Fake EFCC operatives, police inspector nabbed in Lagos estate (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday paraded two men alongside a “Mobile Police Inspector” accused of impersonating its operatives in Lagos and extorting members of the public.
The agency’s Zonal Head in Lagos, Ghali Mohammed Ahmed, who spoke in behalf of EFCC Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa said the two-man gang and the officer were arrested at New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos on Wednesday, “in the middle of an illegal operation to ‘serve’ a purported court order on an unsuspecting victim.”
Ahmed said: “The trio, Pascal Ugwu Chijioke, Sodiq Ibrahim Adekunle and Edwin Bassey, the Police Inspector, had posed as bona fide operatives of the EFCC, and stormed the residence of their target with all the paraphernalia of typical EFCC raid – armed with security back-up, fake branded EFCC jackets and EFCC identity cards. Read more
Lagos driver absconds with boss car, arrested in Edo (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Ibeh Udoka for allegedly absconding with his boss’ Toyota Corolla car and attempted to flee with it to Imo State, where he intended to sell it.
The spokesman for the command, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Thursday, that Ibeh disappeared with the car on May 3, 2021, when his boss asked him to take it to the mechanic for repairs, but he allegedly headed for Imo State ostensibly to sell the car.
He was, however, nabbed in Benin City, Edo State, through the collaborative efforts of the Lagos and Edo police commands.
The statement read in part, “On May 4, 2021, around 1pm, one Mrs Ibironke Akinola came to the Idimu Police Division and reported that her driver, Ibeh Udoka, whom she handed over her Toyota Corolla car with number plate ABC 801 FU to deliver to her mechanic for repairs, was not seen and ever since, his mobile telephone had been switched off. Read more
Lagosians observe low-key Eid-el-Fitri celebrations (Guardian)
Yesterday’s Eid-El-Fitri celebrations in Lagos were low-key in several parts of Lagos, as uncertainty in the country forced sober festivities across the country.
Shops in Oshodi and many other areas in Lagos were closed, while markets did not witness the usual crowd associated with them on normal days.
The general environment all over Lagos attested to the fact that people were either holidaying or had taken time off from hustle and bustle.
The usual sound of music and musicians that entertain during similar celebrations was missing in line with the current state of the nation. Read more
NIMASA, Army Collaborate on Training for Journalists (ThisDay)
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Army have announced a plan to cooperate on the training of journalists and other public communication practitioners in the country’s security sector.
This was the highpoint of a meeting in Lagos between the management of NIMASA, led by the Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, and a team from the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), led by the Acting Commandant, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, at the agency’s headquarters.
The Nigerian Army delegation said the courtesy call was to explore areas for further collaboration with NIMASA.
Jamoh stressed the cordial relationship between NIMASA and the Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian Army, which plays a leading role in the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (the Deep Blue Project), domiciled at the Agency. Read more
Lagos raids Iganmu underbridge, evicts squatters (Punch)
The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit on Thursday evicted illegal occupants from the Iganmu underbridge.
The unit said the state government would put the space to better use.
Recall that a notice of eviction was issued to the occupants of the bridge on Monday with a three-day ultimatum.
The Chairman of the task force, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said this in a statement by the unit’s Public Affairs Officer, Femi Moliki, on Thursday. Read more
Nollywood Stars Fight Sexual Violence With “Speak Up” (Leadership)
Speak Up, a serial drama addressing sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) is set to begin production.
The series sponsored by Patriot Foundation will feature Nollywood stars such as Monalisa Chinda, Chuck Cyke, Steve Eboh among others, and also pave the way for newer stars.
Over 200 practising and fledgling artists turned up for the auditions held recently in Abuja.
Speaking at the audition, serial director and producer, Chris Oge-Kalu, noted that the production was a fallout of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and relevant Nigerian institutes last year on the way forward to curb the increased sexual and GBV resulting from the global lockdown. Read more
GPHA commends NPA, INTELS facilities at Onne Port (ThisDay)
Officials of Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA) have commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Intels Logistics Services for the impressive facilities at their terminals at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) in Onne Rivers State.
The delegation, which was led by Director of Port of Tekoradi, Ghana, Captain Ebenezer Afadzi, gave the commendation during a one-day visit, to Onne Port.
Addressing the delegation, Onne Port Manager, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, said Onne Port is big and accommodates four major ‘Terminal Operators’, who are also concessionaires.
The concessionaires, he said, are: Intels Logistics Services, Brawal Oil Services, West African Container Terminal and ICTNL. Read more
Ondo varsity student commits suicide (Punch)
The management of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State says it will investigate the reason behind the death of one its students identified as Feranmi Fasunle.
Fasunle reportedly died as a result of the sniper she allegedly drank on Wednesday night.
It was gathered that the 200-level student of the Department of Political Science at the varsity drank the insecticide on Wednesday night in her room and was later rushed to the school’s health centre but was later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo where she gave up the ghost early Thursday. Read more
Omo-Agege canvasses strict observance of Covid-19 protocols (ThisDay)
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has canvassed for strict observance of COVID-19 protocols as Muslim faithful celebrate Eid el Fitri in the country.
Omo-Agege in his Sallah message yesterday emphasised the need for careful observance of COVID-19 protocols, noting that while Nigeria has been relatively safe thus far, the world is yet to overcome the pandemic.
He stressed that even with the conclusion of Ramadan fasting, Nigeria and the world need a continuation of the self-control, godliness and generosity towards one another.
While felicitating with Nigerian Muslims as they celebrate Eid-el Fitri, Omo-Agege commended them for their passionate observance of the Ramadan fasting and adherence to holy injunctions. Read more
Italy fines Google 100 mn euros ($120 mn) for abuse of market position (Guardian)
Italy’s anti-trust authority said Thursday it had fined Google more than 100 million euros ($120mn) for shutting out a rival’s smartphone app offering recharging of electric vehicles.
The authority said Google, whose Android operating system and Google Play app store dominate the Italian market, had abused its market position by blocking an Enel X app for users of electric vehicles.
The regulator added it would require Google to make Enel X’s app available on Android Auto, which mirrors features of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car dashboard screen.
The fine of 102,084,433.91 euros is for a violation of article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which regulates monopolies and issues involving restriction of competition. Read more
‘We cannot sleep’: Mothers caught in the Israel-Gaza conflict (BBC)
Since missiles began pounding close to her family’s home on the Gaza Strip this week, Najwa Sheikh-Ahmad has been too scared to sleep.
“The nights are so scary for us – for our children,” Najwa, a mother of five, says. “In any moment your home might be your grave.”
All day, she can hear the roar of Israeli fighter jets flying overhead, along with the sound of explosions of missiles and aerial bombardments. “Everything is shaking around us,” she says. “And we are shaking too because we are so afraid.”
She is one of many residents in Israel and Gaza who have been gripped by fear, as Palestinian militants and Israeli forces continue to exchange fire, and street violence among Jewish and Israeli Arab mobs has erupted in many Israeli towns. At least 83 people have now been killed in Gaza and seven in Israel. Read more
Zack Snyder welcomes first Black Superman set to replace Henry Cavill: ‘It’s long overdue’ (Metro)
Zack Snyder has shared his thoughts on the upcoming Superman reboot that will star a Black actor in the lead, and he’s all here for it. It’s been confirmed that JJ Abrams is working on the next installment of the DCEU superhero movie and will likely cast an African-American actor to replace Henry Cavill, who was the most recent Superman. When asked about the new direction of the franchise, Justice League director Snyder told Radio Times and other publications: ‘My feeling is that I love JJ [Abrams], I love what he’s done in the past. ‘I’m interested to see what happens, it’s a bold and cool and probably long overdue move.’ Staying loyal to his favourite, he added: ‘But I love Henry [Cavill] as Superman, of course I do. He’s my Superman. Read more
American Republicans mocked by Brits for insinuating ‘Queen of England’ supports voter ID laws like they do (RT)
The Republican State Leadership Committee in the US has been ridiculed by Brits after insinuating that the “Queen of England” supports voter ID laws – thus making her an enemy of the Democrats.
“The woke cancel culture mob continues to call voter ID racist. Now that the Queen of England will require an ID to vote, will Dems cancel her too?” tweeted the committee on Wednesday, along with a photo of Queen Elizabeth II.
Brits and others in the know, however, were quick to point out that there is no “Queen of England” – with Queen Elizabeth II serving as the Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth – and that the Queen is not responsible for the creation of government policy. Read more
Myanmar jails journalist for anti-coup protests coverage (DW)
A court in Myanmar has sentenced a journalist to three years in prison for his reports on anti-junta protests, his organization said Thursday.
Min Nyo of the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) is one of the first media workers to be imprisoned since the military coup on February 1.
He was arrested on March 3 while covering the protests in the town of Pyay.
The DVB said he was “brutally beaten” by police and denied visits from his family.
It is one of the first guilty verdicts against a reporter since the military junta took control of Myanmar three months ago. A human rights observer said journalism is effectively illegal in the country. Read more
People in India warned smearing themselves in cow poo will not fight Covid (Metro)
Doctors in India have urged people not to smear themselves with cow poo in an effort to ward off coronavirus. Medical officials said there is no scientific evidence behind the practice and warned that it risks spreading other diseases. It comes as the health emergency in the country becomes increasingly desperate, with 22.66 million Covid-19 cases and 246,116 deaths reported so far – though experts say the true figures could be some five to 10 times higher. Patients across the country are facing major shortages of hospital beds, oxygen, and medicines, leaving many to die because of a lack of treatment. Read more
Kenya MP Moses Kuria admits taking $1,000 parliamentary bribe (BBC)
Kenya MP Moses Kuria has told the BBC he received a $1,000 (£700) bribe in parliament last year to back the appointment of the majority leader.
“It is not unusual for members to get this kind of an inducement,” he said, adding he would return the payment.
Mr Kuria made the remarks as he and two other colleagues are to be censured for alleging pay-outs were made to back a recent constitutional amendment bill.
Majority leader Amos Kimunya has denied that bribes are paid in parliament. Read more
UK-based Agbaje decries state of Nigerian boxing facilities (Punch)
National featherweight champion, Taiwo Agbaje, has bemoaned the poor state of boxing facilities in Nigeria.
Agbaje, popularly known as ‘Esepo’, recently left Nigeria for England, after sealing a deal with a UK-based outfit.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Agbaje, said the poor training facilities in the country has prevented many athletes from reaching their peak.
“Since I moved to England, I can tell the huge difference in terms of the training facilities. It’s unfortunate that many talents are dying in Nigeria because of lack of exposure and the opportunity to train with the best facilities. Read more
Portuguese officials impose strict restrictions on fans ahead of newly-switched Champions League final (RT)
Fans travelling to this month’s Champions League final in Porto must spend no more than 24 hours in Portugal and remain securely within a strict bubble, according to the prime minister’s Minister of State, Mariana Vieira da Silva.
Porto was announced as the new host this year’s all-English final between Chelsea and Manchester City early on Thursday after original host city Istanbul saw the showpiece fixture taken from them for the second year running with the UK government imposing restrictions on citizens travelling to Turkey amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Any English football fans hoping for some fun in the Portuguese sun later this month have had their hopes dashed after it was announced that supporters are expected to be in the country for no more than 24 hours before flying home. Read more
Eddie Hearn confirms Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is now set for 14 August in Saudi Arabia (Metro)
Eddie Hearn has confirmed Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is now set for Saturday 14 August in Saudi Arabia. While the fight is still to be officially confirmed, Hearn says a revised date has now been agreed upon by all parties. The Matchroom chief confirmed earlier this week that Saudi Arabia, which hosted Joshua’s 2019 victory over Andy Ruiz Jr, will host the Battle of Britain to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. After Hearn offered two possible dates, Fury’s co-promoter Frank Warren later suggested the 7 August was an unrealistic date due to a clash with the ending of the Olympic Games and UFC 265, which takes place that same night. Read more
Liverpool boost top-four hopes with win at Man Utd (BBC)
Jurgen Klopp celebrated his first win at Old Trafford as Liverpool came from behind to beat Manchester United and boost their chances of a Champions League place.
In a thrilling game played against the backdrop of noisy protests against the United ownership outside the ground, United struck first through Bruno Fernandes’ deflected opener.
But Liverpool, who had seen one of their buses prevented from picking team members up before the game after being blocked in the street, hit back through Diogo Jota’s instinctive effort.
Roberto Firmino, who had only scored once since his two-goal haul at Crystal Palace in December, then put his side on top with a well-taken double either side of half-time. Read more
Ruthless Borussia Dortmund teach RB Leipzig’s Nagelsmann a bitter lesson in German Cup triumph (DW)
RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann had hoped to end his tenure with a triumph ahead of his summer move to Bayern Munich. Instead, his team was dismantled by a hungrier, more ruthless Dortmund.
In the hours before kick-off in the 78th German Cup final, RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann received a message of encouragement from his new employers in Munich.
“I have to admit, I’m partial,” said Oliver Kahn. “Winning the cup before you come to Munich isn’t such a bad idea.”
Rummenigge was also happy to take sides. “He hasn’t won a title yet, and I know from experience, coaches want to win titles,” he said.
Dortmund’s Edin Terzic, though, is also a coach who wants to win titles. And so do his players. And perhaps the intervention of the non-combatant Bayern bosses served only to motivate the wrong side. Read more
Bruno Fernandes breaks Frank Lampard record with goal against Liverpool (Metro)
Bruno Fernandes has set a new record for the most goals scored by a Premier League midfielder in a single season. Fernandes opened the scoring for Manchester United in Thursday’s league clash against Liverpool after 10 minutes. The Portugal international saw his effort with the outside of his boot diverted into the back of the net off Nat Phillips with the Premier League officially awarding the goal to the United man. It took his tally for the season to 28. Read more
Real Madrid win to keep title dream alive (BBC)
Real Madrid beat Granada to keep the pressure on leaders Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
The defending champions are two points behind Atleti with two games to go.
Luka Modric gave Real the lead from Miguel Gutierrez’s scooped pass and Rodrygo scored with a fine solo goal.Veteran Jorge Molina gave Granada hope but Eden Hazard set up Alvaro Odriozola and moments later Karim Benzema scored into an empty net from 40 yards after a goalkeeping error. Read more
