Judicial Misconduct: NJC sets up panel to probe 35 petitions against 8 Judges (Vanguard)
The National Judicial Council, NJC, on Friday, said it has constituted panels to investigate eight judges for alleged judicial misconduct.
The Council, in a statement it made available to newsmen, said its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees filtered 35 petitions that were written against the judicial officers and them to be meritorious.
However, the legal body stressed that other petitions that were brought against 20 High Court judges across the federation, were dismissed for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, subjudice or that they were matters that could be appealed. Read more
Okonjo-Iweala disowns WhatsApp message (ThisDay)
The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has debunked allegations that a post circulating on WhatsApp originated from her, stating that she does not use the WhatsApp Broadcast feature.
Describing the message as fake, the WTO boss on her official X handle, urged members of the public to desist from relying on information circulating on WhatsApp purportedly originated from her.
She described the message as a “bad example” to use social media, stating that manufacturers of such misleading information “will not succeed”.Her post read: “It’s been brought to my attention that another fake message has been manufactured and is being forwarded on WhatsApp in my name. I want to make clear that this fake message is not from me. I am pleased that those who know me instantly recognized this as fake. Read more
FG, Labour to reconvene next week over minimum wage negotiation (Channels)
The Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage will reconvene on Tuesday, May 23 to further negotiate a reasonable new minimum wage for workers, after the organised labour walked out of the negotiation on May 15.
An invitation letter sent to the labour leaders by the chairman of the committee, Bukar Goni, states that the other members of the committee have agreed to shift grounds from the N48,000 proposal which was made on Wednesday.
The letter appealed to the labour leaders to speak to their members and attend the reconvened meeting next Tuesday. Read more
Lagos shuts popular restaurants, church, others for noise pollution (Punch)
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has shut down two popular restaurants, a church, and three other establishments for noise pollution in the Surulere and Orile Iganmu areas of the state.
LASEPA, in a statement on its X handle on Friday, said it conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation to curb noise pollution and other environmental violations in the Surulere and Orile lganmu areas of Lagos State.
It stressed that despite repeated warnings and abatement notices issued in the past, numerous establishments persisted in contravening LASEPA’s directives. Read more
Ex-commissioner clears medical bill of indigent patients at LASUTH (Nation)
The immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Lagos State, Pharm (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf on Thursday cleared the medical bills of no fewer than 20 indigent patients on admission at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH).
The beneficiaries were largely patients who had been discharged but had no money to pay for the hospital bill.
Akinbile-Yussuf and her team were received by the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo. Read more
FG to empower orphans in proposed Niger State mass marriage (Channels)
The Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanaeze says the girls involved in the proposed orphan mass marriage in Niger State will be empowered.
While the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly Abdulmalik Sarkindaji had proposed (but later discontinued it) a mass wedding for the 100 orphans in his constituency, the minister took him to court over the matter.
Determined to give the girls a better life, Mrs Uju said her ministry plans to empower the orphans. Read more
Burna boy collaborates with Titom, Yuppe and S.N.E on ‘‘Tshwala bam’’ remix (Tribune)
Nigerian Grammy-winning sensation, Burna Boy, has officially joined forces with South African artistes TitoM, Yuppe, and S.N.E on the highly-anticipated remix of their global sensation, ‘‘Tshwala Bam’’.
A leaked video clip showing Burna Boy collaborating with TitoM, Yuppe, and S.N.E during their recent visit to Nigeria only intensified the anticipation before its eventual release on Wednesday, May 15. Renowned for his global appeal, Burna Boy expressed keen interest in enhancing the original vibe of the song, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project. Read more
Heat-Waves kill 200 in Adamawa in 2 weeks (DailyTrust)
No fewer than 200 people have been killed by a dangerous humid heat that has been experienced from the 1st to 13th of this month in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Residents who spoke to our correspondent complained about a combination of high temperatures and relatively humid air, causing an approximate 47 to 50 degrees centigrade, which experts describe as a danger level, saying such could cause high risk of heat cramps and exhaustion.
Unofficial records at the Yola Cemetery Corporation (YCC), located in the Damare area of the capital city, put the death toll from the unusually experienced excessive heat from May 1 to 13, 2024 at 400. Read more
Stacey Dash slams relapse rumours, says she’s been “clean” for over 7 years (Vibe)
Stacey Dash found herself shutting down critics who speculated that she relapsed after admitting to battling with substance abuse for years. The 57-year-old celebrated her eight-year sobriety in a recent TikTok video, where she highlighted many comments from users accusing her of being “high.”
“Wow. Thank you so much for all of your concern. I just want to say that I am doing brilliantly. I am 7 years and 9 months clean. Yay!” she revealed in the clip. “I hope by doing this, I help somebody else. ‘Cause I know the struggle’s real.”
The Clueless star shared her plans to be more candid about her past battles with addiction and how she overcame them. Dash claims that her “mind, body, and spirit” has been transformed and she would love for her supporters to follow her on her journey. Read more
Senegal’s new PM criticises French military presence (LeMonde)
Senegal’s new prime minister, who was freed from jail weeks before the presidential election earlier this year and propelled his party to victory, has criticized the French military presence in the West African country.
Ousmane Sonko also criticized efforts by France and the West to promote values that he said didn’t fit with those held by Senegal and other African countries, including LGBTQ rights and monogamy. Polygamy is widely practiced in Senegal.
Sonko was speaking late Thursday at an event held jointly with the French far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the capital, Dakar. Read more
Chris Pratt’s stunt double Tony McFarr dies aged 47 (Independent)
Antonio “Tony” McFarr, who worked as a stunt double for Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 and two of the Jurassic World films, has died. He was 47.
The news was confirmed to TMZ by McFarr’s mother, Donna, who said that he died on Monday (13 May) at his home, just outside Orlando, Florida. She said that his death was “unexpected and shocking” as he was “healthy and active”.
A cause of death has not yet been determined. However, the Orange County Medical Examiner said an autopsy has taken place, and his cause of death is pending toxicology results, according to Deadline. Read more
9 to 5 and Tootsie star Dabney Coleman dead at 92 (PageSix)
Dabney Coleman, most famous for his role on “9 to 5,” has died at the age of 92.
The Hollywood icon’s daughter, Quincy Coleman, told Page Six he “took his last earthly breath peacefully and exquisitely” at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday.
“My father crafted his time here on earth with a curious mind, a generous heart, and a soul on fire with passion, desire and humor that tickled the funny bone of humanity,” she said in the statement. “As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery.” Read more
“Gut-wrenching” video appears to show Sean Combs assaulting singer Cassie in 2016 (Sky)
“Gut-wrenching” CCTV footage which appears to show Sean Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel “has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour” of the rapper, her lawyer has said.
The 54-year-old, whose homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents in March, has faced a series of public allegations of physical and sexual violence.
Footage obtained by CNN appears to show Combs – also known as P Diddy and Puff Daddy – wearing only a white towel as he punches and kicks Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway on 5 March 2016. Read more
‘‘Kinds of Kindness’’, Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest, gets 6-minute ovation at Cannes premiere (Deadline)
Following four Oscar wins just a few months ago for his Emma Stone-starrer Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos unveiled his latest feature at Cannes‘ Grand Theatre Lumiere this evening. His three-hour absurdist anthology “Kinds of Kindness”, also starring Stone as well as Willem Dafoe and Jesse Plemons, reaped a six-minute ovation.
The Searchlight Pictures title also stars Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie and Hunter Schafer.
The anthology movie is described as a “triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.” Read more
Upside-down flag at justice’s home another blow for US Supreme Court under fire (VOA)
An upside-down US flag has long been a sign of dire distress and a versatile symbol of protest. But in January 2021, when it flew over the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, it was largely seen in connection with a specific cause: the false claim by then-President Donald Trump’s supporters that the 2020 election had been marred by fraud.
The revelation this week about the flag flying at Alito’s home was the latest blow to a Supreme Court already under fire as it considers unprecedented cases against Trump and some of those charged with rioting at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Read more
Akpom tipped for Ajax exit (Punch)
According to Ajax Amsterdam insider, Lentin Goodijk, Chuba Akpom could be out of Ajax before the start of the 2024/25 season amid speculation linking the former Arsenal player with a return to England, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
It’s only been a year since Akpom left England for The Netherlands but the Super Eagles hopeful has been linked with a return, with several unnamed clubs said to be interested in his services.
Akpom had an excellent 2022/23 season with Middlesborough where he scored an impressive 28 league goals from 38 matches and almost guided them back to the Premier League. Read more
Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham defeat to Man City my “worst experience as a football manager’’ (Standard)
Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City was his “worst experience as a football manager” and has admitted he misjudged supporter sentiment around the game.
Spurs’ hopes of a top-four finish were ended by the champions-elect in a subdued atmosphere on Tuesday night, with the majority of the home fans conflicted about their side getting a result which would have left the title in rivals Arsenal’s hands.
Postecoglou revealed the situation left him in “cold sweats” that his integrity would be questioned in the event of a heavy defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side. Read more
3 A-League stars arrested over alleged betting corruption ring (DailyMail)
Three A-League stars from the Macarthur Bulls – including skipper Ulises Davila – were arrested on Friday morning, following an investigation by the Organised Crime Squad into alleged betting corruption under Strike Force Beaconview.
Investigations revealed a senior player – believed to be Davila, 33, – was allegedly taking instructions from a man – believed to be offshore in South America – to organise for yellow cards to occur during certain games in exchange for profit.
Police will allege Davila successfully controlled the number of cautions – which are given to players by a referee for foul play – during a match against Melbourne Victory on November 24, and a match against Sydney FC on December 9. Read more
Juventus fire Allegri after cup final antics (BBC)
Juventus have sacked Massimiliano Allegri two days after he led the side to the Italian Cup.
The Turin side beat Atalanta 1-0 in Rome, but Allegri was sent off late on for ranting at match officials and waving away the sporting director during the celebrations.
The Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary tribunal has launched an investigation into Allegri. Read more
Scottie Scheffler says ‘‘stretching in a jail cell was a first’’ after arrest at PGA Championship (Independent)
Golf pro Scottie Scheffler says that “stretching in a jail cell was a first” for him, after being arrested the morning before returning to play in the PGA Championship.
The world number one said at a press conference that his head was “still spinning” from the day’s events and that he had “never imagined going to jail,” least of all before a tee time.
Scheffler was arrested on Friday morning in Valhalla, Kentucky, and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. Read more
Oleksandr Usyk’s weight was announced wrongly for Tyson Fury undisputed fight (Mirror)
Oleksandr Usyk will be 10lb lighter for his fight with Tyson Fury than was announced after he stepped on the scales.
Usyk was announced as weighing 233 lb for his undisputed heavyweight world title fight – a career-high and over half a stone heavier than he was when he fought Anthony Joshua. But it has been revealed that Michael Buffer announced the Ukrainian’s weight wrongly and he in fact weighed 223 lb.
That means he will be giving up 40lb to Fury in the ring with the Brit expected to use his height and weight advantages against the smaller man. And he made his presence felt during their staredown last night when he shoved his rival, forcing security guards to step in. Read more