NDLEA arrests baron in Lagos hotel over N567m seized drug (Punch)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday arrested a drug baron, Charles Ezeh, following the recovery of a consignment of methamphetamine weighing 30.10kg with a street value of N567 million.
The illicit drug consignment concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom, was intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, on Tuesday
The spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday. Read more
Court orders immediate release of Lagos minor (Guardian)
Justice Awogboro of a Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered the immediate release of a minor, a public apology and damages from respondents.
The order followed a fundamental human right suit filed on behalf of a minor, who has been in detention at Oregun Special Correctional Facility for boys, Ikeja, Lagos, for more than five years.
Named as respondents in the suit are the Commissioner of Police (COP), the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and The Attorney-General of Lagos State. Read more
Resident doctors suspend nationwide strike (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its five-day warning strike.
President of the association, Dr Orji Emeka Innocent, told Daily Trust Sunday evening that the doctors would resume by 8am on Monday.
The NARD president said, “progress made will be reviewed on 2nd June 2023 during the association’s general meeting where next line of action will be decided.”
The association had embarked on the strike on Wednesday following the failure of the federal government to meet its demands. Read more
LASBCA demolishes building, arrests developer (Punch)
The Lagos State Building Control Agency has commenced a manual removal process of a building in the Yaba area constructed in violation of building codes and regulations of the state.
The affected building is situated at 25, Igbehin Adun Street, Makoko, Yaba.
The LASBCA said the removal was in the interest of public safety.
The agency said the developer did not obtain requisite permits before embarking on the construction project, posing significant risks to the would-be occupants and surrounding community. Read more
Gov Sanwo-Olu, Ododo, Kogi APC guber candidate, meet in Lagos (Vanguard)
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kogi, Usman Ododo, on Sunday, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
The candidate and his entourage were in Lagos to meet the Kogi community as part of activities lined up for consultations ahead of the November governorship election in the state.
During the visit, Sanwo-Olu held a private meeting with Ododo, where their discussions centred on winning the November 11 governorship poll. Read more
Lagos pensioners get welfare packages (Nation)
Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has given welfare packages to pensioners in the 57 local governments.
According to LASPEC Director-General, Babalola Obilana, the gesture was in line with the agency’s responsibilities of supervisng pension matters and ensuring welfare of pensioners.
He said: “It is also in furtherance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s agenda of improving pensioners who have served for 35 years or become 60. Read more
CCTV Project: Court asks FG to account for $460m Chinese loan (Leadership)
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the federal government to account for the spending of $460 million Chinese loan obtained in 2010 to fund the Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project.
Justice Nwite also directed the government to publish the total amount of money paid to Chinese and local companies and contractors and specific details of the names of the companies and contractors as well as the status of the implementation of the project.
The judge made the orders while delivering judgement in a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1447/2019 filed before him
by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). Read more
2023 Election: INEC kidnapped future, hope for better Nigeria –Anglican Archbishop (Sun)
Anglican Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. David Onuoha, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of kidnapping the future and hope for a better Nigeria in its conduct of the 2023 presidential election.
He stated this at the weekend at the Cathedral Church of St . Paul’s, Ezeoke Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, saying despite all the promises and assurances of a free, fair and credible poll, INEC sabotaged the exercise.
He said the usual slang of ‘declare me winner and let him go to court’ indicated a major flaw in the country’s electoral jurisprudence. Read more
Jennifer Lawrence rocks 2 jaw-dropping gowns in 1 day at Cannes Film Festival (Metro)
No one steals the red carpet spotlight quite like Jennifer Lawrence.
The actress was at the Cannes Film Festival promoting her new documentary Bread and Roses in Cannes on Sunday. The 32-year-old did a stylish day-to-night transition with ease, from daytime chic to dazzling designer.
The Hollywood star has produced the documentary Bread and Roses, which explores the lives of three Afghan women following the Taliban’s takeover in Kabul. She joined co-producer Justine Ciarrocchi at the 76th annual film festival ahead of its premiere. Read more
Kurt Cobain: Guitar smashed by Nirvana frontman sells for nearly $600k (BBC)
A guitar smashed by Kurt Cobain, the late frontman of US rock band Nirvana, has sold at auction for nearly $600,000 (£480,000).
The broken black Fender Stratocaster had been expected to sell for a tenth of that amount at Saturday’s auction at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York.
Cobain, who took his own life in 1994, was known for his intense performances. Read more
Cream songwriter Pete Brown, 82, dies from cancer (USAToday)
Songwriter and poet Pete Brown, who co-wrote “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room” for the short-lived rock supergroup Cream in the 1960s, has died. He was 82.
The London-based Brown died of cancer late Friday, according to a post on his official Facebook page.
“Pete was known to repeat the mantra ‘I come from a long line of worriers, not warriors.’ One of his other favorite expressions, passed down from Spike Hawkins, was ‘that’s life – up one minute, down the next twenty-five years,” the tribute stated. “Despite his tendency towards Jewish pessimism, he lived the life of a warrior poet. He was proudly anti-establishment, and dedicated his life to his creative endeavors, in an uncompromising way.” Read more
‘‘Elemental,’’ ‘Bottoms,’’ ‘‘Chasing Chasing Amy’’ and ‘‘Our Son’’ among Frameline’s 2023 Festival Lineup (THR)
Frameline’s 2023 festival lineup includes Pixar’s new film Elemental, the Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott-starring Bottoms, a screening of Chasing Amy and its new reflective doc, Chasing Chasing Amy, and the Billy Porter and Luke Evans-led Our Son.
The 47th edition of the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival runs June 14-24 and will feature 90 screenings of features and shorts across 11 days before offering a virtual encore between June 24 and July 2. That includes 12 world, 16 North American and nine U.S. premieres, with the opening night film Fairyland, Andrew Durham’s adaptation of Alysia Abbott’s memoir, set to feature an in-person appearance from producer Sofia Coppola. Read more
Fast X races to the top of the weekend box office, outpacing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (EW)
The Guardians of the Galaxy might have a spaceship, but Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto has family… and they won’t be easily defeated.
According to the weekend box office report, the 10th installment in the Fast & Furious franchise is already living up to its namesake: Fast X just sped its way into first place, ending the Chris Pratt box office reign and stealing the top spot from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Read more
DUP urged to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland after Sinn Féin poll triumph (Guardian)
The Democratic Unionist party (DUP) is facing renewed calls to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland after a Sinn Féin electoral “tsunami” reshaped local government.
Chris Heaton-Harris, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, on Sunday joined a chorus urging the DUP to end a boycott that has paralysed the executive and assembly at Stormont. “Alongside the new councils, it remains my hope to see the assembly and executive return to work,” he said.
Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin’s deputy leader and putative first minister, said her party’s performance in the 18 May council elections – final results were announced on Saturday night – reflected a desire to revive Stormont. Read more
‘‘Don’t have a problem with army chief,’’ Imran Khan says (AlJazeera)
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has told Al Jazeera he does not “have a problem” with the country’s army chief but accused Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir of trying to stop him from returning to power.
“I have no problem with him, but he seems to have a problem with me,” Khan told Al Jazeera in an interview on Saturday days after the civilian government said it will use a controversial army law to try supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party involved in damaging military installations.
“I haven’t done anything to antagonise the army chief, but there is something he has against me which I don’t know,” the former prime minister and head of the PTI party said a week after he blamed General Munir for ordering his arrest. Read more
Argentina 2023: Nigeria edge Dominican Republic for three points in Mendoza (ThisDay)
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles earned the first three points of Group D of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina after an own goal by Guillermo De Rena and a smart finish by Samson Lawal steered them beyond Dominican Republic in Mendoza.
Ibrahim Muhammad’s shot had been firmly held by goalkeeper Xavier Valdez and Jude Sunday and Tochukwu Nnadi had threatened in the fore within the first quarter-hour, before Japanese referee Yusuke Araki opted to consult the Video Assistant Referee and then award a penalty to Dominican Republic in the 20th minute, after a tackle by Daniel Daga.
The resultant penalty was brilliantly converted by Edison Azcona. Read more
Remo, Enyimba, Sunshine Stars complete NPFL Super 6 line-up (DailyTrust)
Remo Stars, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars yesterday joined the trio of Bendel Insurance, Rivers United and Lobi Stars who had already qualified to feature in the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Super 6 playoff next month but Wikki Tourists dropped down to the lower division of the Nigerian league.
It will be recalled that before the Match Day 18 fixtures, Insurance of Benin had qualified from Group A while Rivers United and Lobi Stars also booked their tickets in Group B with a match to spare.
However, former African champions, Enyimba, Remo Stars and Sunshine Stars had to wait till the end of week 18 matches to know their fate and they didn’t disappoint their teeming fans. Read more
Real Madrid player Vinícius Jr. racially abused during Spanish La Liga match (CNN)
Vinícius Jr., Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, was subjected to racist chanting during his team’s defeat to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium in Spain’s La Liga, according to club manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The flashpoint of the game came in the second half, where after a stoppage in play, an animated Vinicius Jr. pointed out a fan in the stands for the alleged abuse before engaging with the fans in the section of the crowd in question.
La Liga TV broadcasters said there was an announcement in the stadium calling on fans to not insult the players or throw objects onto the pitch. Read more
Mbappé’s quick double at Auxerre takes PSG closer to 11th top flight crown (RFI)
France skipper Kylian Mbappé scored twice in two minutes on Sunday night to set up Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over relegation-threatened Auxerre and take his side to the brink of a ninth Ligue 1 title in 11 years and a record 11th top flight crown.
Mbappé struck his 27th and 28th Ligue 1 goals of the season in the sixth and eighth minute at the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps to silence the vociferous home supporters who were yearning for an upset that would edge them nearer to another season in Ligue 1.
Despite the early advantage, the pacesetters could not add to their tally and were reeled in just after the pause when Lassine Sinayoko halved the deficit. Read more
Golfers pay tribute to Brooks Koepka after PGA Championship victory (ESPN)
Brooks Koepka is back in the win column.
The LIV golfer is the winner of the 105th PGA Championship with a 9-under-par final score, beating out Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler by 2 strokes. Koepka got off to a roaring start on Sunday and never let up, holding off late challenges from Hovland and Scheffler.
It is Koepka’s first major win since 2019 and a big weight off his shoulders after he couldn’t hold on to a 2-stroke lead at the Masters in April. It’s also the first major win by an LIV Golf League player. Koepka celebrated his fifth major win by referencing Luniz’s 1995 hit “I Got 5 on It.” Read more
Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova says she’s ‘‘OK’’ now after cancer treatments (PBS)
Martina Navratilova is doing “OK” after being diagnosed with throat cancer and breast cancer.
“I’ve gone through a very difficult year but now I’m OK,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame said at the Italian Open on Sunday after receiving the “Racchetta d’Oro” (Golden Racket) award for her contributions to the sport.
The 66-year-old Navratilova said in January that her prognosis was good and that she was going to start treatment that month. She said then that she noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck while attending the season-ending WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in November, and a biopsy showed early stage throat cancer. Read more