I was blindfolded, says freed Lagos fire service chief (Nation)
Freed Acting Director of Lagos State Fire Service Rasaki Musibau said he could not recognise the two suspects arrested by the police because he was blindfolded by his abductors. Musibau told a jubilant crowd on Wednesday at the headquarters of the fire service, Alausa, Ikeja. The Lagos State Police Command had earlier said it has arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction. Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), released the picture of the suspects. When asked if he could recognise the suspects, the fire service chief said he could not. Read more
Kaduna killings: El-Rufai visits Kajuru, begs against reprisal (Nation)
Following the Monday morning Killings at Banono and Ungwan Akut, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state on Wednesday, visited the troubled Kajuru local government area, urging all communities in the state to reject an eye for an eye stance in resolving differences. Addressing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at their camp in Maraban Kajuru, the governor said that an attitude of attacks and reprisals only produces pain and suffering, noting that he has directed relevant agencies to reassess the condition of the IDPs who are from different communities to enable them return to their communities soon. Read more
No plot to reverse Supreme Court decision on Rivers APC – Malami (Punch)
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, has denied an alleged plot to reverse the Supreme Court judgment on Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress. Recall that owing to an internal crisis in the state chapter of the party, it was barred from fielding candidates for the 2019 elections in Rivers. But, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which won most of the elective positions, including the re-election of Governor Nyesom Wike, had alleged on Sunday that there was a plot to reverse the court judgment. Read more
FEC approves N594m contracts for FCT water board, fire service (Nation)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a memo for the award of contract for supply of water and field for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board at the sum of N368 million including five per cent VAT. The FEC also approved another contract for the supply of 500 firemen suits for the FCT Fire Service at the sum of N226 million including five percent VAT. The FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing State House Correspondents after the weekly FEC Meeting which lasted about four hours at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Read more
No transaction with Venezuela until we’re sure of who is president —IMF (Punch)
The International Monetary Fund will not have any contact with Venezuela, nor allow the country to access its reserves held by the institution, until the international community recognizes a government in Caracas, an IMF spokesman said Wednesday. The country’s leadership has been in question since late January when national assembly leader Juan Guaido challenged embattled President Nicolas Maduro as the country’s acute economic crisis worsened. “Any IMF engagement with Venezuela, including responding to potential financial transaction requests, is predicated on the issue of government recognition being clarified,” an IMF spokesman told AFP. Read more
Poisoning of our dam is wicked, says OAU management (Punch)
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has described the poisoning of its dam by suspected hoodlums as an act of genocide against members of the institution. The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that some aggrieved indigenes of Ile-Ife, who claimed ownership of some portions of the university land, had on April 3 invaded the university and allegedly poisoned the institution’s dam with a chemical. Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university’s Public Relation Officer, who conducted journalists round the disputed land and the dam within the school’s premises, on Wednesday, said the poisoning of the dam was genocidal. Read more
Imo civil servants give ultimatum, threaten strike over unpaid salary (Punch)
Civil servants in Imo State have threatened to embark on an industrial action if the state government fails to pay them their month of March salaries within seven days. Leaders of the workers’ unions, Austin Chilakpo, Nkim Tangban and Aloy Iwuanyanwu, said in a statement on Wednesday that state government’s inability to pay the salaries despite appeal was unfair. According to the workers, the security agencies in the state should not hold leaders of the union responsible should they decide to stage a protest. Read more
Algeria sets presidential election for 4 July after protests (BBC)
Algeria will hold presidential elections on 4 July, interim leader Abdelkader Bensalah has announced. It comes after a wave of protests led long-term President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, to resign last week. Demonstrations continued on Wednesday, with more expected. The temporary appointment of Mr Bensalah, speaker of the Algerian parliament’s upper house, has frustrated some protesters who hoped for more radical change. Following the announcement, crowds took to the streets of the capital, Algiers, demanding he step down. Read more
Trump urges inquiry into ‘attempted coup’ against him (BBC)
President Donald Trump says he has spoken to the US attorney general about tracing the origins of the inquiry that cleared him of colluding with Russia. Mr Trump described the investigation by former FBI director Robert Mueller as “an attempted coup”. Attorney General William Barr meanwhile said he believes US authorities did spy on the Trump campaign. US intelligence officials have previously said they were spying on the Russians, not the Trump campaign. Read more
Police bust prostitution ring, arrest over 50 customers (Punch)
More than 50 suspects have been arrested in a sex trafficking sting that rescued 28 victims in the US Midwest, police said on Wednesday. Undercover agents posed as minors and “johns” — customers of prostitution — for the five-day operation beginning April 4 in the adjoining cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota. The suspects face charges ranging from felony solicitation of a minor to sex trafficking and promotion of prostitution, according to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota’s chief law enforcement agency. Read more
President Trump expecting 10th grandchild (Punch)
President Donald Trump’s tribe is expanding, with his eldest son Eric and wife Lara announcing they are expecting a child in August. Lara Trump posted a picture of herself on Instagram alongside Eric and their first son Luke and their two dogs, saying “BIG NEWS: Luke (& Charlie & Ben) can’t wait to become big brothers this August!!” Read more
Kim Kardashian studying to become a lawyer because she’s beauty and brains (Metro)
Kim Kardashian is proving to be more than just a filtered reality star – by studying to become an actual criminal justice lawyer. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star made the pleasantly surprising revelation in her new cover story for US Vogue, and says that she even plans on taking the bar exam in 2022. Major kudos points. Kim, 38, reveals that she began a four-year apprenticeship with a San Francisco law firm last year. Read more
The Lion King fans not convinced by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Scar voice: ‘Not menacing enough’ (Metro)
The Lion King’s new trailer offered up some fresh treats for Disney fans, including Chiwetel Ejiofor’s debut as the villainous Scar. However, some aren’t convinced the British actor is ‘menacing enough’ to play the iconic baddie. Disney dropped the new teaser on Wednesday, featuring Scar, Mufasa and Simba, as well as a brief appearance from comedy duo Timon and Pumbaa. Scar and his rivalry with father and son, Mufasa and Simba, features prominently giving Chiwetel his first chance to shine in the coveted role. Read more
Weah, Drogba, others to play at Ambode’s farewell football match (Punch)
The organising committee for the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode farewell football match has confirmed May 18, 2019 for the high-profile game. The epoch match, according to the organisers, would see former World Footballer of the Year and President of Liberia, George Weah, play alongside notable world football legends, including Didier Drogba. The chairman, organising committee for the match, Nigerian ex-international, Wahidi Akanni, in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday disclosed that the game was aimed at giving Ambode a befitting farewell. Read more
Shaw own goal gives Barcelona advantage (BBC)
Manchester United must produce another unlikely Champions League comeback to keep their hopes alive after Barcelona left Old Trafford with a slender advantage following the quarter-final first leg. Barcelona, with superstar Lionel Messi quiet by his standards, were nowhere near their best but secured the win after Luis Suarez’s far post header from the Argentine’s pass deflected in off Luke Shaw in the 12th minute and was confirmed by the video assistant referee after initially being given offside. Read more
Manchester United fans order Ashley Young to be sold after Barcelona defeat (Metro)
Manchester United fans are calling for Ashley Young to be sold after his poor performance in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday evening. Luke Shaw’s own goal in the 12th minute sealed a 1-0 win for the Spanish champions, who will now take the advantage back to Camp Nou for next week’s return leg. United were unable to create clear-cut chances against Barca and were largely restricted to shots from range. Read more
Chris Smalling speaks out on challenge which left Lionel Messi with a bloodied nose (Metro)
Chris Smalling insisted Barcelona were unable to cope with Manchester United’s physical intensity after he left Lionel Messi with a bloodied nose during Wednesday’s Champions League quarter final first leg. A Luke Shaw own goal means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have it all to do at Camp Nou in a week’s time if they are to reach the semi finals, but gutsy performance will leave United feeling they are capable of achieving another miraculous comeback following their astonishing win in Paris last month. Read more
Ronaldo grabs away goal as Juventus draw (BBC)
Cristiano Ronaldo secured an away goal for Juventus as they drew the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Ajax. Ronaldo, who has won the competition five times, netted his 125th Champions League goal just before half-time with a diving header following Joao Cancelo’s cross. The goal had come against the run of play, but the hosts equalised within a minute of the second half starting, through David Neres’ fine curling effort from 15 yards. Read more
Carlo Ancelotti praises Arsenal boss Unai Emery as a ‘fantastic’ manager (Metro)
Carlo Ancelotti is not expecting an easy game against Arsenal with Unai Emery in the home dug-out as Napoli travel to the Emirates on Thursday. Napoli and Arsenal clash in London for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. Emery’s side come into the game on the back of another costly away defeat in the Premier League, but Ancelotti heaped praise on his counterpart. Read more