Ministerial list: Senate dumps resolution mandating President to attach portfolios (Punch)
The Senate has described as unnecessary the resolution passed by the 8th Senate which mandated the President to attach portfolios to the ministerial nominees’ list. The Eight Senate under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki had passed a resolution asking the President to indicate the portfolios that would be assigned to the ministerial nominees. Members of the 8th Senate had argued that such an arrangement would enable the lawmakers to know the specific questions to ask the nominees. Read more
Court of Appeal dismisses suit challenging Buhari’s qualification (Guardian)
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a suit challenging the qualification of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 Presidential Election filed by Kalu Kalu, Labaran Ismail, and Hassy El-Kuris on grounds that it was statute-barred. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, who delivered the unanimous verdict, agreed with the decision of the Federal High Court that the suit was filed outside the period allowed for a pre-election matter by law. Read more
Shiites’ protest: Army begins sting operation in Abuja (Punch)
The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has begun sting operation in the Federal Capital Territory to stop violent protests by the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as the Shiites. Our correspondent learnt that the operation, which would involve going after the perceived sponsors of the protests, would also look into how the protesters got their weapons and how many weapons were still in their possession. The Shiites’ protests had turned bloody during the week, leading to two policemen sustaining serious injuries and many vehicles burnt, particularly within the National Assembly premises. Read more
Atiku, Akeredolu, Afenifere kick as suspected herdsmen kill Fasoranti’s daughter (Punch)
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Friday killed Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the National leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. According to a source, Olakunrin was killed along the Ore-Shagamu Expressway at Kajola Village in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state during an armed robbery. The source said the deceased was on her way to Ondo town for a ceremony when the incident happened. Read more
Lawmakers probe alleged conversion of govt assets by Okorocha (Punch)
Lawmakers at the Imo State House of Assembly have called for investigation into the conversion of the Imo Broadcasting Cooperation Quarters located at Orji, near Owerri, the state capital to Rochas Foundation College by the immediate past governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha. Uche Ogbuagu, who moved the motion during plenary urged his colleagues to summon Okorocha’s aides to appear before the House to explain how the government asset was converted into private use. Read more
Presidency demands investigation as Nigerian student dies in Malaysian detention facility (Punch)
The Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on the Nigerian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to open an investigation into the death of a Nigerian PhD student, Thomas Orhions Ewansiha. Ewansiha, aged 34, who was undergoing his PhD programme at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Malaysia, was reported to have died in detention, leaving behind a wife and two kids. The Immigration Department of Malaysia, had on Friday, confirmed that the Nigerian student PhD died in its custody. Read more
NDDC: Group says Ondo Elders Forum erred, urges presidency to ignore call (Guardian)
Reacting to the call made by the Ondo Elders Forum (OEF) recently, telling President Buhari to appoint Delta State indigenes as the next Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a pressure group in the state under the umbrella of Concerned Ilaje Citizens (CIC) has condemned in strong terms the calls by the elders to the president. Read more
ICPC demands stiffer penalties for corrupt public officials (Punch)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission has called on the Federal Government to ensure that corrupt public officials face stiffer penalties. ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, who spoke at a rally commemorating the 2019 African Union Anti-corruption Day in Owerri, said that the negative economic impact of corruption on the African continent was “glaring”. Represented by the agency’s chairman in Imo State, Aruo Udonsi, Owasanoye said the worst hit victims of corruption in Africa were the vulnerable “poor and marginalised individuals”. Read more
Police arrest woman for allegedly biting boyfriend’s manhood to escape rape (Guardian)
The Police in Lagos have arrested a 20-year-old woman, Blessing John, for allegedly biting off the manhood of her boyfriend, simply identified as Johnson, while trying to escape from being raped by him. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Blessing, who was being detained at the Lagos State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (SCIID) on Panti Street, Yaba, said she was in pain when she committed the act. “Johnson is my boyfriend; he works as a hotel manager. We have been dating for six months and he had promised to help me with my Curriculum Vitae (CV) when he asked me to meet him at his friend’s place at Surulere on July 5. Read more
Police haven’t paid me N200m for killing my son, septuagenarian cries out (Punch)
A septuagenarian, Innocent Nwigwe, has lamented the failure of the police to pay him the sum N200m which a High Court in Imo State awarded in his favour following the killing of his 25-year-old son, Hisreal Nwigwe, by a sergeant, Bassey Ubana. The septuagenarian, who wept while briefing journalists in Owerri on Friday, said two years after Justice I. M. Njaka of the State High Court delivered judgment in his favour in a suit he instituted against the Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Imo state, the Divisional Police Officer, Owerri West Local Government Area, DSP Geoffrey Ogu, and Sergeant Bassey Ubana, the police had yet to obey the court judgment. Read more
Several dead as gunmen storm Somali hotel (BBC)
At least seven people have been killed in an attack on a hotel in southern Somalia, including Canadian-Somali TV journalist Hodan Nalayeh, reports say. Officials and survivors say a suicide bomber rammed a car containing explosives into the Asasey hotel in the port of Kismayo, and gunmen then stormed the building. Nalayeh and her husband are among those reported to have been killed. Read more
US regulators ‘approve record $5bn Facebook fine’ (BBC)
US regulators have approved a record $5bn (£4bn) fine on Facebook to settle an investigation into data privacy violations, reports in US media say. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been investigating allegations that political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly obtained the data of up to 87 million Facebook users. The settlement was approved by the FTC in 3-2 vote, sources told US media. Read more
Tropical Storm Barry: Trump approves Louisiana state of emergency (BBC)
President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana as a growing tropical storm nears landfall. Storm Barry has been gathering speed over the Gulf of Mexico in recent days. Officials say sustained wind speeds have grown to 50mph (80km/h) and may still reach hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall. Read more
Sir Kim Darroch: Police launch probe into Trump email ‘leak’ (BBC)
The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into the alleged leak of diplomatic emails from the UK ambassador in the US, which were critical of the Trump administration. Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said there was a “clear public interest” in bringing those responsible to justice. Sir Kim Darroch stepped down as ambassador on Wednesday, saying it was “impossible” for him to continue. Read more
Epstein accused of witness tampering in sex trafficking case (BBC)
Prosecutors have accused jailed US financier Jeffrey Epstein of paying large amounts of money to two people who could be potential witnesses in his child sex trafficking case in an effort to influence them. Prosecutors said Epstein sent a total of $350,000 (£278,000) to two suspected co-conspirators late last year. The allegations were made in a court filing asking that Epstein be denied bail while he awaits trial. Read more
‘Black vest’ protesters storm Panthéon in Paris (BBC)
Hundreds of undocumented migrants have stormed the Panthéon in Paris and demanded the right to remain in France. The protesters, who were mainly from West Africa, surged into the building at around midday (11:00 GMT) on Friday. Tourists were evacuated from the mausoleum, where many of France’s most famous figures are buried. Read more
Bob Dylan and Neil Young share Hyde Park stage (BBC)
Bob Dylan and Neil Young co-headlined a UK gig for the first time as the sun set over London’s Hyde Park on Friday. “I’ve never played in daylight before!” joked Young, who went on stage first, adding “it’s great to see everybody.” The event, which was originally billed as part of the Barclaycard presents BST series, went ahead as a solo concert without any sponsorship. Read more
Ed Sheeran feels like ‘claustrophobic zoo animal’ as he opens up about crippling anxiety (Metro)
He might sing to sell-out crowds of tens of thousands of people, but Ed Sheeran has admitted that he suffers from crippling anxiety which makes it hard to trust people and even spend time in public. The Thinking Out Loud singer spoke candidly as he promoted his new album, No. 6 Collaborations, as he revealed how he copes with his anxiety. He said ‘I get anxiety every day. It creeps up on you. I’ve been working on it for eight years and I closed off from reality. Read more
Nigeria defeat Tunisia, enter FIBA U-16 African Championship last four (Guardian)
Nigeria recorded another sweet victory yesterday when they beat Tunisia in the quarterfinal stage of the FIBA U-16 African Championship. The boys, who put up a commanding display to lay claim to one of the four available semifinal tickets, dispatched their North Africans by 86-36 points. The Fubara Onyenabo coached side were in full control of the game-winning all four quarters, 24-9, 17-10, 27-8, 18-9 in what was largely a one-sided affair. Read more
Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Nigeria will ignore favourites tag, says Iwobi (BBC)
Nigeria’s preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Algeria on Sunday has not been affected by the fact that many view the Super Eagles as favourites for the title, says Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi. Despite unconvincing performances in the group stage, Nigeria beat holders Cameroon in the second round and South Africa, who sensationally knocked out hosts Egypt, in the quarterfinals. Read more
Otedola explains decision to foot Chukwu’s medical bills in London (Guardian)
Billionaire oil and gas magnate, Femi Otedola has thrown light on why he stepped in to help former Captain and Coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu get quality medical treatment abroad. Chukwu returned to the country this week after undergoing surgery and sundry treatments at the Wellington Hospital, Circus Road, St John’s Woods London. Speaking when the former Nigerian defender fondly called ‘Chairman’ paid him a thank-you call yesterday in Lagos, Otedola said he was moved when he heard about Chukwu’s situation. Read more
Federer beats Nadal in Wimbledon thriller (BBC)
Roger Federer moved to within one win of a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon singles title as he beat long-time rival Rafael Nadal to set up a final against another old foe Novak Djokovic. Swiss second seed Federer won 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 against the Spanish third seed before an enthralled Centre Court. Federer took his fifth match point for a shot at a 21st Grand Slam, while denying Nadal the chance of a 19th. Read more
Boris Becker reveals that Novak Djokovic was ‘bothered’ by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal popularity (Metro)
Boris Becker has revealed that Novak Djokovic used to get bothered by the lack of appreciation and love he receives compared to rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serbian booked his place in the final of Wimbledon on Sunday after seeing off Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi and he will take on Federer next, who overcame Nadal in four sets. Together, they are the three most successful players in the history of the men’s game – with Djokovic on 15 Grand Slams compared to Nadal’s 18 and Federer’s 20 – but the world No.1 doesn’t have anywhere near the popularity. Read more
Deontay Wilder warns Anthony Joshua over Andy Ruiz Jr rematch (Metro)
Deontay Wilder has warned Anthony Joshua against agreeing to an immediate rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua suffered the first defeat of his career last month when he was knocked down four times on the way to a seventh-round stoppage against Ruiz. Wilder, who remains undefeated after his first-round KO win against Dominic Breazeale in May, has urged Joshua to come clean about any problems he may have encountered in the build-up to his shock loss at Madison Square Garden. Read more