Naira swap: EFCC to arraign Emefiele for printing N684.5m notes at N18.96b Wednesday (Leadership)
Barring last-minute change, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, before an FCT High Court on Wednesday, for approving the printing of N684.5m naira notes at the cost of N18.96bn.
The arraignment before Justice Maryann Anenih was originally scheduled for April 30, 2024, but was rescheduled following the agreement of the court and the parties.
In the four-count charge filed against former number 1 banker, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the Naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Read more
Forensic audit: EFCC inviting those indicted – ABSG (Punch)
Abia State Government, says the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, has started inviting those indicted by the forensic audit report which the state government conducted through an international audit firm, KPMG.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, disclosed this on Monday during the briefing of journalists at the end of the State Executive Council meeting.
He stated, “The EFCC has started inviting those indicted by KPMG. Read more
Tinubu bans purchase of petrol-dependent vehicles, orders use of CNG-powered automobile (DailyTrust)
President Bola Tinubu has directed the mandatory purchase of compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles by all government ministries, departments, and agencies.
The President said the directive is in furtherance of country’s effort to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudge to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.
Recently, the Minister of Finance Wale Edun took a tour of the factory where the CNG vehicles were being put together and promised that the vehicles will soon be rolled out. Read more
Gunmen kill POS operator in Ogun (Vanguard)
Two gunmen on motorcycle on Sunday evening, at about 6pm reportedly shot dead, one Mutiu Salako, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator around Oke Lantoro in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
A viral WhatsApp message alerting members of the public to the incident claimed that the attack was cult-related.
It says “one man down as suspected cultist shot a lotto shop owner dead in Oke-Lantoro area of Abeokuta city. Read more
Church pledges to promote growth, development (Nation)
Leadership of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide (Ayo Ni O), Yaba District, Ogo Serafu, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, has said the district will ensure growth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and promote Christendom.
Chair of the district’s 10th Anniversary, Samuel Sogunro, spoke during a news conference to kick off activities, with donation of items to an orphanage home, yesterday.
Sogunro, former rector of LASPOTECH, said C&S Yaba District, inaugurated on April 25, 2014, has expanded and grown, impacting positively on society. Read more
Report of missing 7 hunters in Anambra is fake news– NHFSS (Independent)
The Anambra State Command of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) has called on the general public particularly Anambra citizens to disregard news going the rounds in some sections of the online media about the disappearance of seven hunters in Amanuke, Awka-North Local Government Area of the state.
NHFSS described such reports as a fabrication concocted by beer parlour journalists and bloggers to tarnish the image of Nigerian hunters who have continued to display their gallantry in providing complementary services in securing life and property in Anambra State. Read more
FG unveils master plan to tackle energy crisis (DailyTrust)
The federal government has unveiled a national energy master plan to address the challenges of energy facing the country.
The documents: “National Energy Master Plan” and “National Energy Policy”, which were gazetted for strategic planning, coordination and implementation of national policies, were unveiled yesterday in Abuja by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).
Director General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said the documents would help the masses, stakeholders and investors to invest in energy and would also advise the nation on the best sources of energy to use. Read more
Homelessness: Declare state of emergency in housing sector, HDAN urges Tinubu (Tribune)
Perturbed by the increasing homelessness among Nigerians, the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the housing industry.
The call is coming amidst a looming housing crisis in the country.
This passionate plea by HDAN comes on the heels of the discovery by the Lagos State Government of several dwelling places beneath the Dolphin Estate bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos. Read more
Childish Gambino surprise releases new album “Atavista” with star-studded features (HipHopDX)
Childish Gambino has returned with his new album “Atavista”, which is equipped with some huge features.
The rapper/singer (real name Donald Glover) released the project by surprise on Monday (May 13), kickstarting what’s set to be an unusually busy year for him on the music front.
Atavista is the “finished” version of 3.15.20, the album he released in March 2020 and which has since been removed from streaming platforms. Read more
Teacher accused of sex with children tells court she was ‘lonely and craved attention’ (Independent)
A teacher accused of having sex with two schoolboys – including one that got her pregnant – said she felt lonely and “craved” attention after a breakup, a court has heard.
Rebecca Joynes said she struggled during the Covid restrictions and a nine-year relationship breakdown but denied having sex with teenagers.
Joynes, 30, was already suspended from her high school job and on bail for alleged sexual activity with Boy A, 15, when she allegedly took the virginity of a second child, 16, and became pregnant. Read more
Mum mauled to death at bus stop trying to protect her kids from dogs (Metro)
A mum trying to protect her children from a pack of dogs was found mauled to death at a bus stop three days before Mother’s Day.
Courtney Williams, 35, was discovered dead in the front yard of her home in Quitman on Thursday evening, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Deputies responded to the 2000 block of Webster Road to reports of multiple minors being attacked by a dog.
Williams’ body was found at a bus stop behind Brooks County Middle School. Read more
David Bowie’s Young Americans saxophonist David Sanborn dies after prostate cancer complications (Mirror)
Jazz saxophonist David Sanborn, who worked with the likes of David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, and many more, has sadly died at the age of 78
The Jazz saxophonist who played on David Bowie’s Young Americans, David Sanborn, has died at the age of 78.
The musician had won several Grammy Awards during his career, with him also known for having collaborated with the likes of Stevie Wonder and the Rolling Stones. He had been battling prostate cancer. Read more
Museum curator detained at Turkish airport for smuggling spider and scorpion samples (AfricaNews)
A curator at the American Museum of Natural History was detained in Istanbul on Monday while allegedly attempting to smuggle spider and scorpion samples, Turkish media reported.
Lorenzo Prendini, an expert on arachnids at the prestigious New York-based institute, was held by police at Istanbul Airport while trying to take some 1,500 samples out of the country, several news outlets reported.
A video published by the IHA news agency showed anti-smuggling officers searching his hand luggage and removing zip-lock plastic bags that appeared to be packed with dead spiders and scorpions. Read more
3 inmates charged with killing crime boss ‘Whitey’ Bulger enter plea agreement (NBC)
Three federal inmates accused of killing notorious Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger while he was incarcerated have agreed to a plea and to be sentenced in the case, according to federal court documents filed Monday.
Fotios Geas, 55; Paul J. DeCologero, 48; and Sean McKinnon, 36, were all charged in Bulger’s death in October 2018 at a federal jail in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia.
The specific terms of the plea were not disclosed in the documents. Read more
Michael Cohen: Trump ordered hush money payment to porn star (VOA)
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s one-time political fixer, testified Monday that the future U.S. president ordered him to make a secret $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels just days before the 2016 election.
Cohen said the payment was to keep Daniels from talking about an alleged tryst with Trump, and then Trump disguised reimbursements to Cohen as legal fees.
Cohen spent hours on the witness stand in a New York courtroom testifying against his former boss in the first-ever criminal trial of a U.S. president. Read more
Super Eagles’ 1st target to qualify for 2026 World Cup – Finidi (Punch)
Newly appointed Super Eagles coach Finidi George has set his sights firmly on securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, demanding unwavering commitment from his top players as the team aims to get their faltering qualifying campaign back on track.
Unveiled to the media in Abuja on Monday, Finidi, who succeeded the outgoing Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, wasted no time in laying out his immediate priorities – two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin early next month.
“Nigeria comes first, that’s what I expect from every player I invite. You have to be playing in your club, and you must have the commitment,” Finidi told reporters on Monday. Read more
NASCAR to debut in-season tournament with $1M prize in 2025 (ABC)
NASCAR will introduce a five-race in-season tournament with a $1 million prize in 2025.
Under the format, announced Monday, the top 32 drivers will be placed in an NCAA tournament-esque bracket in which the head-to-head result of each matchup will determine who advances to the next round in the following race.
Seeding will be based on the highest result of each driver over the three races preceding the tournament. Ties will be broken by their second-best finish, then by their spot in the season standings. Read more
Tyson Fury’s dad headbutts member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage at media day fracas (SKY)
Tyson Fury’s dad John Fury was left with a bloody face after he headbutted a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage during an ugly clash at a media event.
The build-up to the undisputed world heavyweight clash turned ugly in Riyadh on Monday as rival camps had to be separated by security at a hotel, where media activity was being held.
During the incident, ahead of the fight on 18 May, John Fury headbutted a member of his son’s rival’s entourage. Read more
Team USA goalie Alyssa Naeher injured ahead of Paris 2024 (UPI)
United States Women’s National Team goalie Alyssa Naeher appeared to sustain a leg injury in the second half of a Chicago Red Stars NWSL win over the Utah Royals, putting her Paris 2024 status into question.
The incident occurred in the 58th minute of the Red Stars’ 3-1 triumph Sunday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Red Stars coach Lorne Donaldson said he did not have an update on Naeher during his post-match news conference.
“I’m leaving it to the pros, the medical staff,” Donaldson told reporters. “So I don’t know what’s going on yet.” Read more
Boniface nominated for Bundesliga Rookie Of The Season award (CompleteSports)
Victor Boniface is in contention for Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award, reports Completesports.com.
The Nigeria international enjoyed a successful debut campaign for Bayer Leverkusen.
Boniface won the Rookie award for four consecutive months earlier in the campaign.
The 24-year-old also won the Bundesliga Player of the Month once. Read more
Celtics take control of series with Game 4 win vs. Cavaliers (ABC)
Jayson Tatum scored 33 points with LeBron James watching from a courtside seat, and the Boston Celtics beat the severely short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 in Game 4 on Monday night to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Jaylen Brown added 27 for the Celtics, who can close out Cleveland with a win in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Boston.
Game 6, if necessary, would be back at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday. Read more