Engineer stabs wife, son for refusing to return home after torture (Punch)
Doctors are battling to save the life of a 39-year-old woman, Victoria Emmanuel, after her husband, Haruna Emmauel, allegedly stabbed her.
Victoria was said to have been enduring domestic violence since she married her husband 16 years ago, but left their home in Kaduna after she was almost strangled by Haruna last year.
A family friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Haruna, a building engineer, had under the guise of coming to take his children with him, visited Victoria at her new residence in the state.
The source said Haruna pleaded with Victoria to return to his house, but she asked that he sign an undertaking. Read more
I’m not emperor, says Dapo Abiodun after Tinubu’s outburst (DailyTrust)
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Friday said he’s not an emperor by any chance, in what appeared to be a direct response to the presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s outburst in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Tinubu on Thursday angrily told Abiodun how he made him Governor in 2019.
He spoke at presidential lodge in Abeokuta, the state capital, while addressing the APC delegates ahead of the party’s primaries.
Tinubu was in company of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo – Olu, his Kano counterpart, Umar Ganduje and former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima.
Governor Abiodun had openly endorsed the candidature of Osinbajo, who hails from Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state. Read more
Lawyer writes CP over judgment against Lagos, MC Oluomo (Punch)
A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Olukayode Ogungbeje, has urged the Commissioner of Police in Lagos to ensure the enforcement of an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos which barred the Lagos State Government from implementing its policy of collecting a daily levy of N800 from transporters and commercial vehicle drivers in the state.
In the February 9, 2022 ex parte order, Justice P.O. Lifu also restrained the respondents from “forceful imposition, collection of any transport union levies, dues, fees or money from any person, commercial driver or any transporter that is not a member of the respondents.”
The suit was filed by Ogungbeje on behalf of himself and the Transport Union Society of Nigeria.
Listed as respondents in the suit were the Lagos State Government; its attorney general, the Registered Trustees of the National Union of Road Transport Workers; the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria; the National Association of Road Transport Owners and the newly appointed Head of the Lagos State Park and Garages Management, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo; and others. Read more
Damasak: Bagudu, Zulum tour Borno’s 3,000-hectare rice farm (Vanguard)
Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, was, on Wednesday, led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on a tour of 3,000-hectare rice farm in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area.
The mega farm is one of Zulum’s ongoing programmes in Agriculture.
The farm’s location, Damasak, is on the fringes of lake chad and it was one of Boko Haram’s strongholds before it was liberated by the Nigerian Military.
During the tour, Governor Bagudu addressed farmers, explaining purpose of his visit. Read more
Court dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s fundamental rights suit against DSS (Guardian)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu against the Department of States Services (DSS).
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in a judgment, dismissed the suit for lacking in merit and substance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, through his lawyer, Maxwell Opara, had, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1585/2021, sued the Director-General (DG) of DSS and the office as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively.
He also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 3rd respondent in the suit dated and filed Dec. 13, 2021.
Kanu had alleged that his health was deteriorating in the DSS custody, while also alleging that the medical personnel assigned to attend to him by the DSS were unqualified, among others.
But the DSS, through its counsel, Idowu Awo, disagreed with Opara. Read more
I Made Buhari President Comment: Tinubu spoke out of anger — Yoruba elders (Vanguard)
Yoruba elders, yesterday, defended Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over comments that he deployed his political machinery to make General Muhammadu Buhari president of the country in 2015, saying the politician spoke out of anger.
General Secretary of the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, Dr Kunle Olajide, Dr Olajide said: “He (Tinubu) expressed his opinion which he has a right to. But those of us outside their circle cannot know the veracity of his facts but I can imagine that he played a lot of role in ensuring that the present administration came to be. There is no doubt about that, he was influential in ensuring that we had what we have now. He played a lot of role and we should credit him with the roles he played. To me, it was not out of place but he did that a little bit out of provocation.”
Leader of the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Organization, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said he was not surprised by Tinubu’s remarks. “At this stage, I won’t react until after they have done their election. Read more
2023: INEC releases new regulations, bars use of smartphones at voting cubicles (DailyTrust)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the ‘Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022’ which would be used for general, off-cycle, bye-elections, re-run and supplementary elections.
The regulations and guidelines are issued pursuant to Section 149 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and they supersede all other regulations and/or guidelines on the conduct of elections issued by the commission.
I need a man that matches my energy – Tiwa Savage
Timeline: Deaths, destruction, displacement, 100 days of Russian invasion of Ukraine
The 37-page document, released by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, contains 106 guidelines and regulations for elections as well as health measures during conduct of elections.
Yakubu released the document on Friday in Abuja at the special meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). Read more
MTN Foundation seeks collaborative fight against substance abuse, unveils ASAP 2022 activities (Guardian)
It’s no news that substance abuse is a major public health, social and individual problem and is seen as an aggravating factor for economic crises. A 2019 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows that 35 million people suffer from drug disorders globally and opioids such as codeine, morphine and many others are responsible for the death of two-thirds of the 585,000 people who died from substance abuse.
In Nigeria today, drug abuse has become a worrisome trend amongst the Nigerian youth. According to Atinuke Aduloju, Chief Superintendent of narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), she stated that over 40% of Nigerian youth within ages, 18-35 abuse drugs. This is not just a threat to public health in Nigeria but to the future of young Nigerians, as there is still a rapid increase in the number of youths addicted to drugs.
The effects of substance abuse are limitless and can affect the quality of life of those who fall victim. The youth constitute a large percentage of the labour market in Nigeria, and addiction to drugs affects workplace productivity, which is detrimental to the nation’s economy. Read more
NDLEA files drug trafficking charge against 9 Ghanaians (Guardian)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday filed a two-count of drug trafficking charged against nine Ghanaians in a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The charge is against Victor Wuddah, 30; Freeman Gazul, 25; Joseph Adotete, 31; Moses Scottie, 52; Christian Tettie, 27; Stephen Scottie, 26; Kabu Okonipa, 25; Daniel Toyekpti, 35; and Kabu Nattie, 38.
According to the charge signed by NDLEA prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, the suspects are arrested on Feb. 20 at the high sea at Badagry.
The suspects were alleged to have conspired to unlawfully engage in the transportation of 10.8kg of Cannabis Sativa, a restricted narcotic similar to cocaine, heroin and other hard drugs restricted by law. Read more
Millions raise a glass to the Queen at Jubilee street parties across the nation (Metro)
Across the country, Brits have been raising a toast to Her Majesty as he celebrates 70 years on the throne this weekend.
The streets have been filled with red, white, and blue as people eat plenty of cakes and party throughout the day.
Plenty of revellers were blessed with sunny weather as they showed up in fancy dress and Union Jack patterned suits to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
One reveller rocked a purple dress, a pair of black heels, a curly wig – and of course, a mask of the Queen. Read more
Africans are victims of Ukraine war, Putin told (BBC)
African countries are innocent victims of the war in Ukraine and Russia should help ease their suffering, the head of the African Union has told Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Russia.
After talks in Sochi, Macky Sall said the Russian leader had promised to ease the export of cereals and fertiliser, but gave no details.
Mr Putin denied Moscow was preventing Ukrainian ports from exporting grain.
Over 40% of wheat consumed in Africa usually comes from Russia and Ukraine.
But Ukraine’s ports in the Black Sea have been largely blocked for exports since the conflict began. Kyiv and its allies blame Moscow for blockading the ports, which Ukraine has mined to prevent a Russian amphibious assault. Read more
Tony Bennett, 95, hits Central Park in wheelchair with wife Susan Benedetto (PageSix)
Tony Bennett still enjoys the simple pleasures in life.
The legendary singer, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, enjoyed a rare public outing Thursday as he soaked up the sun in Central Park in New York City.
Bennett, 95, was accompanied by an aide and his wife, Susan Benedetto, who is his primary caretaker. It was the first time he has been photographed in a wheelchair.
The “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” crooner has not been seen often in public since retiring from his eight-decade music career last year.
Bennett performed his final shows in August 2021 at Radio City Music Hall with longtime fan and recent collaborator Lady Gaga. Their “One Last Time” concert aired as a CBS special after Thanksgiving. Read more
Prince Harry and Meghan navigate a tricky return to duty (BBC)
Low-key was always going to be difficult to pull off when you are globally famous, members of the Royal Family, and haven’t been seen in the UK together for two years after leaving in controversial circumstances.
But when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out of the car at the Great West Door of St Paul’s Cathedral they were back in the full glare of the royal spotlight.
Unsurprisingly they looked slightly nervous. They held hands tightly. Meghan straightened out the collar of her Dior coat.
They chatted to one another but you could sense their caution.
Huge crowds had gathered outside St Paul’s Cathedral for Friday’s Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving. Most of them dedicated supporters of the Royal Family. Read more
Woman bitten by wild boar while sunbathing on Spanish beach (Metro)
A unsuspecting sunbather was bitten as a wild boar went on a rampage along a beach in Costa del Sol.
The disorientated animal ran out of the sea and charged towards the 67-year-old woman, before lifeguards quickly sounded the alarm.
Emergency services were called to El Albir beach at around 11am this morning, while lifeguards chased the animal away from the sunbathers.
The woman later sought treatment for a ‘minor’ leg injury at a local health centre, and was given a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. Read more
Matthew Morrison on SYTYCD exit: Gossip is toxic and destroying our society (BelfastTelegraph)
Glee star Matthew Morrison says gossip is “destroying our society” as he was forced to defend himself against rumours about his exit as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
The actor and dancer said he had “nothing to hide” and that it was “really unfortunate” that he needed to explain messages he had sent to a dancer on the popular US show.
Morrison’s departure from the programme, due to not following “competition production protocols”, was announced last week and rumours circulating online claimed the exchanges were “flirty”.
“It’s really unfortunate that I have to sit here and defend myself and my family against blatantly untrue statements made anonymously, but I have nothing to hide,” the actor said in a video message on his Instagram. Read more
21 House Democrats ask party leaders to split up gun legislation package (NYPost)
A number of House Democrats are asking party leaders to split up a package of gun control measures with the hope that the bills will have a better shot at garnering Republican support individually.
The 21 members of Congress, led by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), penned a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats Thursday asking that the eight-bill package known as “Protecting Our Kids” be broken up so that each bill within it can get a standalone vote on the House floor.
The package includes legislation that would raise the legal age to buy semi-automatic rifles to 21, outlaw high-capacity magazines, strengthen gun storage requirements and combat untraceable “ghost guns,” among other gun control measures.
The package — crafted by Democrats in response to two horrific mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas that killed more than 30 people combined — is likely to easily pass the Democrat-controlled House, but is expected to fail in the Senate, where it needs 10 Republican votes to break a filibuster and bring it to a vote. Read more
Nadal in final as Zverev leaves court in wheelchair (BBC)
Rafael Nadal reached the French Open final after his opponent Alexander Zverev needed to be taken off court in a wheelchair following a nasty fall.
The third seed screamed in pain when he went down on the baseline after turning his right ankle on the final point of the 12th game of the second set.
Fifth seed Nadal was leading 7-6 (10-8) 6-6 when Zverev left the court.
Nadal will play Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final after the Norwegian beat Marin Cilic in Friday’s second semi-final.
After Zverev’s injury a concerned Nadal went round to check on his opponent as a medic raced on to the court to help the German. Read more
Qatar 2022 miss affected me at Rangers, says Aribo (Nation)
Joe Aribo has reflected on the past season for club and country, including some comments on his disappointment with how things panned out at Ibrox.
The dynamic attacker was building up a serious head of steam toward the end of 2021 putting in some excellent performances for Rangers then following the turn of the year, the game-changer was the January international break with Nigeria failing to navigate the final World Cup qualifiers. The player was open about the effect this had on him, telling Nigerian radio station Brila FM: “It was difficult for me to take. I came back to my club but it was with me for some time, but I just had to say to myself that God has a plan, it wasn’t to be for some reason, but we can’t question God; God knows the best.”
In what has been a marathon season for the London-born 25-year-old, he will likely make his 68th appearance in total across the 21-22 season, in the game against Ecuador in the early hours of Friday.
Aribo reflected on the ups and downs of the past year at Ibrox, including that slump after the Qatar disappointment: Read more
American investment firm Redbird to purchase Serie A champion A.C. Milan for $1.3b (NBC)
Less than two weeks after celebrating AC Milan’s league title win with thousands of fans, Gerry Cardinale is on the verge of becoming the new owner of the storied Serie A club.
Cardinale is the founder and managing partner of American investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, which has signed a preliminary agreement to buy Milan for 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion).
Milan said Wednesday that RedBird is expected to complete the purchase from fellow American firm Elliott Management by September at the latest. The announcement comes 10 days after Cardinale was pictured joining in celebrations in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the city’s iconic cathedral, after the Rossoneri clinched the scudetto.
“I had the opportunity to be a fan and I went into the piazza in the celebrations and no one knew who I was,” Cardinale told reporters on Wednesday. “And I have to say, I’ve been around many Super Bowl championships, many World Series championships, many NBA finals and championships, I have never seen what I saw last Sunday. Read more
Mohamed Salah sends emotional message as Liverpool slam ‘disgraceful’ French minister comments (LiverpoolEcho)
Mohamed Salah has sent an emotional thank you message to Liverpool fans.
The Reds forward finished the season with 31 goals in all competitions, and played a key role in helping bring two major trophies to Anfield. As well as helping win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, Salah also scooped the Premier League Golden Boot, along with a host of personal awards including the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award.
Salah’s final appearance of the season came in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. The Egyptian had several efforts saved by Thibaut Courtois as Liverpool lost 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris.
Posting on Twitter, Salah has written a message of thanks to Liverpool fans following the conclusion of the season. The 29-year-old went on to speak about the final to Madrid in Paris. Read more
Boston Celtics outscore Golden State Warriors by 24 in the 4th quarter to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals 120-108 (ChicagoTribune)
Jaylen Brown fueled a comeback charge and scored 24 points, Al Horford hit six 3-pointers and the Boston Celtics rode the most lopsided fourth quarter in NBA Finals history to a 120-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 on Thursday night.
Horford finished with 26 points and the Celtics outscored the Warriors 40-16 in the final 12 minutes after trailing by 15 late in the third quarter.
The Celtics made their first seven tries from long distance in the fourth and wound up 9 of 12 beyond the arc over the final 12 minutes as almost everybody got involved in the 3-point flurry. Jayson Tatum was the lone Celtics regular who struggled offensively, finishing 3 for 17.
Stephen Curry scored 34 points in his return to the NBA’s big stage for the first time in three years, but the Warriors couldn’t sustain momentum from a 38-point third quarter that put them ahead 92-80 going into the fourth. Read more
PGA Tour still mum on LIV Golf punishments (GolfAustralia)
The PGA Tour has reiterated a warning to members who choose to compete on the LIV Golf Invitational Series, saying those who do feature on the Saudi-funded breakaway circuit will be “subject to disciplinary action”.
The field for the inaugural LIV Golf event – to be held between June 9-11 at Centurion Club outside London – was revealed late on Tuesday and included long-time PGA Tour players like Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood.
The PGA Tour has already declined requests from members who had asked for releases to compete at Centurion, and while the U.S.-based circuit did not disclose what disciplinary action could be taken, it remained firm in its stance.
“As communicated to our entire membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorised to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event, under PGA Tour Tournament Regulations,” the PGA Tour said in a statement on Wednesday. Read more