LASTMA officials, truck drivers clash during towing operation (Guardian)
A towing operation aimed at freeing up the service lane at the Toyota end of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Wednesday ended up in a clash between officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the truck drivers Wednesday morning. The lane has, over time, served as a parking space for truck operators and drivers, constraining the size of the road for vehicular movements to and fro Isolo. The LASTMA officials arrived Toyota bus stop area of Oshodi opposite The Guardian Newspapers in a minibus and a branded Hilux vehicle in the company of armed men of the Nigeria Police Force at about 11:00 am. Read more
Buratai tasks journalists on patriotic reporting (Nation)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has appealed to journalists to put Nigeria’s interest first in their reportage. Buratai made the appeal in Maiduguri, at a dinner for National Executive members of Nigeria Association of Women journalists (NAWOJ) on an on- the- spot assessment of the security situation in the North East. The COAS, who was represented at the event by Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, Chief of Logistics (Army), said: “I am giving you a message today, let your colleagues know that whenever they put down something about the military on paper, they should ask themselves if it is in the interest of the nation. Read more
Contradictions as Amosun claims he did not hand over Ak 47 rifles (Guardian)
Former Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun Tuesday denied handing over 1000 AK 47 rifles to Ogun State Police Command hours to the end of his tenure in May. Online news platform, Premium Times (PT), reported on Monday that the former governor handed over 1,000 AK-47 assault rifles, 1,000 bulletproof vests, and four million bullets to the police. The weapons, PT said, were acquired before the 2019 elections. Amosun, now a senator, said the PT report was a “premeditated” smear campaign against his person. Read more
Troops neutralise three terrorists in Borno, recover weapons (Nation)
Troops have again neutralised three terrorists in Borno to consolidate on the achievement of the clearance operations in the northeast. The spokesman of the Army Col. Sagir Musa who announced this in a statement said troops recovered two gun trucks and other weapons from the insurgents. The statement: “Following sustained robust and aggressive clearance operations, in recent days, troops had recorded tremendous successes in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East. Read more
I left no debt in Zamfara, says ex-Gov Yari (Punch)
Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, the immediate past governor of Zamfara State, has said that he left no debt or liability for the new administration of Alhaji Bello Matawalle. Yari made this known at a news conference organised at the All Progressives Congress state Secretariat in Gusau on Wednesday. He spoke through his media aide, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara. Read more
Zamfara: We’re ready to challenge some positions, says APC (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara says it will challenge some elective positions presently being occupied by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Lawali Liman, disclosed this at a press briefing held at the party’s state Secretariat in Gusau, on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all elective positions from the 2019 general elections in the state were earlier declared for the APC until a Supreme Court ruling nullified it. Read more
Stop attacking Obasanjo, YYF tells Fayose, Buhari’s aide (Punch)
A pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Yoruba Youth Forum, has called on the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose and the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, to stop making uncomplimentary remarks about former President Olusegun Obasanjo. YYF in a statement signed by its President, Abiodun Bolarinwa, on Tuesday in Lagos cautioned Fayose to stop parading himself in a manner that did not befit a true Yoruba man. Read more
Xenophobia: Inquest into murder of Nigerian in South Africa begins (Punch)
Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, Chairman, Nigerian Union in South Africa in Kwa-Zulu-Natal Province, on Wednesday confirmed that yet another Nigerian, Mr Chibuike Okeke, has been shot dead on June 20 in that country. Okonkwo, who confirmed Okeke’s killing, said he was shot dead in front of Shoprite, CBD of Richards Bay, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province by a white South African man. He said the elder brother of the deceased, Mr Chinedu Okeke had reported to the union that he got the news that his brother was shot dead less than one hour after he left his place. Read more
NAHCON names Kano best performing state for 2018 Hajj exercise (Guardian)
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has named Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board KSPWB) as overall best second state Board for the 2018 Hajj exercise. The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar, who declared Kano winner at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, stressed that the board has demonstrated exemplary performance in pilgrims welfare during the just concluded exercise. Read more
WAEC certificate: Court dismisses case against Kwara Gov (Punch)
A High Court sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday dismissed the certificate forgery case filed against Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, following the claimant’s application to withdraw the case. Delivering judgment, Justice Adenike Akinpelu, struck out the case after Adekunle Abraham, a member of the PDP who filed the case, told the court he had presented a notice of withdrawal of the case. Akinpelu held that the withdrawal means that, the efforts of one Olusola Olaseinde, who wanted to join the suit were inconsequential since the original case had been withdrawn. Read more
INC election: Dickson drums support for ex-police affairs minister (Nation)
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has mobilised support for a former Police Affairs Minister, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo to emerge as President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) in the forthcoming convention of the body. The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, advocated for a rancour-free, fair INC convention on June 29. The governor spoke during a meeting with leaders of the Western Zone including INC Presidential hopeful, Bozimo, in Warri, Delta state. Read more
EFCC tenders video evidence of alleged confession of herbalist (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)on Wednesday presented a piece of confessional video evidence in an IIorin high court, by a herbalist Jamiu Isiaka,31, admitting to defrauding a South Korean National, Keun Sig Kim to the tune of thirty million naira to procure NNPC licence. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EFCC on June 11, arraigned Isiaka on four counts bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, forgery and impersonation. Isiaka had pleaded not guilty. Read more
I faked my kidnap to raise funds for husband, housewife tells Police (Punch)
A middle-aged housewife identified as Mrs Yemi Samuel has been arrested by men of the Kwara State Police Command for faking her own kidnap in Kabba town in Kogi State. Yemi Samuel was among the nine suspects paraded at the Police headquarter, GRA, Ilorin on Wednesday. Three other suspects, Jenmo Usman, 27, Iliashu Mohammed, 25, and Maude Umaru, 21 all suspected to be Fulani herdsmen were arrested for alleged kidnapping, criminal intimidation and conspiracy. Read more
Domestic abuse: Produce witnesses to prove your case, court tells 14-year-old ‘housewife’ (Punch)
A Gudu Grade I Area Court on Wednesday, ordered a 14-year-old housewife, Hadiza Bala, to produce another set of witnesses to prove her case of abuse against her estranged husband, Abubakar Usman. The Judge, Ado Muktar, ordered Mr Ejike Ejifor, counsel to the plaintiff to produce witnesses who have knowledge of the abuse as claimed by Bala. Earlier, the judge disqualified the two witnesses who testified on her behalf, saying, “their testimonies lacked substance of the abuse as claimed before the court.” Read more
Desist from using ordinary water for hand-washing after defecation – UNICEF warns (Nation)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday advised Nigerians to use soap or ash and running water to wash hands after defecation to prevent infection and illness. Mr Bioye Ogunjobi, a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist with UNICEF, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Ogunjobi said that using water alone is not proper hand washing technique as it could not totally clean the hand. Read more
Zimbabweans wary of latest currency re-launch (Punch)
Zimbabweans reacted warily to the country’s planned new currency on Tuesday, fearful of a return of destructive hyperinflation despite assurances from President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The new “Zimbabwe dollar” — which does not yet exist in paper form — is supposed to replace the US dollar and South African rand that the country has used since 2009. Hyperinflation of the old Zimbabwe dollar rendered it worthless ten years ago when the government printed money recklessly and the economy collapsed. Read more
US immigration: Drowning exposes risks of illegal crossing (BBC)
El Salvador’s government has warned people against risking their lives to reach the US after a man and his baby daughter drowned in the Rio Grande. Photos of their bodies, found face down in shallow water with the 23-month-old girl’s arm around her father’s neck, have sparked condemnation. It comes as the US and Mexico implement tougher policies to stem the flow of undocumented migrants, mostly from Central America, travelling north. Read more
Iran ‘never seeks war’ with US – President Rouhani (Punch)
Iran “never seeks war” with the United States, President Hassan Rouhani said as he sought to rein in soaring tensions between the two archfoes. “Iran has no interest to increase tension in the region and it never seeks war with any country, including (the) US,” the president said, quoted by state news agency IRNA on Wednesday. Rouhani was speaking by phone to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, as Tehran and Washington engaged in an escalating war of words following Iran’s shooting down of a US drone last week. Read more
Moon denies US-North Korea nuclear talks in ‘stalemate’ (Guardian)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday dismissed the idea that nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington had stalemated but stressed patience was needed to bridge a 70-year “sea of mistrust”. In written answers to questions submitted by leading media, Moon — who brokered talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last year — also urged Pyongyang to resume the dialogue to show its desire to denuclearise. Read more
Cambodia translator jailed over ‘fake news’ sex trade documentary (BBC)
A Cambodian translator has been jailed for his role in a documentary about sex trafficking on Russia’s RT news channel. Rath Rott Mony worked on “My Mother Sold Me”, a film released last year about an impoverished girls sold into the sex trade by their mothers. The Cambodian government branded the film “fake news”. Read more
Rapper Cardi B Denies Strip Club Brawl Charges (Guardian)
Rap superstar Cardi B on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to attempted assault charges including two felonies filed in connection with her alleged involvement in a New York strip club brawl. “Not guilty sir; honour,” the 26-year-old artist said before a packed courtroom in Queens, looking swank in a fitted, low-cut navy blue and baby pink double-breasted pantsuit and razor-sharp straight blue-hued bob. The brash rapper appeared calm throughout the proceedings, her hands clasped behind her back, showing her talon-esque hot pink nail extensions to the room. Read more
Cosby Appeals Sexual Assault Conviction (Guardian)
Comedian Bill Cosby, who is serving a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence, on Tuesday, appealed a Pennsylvania court’s verdict that found him guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago. “This filing is an important step in ensuring that Mr Cosby receives a hearing from a fair and impartial court,” the actor’s spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, said. “The Constitution guarantees that right to Mr Cosby — and to all Americans — and he looks forward to securing justice in the court of appeal,” he said in a statement. Read more
No specific Mahrez plan, says Senegal coach (Guardian)
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse insisted there is no particular plan to counter Algeria star Riyad Mahrez in Thursday’s blockbuster Africa Cup of Nations group clash. Algeria, like highly-fancied Senegal, won their opening game in Group C with captain Mahrez on target in a 2-0 victory over Kenya in Cairo. “There’s no anti-Mahrez plan or similar for (Sofiane) Feghouli or (Yacine) Brahimi, they’re all good players,” said Cisse at Wednesday’s pre-match news conference. Read more
AFCON 2019: Egypt sends Amr Warda home (Nation)
Midfielder Amr Warda has been sent home from the Africa Cup of Nations for disciplinary reasons by hosts Egypt. The decision to remove Warda, who plays for Greek club PAOK, was announced on the day Egypt play DR Congo. The Egypt Football Federation said he was withdrawn “to maintain discipline, commitment and concentration”. “Social media conversations between Warda and many women were released after Egypt’s game against Zimbabwe,” said BBC Arabic reporter Mohamed Qoutb. Read more
Wilfried Zaha keen to leave Crystal Palace for Arsenal (BBC)
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is keen to leave the club this summer and favours a move to Arsenal, who would like to recruit him. Palace value the Ivory Coast international at up to £80m. However, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka set to join Manchester United, Palace are reluctant to lose Zaha this summer. United, who sold Zaha back to Palace four years ago, would get 25% of any fee if the player is transferred, unless that clause is renegotiated. Read more
Bayern consider bid for Ousmane Dembele – Report (Punch)
Bayern Munich will consider a move for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele if they fail to sign Leroy Sane from Manchester City, Bild newspaper reported on Wednesday. With veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery leaving the club, Bayern had targeted Germany international Sane as they look to bolster their attack ahead of next season. “If the Sane transfer fails, Bayern also have Ousmane Dembele on their list,” wrote Bild. Read more
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Man Utd reach agreement with Crystal Palace to sign defender (BBC)
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The deal is worth £50m and the 21-year-old England Under-21 international is set to travel for a medical imminently before going on holiday. United have offered Wan-Bissaka a long-term contract and wages of up to £80,000 a week. He is on £10,000 a week at Selhurst Park, the lowest-paid player in Palace’s first-team squad. Read more
Tottenham set to complete Jack Clarke transfer as Leeds United star arrives for medical (Metro)
Tottenham hope to wrap up a £10million move for Jack Clarke in the next 24 hours after the Leeds United star arrived in north London for a medical at the club. The 18-year-old winger is set to become the club’s first signing for over 18 months after Spurs agreed a fee with his club Leeds on Tuesday. Clarke made 22 appearances for Leeds last season during a breakthrough campaign with the Yorkshire club, who he joined as a youngster before emerging through the academy. Read more
Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen joins Valencia (Nation)
Valencia have officially completed the signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cilllessen, who will be able to play Champions League football as a starter next season. The Dutchman has been an excellent back-up for the Blaugrana since joining from Ajax in 2016, but he was clear about his desire to play regular football and he will get that at Valencia. Although it has not been confirmed, everything is pointing towards current Los Che shot-stopper Neto replacing Cillessen as Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s back-up at the Camp Nou. Read more
Raptors exec Ujiri says will stay in Toronto (Guardian)
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri says he’ll stay with the club to vie for another NBA championship, and he believes star forward Kawhi Leonard will, too. “I love it here,” Nigerian-born Ujiri said at a season-ending press conference in Toronto on Tuesday. “My family loves it here. My wife loves it here, which is very important. My kids are Canadians. You want to win more… In my mind, I’m here.” Ujiri has two years left on his contract with the Raptors, but ESPN reported this month that the Washington Wizards were pursuing him with an offer that included ownership equity in the club. Read more