FG reopens Independence Bridge after emergency repairs (Guardian)
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has officially reopened the Independence Bridge following emergency repair works.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony on Friday, the minister disclosed that the closure was prompted by a structural failure involving the approach slab of the bridge, which caved in due to a faulty design.
According to Umahi, the initial construction of the approach slab was done as a cantilever, which was structurally inappropriate.
“It’s not supposed to be a cantilever. What we had was a free-standing approach slab, which is incorrect. Every approach slab must have at least one end fixed,” he explained. Read more
Court bars Akpabio, Natasha from granting interviews over ongoing case (Tribune)
The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate from granting press, TV interviews, or making social media posts regarding the ongoing case concerning the suspension of the female lawmaker.
Justice Binta Nyako issued the order on Friday, restraining all parties involved, including their lawyers, from discussing the case in public.
This follows complaints by Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), regarding Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan granting interviews to media outlets such as BBC, CNN, and other news organizations. Read more
Supreme Court sacks Abure as Labour Party national chair (Vanguard)
The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP, having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
It held that the issue of leadership was an internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction and noted that Abure’s tenure had since expired. Read more
Sule: Governors okay Tax Reform Bills as passed by Reps (Nation)
Governors are on the same page with the Federal Government on the Tax Reform Bills, Nasarawa State helmsman Abdullahi Sule said yesterday.
According to him, the four Tax Reform Bills passed on March 18 by the House of Representatives contain the adjustments made to the original Bills by the governors.
Sule, along with some other governors, especially from the North, kicked against sections of the Bills as presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Federal lawmakers’ consideration and passage. Read more
Scavenger dies, 3 hospitalised as military grenade explodes in Lagos (Punch)
A yet-to-be-identified scavenger has been killed after a military-grade grenade exploded at Idi-Araba in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Online learnt that three other persons were injured in the incident, which occurred on Thursday.
It was gathered that some scavengers in a metal scrap yard were attempting to dismantle one of the grenades in their possession. Read more
I’ll sign your condolence registers, Wike tells those wishing him dead (DailyTrust)
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed rumours that he collapsed and was flown abroad for medical treatment, describing the claims as satanic and politically motivated.
Speaking on Thursday while inspecting some projects in the nation’s capital, Wike said, “I don’t want to give credence to people who are only interested in spreading rumours. First of all, I am a human being, not a ghost. If someone collapses, it is a human being that collapses, not a ghost. Unfortunately, I did not collapse.”
Wike clarified that he has remained active in his duties, pointing out that he attended public engagements, including leading Abuja residents to Presidential Villa and participating in the president’s Iftar event. Read more
Court stops Pro-Wike rally in Bayelsa (Channels)
The High Court of Bayelsa State, sitting in Yenagoa, has issued an order restraining associates of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, from holding a mega rally in the state pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The proposed rally was scheduled for Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on April 12, 2025.
Hon.. Justice I. A Uzakah granted the motion ex-parte in Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/133/2025 was filed by the state’s Attorney General, Biriyai Dambo (SAN). Read more
NCAA warns foreign airlines over denied boarding, deportation of Nigerians (Nation)
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has read the riot act to all international airlines operating in Nigeria that it will no longer tolerate denied boarding and deportation of Nigerians.
NCAA’s warning came following complaints about airlines selling tickets to passengers, airlifting them halfway to their destinations, and deporting them back to Nigeria.
The Authority said the refusal of boarding and entry at intermediate and transit stops to some Nigerians due to visa or travel restrictions causes distress to passengers and tarnishes the reputation of the aviation industry in Nigeria. Read more
Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault (BBC)
Alamy British actor Russell Brand pictured in a dark suitAlamy
Russell Brand has been charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault between 1999 and 2005.
The charges relate to four separate women.
The comedian and actor has been interviewed multiple times by police since an investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches in September 2023 revealed multiple serious allegations against him.
The 49-year-old has previously denied the allegations, calling them “very, very hurtful”, and saying his relationships have been “always consensual”. Read more
Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis reunite for ‘Freaky Friday’ sequel promo at CinemaCon (PageSix)
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reunited to promote their forthcoming “Freaky Friday” sequel during an affectionate appearance at CinemaCon.
The actresses, who portray an on-screen mother and daughter, wrapped their arms around each other while speaking to the audience at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace on Thursday.
“We can’t begin to tell you how amazing it’s been to be back in Ana and Tessa’s shoes,” Lohan said, referring to her and Curtis’ characters, respectively. Read more
US holds talks with Kinshasa on developing the DR Congo’s mineral resources (AfricaNews)
An official in US President Donald Trump’s administration says it is in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo about developing its mineral resources.
Without providing any further details, his senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, said the potential deal could involve “multibillion-dollar investments”.
Boulos met with DRC President , Felix Tshisekedi, in Kinshasa on Thursday amid speculation of a possible minerals-for-security deal. Read more
Joanne Sharkey: Mother spared prison over death of newborn son found in bin bags in woodland in 1998 (Sky)
A mother has been given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, over the death of her baby 27 years ago.
Joanne Sharkey, 55, pleaded guilty to manslaughter through diminished responsibility at Liverpool Crown Court last month.
Her newborn baby boy was found in bin bags by a dog walker and his son in March 1998 in a wooded area in the Callands district of Warrington.
Sharkey, from Liverpool, also pleaded guilty to endeavouring to conceal the birth of a child. Read more
Indian bishops condemn assault on Catholic pilgrims and priests at Jabalpur (CNA)
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has condemned an attack on Catholic pilgrims visiting churches near the city of Jabalpur along with the beating of senior diocesan officials there.
Allegedly injured in the assault was the vicar general and procurator of Jabalpur, who reportedly rushed to safeguard the pilgrims in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India.
“Reports indicate that this is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern and strategy to create communal polarization and hostility towards religious minorities,” CBCI said in an April 1 press statement. Read more
Andrew Garfield to appear at 2025 Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi (National)
Andrew Garfield, star of The Amazing Spider-Man, will appear at this year’s Middle East Film and Comic Con. The three-day event will take place from April 18 to 20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Garfield’s appearance was announced during a graffiti art stunt at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Friday. He will be joining a list of celebrities that includes Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio from Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again; Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid; and Stranger Things star Natalia Dyer. They are expected to take part in a panel discussion and will be available for pictures and signing sessions.
Garfield is a two-time Oscar nominee thanks to his roles in Hacksaw Ridge and Tick, Tick … Boom! Known for his versatile acting, he has collaborated with some of the film industry’s top directors, appearing in David Fincher’s The Social Network; Martin Scorsese’s Silence; and David Robert Mitchell’s Under the Silver Lake. He has also won a Golden Globe and a Tony Award.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ to Screen at the Sphere as a ‘‘Fully Immersive Experience’’ (Variety)
The Wizard of Oz is taking the Yellow Brick Road to the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Sphere Entertainment Co. has announced two new projects — “The Wizard of Oz at Sphere” and “From the Edge” — currently in production from Sphere Studios. Both productions are part of Sphere’s slate of original immersive content called The Sphere Experience.
“Our goal for The Sphere Experience is a diverse slate that leverages Sphere’s power as an experiential medium. ‘The Wizard of Oz at Sphere’ and ‘From the Edge’ will push that vision forward in different ways,” said Jim Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment. Read more
Chelle: Our clash against Rwanda crucial than South Africa’s game (Guardian)
Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, has said that his side will prioritise September’s clash against Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series than the clash against South Africa, which has been described by many as the Group C ticket decider.
Nigeria is on seven points, six less than the leaders, South Africa, which is on 13 points.
The Super Eagles failed to narrow the gap with the Bafana Bafana after a tame 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe, in Uyo last month. That draw, all but extinguished Nigeria’s hope of catching up with the South Africans, who made their intention of taking the known more realistic by beating Benin Republic 2-0, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire the same night that the Super Eagles were struggling with Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Read more
Delta’s Favour Ashe is fastest athlete of Niger Delta Sports Festival (ThisDay)
Delta State’s Favour Ashe clocked 10.16 secs to win the Men’s 100m event and become the fastest male athlete at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo.
Bayelsa’s duo of Lucky Daje (10.45) and Augustine Ezuruike (10.48 settled for the silver and bronze medal respectively.
In the women’s 100m, Delta State sprinter, Jennifer Chukwuma, returned a time of 11.41secs to take the gold while Bayelsa athlete, Sophia Efetobore (11.48) and Kate Odumosu (11.55) settled for silver and bronze medals respectively. Read more
Insurance, Rangers clash in Federation Cup round 16 (Punch)
Former champions Bendel Insurance and Rangers International will face off in a high-profile round of 16 match of this year’s President Federation Cup after scaling their respective round of 32 hurdles, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
With 10 titles between them, Insurance (four) and Rangers (six), two of the most successful teams in Nigeria, will headline the battles in the next round of the country’s oldest competition.
They are also meeting in a repeat of the 2023 final, which the Benin side won 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, thanks to a first-half penalty by Osarenkhoe Imade. Read more
Spurs’ Postecoglou ‘not affected’ by fans’ abuse (BBC)
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou says he is not affected by the abuse he receives from some Spurs supporters and “will continue fighting”.
Spurs suffered their 16th defeat in 30 Premier League games this season with Thursday night’s 1-0 loss at Chelsea.
Postecoglou cupped his ear in the direction of the travelling Spurs fans after substitute Pape Sarr, whose introduction was booed four minutes earlier, scored an equaliser which was later disallowed. Read more
‘I don’t care no more’: Ja Morant hits game winner after repeating gun gesture following reported warning from NBA (CNN)
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant again made a gun gesture with his fingers before going on to hit the game-winner in his team’s 110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday, despite reportedly receiving a warning from the NBA for performing the same celebration earlier this week.
Morant made the gesture after hitting a three-pointer in the first quarter against Miami.
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon reported this week that Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield were both issued with warnings by the NBA for making a gun gesture towards each other Tuesday. Read more
Jack Doohan rushed to F1 medical centre after huge 185mph crash in Japan GP practice (Independent)
Jack Doohan escaped unharmed after a massive 185mph crash in practice at the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday.
The Australian driver, in just his fourth F1 race weekend, was driving full-throttle down the main straight towards the sweeping right-handed turn 1 corner. Yet Doohan’s Alpine car bottomed out, with the DRS rear wing still open, and the car spun violently into the tyre barrier. Read more