FIJ reporter Daniel Ojukwu regains freedom (Tribune)
A journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu, who was arrested by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police has regained freedom.
FIJ announced his release on its website on Friday, May 10.
Ojukwu, who was reportedly detained for a purported violation of the 2015 Cybercrime Act, spent 10 days in police custody. Read more
‘‘Presidential System not working’’, Reps member pushes for parliamentary democracy (Channels)
A member of the House of Representatives, Abdusamad Dasuki, has said the current presidential democracy being practised in Nigeria is not working, and should be abandoned for a return to the parliamentary system of government operational in the country during the First Republic.
The federal lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, stated this on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Friday.
According to him, Nigeria is in a “state of quagmire” and “like a house with a faulty foundation”, as the current system has not been able to deliver representative democracy where members of the executive arm of government, beginning with the President, are fully accountable to the people of Nigerians. Read more
Police arrest Ogun motorcyclist for raping female passenger (Punch)
A motorcyclist, Afeez Mustapha, has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a female passenger in Ogun State.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest in a statement posted on X on Friday.
Odutola noted that Mustapha was conveying the female passenger to a destination when he suddenly changed direction by taking another route different from that of the passenger. Read more
Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), on the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona,
for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.
The President who was represented by his Vice, Alhaji Kashim Shettima Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University ,Ago Iwoye, for a book presentation on “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria”, as part of activities marking his 64th coronation as a Paramount ruler and 90th birthday.
The ceremony also featured the inauguration of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. Read more
Otti to Ikpeazu: We’re not interested in verbal exchange, airport or return N10b (NewTelegraph)
Governor Alex Otti has vowed to publish the report of the forensic audit of the administration of his predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, in which N10 billion appropriated for Abia State airport project was allegedly diverted.
Governor Otti explained that the purpose of the audit is in the interest of the State and assured that at the end of the day the State would either recover the money or have the airport.
Fielding questions in a media chat, the Governor said, “the immediate past Governor’s denial is not unexpected. It is a report by KPMG. They (Ikpeazu administration) did not deny but said they diverted the money.” Read more
Rivers: Factional speaker accuses Fubara of planning to demolish residential quarters (Nation)
Mr Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor 1), the factional Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, has accused Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of planning to demolish the residential quarters of the state House of Assembly.
Amaewhule made the remark in Port Harcourt in reaction to the governor’s recent inspection visit to the assembly residential quarters.
Fubara had told newsmen during the visit that he wanted to ascertain the state of the facility for possible rehabilitation. Read more
Eniola Badmus bags appointment as SA to Reps Speaker, Abass (Tribune)
Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus has been appointed as the Special Adviser to the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tajudeen Abass, on Social Events and Public Hearings.
The news of her appointment went viral on Friday, May 10th, 2024.
Eniola Badmus is widely recognized for her staunch support of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite facing significant criticism for her allegiance. Read more
Obaseki speaks on court case against Oba of Benin (DailyTrust)
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says he has no hand in the court case against the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
Governor Obaseki said this in reaction to the rumour that the state government is in court against the monarch.
The governor in a statement by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, described the rumour as the handiwork of the enemies of the state and should be disregarded. Read more
Spanish court drops tax fraud case against Shakira (Euronews)
A Spanish court has provisionally dropped its investigation into an alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira, following a recommendation from prosecutors.
The Colombian singer had been under investigation for failing to pay €6.7 million in tax on her 2018 income by using an offshore company, to which she denied any wrongdoing.
The state prosecutors, who brought the case in July 2023, recommended that the probe be closed, citing “insufficient evidence” of intent to defraud on Wednesday (8 May). Read more
2 women in their 80s filmed trying to smash glass protecting Magna Carta (Metro)
Just Stop Oil have smashed the glass protecting the Magna Carta before glueing their hands together.
Footage shows Reverend Dr Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, using a hammer and chisel to break the glass which covers the historical document at the British Library.
The pair glued their hands together after holding up a sign reading: ‘The government is breaking the law.’ Read more
44 workers still missing days after South Africa building collapse (AfricaNews)
As hope dwindles, authorities in South Africa race against time to rescue 44 construction workers trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building.
The daunting task ahead involves moving thousands of tons of concrete with heavy machinery to search for survivors. The death toll climbed to nine as a critically injured worker passed away in the hospital.
Of the 28 workers rescued from the site, 21 were in critical condition or had life-threatening injuries following Monday’s collapse of the five-story apartment complex that was under construction. Read more
Chad deploys soldiers across country after junta chief elected president (Vanguard)
Chadian soldiers deployed on Friday in large numbers across several districts of the capital after late-night celebrations marked the presidential election victory of junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.
Even before the official results gave Deby more than 61 percent in Monday’s ballot, the presidential guard had parked many armoured vehicles on major junctions and thoroughfares.
AFP reporters said the number of troops on the streets Friday appeared considerably larger than after previous elections. Read more
2 skiers killed in Utah avalanche, 1 rescued after digging himself out: ‘Tragic accident’ (People)
Two skiers have died and a third has been rescued following an avalanche near Lone Peak, Utah.
On Thursday, May 9, the Utah Avalanche Center confirmed the two deaths in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The non-profit organization said the third party member had been “transported off the mountain and taken to a local hospital for assessment.” Read more
Russia attempts ground offensive into Ukraine’s Kharkiv (AlJazeera)
Russian forces attempted an armoured ground invasion of Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region with artillery and guided aerial bombs, Ukrainian officials have said.
On Friday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said that Russian forces tried to breach Ukrainian defences near the town of Vovchansk with “armoured vehicles” at 5am (02:00 GMT), hitting an area near the border with aerial attacks. The assault had been repulsed, but “battles of varying intensity” continued, it said.
A senior Ukrainian military source told the Reuters news agency that Russian forces had pushed one kilometre (0.6 miles) into the region. They aimed, he said, to advance as far as 10km (six miles) to establish the buffer zone that Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to create earlier this year as a means of halting Ukrainian attacks on Russian border regions. Read more
TikToker who documented journey with metastatic sarcoma dies at 31 (NBC)
TikToker Kimberley Nix, who documented her three year journey with metastatic sarcoma, has died at the age of 31.
As a final farewell, Nix published a last video on her TikTok page to her 148,000 followers saying, “If you’re seeing this message, I have passed away peacefully.”
Nix, who worked as a resident doctor, was diagnosed with palliative sarcoma cancer at 28 years old, according to her TikTok account. Since then, she’s used the platform to spread awareness on sarcoma cancer, a group of cancers that begin in the bones and in soft tissues, according to the Mayo Clinic. Read more
Ex-footballers mourn as U-17 World Cup winner Babangida buried (Punch)
Former Nigerian footballers are mourning the death of 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner, Ibrahim Babangida, who will be buried in Kaduna on Friday (today), after he died in a car crash, which also left his brother and ex-Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida, his wife, son and maid hospitalised, The PUNCH reports.
Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist and General Secretary, Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Babayaro, broke the news that Babangida died in the accident, which happened along the Kaduna-Zaria road on Thursday.
Babayaro also confirmed that the deceased was taken to Kaduna on Thursday and will be laid to rest in Kaduna after Jumat prayers on Friday (today). Read more
Foundation to host 5km marathon race in Kuje (Leadership)
Osi Sports Foundation is to hold a 5km Marathon Aace in Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.
Chairman of the foundation, Christopher Ameh, made this known yesterday at the press briefing, saying Kuje was chosen as the venue for the race because of its vibrance, potential and enthusiasm for sports.
Ameh said that by hosting the marathon in the council, they aim to tap into the energy, fostering local talent and boosting community involvement. Read more
McIlroy denies fall-out with Woods on game’s future (BBC)
Rory McIlroy says there is “no strain” in his relationship with Tiger Woods but admits they have different views on the future of men’s professional golf.
The disagreement arises from ongoing negotiations on a possible deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian backers of LIV Golf.
World number two McIlroy, who has softened his stance on the breakaway LIV tour, revealed he is now a member of the “transaction subcommittee” that is trying to do a deal. Read more
WAFU Cup: Manu Garba unveils squad as Golden Eaglets storm Accra (CompleteSports)
Champions Nigeria will arrive in the Ghanaian capital, Accra on Saturday for the defence of their WAFU B U17 Championship title at this year’s edition of the competition that commences on Wednesday, 15th May.
The Golden Eaglets, five-time champions of the world, swept aside every opposition before them to achieve glory in another Ghanaian city, Kumasi two years ago, but failed to light up the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria and were therefore ineligible to compete for another world title in Indonesia.
However, 2013 FIFA World Cup – winning coach Manu Garba has been restored to the squad and will take charge of the ensemble that will tackle Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo in Group B of the upcoming WAFU B tournament, with the objective being qualification to take part in next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations. Read more
Mauricio Pochettino admits he could leave Chelsea this summer in Todd Boehly ‘split’ claim (Mirror)
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino discussed his future amid speculation of whether the former Spurs coach could depart Stamford Bridge this summer as the west London side challenge for Europe
Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he could depart Chelsea this summer – potentially of his own accord.
The Blues boss’ future has been under constant speculation in recent months with the west London side spending much of the season in midtable. Pochettino has previously bemoaned the rumours surrounding his position. Read more
Shilo Sanders portrays father Deion Sanders in acting debut (UPI)
Colorado safety Shilo Sanders made his acting debut, portraying his father, Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders, in the season finale of BMF on Friday on Starz.
Deion, otherwise known as “Prime Time” or “Coach Prime,” announced earlier this week that Shilo was involved in the crime drama. The 10th episode of the third season released at midnight Friday on the Starz app and will air at 8 p.m. EDT on Starz.
“Shilo Sanders did his thang on BMF,” Sanders wrote Friday, praising his son. “I’m so proud of you son! Wow wow wow! Those Sanders ain’t playing baby. Read more