Lagos pastor has case to answer over $1.6m scam – Court (Guardian)
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, dismissed the no-case submission filed by one Ayodeji Ibrahim Oluokun, a self-acclaimed Lagos-based pastor, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged $1.6million scam.
EFCC in a statement said Oluokun, whose trial began on May 8, 2019, is being prosecuted alongside his company, Peak Petroleum Industry Nigeria Limited, on charges bordering on the issuance of dud cheques, stealing and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $1.6 million.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Ayodeji Ibrahim Oluokun and Peak Petroleum Industry Nigeria Limited, on or about 26th June, 2014, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, issued a Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited Cheque dated 26th June, 2014 for the sum of $1,000,000 (One Million Dollars) only payable to GOSL Nigeria Limited, which when presented for payment was dishonoured on the grounds that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account on which cheque was drawn.”
Another count reads: “That you, Ayodeji Ibrahim Oluokun and Peak Petroleum Industry Nigeria Limited, on or about 26th June, 2014, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, issued a Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited Cheque dated 26th June, 2014 for the sum $666,666 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Dollars only) payable to GOSL Nigeria Limited, which when presented for payment was dishonoured on the grounds that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account on which cheque was drawn.” Read more
2023: Uncertainty over Sanwo-Olu’s 2nd term as gov awaits GAC’s nod (Independent)
There is uncertainty in the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the second term bid of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as the party National Leader, Bola Tinubu, appears to be considering “other options” for the 2023 governorship race.
Findings by Daily Trust revealed that contrary to reports that Sanwo-Olu had been endorsed by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision making organ of the APC, the governor is still awaiting its nod.
This is why the governor has not made his intention known to seek a second term, it was learned amidst fears in some quarters that he might be denied.
It was also gathered that GAC is yet to meet on the second term of Sanwo-Olu and until it takes a final decision on the matter, the fate of Sanwo-Olu is unclear. Read more
NSCDC uncovers suspected vandal operations, recovers premium motor spirit in Badagry (Guardian)
Lagos State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), yesterday, uncovered planned criminal activities and recovered 7, 600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Badagry area of the state.
The state Commandant, Eweka Edenabu Okoro, said the recovery followed efforts of the command, towards eradicating oil pipeline vandalism and other forms of criminalities in the state.
Spokesperson for NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Assistant Superintendent Of Corps I (ASCI), Oluwaseun Abolurin, in a statement yesterday, said officers of the marine and anti-vandal team of the Badagry Division, following a credible intelligence report on the activities of some suspected vandals within the creeks at the Badagry axis, recovered the vandalised petroleum products at about 01:55 am.
According to Oluwaseun, the team led by the Divisional Officer, Badagry Division, Chief Superintendent of Corps ( CSC ), Akinyemi Rasheed Ayodeji, uncovered the well-orchestrated attempt by the men of the night, to cart away about 64 sacks containing PMS, which they hid within the Isalu creek, along the Seme and Badagry axis. Read more
Controversy over 19 containers of unknown items missing from Tin-can port (Vanguard)
A controversy is now brewing around the disappearance of about 19 containers of unknown items destined for a major Lagos based Bonded Terminal from Tin-can Island port.
Vanguard Maritime Reports gathered that the missing consignments must have been “flown out” (moved) out of the port without official clearance by the approving authorities, namely, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the terminal operator, and others.
This is even as the NCS has said that they are not aware of the official release of the consignments, explaining that it is possible that the issue of alleged 19 missing may have been dealt with by the Customs management.
“Flying of container” is a term used for a container moved out of the port without payment of duty and approvals. Read more
Traders flee as crisis hits Lagos abattoir (Punch)
Confusion has trailed the cause of a crisis at an abattoir in the Agege area of Lagos State on Wednesday.
This is as traders were sent away by hoodlums armed with machetes and other weapons.
“We had to run for our lives, they (hoodlums) came with weapons,” a meat seller at the abattoir told our correspondent.
The PUNCH gathered that the crisis was caused by a levy imposed on customers who patronised the abattoir by hoodlums in the area. Read more
Buhari swears in Commissioners for NPC, ICPC, presides over FEC (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn-in newly appointed Commissioners of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) and National Population Commission (NPC).
The President performed the brief ceremony just before he presided over the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The commissioners were confirmed by the Senate last month.
The commissioners of the NPC are: Chief Benedict Ukpong Effiong (Akwa Ibom); Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa); Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue); Dr. Haliru Bala (Kebbi) and Dr. Eyitayo Oyekunle Oyetunji (Oyo). Read more
Supreme Court affirms 6-year jail term for ex-pension director (Leadership)
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Wednesday, in Abuja, affirmed the six years imprisonment imposed on a former Federal Director of Pensions (FDP), Mr John Yakubu Yusuf, and also ordered him to refund N22.9bn to government coffers.
The N22.9bn was part of the Police Pension Fund Yusuf admitted before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to have been misappropriated.
Justice Tijjani Abubakar in a judgment in an appeal filed by Yusuf, upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal which in 2018 sent him to six years imprisonment, in addition to the refund of the huge sum.
The apex court held that Yusuf and others engaging in fraudulent practices must be told through court judgments that it was no longer business as usual and he consequently handed two years imprisonment for each of the three-count charges. Read more
Police confirm abduction of 4 Zamfara female students (Guardian)
The Police in Zamfara has confirmed the abduction of four female students of the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammad Shehu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Wednesday.
Shehu said that the students were kidnapped on Tuesday night.
“The suspected bandits invaded the off-campus students hostel, a rented house in Tsafe town. Read more
Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan and Queen songs added to the National Recording Registry (USAToday)
Critically acclaimed debut albums by Wu-Tang Clan and Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin’s Latin pop megahit “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” are among the recordings being inducted this year into the National Recording Registry.
The Library of Congress announced on Wednesday the 25 songs, albums, historical recordings and even a podcast that will be preserved as important contributions to American culture and history.
Keys’ “Songs In A Minor,” released in 2001, introduced the young New York musician to the world with her unique fusion of jazz, R&B and hip hop and earned her five Grammy awards. With songs like “Fallin’” the album has been certified as seven-times multi platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The Staten Island collective Wu-Tang Clan, including RZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and more, released their highly influential debut “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993, which combined East Coast hardcore rap centered around kung fu film storylines and samples. Read more
Uber and Lyft called out for surge pricing after NYC subway shooting (Metro)
Ride hailing apps Uber and Lyft were called out for their surge pricing in the aftermath of the New York subway shootings yesterday.
Some tweets from the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn showed prices jumping up as more people tried to get away.
While a normal 10-mile UberX ride from Sunset Park over to Manhattan would cost around $65 (£50), tweets from the area were showing a fare of $85 (£65) after the subway shut down.
The companies have apologised for the error and are trying to make amends with customers.
‘Our hearts go out to the victims of this morning’s terrible shooting in Sunset Park,’ Josh Gold from Uber told Metro.co.uk. Read more
Post Malone’s new album to drop next month (MusicNews)
Post Malone’s new album, ‘twelve carat toothache’, is set to arrive next month.
The ‘Sunflower’ hitmaker’s manager, Dre London, has taken to social media to tease that the follow-up to 2019’s ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ is due for release in May.
Sharing a video of himself partaking in a spot of tennis on Instagram, the music mogul wrote in the caption: “Results Or Excuses Choose Your Side! @postmalone album coming next month! What u want in life results or excuses!! #MondayMotivation. (sic)”
Dre previously claimed Post’s record label delayed the release. Read more
Angelika, Sony Pictures Classics offer free tickets to ‘The Duke’ in “Bring A Friend To The Movies” push (Variety)
Angelika Film Center and Sony Pictures Classics unveiled a “Bring A Friend Back To The Movies” initiative timed to the April 22 release of dramatic comedy The Duke.
The arthouse cinema and specialty distributor are offering a complimentary second ticket to anyone who buys a first directly from the Angelika’s website, app or in the theater to see the film during its first week of release. It’s a nod to the fact that older arthouse demos have been the slowest to return to theaters, wary of Covid but also just having gotten out of the habit.
The Duke by the late Roger Michell stars Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. It premiered at Venice and Telluride last year. SPC is opening the film in NY and LA, expanding to additional cities thereafter.
“The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on theaters and the moviegoing experience,” said Tom Bernard, Sony Pictures Classics’ co-president. But with vaccinations, boosters and health and safety protocols at theaters, he said, “going to the movies is as safe or safer than going to a bar or a crowded restaurant.” Read more
French acting legend Michel Bouquet dies at 96
(France24)
Michel Bouquet, a legend of French stage and screen known for his collaborations with new wave directors like Francois Truffaut and Claude Chabrol, died on Wednesday at the age of 96.
Bouquet passed away in a Paris hospital, his spokesperson told AFP.
He was particularly known for playing the lead role in Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist drama “Exit the King” no fewer than 800 times, as well as iconic performances in “The Miser” by Moliere.
Despite his love of the stage, he was also a force on the big screen, winning best actor at the Cesars (France’s version of the Oscars) for his uncanny impression of former president Francois Mitterrand in the 2005 film “The Last Mitterrand ”. Read more
Margot Robbie and Emma Mackey’s ‘Barbie’ casting causes Twitter storm (NME)
Margot Robbie and Emma Mackey have both been cast in Barbie, causing a Twitter meltdown.
The two actors will be starring in Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming live-action retelling of the beloved doll’s existence, with Robbie playing the titular toy.
Mackey was announced as a new cast member yesterday (April 12) alongside Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Ryan Gosling and Alexandra Shipp.
Many on social media have responded enthusiastically to the news, commenting on the physical similarities between Robbie and the Sex Education star. Read more
Finland, Sweden veer closer to NATO in historic policy shift (Aljazeera)
Finland will make a decision about whether to apply to join the 30-member NATO alliance in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin told reporters in a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart.
“There are different perspectives to apply [for] NATO membership or not to apply and we have to analyse these very carefully,” Marin told reporters in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Wednesday.
“But I think our process will be quite fast, it will happen in weeks.”
Marin said parliament would debate an official assessment of how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to a “change of our security environment” and evaluate making a historic shift in Finland’s defence posture. Read more
Panic as hospitalised ex-Eagles striker Emenike groans (Punch)
There was panic across social media platforms Wednesday morning after former Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, posted a video of himself receiving treatment in an unknown hospital and lamenting his health condition.
Emenike was tournament’s top scorer with four goals as the Eagles won a third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013 in South Africa.
But the 34-year-old forward is experiencing a twist of fate, as he is currently battling an ailment, which according to him, seems serious.
The former Fenerbahce forward posted a video of himself receiving treatment, with a nurse attending to him. Read more
Ancelotti hits 2 historic Champions League milestones (FootballItalia)
Carlo Ancelotti hit two historic Champions League milestones following Real Madrid’s quarter-final win over Chelsea yesterday.
Los Blancos, under the guidance of the Italian coach, beat Thomas Tuchel’s side 5-4 on aggregate after a thrilling 3-2 second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday. It was another memorable European night for Ancelotti, who has proven himself a Champions League specialist.
Ancelotti is the first coach to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in four consecutive decades, doing so in 1999 with Juventus, in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007 with Milan and in 2014, 2015 and in 2022 with Real Madrid. He also reached the semi-finals as a player with Roma
1984, losing to Liverpool in the finals.
The Italian coach also joined Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in becoming the third coach to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals eight times, showing his masterclass in the competition. Read more
Mikel Arteta backed up by Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit over seven-man transfer wishlist (Express)
Emmanuel Petit is in agreement with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta that new players are required for progress to be built upon at the Emirates after the Spaniard appeared to ask for seven new additions this summer. The Gunners bounced back from a woeful start in the Premier League to put themselves right in contention for Champions League qualification.
However, damaging back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton have punctured the momentum of Arteta’s side and flying North London rivals Tottenham have stolen a march on the Gunners in the top four race. Regardless of the recent blip, Petit has been impressed with the resurgence under Arteta this season after it once looked as if the Spaniard was clinging onto his job at the Emirates.
Arteta invested over £100m this summer with stars including Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale forming the cornerstone of a top four challenge alongside academy stars Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli.
But Petit, who won the league with the Gunners under Arsene Wenger in 1998, believes significant further investment is needed. The former French midfielder agreed with Arteta after The Sun claimed the 40-year-old has requested seven new signings this summer. Another squad overhaul is expected with several players departing on the expiry of contracts, and Petit has backed the young coach’s judgement. Read more
British No 1 Cameron Norrie is knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters (DailyMail)
British number one Cameron Norrie crashed out of the Monte Carlo Masters after losing in three sets to Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Norrie, who received a bye in the first round as the seventh seed, recovered from a set and a break down to force a decider, with his opponent seemingly struggling with an abdominal injury.
However, world number 37 Ramos-Vinolas fought back to win 6-4 2-6 6-4 in two hours and 32 minutes, the eighth victory of his career against a player ranked in the world’s top 10.
Ramos-Vinolas has now won all four of his matches on clay against Norrie, whose only victory against the Spaniard came on grass at Queen’s last year. Read more
Monaco’s F1 future is secure, says ACM
(WestAustralian)
Monaco is still discussing a new contract with Formula One but the future of the showcase race beyond this year is assured, according to the head of organisers the Automobile Club de Monaco.
ACM president Michel Boeri hit back at media reports that Monaco was in danger of dropping off the calendar for financial reasons after 2022.
“It was suggested that Liberty Media’s demands were too excessive for Monaco and the Grand Prix would no longer be held,” France’s Auto Hebdo magazine quoted Boeri as saying of the reports.
“That’s not true. We are still in talks with them and we must now make it concrete by signing a contract. I can guarantee you that after 2022 the Grand Prix will continue to take place. Read more
Kevin Durant didn’t like Bruce Brown giving Celtics bulletin-board material (NYPost)
Bruce Brown provided bulletin-board material for the Celtics and Kevin Durant tried to erase it.
Shortly after the Nets punched their ticket into the main draw of the playoffs, Brown took somewhat of a shot at the higher seed, saying the absence of Boston big man Robert Williams (torn meniscus) would make it easier for the seventh seed.
“Now they don’t have Robert Williams, so they have less of a presence in the paint,” Brown said after the Nets’ 115-108 win over the eighth-seeded Cavaliers in the play-in tournament. “We can attack Al Horford and [Daniel] Theis. Them not having Robert Williams is huge.”
Durant didn’t like his teammate giving their opponent any extra ammunition. Durant walked into the media room after pouring in 25 points along with 11 assists and asked reporters what Brown said. Read more