*How results will be transmitted during gov polls – INEC (Punch)*EFCC arraigns Indian for alleged $200k theft in Lagos (Channels)

How results will be transmitted during gov polls – INEC (Punch)

The Independent National Electoral Commission has given an insight into how polling unit results will be transmitted during the governorship elections across the states of the federation on Saturday.

INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, while speaking on Arise TV on Friday, said the commission had learnt valuable lessons from the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The PUNCH reports that controversy trailed the failure of INEC to upload results as early as possible during the presidential election, with major opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour party holding on to this as one of the bases for rejecting the presidential poll result where Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was declared winner by the commission. Read more 

EFCC arraigns Indian for alleged $200k theft in Lagos (Channels)

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, arraigned an Indian, one Chandra Prakash Singh, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a seven-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of over Two Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($200,000). He pleaded “not guilty” to the offence.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, B.B. Bala, asked for the defendant’s remand and a date for trial.

However, counsel to the defendant, Efe Solomon Izokor, appealed to the court for an oral application for bail. Read more

Again, Lagos re-arraigns Evans for kidnapping, attempted murder (Leadership)

The Lagos State government, on Thursday, re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, before a State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square for alleged kidnapping and attempted murder.

Evans was arraigned alongside Joseph Emeka, Victor Aduba and Okapara Linus before Justice Ibironke Harrison on a five-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

The state re-arraigned the defendants following the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye, to another division of the court. Read more

We’re investigating MC Oluomo’s threat against Igbo – Lagos CP (Vanguard)

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, on Friday, said that an investigation has been launched into the alleged threat issued against Igbo by the Lagos State Parks Management Committee Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo.

Owohunwa made this known while featuring in an interview with TV Arise News on the preview of the governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday.

MC Oluomo, in a viral video, had threatened that Igbo people living in Lagos should not bother to come to the polls if they will not for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Read more 

Oro rites: Sanwo-Olu cautions traditionalists ahead gov, assembly polls (Punch)

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cautioned traditional institutions ahead of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, following news that some traditional rulers had scheduled Oro rites in their communities for Saturday.

Reacting, the governor urged the traditionalists to respect the rights of citizens who are not of their faith. Read more

More children coming down with TB — NTBLCP (Sun)

Federal Ministry of Health has raised the alarm that more children are coming down with Tuberculosis otherwise known as TB, with concerns that Nigeria might have future population that are unhealthy.

National Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTLCP), Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, told journalists at a press conference, in Abuja, that the situation is worrisome, hence he solicited the support of all stakeholders to improve efforts on case findings and treatment.

He said: “We have made tremendous progress in the past few years but more work is still required to tackle the disease by 2030, and we must start by identifying thousands of missing cases and bring them into treatment.

“Similarly, we need to change our case detection strategies. At the national programme level, we have put in some measures with the help of our partners, to increase our case detection and also increase our momentum on identification of the cases, particularly among the children who are increasingly coming down with the disease. Read more 

Delta monarch passes away at 106 (Nation)

The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Ovie Richard Layieguen Ogbon, Ogoni Oghoro I, has passed on.

The revered traditional ruler, who reigned for 35 years, was the twelfth Ohworode of the ancient kingdom. He was 106

He was the chairman of the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council otherwise known as Ukoko R’ Ivie R’ Urhobo. Read more

Tonye Cole, Abe others storm Rivers police headquarters over Wike’s declaration (Vanguard)

The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tonye Cole, Social Democratic Party, SDP, Magnus Abe, is expected to pull a huge protest at the Rivers State Police Command in Moscow Road, Port Harcourt this morning.

The protest organised by the governorship candidates of all the opposition political parties in Saturday’s Governorship election in the state is following the declaration of over 28 persons in opposition parties wanted by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.

Wike had during his statewide broadcast, Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s polls, declared Dr Leloonu Nwibubasa, Gabriel Pidomson and other grassroots politicians across Rivers State wanted for alleged criminality. Read more

Coolio’s new single and music video for “TAG ‘You It’” released posthumously (AS)

The last piece of musical content that the late rapper Coolio ever appeared in before his passing was released on Friday (March 17).

The estate for the “Gangsta’s Paradise” lyricist has unveiled a new music video for the single “TAG ‘You It’,” which features the rapper Too $hort and DJ Wino. With the release comes the news of a posthumous album, Long Live Coolio, which is set to drop later this year.

The new music video for the single is, according to Coolio’s representatives, “the last piece of content Coolio appears in before passing.” Read more

Billie Eilish teases acting debut in ‘‘Swarm’’ horror series (UPI)

Billie Eilish is teasing her acting debut in the new series ‘‘Swarm.’’

The 21-year-old singer shared a clip from the psychological horror series Thursday on Instagram.

Swarm is created by Donald Glover (Atlanta) and Janine Nabers. The cast includes Dominique Fishback, Chloe Bailey, Karen Rodriguez, Damson Idris, Rory Culkin and Paris Jackson. Read more

Mystikal requests gag order in rape case (HipHopDX)

Mystikal has filed a motion in his ongoing rape case, requesting that a gag order be put in place in order to protect his privacy, according to court docs.

On Thursday (March 16), documents obtained by The Advocate reveal that the New Orleans rapper’s new defense attorney, Tiffany Myles Crosby filed a request for a gag order to be placed on his rape and false imprisonment case in Ascension Parish (a small parish outside Lousiana), citing an “inordinate amount of publicity.”

If approved, the gag order would bar attorneys for either side from commenting on the latest case to “any individual or entity,” including media outlets like radio, television or newspapers. Read more

Ben Affleck insists he ‘‘had a good time’’ at the Grammys despite ‘‘Sadfleck’’ memes (TorontoStar)

Ben Affleck knows he’s meme material and doesn’t seem to mind.

In a cover story for the Hollywood Reporter published Thursday the “Air” star and director opened up about his new production company, his family life and his appearance at the 65th Grammys that resurrected those “sadfleck” memes.

“I had a good time at the Grammys,” he told the Hollywood Reporter in a wide-ranging interview. “My wife was going, and I thought, ‘Well, there’ll be good music. It might be fun.’” Read more

Josh Gad calls out racists who are mass disliking the ‘‘Little Mermaid’’ trailer on YouTube (IndieWire)

Josh Gad doesn’t want to be part of a world that allows racism.

Gad took to Twitter to slam the “pathetic” trolls who disliked the new live-action “Little Mermaid” trailer starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. “Imagine being so broken and pathetic in life that your chief concern is the skin color of…a make-believe singing mermaid,” Gad captioned a retweet of Democratic organization Call to Activism’s post.

“The Little Mermaid” has been mass-disliked on YouTube, with the teaser receiving 3 million down votes and the new trailer currently at more than 600,000 dislikes. Disney debuted the trailer as part of the 95th Academy Awards March 12 in a segment that cost the studio $10 million. The segment was widely criticized, as many felt that the addition of a paid promotion cheapened the Oscars and needlessly extended a show that was already running long. Read more

Video shows moment Russian fighter jet hits US drone over Black Sea (BBC)

The US military has released footage of a Russian jet crashing into one of its drones over the Black Sea.

The US said the damage to the large drone meant it had to be brought down into the water near Crimea on Tuesday.

Russia denied its Su-27 fighter jet clipped the propeller of the drone, but the video appears to back up the American version of events.

It was in the Pentagon’s interest to release this video – not least to verify its version of events. Read more

2 Togo journalists in hiding sentenced for insults (VOA)

Two journalists in Togo who are currently in hiding have been sentenced to three years in prison for insulting public authorities, their lawyer said.

The small West African state, ruled since 2005 by President Faure Gnassingbe, is often accused by rights groups of cracking down on opposition figures and the media.

Ferdinand Ayite and Kokou Kouwonou, also known as Isidore Kouwonou, respectively director and editor of the biweekly publication l’Alternative, were charged in December 2021 with public contempt of authority and propagating falsehoods on social media. Read more

European clubs show interest in Flying Eagles defender Benjamin Frederick (Guardian)

Belgian top side Anderlecht, RB Leipzig from Germany, and Danish side Midtjylland have been linked with Flying Eagles defender Benjamin Frederick.

This is according to Italian journalist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

Frederick featured for the Flying Eagles, who finished third at this year’s CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

His brilliant performance for the Ladan Bosso-led side, has attracted interest from European clubs. Read more 

I don’t need penalties to score goals – Osimhen (Punch)

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has insisted that he will continue to score on a regular basis for Napoli whether he takes penalties or not, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 24-year-old bagged a brace in Napoli’s comfortable 3-0 win against last season’s Europa League champions German side, Eintracht Frankfurt at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday.

Osimhen became the first Napoli player to score in both legs of a European Cup/Champions League knockout tie and the former Lille man had the chance to score his first-ever hat-trick in the Champions League when Napoli was awarded a penalty in the second half but the Nigerian instead passed the opportunity to Poland international Piotr Zielinski. Read more

Cristiano Ronaldo picked in Portugal squad by new boss Roberto Martinez (BBC)

Cristiano Ronaldo has been picked in Portugal’s squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg this month.

There were question marks about the 38-year-old forward’s international future following the 2022 World Cup.

He left the pitch in tears after Portugal were eliminated by Morocco at the quarter-final stage.

Roberto Martinez has since replaced Fernando Santos as the team’s manager and picked Ronaldo in his first squad. Read more

Chelsea-Madrid, Man City-Bayern to meet in Champions League soccer QFs (UPI)

Real Madrid will battle Chelsea and Manchester City will face Bayern Munich as part of the 2023 Champions League quarter finals, UEFA officials announced through a draw Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.

Italian Serie A club Inter Milan also will take on Benfica, of Portugal’s Primeira Liga, in another two-leg quarterfinal at the annual European soccer tournament. Serie A leader Napoli will face league rival AC Milan.

“They’re really tough opponents,” Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno said, according to the team website, when asked about Chelsea. Read more

Emma Raducanu absent from settled British BJK Cup squad (Tennis365)

Emma Raducanu will not feature in Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals qualifying tie against France next month.

Captain Anne Keothavong has named the same team which reached the semi-finals in September and said former US Open champion Raducanu was “unavailable” for the tie in Coventry from April 14-15.

Raducanu said after her opening victory in Indian Wells that she didn’t even know when the tie was, a comment which did not appear to go down well with Keothavong. Read more

Hamilton splits with performance coach Angela Cullen (F1i)

Lewis Hamilton and long-standing physio and performance coach Angela Cullen announced their split on Friday in Jeddah, with the Kiwi moving on to pursue new adventures.

Cullen has been a ubiquitous presence in Hamilton’s life on the road, and her work included a lot more than ensuring the Mercedes driver’s physical and mental preparation on race weekends.

The 48-year-old married mom of two was assigned to Hamilton in 2016 by Hintsa Performance, the science-based high-performance coaching company founded by the late Dr. Aki Hintsa, the orthopaedic and trauma surgery specialist who looked after two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen during his career in F1. Read more

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