INEC has not issued me certificate of return as senator-elect yet- Okorocha (Punch)
Immediate past Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday said that the Independent National Electoral Commission had yet to issue him with a Certificate of Return as the Imo West senator-elect despite a federal High Court’s judgment ordering the electoral umpire to do so. Okorocha in a statement issued in Owerri, the state capital, by his media aide, Sam Onwuemedo, said that the picture circulating online where Okorocha was holding a Certificate of return was “fake”. Read more
Presidency hails withdrawal of petition against Buhari’s victory, by Coalition for Change (Nation)
The Presidency has expressed delight at the withdrawal of one of four petitions challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 2019 election. The Presidency, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the Coalition for Change (C4C) following the withdrawal of its case through its lawyer, at the resumed hearing before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Monday. Read more
Buhari passes vote of confidence on law Enforcement Agencies (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the security and law enforcement agencies are capable of safeguarding the country, its people and property. The president gave the assurance when he responded to concerns raised by a delegation of Zamfara Advocacy Group during an audience at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. According to him, the military and the police have been taking drastic measures to check the activities of some local elements threatening the peace of the communities, including preventing farmers from going to their farms. Read more
Only VIPs are now safe on Nigerian roads, says Akeredolu (Nation)
Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has decried the spate of kidnapping on highways but assured that the menace would become the thing of the past soonest. He spoke on Sunday evening during the maiden participatory Radio/Television programme tagged” an evening with Mr Governor’ in Akure, the state capital. Akeredolu lamented that Akure/Ibadan road is now notorious of the incident, stressing that his convoy ran into suspected kidnappers on the same road recently, but ran into the bush when his security men opened fire. Read more
Ihedioha reverses Imo university status, appoints new rector (Punch)
The Governor Emeka Ihedioha has reversed the status of the newly converted Imo State University of Agriculture and Technology, Umuagwo, to its earlier polytechnic status. The immediate past governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, had at the twilight of his administration elevated the polytechnic to a university status and appointed a Vice Chancellor. Okorocha moved the polytechnic to Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state. Read more
Herdsmen kidnap woman, stepson in Ondo, demand N10million ransom (Punch)
A woman, Mrs Olawumi Adeleye and her stepson, Destiny Paul, were allegedly abducted on the Airport Road, in Osi town in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The victims were said to have been kidnapped by the bandits on their way from the church on Sunday evening. According to a source, the herdsmen blocked the road with cows, forcing the victims, who were in a Lexus car. they were thereafter abducted and taken to an unknown destination by the bandits. Read more
Six Imo Assembly lawmakers decamp to PDP as House gets acting clerk (Guardian)
Six members of the Imo House of Assembly on Monday dumped their parties for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The members made the disclosure during the valedictory session of the eighth Imo Assembly in Owerri. The decamped lawmakers include Chiji Collins of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Isiala Mbano while Mike Iheanetu (Aboh Mbaise), Ukoha Broho (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Victor Onyewuchi (Owerri West), Ken Agbim (Ahaizu Mbaise) and Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North) were from Action Alliance (AA). Read more
Kwara postpones Democracy Day activities to Friday (Punch)
The Kwara State Government has shifted activities commemorating the June 12 Democracy Day in the state to Friday, June 14. This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, to the governor Mr Rafiu Ajakaye on Monday in Ilorin. “This to enable State Governors, including Governor Abdulahman Abdulrazaq, on the invitation of the Federal Government, to join Mr President and over 80 foreign leaders and dignitaries at the inaugural national commemoration of the day in Abuja. Read more
NAF aircraft neutralises several insurgents at Alafa, Borno (Guardian)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has neutralised several terrorists and obliterated a major tactical command centre of insurgents operating in Sambisa Forest in Borno. Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Monday. Read more
Rivers: NSCDC uncovers tunnel used in stealing PMS, arrests one (Punch)
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command has uncovered a tunnel in Ogali community, Eleme Local Government Area of the state used by oil thieves to siphon premium motor spirit (petrol). The state NSCDC also arrested one suspected oil thief, Luka Famaah, involved in siphoning petroleum product from a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Read more
Abia Police declares sergeant wanted over death of 21-year-old (Punch)
The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Mr Ene Okon, has declared one Sergeant Collins Akpugo, who allegedly shot and killed Mr Chukwuikem Onuoha, wanted. The commissioner also added that a reward of N500, 000, awaits anyone with useful information about the fleeing policeman’s whereabouts. Akpugo had on June 4, 2019, shot Onuoha to death at Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area, when the deceased reportedly ask him to dim the light of his vehicle. Read more
Final 10 named for next UK prime minister (BBC)
The final candidates for the Tory leadership race have been confirmed, with 10 running to become the next PM. Jeremy Hunt, Dominic Raab, Matt Hancock and Michael Gove – who launched their campaigns ahead of the nomination deadline – are all on the final list. Conservative MPs will now take part in a series of votes to whittle the candidates down to the final two. Read more
Theresa May insists she has never taken any illegal drugs (Metro)
At the end of a week where Tory leadership hopefuls have seemingly been falling over each other to speak about their past drug use, the departing PM confirmed she’s never touched an illegal substance in her life. The furore began when Rory Stewart divulged he once smoked opium at a wedding in Iran while travelling 15 years ago. International Development Secretary Mr Stewart quickly apologised, insisting it did not have much of an effect on him. Read more
Trump may place new tariffs on French wine (Nation)
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he may place new tariffs on French wine to help bolster the position of U.S. winemakers. “France charges us a lot for the wine. And yet we charge them very little,’’ Trump said on CNBC, in an interview that largely focused on tariffs. “It’s not fair. We’ll do something about it.’’ Trump alleged he was hearing complaints from U.S. wineries about their market access to France. Read more
One dead in helicopter crash on NYC skyscraper (BBC)
The pilot of a helicopter died after it crash landed on top of a skyscraper in Manhattan, fire officials say. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the 54-storey office building close to Times Square shook from the impact. Governor Cuomo said the crash sparked a rooftop fire, which was brought under control. Some were evacuated from the tower, but none were hurt. Read more
Pedophile who raped 7-year-old girl 50 times sentenced to 40 years in jail (Metro)
A man who confessed to raping a girl 50 times beginning when she was seven-years-old was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Zachary Sprowls, 28, was sentenced Friday in Independence, Missouri after he pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree statutory rape. Sprowls threatened the girl to keep quiet about the assaults, telling her he would rape her more frequently if she told anyone. He also kept naked pictures of her on his phone, police said. Read more
Vatican issues guidance questioning modern gender identity (BBC)
The Vatican has released a new document challenging modern conceptions of gender identity. The 31-page teaching guidance, released on Monday, is titled Male and Female He Created Them. It speaks of an “educational crisis” and says the current debate can “annihilate the concept of nature” and destabilise the family institution. Read more
Iran has increased production of enriched uranium – IAEA (BBC)
The head of the global nuclear watchdog has confirmed Iran is increasing its production of enriched uranium. But International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya Amano said it was not clear when they will reach a limit set under a 2015 international deal. Iran announced last month that it would suspend some commitments in retaliation for sanctions reinstated by the US. Read more
Handmaid’s fail: Kylie Jenner faces backlash for themed party (BBC)
When Kylie Jenner posts on social media she gets hundreds of thousands of reactions, many of which are hugely complimentary – but not this time. The social media star has received quite a backlash following a Handmaid’s Tale themed party she threw for her friend Anastasia Karanikolaou at the weekend. Kylie posted videos and pictures of her and her friends in the distinct red robes and white bonnets worn by handmaids, oppressed female characters in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel. Read more
Africa Cup of Nations debutants Mauritania name squad (Punch)
Mauritania, who will be making their first-ever appearance at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, announced their squad for the tournament on Monday. French head coach Corentin Martins has called-up experienced forwards Moulaye Ahmed Khalil and Ismael Diakhite as well as youngsters Mohamed Dellah Yali and El Hacen El Id who plays for Real Valladolid in Spain for the competition. Read more
Women’s World Cup: Argentina hold Japan to goalless draw (Punch)
Japan failed to break down a determined and well-organised Argentine defence in Paris on Monday in the first goalless draw of the women’s World Cup. Japan, finalists in 2015 and winners in 2011, enjoyed almost two-thirds of possession, but only forced two saves from goalkeeper Vanina Correa. Argentina’s women, who have never won a match at the World Cup, managed three tame late strikes, none of which tested Ayaka Yamashita. Read more
The result leaves both teams on one point in Group D, behind England who beat Scotland on Sunday.
‘It’s always a risk’ – Rene Meulensteen warns Manchester United over Gareth Bale transfer (Metro)
Rene Meulensteen believes Manchester United would be taking a big ‘risk’ if they signed injury-prone Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale this summer. Zinedine Zidane is determined to offload Bale and his £480,000-a-week wages after alienating the 29-year-old from Madrid’s first-team towards the end of the season. Reports suggest United are willing to pay Bale’s enormous wage packet, but Madrid’s £75million asking price for the Welshman is putting the Red Devils off a potential permanent move. Read more
Donny van de Beek speaks out on future amid Manchester United transfer speculation (Metro)
Donny van de Beek has revealed that he’s open to new challenges away from Ajax in the future amid speculation he’s keen on joining Manchester United. The 22-year-old had an outstanding campaign for Ajax, helping the side to their first domestic double in 17 years, and is one of a number of players being linked with big-money moves away from the club this summer. Frenkie de Jong has already completed a €75million (£67m) switch to the Nou Camp and Barcelona are also battling it out with with United and Juventus for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt. Read more