Fake nurse arrested after collecting three-month salaries in Lagos (Punch)
A woman, Olufunke Adegbenro, who was employed in July 2021 as a nurse in the Isolo General Hospital by the Lagos State Health Service Commission, has been arrested for allegedly practising with a fake licence.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Adegbenro was caught during a verification exercise by officials of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwifery after allegedly collecting three months’ salaries from the state government.
Our correspondent gathered that Adegbenro allegedly forged a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate, a registered nurse certificate from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and a practising licence to get the job.
The Chairman of the NANNM, Lagos State, Olurotimi Awojide, who confirmed the incident, said his attention was drawn to the incident after verification officers discovered the fraud. Read more
Singer, Terry Apala, Robbed On Third Mainland Bridge In Lagos (DailyTrust)
A Nigerian Afro Beat and Apala (traditional music) artiste, Terry Alexander Ejeh, also known as Terry Apala, has been robbed on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The incident happened last night, according to a video posted on Instagram.
In the video posted by his friend, the shattered glasses of a vehicle was seen.
“Bitter experience tonight, got robbed just now with my guys on the third mainland bridge, I Hope they survived the injury,” a voice said in the background. Read more
Lecturer sues Sanwo-Olu, CP over COVID-19 test, demands N65m damages (Punch)
A lecturer at the Department of Chemical Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Dr Adesola Adeleke, has sued the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (first responder) and the Commissioner for Health (second) at the Lagos State High Court for declaring her wanted upon her return to Lagos from South Africa.
Also joined in the suit are the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State (Fifth responder), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (fourth), and Dr Bowale, the Medical Director, OPD Mainland Hospital, Lagos State (third).
The lecturer said she was made to go through psychological trauma and was abandoned in a mosquito-infested hotel in the Isolo area despite the fact that COVID-19 tests she tool before she left South Africa, as well as the one upon her return to Lagos returned negative.
She prayed for an order of the court restraining Lagos State, its agents and the police from arresting her or making inimical publications against her pending the determination of the suit. Read more
Babalakin decries rot in varsities, says it is endemic (Guardian)
Former Chairman, Governing Council of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Wale Babalakin, has called for a reform of higher institution systems.
Besides, he canvassed an international accounting firm and judicial panel with a judge knowledgeable in finance to look into the affairs of government-owned universities.
He said this was necessary to uncover misappropriation of funds in universities, adding that the Federal Government funding of the institutions is not commensurate with the returns.
Babalakin, while speaking as a guest on Arise News, yesterday, said that corruption in UNILAG did not start under the administration of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe. He said that it is endemic and cannot be unveiled by any visitation panel no matter how strong. Read more
Court orders interim forfeiture of firm’s N2.7b (Nation)
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of N2.7 billion recovered from the bank account of a Lagos-registered firm, Spiralfoss Ltd.
Justice Tijani Ringim made the order following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC counsel, Chinenye Okezie, who moved the application on September 10, 2021, told the court that the money was domiciled in the account of a new generation bank.
Okezie also sought the forfeiture of a black bulletproof Audi Model ABL W12 Quatro with registration number BDG529GJ traced to Spiralfoss Ltd. Read more
Gunmen invade farmhouse, kidnap businessman, shoot passerby (Punch)
Gunmen have kidnapped a livestock farmer, Jide Lawal, at his farmhouse around Agohun community, Emoren-Imota, a boundary area between Lagos and Ogun states.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Lawal went to monitor his farm on Wednesday when the armed men waylaid him at the front gate.
The businessman was said to be waiting for his guard to open the gate when the assailants took advantage of the situation to block him.
At gunpoint, the bandits reportedly demanded he surrender himself.
As the guard opened the gate, the three-man gang was said to have ushered Lawal into the premises of the farmhouse. Read more
2 friends docked for allegedly stealing men’s shoes, sandals (Vanguard)
Two friends appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for allegedly stealing men’s shoes and sandals worth N225,000.
The police charged Abidemi Aminu, 33, and Michael Bello, 31, with dconspiracy, theft and demanding property by menace.
They pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendants and other persons at large, committed the offence on July 17 at 11.45 a.m. at Agura Gberigbe area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
He said the defendants also stole clothes belonging to Mr Onyekachi Eneh and demanding money by blackmail. Read more
Abiodun seeks N83.5b DNRF loan to improve agriculture, others (Guardian)
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has sought the speedy approval of the N83.5 billion loan requested from the 1.68 per cent Development of Natural Resources Fund (DNRF) from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFAC).
The loan, if approved according to the governor, would be used by the state to boost agriculture, tourism and other sectors of the state’s economy.
Abiodun stated this while playing host to members of Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee of RMFAC led by its Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Dibal, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor told members of the committee, who were on an evaluation tour of the state that the release of the fund would help diversify the state’s economy, as well as complete the construction of the agro cargo airport. Read more
Southeast senators, Reps seek political solution to Kanu’s ordeal (Nation)
Southeast senators and House of Representatives members moved on Wednesday to seek political solution to the ordeal of leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who is being detained at a Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, is facing terrorism and treasonable felony charges.
The lawmakers, under the auspices of Southeast Caucus in the National Assembly last promised to intervene Kanu’s detention with a view to securing his release through “political solution.”
They spoke of plans to interface with interface with relevant stakeholders to achieve their aim. Read more
Knife-wielding man arrested outside Ariana Grande’s Los Angeles home (PageSix)
A knife-wielding man was arrested outside of Ariana Grande’s Hollywood Hills home last week after he demanded to see the singer, a report said.
Aaron Brown, 23, allegedly pulled out a knife when he was turned away by security outside Grande’s house at about 2 a.m. Friday, TMZ reported.
It was unclear if Grande, 28, was home at the time.
Brown was hit with a felony brandishing charge, the report said.
Grande was granted a temporary restraining order against the suspect.
A judge will determine at an upcoming hearing if the order will be extended. Read more
Crew member on Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg’s Netflix movie ‘seriously injured on set after falling 30 feet’ (Metro)
A crew member on Mark Wahlberg and Kevin Hart’s new movie, Me Time, was ‘seriously injured’ on set on Tuesday.
A male stage technician had a ‘long fall’ from up to 30 feet and was taken to a trauma center for treatment, Deadline reported.
The unidentified man’s condition is currently unknown as he continues to receive medical treatment.
Speaking to the publication, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey confirmed that a 911 call was placed on Tuesday morning to report that a major accident had occurred at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, California. Read more
SpaceX: Amateur astronauts launch on Inspiration4 mission (BBC)
Four amateur astronauts have blasted off from Florida on their private mission to orbit.
The Inspiration4 crew, comprising one billionaire and three “ordinary citizens”, rode out of the Kennedy Space Center in a Dragon capsule provided by the SpaceX rocket company.
The quartet will spend the next three days circling the Earth.
It’s another milestone in the space tourism market, which is experiencing a resurgence after a decade’s hiatus. Read more
Octavia Spencer apologises to Britney Spears and Sam Asghari over prenup comment (Metro)
Octavia Spencer has apologised to Britney Spears and Sam Asghari over her ‘prenup’ comment, following their engagement.
The Baby One More Time singer confirmed her engagement to her long-term boyfriend over the weekend, sending fans into a spin.
As we all recovered from the good news, the Ma actress slid into the comments below to jokingly suggest that her beau pens a prenuptial agreement before their big day.
Taking to Instagram, she explained that there was no malice behind the comment, and that she had apologised to the lovebirds. Read more
UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China (BBC)
The UK, US and Australia have announced a special security pact to share advanced defence technologies, in an effort to counter China.
The partnership will enable Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time.
The pact, to be known as Aukus, will also cover artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and cyber.
The three countries are worried about China’s growing power and military presence in the Indo-Pacific. Read more
Liverpool 3-2 AC Milan: Reds pull off comeback in Champions League epic (BBC)
Liverpool had to come from behind to win a Champions League thriller against AC Milan at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s team laid siege to Milan’s goal from the start, taking a deserved early lead when former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori deflected a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold into his own net.
Liverpool, who missed the chance to double their advantage when Mohamed Salah’s penalty was saved by keeper Mike Maignan, were stunned when Milan struck twice in the space of seconds right on half-time after being completely outplayed to take the lead through Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz.
Klopp’s side regrouped to subject Milan to intense pressure once more after the break and were rewarded for their stirring comeback, Salah making amends after his penalty miss by equalising from close range after 48 minutes when he was superbly set up by Divock Origi. Read more
Simone Biles in tears testifying on sexual abuse by gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar (Metro)
American Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles teared up as she shared her story on the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
In her opening statement on Wednesday, Biles, 24, said she believes Nassar abused her and other gymnasts because organizations that Congress formed to protect athletes including USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee ‘failed to do their jobs’.
‘I don’t want another young gymnast, or Olympic athlete, or any individual to experience the horror that I and hundreds of others have endured before, during and continuing to this day in the wake of the Larry Nassar abuse,’ Biles said, with her voice cracking. Read more
Tom Brady throws some serious shade at ESPN (NYPost)
Maybe Tom Brady has a future working in sports media — just perhaps not with ESPN.
The Buccaneers quarterback did not seem happy with the network’s “SportsCenter” Twitter account after it quoted him talking about rookie quarterbacks on his “Let’s Go” podcast — without linking to the show.
“Apparently gone are the days of including the link to the show…” Brady responded with a quote Tweet and a link to the podcast.
Coincidentally, Brady’s last tweet before the clap back included a trailer of “Man in the Arena,” a show about Brady that just so happens to be streaming on ESPN+ this fall. There were no links in that tweet from Brady. Read more
Pele: Brazil football legend ‘ready for extra time’ as he leaves intensive care (BBC)
Brazilian legend Pele says he feels ready for “90 minutes plus extra time” after leaving intensive care.
The 80-year-old had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.
The three-time World Cup winner has been having treatment at the hospital since 31 August after the tumour was detected in routine tests.
“I have already left the ICU and I am in my room,” he said in a post on Instagram thanking fans for support.
“I continue every day happier, with a lot of disposition to play 90 minutes, plus extra time. We will be together soon.” Read more
Erling Haaland hails ‘fantastic’ Jude Bellingham as Borussia Dortmund and England star breaks two Champions League records (Metro)
Erling Haaland hailed ‘amazing’ Jude Bellingham after the Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder broke two Champions League records in the victory over Besiktas.
Bellingham, 18, fired the Bundesliga side ahead with a superb goal on 20 minutes, and provided the assist for Haaland’s second on the stroke of half-time.
Besiktas’ Javi Montero scored a late header to set up a nervy finish, but Dortmund held on to begin their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win in Group C. Read more