NDLEA destroys 560 kgs of illicit drugs in Lagos (Guardian)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday in Lagos destroyed 560 Kg of drugs seized from drug barons.
Its chairman, retired Brig. Gen Buba Marwa, who supervised the destruction, warned drug barons against pushing illicit drugs and warned of dire consequences for anyone caught.
Marwa said that the drugs were seized by the Seme Area Command and the Lagos State Command of NDLEA, adding that some were also from the central exhibit storage facility.
He said that some of the drugs were seized between 2019 to July 2022.
“This exercise complies with Section 3 Sub-section 1 of the NDLEA Act which mandates the agency to destroy seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” he said. Read more
Customs intercepts N1.4b tramadol at Apapa Port (Leadership)
Less than a week after destroying 48 containers loaded with Tramadol, codeine and other psychotropic drugs, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday, intercepted N1.4billion worth of the banned drugs concealed with kitchen utensils at the Apapa Port, Lagos.
The cartons of the banned substance according to the Apapa Command of the Service were concealed in a container with items such as food flasks and other kitchen utensils.
Speaking to journalists on the seizure, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Compt. Yusuf Malanta, explained that the container that was used to conceal the contraband was declared as carrying kitchen utensils.
He said, “On 21st of July, 2022, acting on incredible intelligence, our officers successfully intercepted a 1 by 20ft container with number SUDU-7538656 manifested as 272 cartons of stainless steel hotpots. It was captured and declared as cooking appliances, measuring/checking instruments and furnace burners to evade arrest. He said, “On 21st of July, 2022, acting on incredible intelligence, our officers successfully intercepted a 1 by 20ft container with number SUDU-7538656 manifested as 272 cartons of stainless steel hotpots. It was captured and declared as cooking appliances, measuring/checking instruments and furnace burners to evade arrest. Read more
Road to 2023: Court affirms Aro’s candidacy for Ikorodu Constituency 2 (Sun)
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has affirmed the candidacy of Mr Abiodun Moshood Aro as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer for the Ikorodu Constituency 2 election in 2023.
Aro was elected as the APC candidate for the Ikorodu constituency 2 in the party’s primary election on May 27, but his candidacy was later challenged in court by one of the aspirants, Mr Oluwatosin Onamade.
Onamade had filed a suit in court against the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Mr Aro, asking the court to nullify the candidacy of Aro and declare him the lawful candidate of the party.
Delivering judgement in the suit, the presiding judge, Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo, agreed that the defendant’s counsel, Abbas Oyeyemi, upheld the preliminary objection he earlier filed. Read more
Startup Ecosystem: DG NITDA engages key stakeholders in Lagos (Independent)
In view of the fact that Lagos State has continued to maintain itself as a viable community with the strongest unicorn of innovation in the Nation, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has reiterated the Agency’s commitment towards giving the ecosystem the needed support to boost the sector’s contribution to the economy and strengthen the value chain.
He made the pledge during a dinner meeting with some key stakeholders of Lagos Ecosystem, including representatives from Microsoft, MasterCard and Norebase, among others.
Inuwa while suing for trust and the strengthening of the value chain, deliberated on the best way to accelerate growth and support startups in the country said “there are lots of distrust within the government and the ecosystem, so much that the only way to engender trust between the two entities is to have this conversation”.
The Director-General assured the group of his unrelenting support to the ecosystem which he maintained would be his return base upon retirement from government service and emphasised the need for collaborations across the board to achieve a faster and more sustainable digital economy. Read more
Pay rise: FG excludes state varsities, ASUU kicks (Punch)
ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke
ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke
The industrial dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities may worsen following the insistence of the Federal Ministry of Education that its proposed agreement with the union will not be binding on state universities.
The spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong , in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the Federal Government could not dictate to states on education as it is on the concurrent legislative list.
A committee led by the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof. Nimi Briggs, had reportedly recommended a 180 per cent pay rise for lecturers, but the government was said to have favoured a 100 per cent increase.
It was gathered that the ministries of finance, education, labour and employment, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission were still working out the final details of the proposal. Read more
Adelabu, ex-CBN dep gov, emerges AP guber candidate in Oyo (Sun)
A former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday, betrayed emotion as he emerged the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State, ahead of the 2023 general election.
He was presented after Ayodele Oyajide, who had emerged as the candidate of the party during a primary conducted some weeks ago, willingly stepped down for him.
Oyajide publicly announced his withdrawal from the race during the official presentation of a new governorship candidate for the party at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
National Vice Chairman of the party in the South West, Dokun Babarinde, had announced that the programme was organised to substitute its governorship candidate. Read more
Edo Police aiding vigilante to attack our people, kill cows – Fulani Leader (DailyTrust)
The Fulani community in Edo State has raised the alarm, saying the police are aiding vigilante groups in the state to attack and forcefully evict them from the state.
The Sarkin Fulani of Edo State, Alhaji Mohammed Usman Sosal, told Daily Trust that members of the vigilante groups, accompanied by the police, have shot five herders and killed several cattle over the last few days.
“The recent attack on our people and their property started when policemen led men of the vigilante group to kill our animals and shot many of our herdsmen.
“We learnt that the Edo State deputy governor is planning to evict the Fulani communities who have been in the state for decades, we are more of Edo State than the deputy governor who used to stay in Kaduna and only came to Edo when he was appointed deputy governor. Read more
FG confirms purchase of N1.4b worth of vehicles For Niger Republic (Channels)
The Federal Government has confirmed that it approved the purchase of vehicles worth N1.4 billion for neighboring Niger Republic to tackle insecurity.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed gave the confirmation on Wednesday, explaining that providing intervention to the neighboring Niger Republic is not new and it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the purchase.
According to her, President Buhari, whose actions she cannot question, has the right to make his own assessment of situations and give directives accordingly.
She added that the financial support, which is primarily for the purpose of enhancing capacity to protect their territory, based on a request by the Nigerien Government, is also in the best interest of the country. Read more
Notorious and very believable WhatsApp scam ‘is back with a vengeance’ (Metro)
A fraud expert has warned of a resurgence of a dangerous WhatsApp scam that aims to trick people into sending money.
Known as the ‘Hi mum’ or ‘Hi dad’ scam, the WhatsApp messages target parents and attempt to convince them to send money to a person posing as their child.
Typically blaming a lost phone or a financial emergency, the messages can seem very convincing.
While the scam initially appeared late last year, it appears to be picking up steam again.
Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management at Santander UK, said the ‘Hi mum’ trick is also appearing in other messaging forms, such as texts to mobile phones. Read more
Man who killed Nicki Minaj’s dad in NY crash sentenced to year in jail (NYPost)
The driver in the hit-and-run crash that killed Nicki Minaj’s dad on Long Island was sentenced to one year behind bars Wednesday — devastating his grieving widow, who called the punishment “a slap in the face.”
Nassau County Judge Howard Sturim handed down the county jail time to Charles Polevich, a 72-year-old businessman who admitted to striking Robert Maraj and leaving him on the side of a road in Mineola in February 2021.
“One year? That’s a slap in the face for the family,” the hip hop star’s mom, Carol Maraj, told the judge. “[He] just left him on a street like a dog.”
Polevich — who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident causing death and tampering with evidence — was also fined $5,000, and had his driver’s license suspended for six months. Read more
Mystikal denied bond in rape case (HipHopDX)
Mystikal has been denied bond following his arrest at the weekend after being accused of rape, among other crimes.
The former No Limit Records rapper was arrested in his home state of Louisiana on Sunday afternoon (July 31) and charged with multiple felonies including first-degree rape, domestic abuse battery, strangulation and robbery.
During a bond hearing on Tuesday (August 2) afternoon, WBRZ News reported that Mystikal (real name Michael Tyler) shook his head multiple times throughout the hearing held by the Ascension Parish judge, and continued to do so as a detective described the alleged rape in detail.
“We’re extremely disappointed that the judge decided he needed to hold Mr. Tyler without bond,” Roy Maughan, Tyler’s attorney, told the outlet. Read more
Brittney Griner found guilty in Russian drug trial, faces up to 9 1/2 years in prison (ABC)
WNBA star Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for over five months, was found guilty on drug charges in a Moscow-area court Thursday.
Hours earlier, the prosecutor in the case had asked that the basketball star serve 9 1/2 years in prison.
Griner, a 31-year-old Houston native who plays professional basketball for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained on Feb. 17 at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki as she returned to Russia to play during the WNBA’s offseason after she was accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who appeared in court Thursday for the final hearing in her trial, is facing up to 10 years in prison although 9 1/2 years is the maximum sentence with time served. Griner has a right to appeal. Read more
‘Joker’ sequel ‘Folie à Deux’ confirmed to release in late 2024 (NME)
The sequel to 2019’s dark Batman spin-off Joker – announced back in June with the full title Joker: Folie à Deux – has been given an official release date.
Deadline broke the news overnight, revealing that the Todd Phillips-directed, Joaquin Phoenix-starring film would be released on October 4, 2024. It echoes the release of the first Joker, which made it to cinemas on the same day in 2019. Warner Bros. will be hoping to emulate the explosive success of that film, as it became the first R-rated film in history to make over $1billion (£823million) at the global box office.
According to Deadline, production on Joker: Folie à Deux will begin in December. Like its predecessor, the film will be unrelated to the DC Extended Universe, which currently has five films in the pipeline between now and the end of next year: Black Adam, Shazam! Fury Of The Gods, Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, The Flash and Blue Beetle.
The news of Joker: Folie à Deux’s release date comes amid controversy for the DCEU: earlier this week, it was announced that the upcoming Batgirl movie would be pulled from Warner Bros’ release schedule, despite being in the final stages of post-production and costing an estimated $90million (£74million) to produce. The film’s directors, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, have since shared that they are “saddened and shocked” by the decision. Read more
Apple plans to get rid of passwords for good with autumn iOS 16 update (Metro)
Remembering multiple passwords might be the bane of our existence but Apple might have a solution to do away with them entirely.
Apple ‘passkeys’ due to arrive this autumn with the iOS 16, macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 updates could very well replace your passwords.
Passkeys — Apple’s alternative for multiple passwords — use Touch ID or Face ID for biometric verification which will be synced to an iCloud Keychain across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV with end-to-end encryption.
‘This is something that’s going to be a road to completely replace passwords, and it’s starting now,’ Kurt Knight, senior director of platform product marketing at Apple told Tom’s Guide. Read more
Victims continue to fight for justice 2 years after deadly Beirut port blast (France24)
Crisis-hit Lebanon marks two years Thursday since a massive explosion ripped through Beirut, with victims’ relatives planning protest marches as they keep demanding truth and justice.
The portside blast of haphazardly stored ammonium nitrate, one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever, killed more than 200 people, wounded thousands more and decimated vast areas of the capital.
Yet an investigation into the cause has been stalled amid political interference and no state official has yet been held accountable over the August 4, 2020 tragedy.
Several heavily damaged grain silos that became a grim symbol of the disaster collapsed last week, and more are dangerously close to coming down, experts warn. Read more
Nigeria to face Portugal in international friendly (Punch)
Nigeria will face 2016 European champions, Portugal, in an international friendly scheduled to hold in September, The PUNCH reports.
This was revealed by Nigeria Football Federation Secretary General, Muhammad Sanusi.
The three-time African champions were initially scheduled to play Guinea Bissau in a double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in the FIFA international break.
But with the qualifiers postponed until March 2023 by the Confederation of African Football last month, the NFF are busy arranging a grade A friendly for the Eagles.
According to Sanusi, discussion with the Portuguese FA for the friendly game between Nigeria and Portugal is in top gear. Read more
Haaland’s debut headlines opening weekend of Premier League season (France24)
Arsenal’s trip to Crystal Palace lifts the curtain on the new Premier League season on Friday, with Erling Haaland’s debut in the English top flight the highlight of the weekend as champions Manchester City travel to West Ham.
Haaland has been the marquee arrival to the Premier League from over £1 billion ($1.2 billion) spent on transfer fees ahead of the new campaign.
The Norwegian is expected to further strengthen Pep Guardiola’s side, who have won the title in four of the last five seasons.
However, Haaland and City’s season did not get off to a good start as perennial title rivals Liverpool won the Community Shield 3-1 last weekend. Read more
Commonwealth Games debut gold thrills Onyekwere (Punch)
Chioma Onyekwere is ecstatic after winning the women’s discus gold on her debut appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, after missing out on the recent World Athletics Championship in Oregon, USA last month, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 28-year-old African champion won gold late on Tuesday with a season’s-best throw of 61.70m, edging out England’s Jade Lally, while fellow Nigerian Obiageri Amaechi settled for bronze.
Onyekwere’s feat saw her become the second African woman to win the Commonwealth discus gold, after South Africa’s Elizna Naude in Melbourne in 2006.
“It’s amazing to come out for our first Commonwealth and both get on the podium and represent Nigeria well, “Onyekwere told BBC Sport Africa. Read more
Napoli plans to block Osimhen from AFCON (Sun)
Nigeria super star, Victor Osimhen, might be barred from representing Nigeria at the now postponed Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024 by Napoli, going by the stand of the club president.
Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis has said he will only sign African players if they sign a waiver to say they will not represent their country at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The AFCON finals take place every two years and often run for a month from the start of January, midway through the season of Europe’s top leagues.
AFCON was moved to the summer for the first time in 2019, which appeased managers of European clubs, but the tournament returned to its usual winter schedule for the 2021 edition. Read more
Chelsea enter talks to secure Frenkie de Jong deal (IrishIndependent)
Chelsea are in discussions with Barcelona over the transfer of Frenkie de Jong, with the London club now looking highly credible challengers to Manchester United for his signature.
The Old Trafford hierarchy had agreed a deal in principle with Barcelona a month ago, but the Catalan club have become frustrated with progress, especially as the player himself has proved obstinate over both the issue of €17m in deferred wages and the very fact he is being forced out.
While there have been repeated claims from Spain that that obstinance is most bluntly down to the fact he does not want to go to United, there is a strong belief within Old Trafford that he is willing to come.
De Jong has, naturally, been speaking to his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag. Read more
Adam Peaty calls for better sport funding amid Games and Euro success (Standard)
Birmingham gold medallist Adam Peaty has called for better investment in sport as he urged the Government to capitalise on the success of the Commonwealth Games and England’s Euro 2022 triumph.
The England swimmer, who won the Commonwealth Games 50 metres breaststroke on Wednesday and added to his collection the only major title he was missing, said those in power must stop closing pools and facilities.
“This has to be a platform,” the 27-year-old told the Daily Mirror.
“We really need the people in power to stop closing pools and facilities. We should hold the Government and councils accountable to make sure we invest in facilities across the country”.
Phil Mickelson, 10 other LIV golfers file antitrust lawsuit against PGA Tour (CNN)
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and 10 other golfers on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series filed an antitrust lawsuit Wednesday to challenge their suspensions by the PGA Tour.
Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones, who are three of the 11 golfers listed on the lawsuit, are seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow them to play in the Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, which is set to begin next week.
“The Tour has ventured to harm the careers and livelihoods of any golfers…who have the temerity to defy the Tour and play in tournaments sponsored by the new entrant. The Tour has done so in an intentional and relentless effort to crush nascent competition before it threatens the Tour’s monopoly,” the complaint says.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced in June that golfers playing in the controversial breakaway series were suspended and would no longer be eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournaments. Read more