I am a man, Bobrisky tells court (Nation)
Popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, on Friday, April 12, clarified his gender status before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The cross-dresser identified as a male.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Bobrisky, to six months in jail with no option of fine for abusing the naira. Read more
Junior Pope: Police recover 3 bodies from Anambra river (DailyTrust)
Marine Police of Anambra State Command has recovered bodies of the three remaining victims of the unfortunate boat accident involving a movie cast.
According to the spokesman of Anambra State command,SP Tochukwu Ikenga, two of the bodies were recovered on Thursday, while the last was washed to shore by tide on Friday.
He stated that all the recovered bodies have been deposited in a hospital mortuary in Asaba, Delta State capital, while the President of the Guild of Actors and Actresses has been notified of the recovery. Read more
MohBad: Lagos monarch denies fathering late singer’s son (Punch)
As the controversy surrounding the death of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, and the paternity of his son continues to escalate, the Elegushi of the Ikate Elegushi Kingdom, Lagos State, Oba Saheed Elegushi, has refuted rumours accusing him of being the father of the late singer’s son, Liam Aloba.
The monarch, in a statement through his media consultant, Deyemi Saka, obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday, described the insinuations by some social media users that he could have fathered the son of the late singer as a desperate attempt to tarnish his reputation by dragging him into the paternity dispute of Liam. Read more
Court grants Emefiele N50m bail (Vanguard)
A high court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has granted bail to former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in the sum of N50 million.
In his ruling on the bail application on Friday, the judge, Rahmon Oshodi, admitted Emefiele on bail with two sureties in like sum.
Recall that Emefiele is facing trial in Lagos on a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office. Read more
Gov Yusuf vows to address political thuggery, economic challenges (Tribune)
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed the determination of his administration to curtail the menace of political thuggery and other related social vices in the state.
The governor noted that over two hundred political thugs and phone thieves who have been apprehended by the Kano Command of the Nigeria Police have repented and are now useful to society.
He made the assertion on Friday when he received the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who paid Sallah Homage to the Governor at Government House Kano. Read more
Kingmakers nominate Oba Olakulehin as 43rd Olubadan (Leadership)
The traditional kingmakers of Ibadanland, on Friday, unanimously consent to the enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
His nomination followed the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration specifying that the most senior high chief from either of the civilian or military sides should mount the throne as Olubadan interchangeably.
The late Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun, the immediate past and 42nd Olubadan occupied the respected throne from the civilian lineage. Read more
Screening begins as Aiyedatiwa, 15 others battle for APC guber ticket in Ondo (DailyTrust)
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced screening of the 16 aspirants battling for its ticket for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
The screening is taking place at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, where the Screening Committee and the Screening Appeals Committee were inaugurated earlier in the day.
The 16 aspirants are, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; Olusola Oke; Prof. Francis Faduyile; Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke. Read more
Ex-freedom fighter, Wilson, calls for review of Presidential Amnesty budget (Sun)
For the new leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP) to succeed, there is an urgent need for the agency’s budget to be increased, a former freedom fighter in the region, Pastor Reuben Wilson has said.
Wilson in a statement issued on Friday stated that it would be difficult for PAP under Dr Dennis Otuaro to succeed if adequate funds were not provided by the federal government.
The south-south coordinator of the Asiwaju Group, while thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Otuaro lamented that since 2009 when the PAP was established, it has operated under the same budget for welfare and training of beneficiaries. Read more
Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Ariana Greenblatt honoured at CinemaCon (UPI)
Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Ariana Greenblatt and other stars were honored Thursday at CinemaCon.
CinemaCon, an annual convention of movie theater owners from around the world, culminated with the Big Screen Achievement Awards at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Nyong’o, an actress known for 12 Years a Slave, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Black Panther and Us, received the CinemaCon Star of the Year Award. The actress will next appear in “A Quiet Place: Day One”. Read more
Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil reacts to new film Back to Black (NME)
Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil has shared his thoughts on the new biopic Back To Black, explaining that he found it “therapeutic”.
The film – directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson – arrives in cinemas earlier today (April 12), and follows the life of the late singer. It stars Marisa Abela (Industry) as Winehouse and charts the iconic singer’s vibrant years living in London, as well as her intense rise to fame.
In the movie, Winehouse’s former husband Blake Fielder-Civil is portrayed by Jack O’Connell (Skins, Godless, Lady Chatterley’s Lover). He stars opposite Eddie Marsan, who was cast as the singer’s father, Mitch. Read more
‘Lonely’ sperm donor says he sacrificed his love life to father 180 children (Metro)
A prolific and ‘lonely’ sperm donor says he has had to sacrifice his love life to father 180 children.
Joe Donor – who doesn’t want to reveal his surname – has been donating ‘baby batter’ for 13 years.
The 52-year-old does this using several methods, which include natural insemination (sex), partial insemination (getting himself close to ejaculation via masturbation, before ejaculating in the recipient) and artificial insemination. Read more
Doechii violates Azealia Banks in scathing rant: ‘Your brain is fried from meds’ (HipHopDx)
Doechii has doubled down on her criticism of Azealia Banks in a scathing rant, calling the controversial rapper a “wasted talent.”
Posting on her Instagram Stories on Thursday (April 11), the TDE signee said: “I use my platform to make money and inspire people. Everyone around me is inspired by me. I’m positive influence.
“You used to be so respected for your talents and your voice. Now you use your platform to gossip about Black artists and sell Mary Kay products. You’re insufferable.” Read more
Belgium says will probe suspected Russian interference in European polls (AlJazeera)
Prosecutors in Belgium are investigating suspected Russian interference in upcoming European Parliament elections with the goal of affecting Ukraine policy, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has said.
Belgian intelligence has confirmed the existence of pro-Russia influence networks across multiple European countries, including in Belgium, he said on Friday.
As part of an influence operation in the Czech Republic, whose officials De Croo said Belgium is working closely with, Russia allegedly approached members of the European Parliament and offered them money to promote pro-Russian sentiment. Read more
Argentina’s highest criminal court blames Iran, Hezbollah for Jewish center bombing (NBC)
Argentina’s highest criminal court reported a new development Thursday in the elusive quest for justice in the deadliest attack in the country’s history — the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center headquarters — concluding Iran had planned the attack and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group had executed the plans.
In a ruling obtained by The Associated Press, Argentina’s Court of Cassation deemed Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, responsible for the bombing in Buenos Aires that leveled the community center, killing 85 people, wounding 300 and devastating Latin America’s biggest Jewish community. The court said the attack came in retaliation for Argentina reneging on a nuclear cooperation deal with Tehran.
Alleging Iran’s “political and strategic” role in the bombing, the Argentine court paved the way for victims’ families to bring lawsuits against the Islamic Republic. In the past three decades, Iran has not turned over citizens convicted in Argentina. Interpol arrest warrants have led nowhere. Read more
Sex offender register in the works in Ethiopia (AfricaNews)
Ethiopia’s first ever sexual violence registration system is reportedly in the works and set to start operations next year.
The system which aims to prevent and respond to sexual violence against women and children is hoped to make a positive impact in the country.
According to the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey, 10% of women age 15-49 have experienced sexual violence and 23% physical violence. Read more
NFF names Garba Golden Eaglets coach (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday appointed Manu Garba as the Head Coach of the Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets.
“The former Nigeria international will now immediately resume the role and take charge of the team’s preparations for next month’s WAFU B U17 Championship, taking place in Ghana,” a message posted on the NFF website read.
Garba led the Golden Eaglets to win the FIFA U17 World Cup for Nigeria in the United Arab Emirates in 2013 – Nigeria’s fourth triumph at that stage. Read more
Serena Williams shares Olympia’s reaction to learning she was in her ‘belly’ for Australian open win (People)
The entire sports world knows the incredible story of how Serena Williams played — and won — the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant with her first daughter, Olympia. But it was a story Olympia, now 6, just recently learned herself.
Speaking with PEOPLE for the 50th Anniversary cover story, Williams, 42, says she’s started telling Olympia more about her career now that her daughter is older.
“I told her the other day that she actually was in my belly when I won a big tournament, and she was surprised,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion says. “She’s at an age now where I can kind of open up to her a little bit more and she can understand things more, whereas she didn’t really understand before.” Read more
Eliud Kipchoge ‘expects’ to win third Olympic Games marathon (BBC)
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is confident he can win a historic third successive Olympic marathon gold medal in Paris this year.
The 39-year-old, who was victorious in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, finished 10th in this year’s Tokyo Marathon in March.
Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila (1964) and East Germany’s Waldemar Cierpinski (1980) are the only other men to defend an Olympic marathon title. Read more
3 of Harry Kane’s children taken to hospital after car crash (Guardian)
Three of Harry Kane’s children were taken to hospital after being involved in a car crash in Germany. The head of the local volunteer fire department said it was “really lucky” that none sustained more than minor injuries.
The crash occurred at about 5.15pm local time on Monday near Munich, when Kane was not in Germany after travelling to London for Bayern Munich’s Champions League game at Arsenal.
Kane’s children were in a Mercedes van when a Renault collided with the vehicle on state highway 2071 near Schäftlarn. The Renault then hit a Land Rover. None of the nine people involved in the crashes was seriously injured. Read more
Novak Djokovic admits Lorenzo Musetti had him on the ropes in nervous last 16 win (Tennis365)
Novak Djokovic felt that he was staring down the barrel of another defeat to Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte Carlo Masters before a first set turnaround powered the world No 1 into the last eight.
Djokovic had lost to Musetti in Monte Carlo last season at the exact same stage albeit in a season that had a slightly different complexion to the current campaign.
This time around Djokovic arrived in Monte Carlo feeling the heat just a bit after a start to his campaign that can only be called indifferent by the measure of the great player’s previous efforts. Read more
Formula 1 unveils 75th anniversary 2025 calendar (F1i)
Mark your calendars, F1 fans! The FIA and Formula 1 have officially unveiled the 2025 season schedule, a 24-race marathon celebrating the championship’s prestigious 75th anniversary.
The global spectacle will kick off Down Under with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16 and culminate in a – hopefully – thrilling finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 5-7.
In between, the championship will span five continents and visit 21 countries. Read more