, dark had chased the motorcyclist for refusing to part with N100 in front of Century Police State where the rider fell and was knocked by an oncoming vehicle. The incident was said to have occurred around 6am. Read more
Brexit: Theresa May rejects calls to resign (BBC)
The PM has rejected calls for her to quit over her handling of Brexit, saying it is “not an issue about me”. Theresa May was replying to Tory Brexiteer Andrea Jenkyns, who said she had “failed to deliver on her promises” on Brexit and had lost public trust. Calls have been growing for her to name an exit date and later Tory MPs will meet discuss her future. But the PM’s spokesman said Mrs May had already promised to leave after delivering the first stage of Brexit. Read more
Eleven injured as plane slides off Myanmar runway (Guardian)
Eleven people were injured as a plane slid off a runway while landing at Yangon airport in Myanmar Wednesday, police said, as a freak storm hit the city. Images on Facebook showed a crumpled Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane lying on the grass at the side of the runway. An AFP photographer saw an injured woman being carried to an ambulance on a stretcher. “One pilot, an air hostess and nine passengers were slightly injured,” a police officer at the airport told AFP, asking not to be named, adding that the plane slid from the runway as it landed at 6.50pm (1220 GMT). Read more
Harry and Meghan name son Archie (BBC)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have named their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Introducing him to the cameras earlier in the day, Meghan said: “He has the sweetest temperament, he’s really calm. He’s been the dream.” As they laughed, Prince Harry said: “I don’t know who he gets that from.” The announcement came after the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh met their eighth and newest great-grandchild for the first time at Windsor Castle. Read more
Fire kills six in New York apartment (Punch)
A fire in an apartment building in Harlem early Wednesday claimed the lives of six people, including four children, the New York Fire Department said. About a hundred firefighters converged on the building in response to an emergency call at 1:40 am (0640 GMT), and traced the blaze to a fifth-floor corner apartment. “Our members aggressively moved in extinguishing the fire. When they reached the two rear bedrooms, they found six occupants of that apartment deceased, four children and two adults,” Daniel Nigro, the city’s fire department chief, said on Facebook. Read more
Dad grew thousands of pounds worth of cannabis in room where daughter, 3, slept (Metro)
Two brothers have been spared jail after forcing their children to sleep in a house which had been turned into a drugs den. Daniel Morfitt went out with friends and left his young daughter, 3, asleep in a room where thousands of pounds worth of cannabis was being grown. The 29-year-old returned home at 4.40am before slumping in the doorway of the home he shared with his brother, Marc Dales, 35, in Essex Street, west Hull. Read more
Pakistan Data Darbar: Bomber kills eight outside Sufi shrine in Lahore (BBC)
At least eight people have been killed in an explosion outside a major Sufi Muslim shrine in the Pakistani city of Lahore, officials said. Five police officers are reportedly among the dead. A police van was the prime target, authorities said. Police have described the blast as a suicide attack. It has been claimed by the Hizbul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban. The explosion occurred at 0844am local time (0344 GMT) near the Data Darbar Sufi shrine, one of the oldest Sufi shrines in South Asia. Read more
Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman to play Africa’s first Samurai in ‘Yasuke’ (Nation)
‘Black Panther’ star, Chadwick Boseman will produce and star as Japan’s first African samurai in the historical film, ‘Yasuke’. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Boseman gained global recognition as T’Challa in the Marvel flick and is known for portraying strong, iconic black characters in films. Speaking on the movie, Boseman said, “The legend of Yasuke is one of history’s best-kept secrets, the only person of non-Asian origin to become a samurai. Read more
Britney Spears files for restraining order against ex manager (Nation)
American pop singer, Britney Spears has filled a restraining order against her ex-manager, Sam Lutfi. According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Lutfi has being accused of harassing Spears, her parents and stirring up her fans. She filed for a restraining order against him at Los Angeles County Superior Court. According to the documents, Lutfi has been sending text messages to Spear’s mother and posting disparaging and threatening comments on social media; including inciting the public against her. Read more
Chelsea’s Kante out of Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt (Punch)
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will miss the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, manager Maurizio Sarri said on Wednesday. He also faces a further two weeks out with a hamstring problem. France international Kante left the field early in the first half of last Sunday’s 3-0 English Premier League (EPL) win over Watford. Sarri later said after the game that the decision not to rest the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was a mistake. Read more
Francis Coquelin takes subtle dig at Arsenal ahead of Europa League semi final against Valencia (Metro)
Francis Coquelin believes his former Arsenal side will wilt under pressure and throw away their two-goal advantage in Thursday’s Europa League semi final second leg against Valencia. The Frenchman missed out on making an emotional return to the Emirates a week ago due to suspension and was unable to prevent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette dovetailing to help Unai Emery’s men build a potentially significant advantage. Read more
Barcelona to sell Coutinho after UCL horror show (Nation)
Philippe Coutinho is “not a Barcelona player” and will be the first casualty of their shambolic Champions League exit to Liverpool, while the board is set to meet to decide coach Ernesto Valverde’s fate, sources have told ESPN FC. Sources also confirmed that a number of the coaching staff are disappointed with Coutinho’s performances this season. The Brazilian is the club’s record signing at €160 million but his displays against his former side across both legs of the semifinal strengthened the idea that his time at Camp Nou is up. Read more
Barcelona fans abuse Lionel Messi at airport after Liverpool’s stunning comeback victory (Metro)
A group of devastated Barcelona supporters hurled abuse at Lionel Messi as he arrived at John Lennon Airport following the side’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Liverpool. Liverpool completed one of the competition’s greatest ever comebacks as braces from Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum sent Jurgen Klopp’s side into the final for a second successive season. Messi was at his frightening best as he inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 lead at the Nou Camp, but the iconic forward was unable to get a hold of the second leg and broke down in tears after referee Cuneyt Cakir blew the full-time whistle. Read more
Dutch footballer Van der Laan sacked for throwing Ajax sickie (BBC)
When a friend handed Jordie van der Laan a ticket for the first leg of Ajax’s Uefa Champions League semi-final against Spurs last week, the temptation was too great. Van der Laan, a 25-year-old striker with second-tier club Telstar, decided to travel to London. “I just called in sick and of course it wasn’t the best decision. In the end someone found out,” he told the BBC. The club decided to terminate his contract by mutual consent. “He tricked us,” complained technical director Piet Buter. Read more