Organ Harvesting: Obasanjo writes UK Court, seeks clemency for Ekweremadu, wife (Vanguard)
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has written a letter to the Chief Clerk of the Central Criminal Court in London to temper justice with mercy over the conviction of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife.
It would be recalled that Ekweremadu and his wife, alongside a Nigerian doctor, Obinna Obeta, were recently found guilty of attempted organ harvesting of a Nigerian trafficked to Britain to provide a kidney for their ailing daughter.
Obasanjo in the letter dated April 3, and addressed to The Chief Clerk, the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, London, titled “Re: Ike Ekweremadu,” said though Ekweremadu’s action was condemnable and unacceptable, he had contributed his quota to the socio-political development of Nigeria, adding that his punishment should consider his past records of good deeds and the plight of his ailing daughter. Read more
Court remands Lagos Eze Igbo over inciting comment (Punch)
The Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, on Wednesday, ordered that the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Fredrick Nwajagu, be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
Nwajagu was arrested last Saturday following a viral video, in which he threatened to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra to Lagos to secure properties of Igbo people living in the state.
The 67-year-old was arraigned on Wednesday before the magistrate court, presided over by P. E. Nwaka. Read more
Presidential polls: Senior lawyers back Agbakoba on 25% requirements from FCT (Sun)
Prominent lawyers have agreed with former president of the Nigerian Bar Association( NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, on the issue of obtaining 25 percent in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), as a requirement to win the presidential election, as provided in section 134 (1) (b) and (2) of the 1999 constitution.
Speaking on Arise TV, Agbakoba listed the two issues as reasons why the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election may have a problem .
He listed section 134(2) of the Nigerian constitution, which provides the conditions to be met before one is declared a winner of a presidential election and section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) which forbids candidates from contesting two positions in an election. Read more
Okada riders ‘‘kill’’ policeman in Lagos (Nation)
A policeman was Wednesday afternoon killed by irate commercial motorcyclists and three service rifles carted away after a face-off between the police and errant riders.
The incident occurred at Cele Bus Stop along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos when some policemen enforcing the ban of commercial cyclists on the expressway were challenged by the riders.
Shortly after the officer was said to have been murdered, the Okada riders numbering about 100 fled towards Mile 2. Read more
Diya for burial July 29 (Guardian)
The late former Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya, will be buried on July 29, 2023.
Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Diya, Mr. Olawale Adekoya, disclosed this, yesterday, in Lagos.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adekoya said that the funeral rites would commence on July 26, 2023 with a Night of Tributes, while service of songs and Christian wake would hold on July 27 and July 28 respectively. Read more
FAAN commissions N12b ten new firefighting vehicles (Tribune)
TO improve safety of flight operations at the country’s airports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has commissioned 10 brand new, high capacity firefighting vehicles.
The Lion Volkan 6×6 Brand, Major Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles (MFFV), which carries 14,000 litres of water, 1,700 litres of foam, 250kg powder capacity each and monitors the discharge rate of between 6,000 litres to 10,000 litres per minute would be deployed in the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
With an acceleration rate of 0-80km per hour in 30 seconds, each of the trucks possess limitless capacity to discharge while in motion, they are also equipped with under chassis nozzles to tackle running fuel fire. Read more
LCCI: We are deeply worried by rise in Nigeria’s public debt (ThisDay)
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over the exponential increase in Nigeria’s public debt from N10.04 trillion to N46.25 trillion between 2013 and 2022.
The LCCI recalled that the recent data released by the Debt Management Office (DMO), showed that Nigeria’s public debt increased by N6.69 trillion or 22.7 per cent to N46.25 trillion as at the end of 2022, up from N39.56 trillion at end-2021.
The chamber expressed its concern in a statement titled: “LCCI Statement on Nigeria’s Rising Public Debt,” signed by its Director General, Dr. Chinyere Almona. Read more
2 die, 5 injured in Bauchi (DailyTrust)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bauchi State has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash at Kahun village, along the Darazo- Dukku road.
Five others were said to be injured.
The state sector commander of the FRSC, Yusuf Abdullahi, who disclosed this yesterday, said the ill-fated commercial bus with registration number DKA 127 XT, was loaded with 14 passengers. Read more
Man who dealt with Michael K. Williams drugs before his death pleads guilty (People)
The dealer of the fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of Michael K. Williams has pleaded guilty.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams announced that 39-year-old Irvin Cartagena, also known as “Green Eyes,” pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogue in front of a district judge on Wednesday.
“Irvin Cartagena sold fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy,” said Williams of Cartagena’s hand-to-hand transaction with the actor, which he explained happened “on or about” Sept. 5, 2021. Read more
School of Rock cast will reunite for 20th anniversary, Jack Black confirms (Deadline)
Jack Black will rock on.
Black revealed plans for a 20-year School of Rock reunion in a recent Entertainment Tonight interview promoting The Super Mario Bros. Movie. But he didn’t specify whether the reunion would be a film, a special, or simply a get-together.
“All those kids — dig this — they were 10 years old when we made that movie and now they’re all, like, 30,” Black said. “We’re gonna get together and have a 20-year anniversary. We like to jam. I’m looking forward to seeing all of the grownups from School of Rock.” Read more
Christina Aguilera gets real about her sex life in new X-rated chat (MusicNews)
Christina Aguilera has revealed she was a late bloomer when it came to her sexuality, despite her overtly sexy appearance.
The 42-year-old singer shed her squeaky clean image with the release of smash hit pop song Dirrty in 2002, but in a new chat on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, the star admits all was not as it seemed.
“It’s so funny that I gave this persona because I probably was the last person to lose my virginity,” she smiled. “It was something that was for me. I guess that’s why my messages went the way they did too because I owned it first, maybe. Read more
Bang Yongguk announces 2023 ‘‘The Colors’’ US Tour (NME)
South Korean musician Bang Yongguk, a former member of K-pop boy band B.A.P, has announced his 2023 tour of the US.
Today (April 6), the rapper officially announced that he would be going on a tour of the US, which will consist of 10 shows across the nation over two months. His ‘The Colors’ tour will kick off at the end of May at The Forge in Joliet, Illinois.
Bang will then head up to Boston, Massachusetts for a show on June 3, before moving down the East Coast, with concerts in New York and North Carolina. He will then head down south, performing concerts in Georgia, Texas and Colorado, before wrapping things up in California. Read more
Man kills 4 children in attack at Brazilian kindergarten (UPI)
A man with a hatchet killed at least four children in a kindergarten in southern Brazil, authorities said on Wednesday.
Jorginho Mello, the governor of Santa Catarina confirmed the deaths in a tweet, adding that three were injured and the suspect had been arrested.
“It is with great sadness that I receive the regrettable news that the Cantinho do Bom Pastor private daycare center, in Blumenau, has been invaded by an assassin who attacked children and staff,” he said. Read more
Emma Heming gushes over husband Bruce Willis, Demi Moore (PageSix)
Bruce Willis’ current wife really “liked” seeing him with his ex-wife.
Emma Heming posted to her Instagram Story an old photo of the “Die Hard” star and ex-wife Demi Moore and wrote, “Yeah. Me too. I liked them together as well [heart-face emoji}.”
The Ghost star, 60, and Willis were married from 1987 to 2000 and share three adult daughters.
Heming and Moore have developed a “sister”-like rapport in light of Willis’ ongoing health issues. Read more
Israeli police storm Al-Aqsa mosque, arresting hundreds (UPI)
Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque on Tuesday night, arresting hundreds of people they said had barricaded themselves in the building, prompting retaliatory rockets to be launched from the Gaza Strip at Israel and for Israel to respond with airstrikes.
The escalating series of violence comes as Muslims celebrate Ramadan and Jews prepare for their Passover holiday which began with police storming Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem, arresting more than 350 people.
Israel Police said the suspects, “including masked individuals, stone and firework hurlers/throwers and individuals suspected of desecrating the mosque” were accused of having “violently barricaded themselves” in the mosque. Read more
Eagles set for massive drop ahead FIFA rankings (Punch)
With FIFA set to announce the men’s national team rankings for the month of April on Thursday (today), the Super Eagles look set for a massive drop, PUNCH Sports Extra reports has exclusively learnt.
FIFA last announced the ranking for men on December 22, 2022 with the Eagles finishing the year in 35th position after losing one step.
The new version (of ranking) developed by FIFA named “SUM” relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals rather than averaging game points over a given time period as in the previous version of the World Ranking. Read more
Frank Lampard: Chelsea set to name ex-manager as boss until end of the season (BBC)
Frank Lampard is set to be appointed interim Chelsea manager until the end of the season – just over two years after the club sacked him.
He has been out of a job since January when he was dismissed by Everton after less than a year in charge.
The ex-Chelsea and England midfielder previously managed the Blues from July 2019 until January 2021, when he was replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel’s successor, Graham Potter, was sacked on Sunday. Read more
FIFA vice-presidency: IFA’s David Martin loses role to FA chair Debbie Hewitt (BBC)
The Irish FA’s David Martin has been replaced as the British vice-president on Fifa’s Council after losing a vote against Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt.
Hewitt secured 39 of the 55 votes from Uefa’s 55 national associations and will be in the £190,000 post to 2027.
Northern Ireland’s Martin was elected in April 2021 after the resignation of Hewitt’s predecessor Greg Clarke. Read more
Tottenham are ‘‘leading the chase’’ for £50m rated transfer target (Football365)
James Maddison has long been admired by several Premier League clubs and it now seems Tottenham are the frontrunners for his signature.
Spurs have also found out the potential price tag for the Leicester City midfielder ahead of an anticipated summer move.
The Telegraph have reported that while Newcastle are also interested in a move for Maddison, it is Spurs who are leading the chase. Read more
LIV’s Mickelson has quiet dinner in low-key Masters return (France24)
Crow and humble pie were not on the menu for the Champions dinner at the 87th Masters, but LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson’s silence at the esteemed gathering spoke volumes.
The six-time major winner, owner of three green jackets, was among 33 past winners who dined Tuesday night at Augusta National in tribute to 2022 winner Scottie Scheffler.
Mickelson was among the players who led a charge of defections from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, putting him among those banned by the tour in a divide that is set for a court fight early next year. Read more
Carlos Alcaraz’s coach hits out at ‘‘new Rafael Nadal’’ tag as pressure takes a toll on star (Express)
Juan Carlos Ferrero has hit out at the constant comparisons between Rafael Nadal and his charge Carlos Alcaraz. A former world No 1 himself, Ferrero said the label had been “super heavy” on the 19-year-old. Ferrero also addressed theories that Alcaraz could go on to exceed Nadal and his Big Three rivals by lifting even more Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz has long been touted as the new Nadal, even showing some parallels with his compatriot’s career. Last year, he won in Barcelona and broke into the top 10 exactly 18 years to the day that Nadal did the same thing when he was 19.
But the comparisons have now been slammed by the world No 2’s coach, who admitted that they took a toll on the young star. “I don’t like to compare him to the others,” Ferrero told Tennis Majors, quizzed on the likeness between Alcaraz and Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Read more