For proper understanding, talk to policemen in Pidgin, Shogunle counsels (Punch)
The Head of the Police Complaints Response Unit, Abayomi Shogunle, has said that, to make for proper understanding, it’s better for Nigerians to speak to policemen in Pidgin whenever they meet the law enforcement agents on the road. Shogunle had tweeted a clip of the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Tunji Disu, who was addressing his men. In the video, Disu could be heard speaking in a mix of standard English language and pidgin English. Read more
Reps condemn Presidency for starving first line charge agencies of funds (Nation)
The House of Representatives on Wednesday condemned the Presidency in strong terms for implementing the 2018 Appropriation Act in breach with regards to agencies of government on first line charge. The lawmakers took exception to the failure of the Executive to respect the provisions of the Constitution on first line charge for the Independent Natuonal Electoral Commission (INEC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Universal Basic Education (UBEC), the Public Complaints Commission (PCM) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Read more
Senate passes National Health Insurance Bill, 2019 (Punch)
The Senate has passed the National Health Insurance Bill, 2019. The bill was passed on Wednesday during the Plenary. Titled, National Health Insurance Act, 2003 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2019, it was named Senate Bill 278. Earlier in the day, chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso (PDP- Ogun Central), had presented the report of the committee. Read more
Why we are yet to release UTME results, by JAMB (Nation)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Wednesday explained why it had not released the results of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The board said it discovered that some candidates who wrote the examination engaged in massive fraud and impersonation, putting their results in doubt. JAMB’s Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, stated this in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday. He said the board has started screening the results of all the candidates who wrote the examination and would release them as soon as it finished the exercise. Read more
Supreme Court dismisses Oni’s suit challenging Fayemi’s eligibility to run as gov (Punch)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by a former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, challenging the eligibility of the incumbent governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, to contest the July 14, 2018 election in the state. In dismissing the suit, the apex court in a unanimous judgment of its five-man bench held that it was statute-barred since the appeal was filed outside the time stipulated by law. Oni contested the All Progressives Congress’ primary election which produced Fayemi as the party’s governorship candidate in the build-up to the July 14, 2018 Ekiti gubernatorial poll. Read more
Ex-NBA chairman escapes kidnap attempt (Nation)
A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, Barr. Razaq Isenalumhe, on Tuesday night escaped being abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. Barr. Razaq however escaped with injuries. It was learnt that the gunmen had waylaid him at his residence along Upper Mission extension road and attempted to take him away in his Toyota Spider Saloon car. Sources he managed to escape but the gunmen left with his car which has been recovered by the police. Read more
Alleged killers of NSCDC official charged to court (Punch)
The Nigeria Police said on Wednesday that two of its officers who allegedly killed Ogar Jombo, a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been arraigned in court. The officers are Traffic Wardens Idoko Sunday and Katdel Dabit. Jombo, an Assistant Superintendent of the NSCDC, allegedly died after being beaten by two policemen on March 20 in the presence of his wife and children for alleged violation of traffic rules at Nyanya, Abuja. Read more
Obiano offers N5m bounty for arrest of ex-Anambra lawmaker’s killers (Punch)
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has declared the killers of a former lawmaker in the state, Anthony Igboka, wanted. The governor also placed a bounty of N5m on their heads for information that could lead to their arrest. The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, stated this in a press statement on Wednesday in Awka, the state capital. Describing the killing as possible assassination, Adinuba said Obiano had asked the Police Commissioner in the state, Mustapha Dandaura, to lead the operation to apprehend the killers. Read more
Court orders arrest of former AGF, ex minister of petroleum, four others (Guardian)
An Abuja High Court in Jabi, Abuja Wednesday ordered the arrest of the immediate-past attorney-general of the federation, Mohammed Adoke, a former minister of petroleum resources, Dan Etete, and four others. Raph Wezels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno and Burrato Sebastino, and Aliyu Abubakar were the four others listed on the arrest warrant. The six are named in the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in relation to the $2.1bn Malabu Oil scam. Read more
Court strikes out case as dad ‘forgives’ man who raped 9-year-old daughter twice (Punch)
A Family Court sitting in Benin, Edo State struck out a case bordering on the rape of a minor as the victim’s father told the judge that he had forgiven the defendant. The complainant expressed his desire to forgive his daughter’s rapist after the defendant had pleaded guilty to child rape. The Police Counsel, Insp. Peter Ogbe, on Wednesday, informed the court that the defendant, one Abdullahi, defiled the little girl on February 8 and also on February 9 at Aduwawa Quarters in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Read more
Thieves steal guns as police watch Champions League (Punch)
Police in Kenya have been left red-faced after thieves stole guns and ammunition from an unattended check-post as the officers on duty watched UEFA Champions League matches down the road. Three rifles and nearly two dozen rounds were pinched from the check-post Tuesday evening in Nandi, in Kenya’s west, while the officers wandered off to watch Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play in the UEFA quarter-finals on television at a nearby shopping mall. “On returning… they noticed the room of the in-charge, which is also used as an armoury in which the steel box is kept, was broken,” stated a police report into the incident seen by AFP. Read more
Alan García: Peru’s former president kills himself ahead of arrest (BBC)
Former Peruvian President Alan García has died after shooting himself as police arrived at his home to arrest him over bribery allegations. Mr García was rushed to hospital in the capital, Lima. His death was confirmed by current President Martín Vizcarra. A crowd of supporters gathered outside the hospital and were held back by a line of police. Mr García was accused of taking bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht – claims he denied. Read more
Pope thanks Notre-Dame firefighters on behalf of whole Church (Guardian)
Pope Francis on Wednesday thanked the firefighters who risked their lives to save the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on behalf of the entire Catholic Church. “The gratitude of the whole Church goes to all those who did everything they could, even risking their lives, to save the Basilica,” he said during the weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square. Francis said he had been “very saddened” by the vast blaze on Monday which gutted the great Paris landmark, destroying the roof, causing the steeple to collapse and leaving France reeling in shock. Read more
Extinction Rebellion London activists chained to Jeremy Corbyn’s home (BBC)
Climate change activists glued themselves to a train and others are protesting outside Jeremy Corbyn’s home in the third day of protests. Extinction Rebellion protesters have been blocking traffic at Marble Arch, Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Oxford Circus since Monday. Earlier, three activists were glued to a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train at Canary Wharf, causing minor delays. Four people have now glued themselves together at the Labour leader’s home. Read more
Italian students’ BBQ results in €13m fine for forest fire (BBC)
Two students blamed for a large forest fire in the Italian region of Como have each been fined €13.5m (£11.7m). The men, both aged 22, were barbecuing at a mountain forest home belonging to one of their grandfathers when the fire broke out on 30 December last year. The huge bill for the two students was calculated by local officials based on a formula used to determine the extent of damage caused by the fire. One of the students told Italian media they were “scapegoats” for the blaze. Read more
Man who ‘hates Catholics’ jailed after setting church on fire twice (Metro)
A man who ‘hates Catholics’ has been jailed after twice trying to set fire to a church. Paul Ratcliffe, 45, targeted the church on two occasions last year, causing damage worth nearly £36,000. The church of St Mary the Virgin in Penzance, Cornwall, belongs to the Church of England – and when arrested Ratcliffe told police he hated Catholics. Appearing at Truro Crown Court, Ratcliffe was jailed for two and a half years. Read more
Stabbed boy cried ‘get my mum, get my mum’ as he lay dying in street (Metro)
A bereaved mother has recalled the trauma of knowing her son died in excruciating pain, as thousands protest against knife crime in Downing Street today. Yemi Hughes, whose son Andre was killed in 2016, is one of many calling on the government to tackle the UK’s knife crime epidemic and demand more support for victims. The mother-of-three, from Croydon, told Metro.co.uk no support was offered to her or the many who saw her son stabbed 20 times in the street, including a chemist who tried to save him. Read more
Nigeria qualifies for AFCON U17 semi-final, U17 World Cup (Guardian)
A penalty from Olusegun Olakunle in the 21st minute was all that was needed for the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria to book a place in the semi-final of the U17 African Cup of Nations. The spot in the semi-final also means Nigeria has qualified for the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup scheduled to hold in Brazil. Golden Eaglets’ coach Manu Garba made one change to the lineup that started the Tanzania game. Goalkeeper Suleiman Shaibu who conceded four goals was replaced with Sunday Stephen. Read more
Nigerian footballer nabbed for drugs in India (Nation)
At a time when Nigerians are reportedly being executed in Saudi Arabia over drug deals, one would have thought that others seeking green pastures abroad will stay away from drugs to avoid fast lane to six feet. It however looks like the ugly story is far from ending as a former footballer of Nigerian descent has reportedly been nabbed in India for drug deals. The 40 year who has been identified simply as Ikenna was nabbed with 10 grams of crystal meth suspected to have been brought from Mumbai. Read more
Mohamed Salah named one of world’s 100 most influential people by Time (BBC)
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said men in “my culture and in the Middle East” need to treat women with more respect as he was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine. The Egypt striker, 26, a practising Muslim, was also one of the US magazine’s six cover stars and used his interview to discuss women’s equality. “We need to change the way we treat women in our culture,” he told Time. “That has to be, it’s not optional.” Read more
Man City set for Champions League revenge as Tottenham visits Etihad (Guardian)
Pep Guardiola led Manchester City will look to halt the trend of upsets in the 2018/2019 Uefa Champions League season as fellow English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur visit the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Tottenham, like Ajax, who have already sent three-time consecutive champions Real Madrid and favourites Juventus packing from the Europe elite football competition, has all it takes to deny the Citizens a place in the Champions League semi-final. Spurs have the advantage going into the second leg tie with a hard-fought 1-0 win from last week’s 1st leg of the quarter-final clash at the Tottenham Stadium in London. Read more
Ashley Young: Manchester United condemn racist abuse of defender (BBC)
Manchester United said they “will take the strongest possible action” they can after defender Ashley Young was racially abused on Twitter. Young, who was captaining the side, was targeted as United suffered a 3-0 second-leg defeat at Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday to go out 4-0 on aggregate. United said the club “utterly condemns” the “racist social media comments”. The club added it was “working to identify individuals involved”. Read more
Messi demands more after Barcelona blow away Man United (Punch)
Lionel Messi lit up Camp Nou and devastated Manchester United before firing a warning to Barcelona that they cannot start slowly again. Barca were superior to United in all departments for the best part of 80 minutes on Tuesday, a 3-0 win perhaps even flattering for their opponents, who were two down in 20, both goals belonging to Messi. By the time Philippe Coutinho had curved in a third to send Ernesto Valverde’s side into the Champions League semi-finals, United’s stirring opening was long-forgotten, except by Barcelona’s captain. Read more
Injured Neuer dismisses retirement rumours, eyes return (Guardian)
Injured Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on Wednesday quashed rumours of his imminent retirement and says he wants to return in time to face RB Leipzig on the penultimate day of the Bundesliga season. “It is difficult to say when I will be back but I think Leipzig is a realistic target,” he said at a press conference, with league leaders Bayern away to third-placed Leipzig on May 5. Neuer, 33, was substituted off during Bayern’s 4-1 win over Fortuna Duesseldorf last Sunday after aggravating a recurring calf injury. Read more
Rummenigge offers evergreen Pizarro job at Bayern Munich (Punch)
Bayern Munich will offer veteran striker Claudio Pizarro a role as club ambassador once the evergreen 40-year-old Peruvian finally ends his playing career, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Wednesday. In his lengthy career in Germany, Pizarro has made 327 appearances for Bayern as well as 296 for current club Werder Bremen. A well-loved figure at both clubs, he is currently on his fourth spell at Bremen and is expected to end his playing career either this summer or at the end of next season. Read more
Oblak signs new Atletico contract until 2023 (Guardian)
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has signed a new contract until 2023, the club announced on Wednesday. Oblak’s commitment comes as a boost to Atletico, with the 26-year-old establishing himself as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers since joining the club in 2014. “Jan Oblak has extended his contract with Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2023,” a club statement read. “The Slovenian player has signed his new contract that commits him to our club for four more seasons.” Read more
Rafael Nadal shakes off injury fears with relentless first clay win in Monte Carlo over Bautista Agut (Metro)
Any notion of Rafael Nadal not being the force to be reckoned with on the clay this season flew right out of the window as he made a roaring start to life on his favoured surface in 2019. The world No. 2 has been recovering from a knee injury, which forced him out of an Indian Wells semi-final against Roger Federer, and claimed to be unsure of his physical condition heading into his opening match at the Monte Carlo Masters. Read more
Sadaf Khadem: Iranian female boxer halts return over arrest fears (BBC)
An Iranian who became the first woman from her country to contest an official boxing match says she has cancelled her return home from France after a warrant was issued for her arrest. Sadaf Khadem beat the French boxer Anne Chauvin in an amateur bout on Saturday. She had planned to fly to Tehran with her French-Iranian trainer this week. Khadem was quoted by a sports newspaper as saying she believed she was accused of violating Iran’s compulsory dress code by boxing in a vest and shorts. Read more