Ekweremadu: Temper justice with mercy, Reps pleads UK govt (Vanguard)
House of Representatives has pleaded with the Central Criminal Court and the government of the UK to temper justice with mercy in sentencing former deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu and Dr. Obinna Obeta who have been found guilty of organ harvesting.
The appeal came on the heels of motion titled, “Motion on the Need for Clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu” moved at Tuesday plenary by the deputy minority leader of the House, Hon. Toby Okechukwu under matter of urgent public importance.
The sentencing will be announced May 5.
Presenting the motion, Okechukwu said that Ekweremadu acted based on his limited knowledge of the UK laws, stressing that he must have learned his lessons. Read more
Fraud: How Seyi Tinubu bought London mansion for $10.8m – Report (DailyTrust)
Seyi, son of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been linked to the purchase of a London mansion under fraud investigation by the federal government.
Seyi reportedly bought the house in 2017 for $10.8m through his firm, Bloomberg reported.
Citing previously unreported UK company documents, the report said the property, acquired by Seyi’s firm was part of the biggest corruption scandals the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was seeking to probe. Read more
Mob attacks man for vandalising vehicles in Lagos (Punch)
An unidentified man has been attacked by a mob in the Victoria Island of Lagos State for allegedly vandalising vehicles on A.J. Marinho Drive.
The man was accused of stealing side mirrors from vehicles parked on the street on Tuesday, when he was caught, pursued and beaten.
A security man, identified only as Ali, said vandalising of vehicles had become a norm in the area. Read more
Wike declares Wednesday holiday for Tinubu’s Rivers visit (Channels)
Ahead of the planned visit of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu to Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has declared Wednesday, May 3 a public holiday in his honour.
In a state broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Wike said Tinubu is scheduled for a two-day visit to commission some projects in the state on Wednesday and Thursday.
He listed the projects to include the Rumuokwuta-Rumuola flyover and the newly built Magistrate Court Complex in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas, respectively. Read more
Sudan crisis: Reps summon Onyeama, Dabiri, NEMA officials (Guardian)
Worried over the challenges associated with the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Sudan, the House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri.
The lawmakers also invited officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
They are to brief the House on the evacuation of Nigerians from the crisis-ridden country.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila issued the invite on Tuesday at the resumption of plenary. Read more
Firearms: Court adjourns trial of 3 Abuja clerics until May 10 (Vanguard)
A Zuba Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, adjourned hearing until May 10, in the trial of three clerics charged with illegal possession of prohibited firearms.
The police charged the defendants, Uche Aigbe, Promise Ukachukwu and Olakunle Ogunleye with criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, inciting disturbance and criminal intimidation which they pleaded not guilty to.
At the resumed trial, the defendants told the court that their lawyer, Uche Uzukwu, embarked on a trip, adding that they were in the process of getting another lawyer. Read more
Betara awards scholarship to son of late Rep-elect, Maihanchi (NewTelegraph)
Speakership aspirant and Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on appropriation, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu has awarded a scholarship to the son of the late member-elect, Hon. Ismaila Yushau Maihanci.
Betara made the pronouncement when he visited the family of the deceased on a condolence visit on Sunday.
Recall that Maihanchi who was elected to represent Jalingo, Yorro, Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba state in the just concluded general election, died penultimate Saturday in Abuja following a brief illness. Read more
LandWey completes multi-billion Naira UrbanPrime1 residential devt in Lekki-Ajah (Leadership)
LandWey Investment Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading real estate development companies, has just completed its flagship Urban Prime 1 residential development in Abraham Adesanya, Lekki-Ajah, Lagos, setting a new standard for premium living in the area.
A statement by the company on Friday, said the stunning multi-billion naira development was a template project for others along the corridor, with its great infrastructure, including a 33KVA Megawatts dedicated power line to provide uninterrupted power supply, water infrastructure, roads, sewage, and a beautiful natural landscape.
“The Urban Prime 1 development was designed to shape the entire location landscape, offering a perfect balance between technology, architecture, and nature. With its impressive infrastructure, the development is designed to provide residents with the highest quality of life, offering unmatched premium experience and comfort. Read more
Rihanna’s Met Gala bridal look makes fan question if she married A$AP Rocky (PageSix)
Could congratulations be in order for A$AP Rocky and Rihanna?
The pair — who are currently expecting their second child together — sparked marriage rumors after showing up to the 2023 Met Gala in bridal-esque attire.
The “Love on the Brain” songstress stunned in a breathtaking white Valentino ensemble featuring a flower-adorned cape and dramatic train. She accessorized the look with $25 million worth of Cartier jewels — though a wedding ring was certainly missing from her hand.
Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky wore a Gucci suit jacket and a kilt over a pair of shimmering jeans held up by numerous belts. Read more
Terrence Howard, J.B. Smoove and Rebecca De Mornay join Leslie Small-directed comedy ‘‘Giving Thanks’’ (Deadline)
Terrence Howard (Empire), JB. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Rebecca De Mornay (Jessica Jones) are set to star in Giving Thanks, a coming-of-age comedy set in Inglewood, California that will go into production in June.
The story revolves around Marcus and Roddy, two best friends who work at a dead-end retail job and dream about jump-starting their dream of living on their own while seeking fame and fortune. The pair come up with an ingenious plan to kidnap the pet iguana of football star Achilles Cooper for ransom, while also forcing the famous player to headline the birthday party of Marcus’s father.
Howard plays Calvin Turner, a hard-working father who wants to see his son, Marcus, take advantage of the opportunities life affords him. Smoove will portray Marcus’s arch-nemesis Dexter, an ambitious hustler who manages the retail box store where he works. And De Mornay is set for the role of Aunt Theodora, an eccentric cabaret/performance artist who tries her best to look out for Roddy, but knows a good opportunity when she sees it. Read more
Hollywood writers strike as studio talks collapse (France24)
Thousands of Hollywood television and movie writers went on strike Tuesday after talks with studios and streamers over pay and working conditions failed to clinch a deal.
The strike means late-night shows are expected to grind to a halt immediately, while television series and movies scheduled for release later this year and beyond could face major delays.
“We have not reached an agreement with the studios and streamers,” the Writers Guild of America (WGA) said in an email to members, obtained by AFP. Read more
‘‘Gran Turismo’’ trailer reveals 1st look at PlayStation movie adaptation (DigitalSpy)
Gran Turismo’s first trailer has raced ahead of its cinema release later this year.
Directed by District 9’s Neil Blomkamp, the movie is based on PlayStation’s racing series and tells the true life story of Jann Mardenborough, a teenager who became so good at the video game that he eventually became a real race car driver.
Fans knew the trailer was coming today (May 2) after Sony Pictures shared an exciting 15-second teaser yesterday. Read more
Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dead at 84 (People)
Folk music icon Gordon Lightfoot, whose poetic songs captured the hearts of his fellow Canadians and millions worldwide, has died. He was 84.
The singer-songwriter’s longtime publicist, Victoria Lord, confirmed his death at a Toronto hospital on Monday night to multiple outlets including the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. No cause of death was given.
Known for his soothing style and stirring lyrics, Lightfoot rose to prominence in his native Canada in the early 1960s, and developed an international following after penning the now-folk music standard “If You Could Read My Mind” in the early ’70s. Read more
Pedro Pascal in final talks to join Ridley Scott’s ‘‘Gladiator’’ sequel (Variety)
Pedro Pascal is the latest A-lister in talks to join Ridley Scott’s upcoming “Gladiator” sequel.
Pascal, who stars in both The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, is in final negotiations to board the Paramount movie, which already boasts a cast including Academy Award nominees Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan, as well as two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.
The Paramount movie follows 2000’s blockbuster hit Gladiator, which was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won five, including best picture. It earned $460 million at the box office. Read more
Fox’s 9-1-1 heading to ABC for season 7 in shocking move (ET)
Fox’s 9-1-1 is headed to a new network in a shocking move.
The first-responder drama has been canceled by Fox, but picked up by ABC, which will become its new home for the just-announced season 7 set to air during the 2023-24 broadcast season. ABC announced the pickup on Monday in a press release, making this the latest high-profile move for a broadcast show following Magnum P.I.‘s switcheroo from CBS to NBC earlier this year.
“Thanks to the creative drive of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, as well as the talented cast, 9-1-1 has been one of the most defining and original dramas on network television over the last six seasons and we are honored to bring it to the esteemed group of series on ABC,” said Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group, in a statement. “It’s a privilege to keep 9-1-1 in the family with 20th Television producing, and we look forward to telling more heart-racing and uplifting stories about these beloved characters on our air.” Read more
FIFA threatens European TV blackout of Women’s World Cup (Guardian)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has threatened a television blackout of this year’s Women’s World Cup in major European countries unless broadcasters improve their offers for rights.
Infantino in October criticised broadcasters who he said had offered “100 times less” to screen the Women’s World Cup compared to the men’s tournament.
He went on the attack again on Monday, less than three months before the start of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, calling for a “fair price” for media rights. Read more
Workers’ Day: NLC Angels defeat male team 2-1 in Enugu (Punch)
The Nigeria Labour Congress female football team known as NLC Angels, defeated their male team counterpart by 2-1 in a novelty match commemorating the Workers’ Day in the country.
At the match played inside the Rangers International FC training pitch, Liberty Estate, Enugu on Monday, Chioma Eneh put the female team in front in the 27th minute.
Fabian Nwigbo, the captain of the male team, levelled the score after the interval but the female team captain, Rose Ugwu, made it 2-1 in the 78th minute. Read more
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp reveals what referee Paul Tierney said in heated confrontation (ESPN)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed the comment referee Paul Tierney made to him as he was booked for his celebration in his side’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
Liverpool threw away an early three-goal lead against Spurs, culminating when Richarlison netted a stoppage-time equaliser. However, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota scored a winner just a minute later, with Klopp celebrating by confronting fourth official John Brooks.
Tierney handed Klopp a yellow card, but the Liverpool boss said after the match he was angered by remarks the referee made to him on the touchline, describing them as “not OK.” Read more
Katie McCabe in tears as Wolfsburg strike in extra time to end Arsenal’s Champions League hopes (IrishIndependent)
Arsenal’s dream of reaching a first Women’s Champions League final since their 2007 triumph came to an end after Pauline Bremer’s extra-time goal saw Wolfsburg beat the Gunners 5-4 on aggregate.
The hosts opened the scoring through Stina Blackstenius in front of 60,063 at the Emirates – a record for a women’s club game in this country – but the strike was cancelled out by former Gunner Jill Roord before half-time.
Wolfsburg skipper Alexandra Popp pulled the visitors ahead after the restart before Jen Beattie’s equaliser forced extra time. Read more
Serena Williams announces she’s pregnant with 2nd child (ESPN)
Tennis great Serena Williams is pregnant with her second child, she announced in an Instagram post Monday night ahead of her attendance at the Met Gala.
“Was so excited when Anna Wintour invited the 3 of us to the Met Gala,” Williams wrote in the caption, referring to the Vogue editor-in-chief and Met Gala chairwoman.
Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, are already parents to 5-year-old Olympia. Read more
Brittney Griner marks 1st Mercury training camp practice (ABC)
Brittney Griner knew throughout her time detained in Russia that Sunday, her return to the court as a member of the Phoenix Mercury, would come — at some point.
She just didn’t know when.
Griner said after her first training camp practice that she had been convinced her next practice wouldn’t come until she was let out of a Russian jail after her nine-year sentence had been completed, which, doing the quick math in front of a handful of cameras, Griner estimated to be Oct. 25, 2030. Read more
