Northern groups ask Buhari to apologise to Nigerians (Punch)
The Coalition of Northern Groups on Wednesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to apologise to the nation for allegedly dragging the country to a desperate situation. The group, in a statement by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, further urged the President to own up on his inadequacies and take steps to address national grievances. It said although the North was aware of the current administration’s lapses which are sources of concern, Northerners decided not to take part in the #RevolutionNow protests because of their belief that every form of disagreement can be resolved through civilised engagement rather than resorting to confrontation. Read more
Shi’ites demand release of 12 detained corpses by police (Punch)
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria on Wednesday accused the Nigeria Police Force of holding on to the corpses of 12 of its members who died in the July 22 bloody clash between the group and security agents in Abuja. It also alleged that 63 members who were arrested during the protest are still in police custody despite the fact that 11 of them sustained injuries during the bloody confrontation. Read more
How AI demanded release of Buhari, Tinubu, Keyamo, others – Report (Punch)
Documents have surfaced on how global rights group, Amnesty International, wrote letters to military dictators and high-handed Presidents demanding the release of several persons who are now key members of today’s government. Some of the personalities who AI intervened on their behalf include: President Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress stalwart, Bola Tinubu; a minister designate, Festus Keyamo; and a former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba. Read more
Court sacks minister-designate from House of Reps (Guardian)
The appeal court sitting in Abuja Wednesday sacked Emeka Nwajiuba, a lawmaker representing Ehime Mbano /Obowo/Ihitte Uboma Federal Constituency of Imo State. The court declared Chike Okafor as the winner of the House of Representatives seat. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Honourable Okafor of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner and issued him with Certificate of Return, for Ehime Mbano/Obowo/Ihitte Uboma Federal Constituency. Read more
Soldiers kill three policemen, release kidnap kingpin —Force spokesman (Punch)
The Nigeria Police Force has accused some unidentified soldiers of shooting to death three police officers and a civilian along Ibi-Jalingo Road, Taraba State. Several other officers were also injured during the attack. The Police operatives led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team reportedly came under sudden attack while taking a kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu, to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo. Read more
Alleged N1.2bn fraud: Ex-INEC chairman, Iwu, for arraignment (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, for alleged N1.2bn fraud and money laundering. Iwu will be arraigned at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on four counts bordering on money laundering. The EFCC acting spokesperson, Tony Orilade, confirmed the planned arraignment on Wednesday, but he did not disclose when the former INEC chairman would appear in court. Read more
Umahi inaugurates new cabinet, 12 commissioners retain portfolios (Nation)
Ebonyi Gov. Dave Umahi on Wednesday inaugurated a large cabinet with 12 out of 15 re-appointed commissioners retaining their portfolios. Umahi assigned the offices while swearing-in 26 commissioners, 18 members of the Local Government Area (LGA) Advisory Committee and 13 Coordinators out of the 64 Development Centers of the state. The commissioner who retained their portfolios include: Mrs. Rebecca Ogbuewu (Women Affairs/Social Development); Chief Moses Ogodo-Ali (Agriculture/ Natural Resources); Mr. Emmanuel Nwobo (Special Projects); and Mr Uchenna Orji (Human Capital Development and Monitoring). Read more
Tribunal fixes Friday to hear motion on relisting petition against Sen. Ekwunife (Nation)
The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka has fixed Friday for hearing of a motion seeking to relist Mr Christopher Ekweozoh’s petition against Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central). Ekweozoh was the candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance in the Feb. 23 poll for Anambra Central Senatorial District. His earlier petition filed on March 18 was struck out on April 18 by the tribunal but he returned to the tribunal on Wednesday for relisting of his petition. Read more
NDLEA begins recruitment (Guardian)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the commencement of recruitment into the agency for interested Nigerians. The recruitment is open in two categories – Narcotic Officer Cadre and Narcotic Assistant (Nass) Cadre. Applicants can apply through NDLEA’s official portal. The agency highlighted the various fields in which there are vacancies as well as the qualifications needed for the positions. Read more
EFCC arrests 29 suspected internet fraudsters in Oyo (Nation)
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan zonal office, Oyo State, on Wednesday, arrested 29 men suspected to be internet fraudsters. This was contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Spokesperson, Tony Orilade and made available to newsmen in Ibadan. The EFCC said the suspects were arrested at Akoto Estate, Elebu area in Ibadan during an early morning raid carried out by operatives of the commission. Read more
Abia youths on rampage as ‘soldier’ kills man over N100 (Nation)
It was a chaotic Wednesday in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State as angry youths from Amaise, Umuokereke Ngwa in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia state took to Aba-Ikot Ekpene expressway in Aba to protest the killing of their kinsman Chimaobi Nwaogu Uzoukwa, who was reportedly killed by a soldier. It was learnt after trailing and killing the deceased at his father’s compound in Amaise, Umuokereke Ngwa, the soldier hopped into a waiting motorcycle driven by another soldier and left the victim in the pool of his blood. Read more
Killing of Nigerians in South Africa will no longer be tolerated, FG warns SA (Punch)
The Federal Government has warned that the incessant and unjustifiable killing of Nigerians in South Africa will no longer be tolerated “as Nigerians are already running out of patience with the increasing scourge.” The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who handed down the warning in Abuja on Wednesday, stated that the xenophobic attacks had reached the tipping point. Read more
Zuleika Hassan: Kenyan MP with baby ordered to leave parliament (BBC)
Female MPs have walked out of Kenya’s parliament in solidarity with a colleague who was ordered to leave because she had taken her baby. Zuleika Hassan said she had brought her five-month-old baby with her to work because of a domestic emergency and that parliament didn’t have a creche. According to the house rules, “strangers” are not allowed into the chamber, children included. Some of her male colleagues described her actions as shameful. Read more
North Korea stole $2bn for weapons from cyberattacks: UN report (Guardian)
North Korea has stolen up to $2 billion from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges through cyberattacks to fund its nuclear missiles program, according to a United Nations report seen by AFP Wednesday. The UN is investigating at least 35 reported instances of Pyongyang “attacking financial institutions, cryptocurrency exchanges and mining activity designed to earn foreign currency,” it said. Read more
Mass shootings: Don’t visit US, Japan, others warn citizens (Punch)
Following the two mass shootings that led to 31 deaths in the United States last week, foreign countries are issuing warnings to their citizens about traveling to America. Governments of Japan, Uruguay and Venezuela issued the warning to their citizens. They based their advice on a list of America’s most dangerous cities compiled by the Forbes magazine. Read more
Lawyer fears ‘murderer’ with demonic face tattoos won’t get fair trial (Metro)
Lawyers for an accused murderer with demonic face tattoos fear their client will not get a fair trial. William Bottoms, 29, is accused of shooting two men to death in the backseat of a car in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Bottoms’s attorney, Jarvis Antwine, said he is worried his client’s heavily inked face will sway a jury into a biased guilty verdict. As he questioned the first panel of 14 potential jurors on Monday, Antwine immediately brought up the prominent tattoos and said: ‘That’s the first thing you see with him.’ Read more
Franz Kafka papers lost in Europe but reunited in Jerusalem (BBC)
A “Kafkaesque” 11-year fight to bring together acclaimed Czech author Franz Kafka’s papers has come to an end after the last batch arrived in Israel. The National Library unveiled the documents after years of international searches and legal disputes. It was left the collection in 1968 by Max Brod, the friend who Kafka had trusted to burn his writings after his death in the 1920s. But Brod refused, later going on to publish them instead. Read more
Hunt for man who stripped on train and pressed groin against passengers (Metro)
Police are looking for a man in a dress following an indecent exposure on a train. A man reportedly removed his clothing, ran through the train and pressed his groin against other passengers. The train was travelling between Sheffield Midlands station and Goldthorpe station in South Yorkshire. He then left the service at Goldthorpe station. The incident happened at 9.29pm on Saturday, July 27. Read more
Brazil court orders Lula’s transfer to Sao Paulo jail (Guardian)
A judge in Brazil on Wednesday ordered the transfer of jailed leftist icon Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to prison in Sao Paulo, citing the inadequacy of the current facility. The ex-president is serving eight years and 10 months for accepting a bribe as part of a massive kickback scheme involving state oil giant Petrobras. Since April 2018, Lula has been incarcerated at the federal police headquarters in the southern city of Curitiba, where a group of supporters has been camped out to demand his release. Read more
Canada murders: Bodies found in hunt for two suspects (BBC)
Canadian police have found what they believe to be the bodies of two teenagers suspected of three murders. Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, have been on the run since late July when three bodies, including those of an Australian-US couple, were found in northern British Columbia. The teenagers were later seen 3,300km (2,050 miles) to the east, in Manitoba, where police concentrated their search. Read more
The Weeknd shrugs off rumours he and Bella Hadid have split by teasing fans with a new album (Metro)
There might be rumours doing the rounds that The Weeknd and Bella Hadid have split, but he’s not giving anyway anything right now. The singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, has been shrugging off such speculation and attempted to distract fans by teasing the possibility of a new album instead. Choosing to ignore the rumours, The Weeknd revealed he’s much more focused on churning out new music material and tweeted: ‘album mode full effect (sic).’ Read more
CAF declares Esperance African champions after legal battle (Punch)
Tunisia’s Esperance were declared winners of the African Champions League by CAF on Wednesday following a long legal battle after Wydad Casablanca stormed off in protest during the second leg of the final in May. Wydad “is considered to have lost the game”, African football’s governing body said in a statement. The Moroccan side walked off an hour into the return leg in Tunis after a VAR malfunction meant a disallowed equaliser could not be reviewed. Read more
Why Frank Lampard banished David Luiz from Chelsea’s first team training session (Metro)
Frank Lampard stopped David Luiz from training with Chelsea’s first team squad amid concerns the Brazilian was becoming a disruptive influence. The 32-year-old was one of the few senior Chelsea players to advocate Maurizio Sarri being granted another season at Stamford Bridge after the divisive Italian masterminded Champions League qualification and Europa League success. Read more
Everton transfers: Djibril Sidibe signs from Monaco (BBC)
Everton have signed France defender Djibril Sidibe on a season-long loan from Monaco. The Toffees have the option to buy the 27-year-old on a permanent deal at the end of the season. Sidibe won the Ligue 1 title with Monaco in the 2016-17 season and was part of the France squad that lifted the World Cup in Russia last year. He has scored six goals in 114 appearances for Monaco since joining from Lille in 2016. Read more
Man City land Cancelo as Danilo joins Juventus (Guardian)
Manchester City signed Portuguese international right-back Joao Cancelo from Juventus on Wednesday with Brazilian full-back Danilo heading in the other direction to join the Italian champions. City will pay a net fee of 28 million euros ($31 million) with Cancelo’s move valued at 65 million euros and Danilo costing 37 million euros. “City are a fantastic club, with a brilliant manager and I am delighted to be here,” said Cancelo, who signed a six-year contract. Read more
Watford sign free agent Welbeck (Punch)
Watford have signed former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck on a free transfer. Welbeck, 28, has been without a club following his release from Arsenal at the end of last season. He broke his ankle playing for the Gunners in November. “We’re delighted to confirm the signing of England international Danny Welbeck on a free transfer,” said Watford in a statement. Read more
Giovani lo Celso: Spurs agree deal for Betis midfielder (BBC)
Tottenham have reached an agreement with Real Betis to sign midfielder Giovani lo Celso. They hope to complete a deal for the 23-year-old Argentina international, who could cost close to £60m, before Thursday’s transfer deadline. Spurs are continuing talks with Fulham to sign 19-year-old left-back Ryan Sessegnon. But the club have ended their interest in Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho. Read more
Arsenal agree deal for Tierney, closing in on Luiz (Guardian)
Arsenal could bolster their defence significantly in the final 24 hours before the Premier League transfer window closes on Thursday with the signings of Kieran Tierney and David Luiz, according to reports. Scottish left-back Tierney has been a target all summer for the Gunners, who have had two bids previously rejected by Celtic. However, Tierney, who sat out Celtic’s 1-1 draw with CFR Cluj in Romania on Wednesday as he recovers from a hernia operation, is set to travel to London after the clubs finally agreed on the payment structure of a £25 million move according to widespread reports. Read more
Wayne Rooney: Ex-England captain’s Derby shirt number ‘adds to moral issue’ (BBC)
A betting firm’s involvement in Wayne Rooney’s move to Derby County adds to the “ethical issue” football has with gambling, says football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley. The Rams have said that, “on the back of” the former England captain joining, they have secured “a record-breaking sponsorship” deal with their shirt sponsor, online casino 32Red. The 33-year-old, who is set to join the Rams in January, will also wear squad number 32 on the back of his shirt. Read more
Rogers Cup: Rafael Nadal beats Dan Evans in Montreal (BBC)
British number two Dan Evans pushed Spanish great Rafael Nadal in their first meeting before going down in straight sets at the Rogers Cup. Evans, 29, lost 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in a second-round match disrupted by rain in Montreal. Qualifier Evans could not convert two set points before losing the tight opener, Nadal upping his game at the start of the second to take control. Top seed and champion Nadal faces Radu Albot or Guido Pella in the last 16. Read more