Panic as bandits interrupt Jummat prayer in Katsina (Leadership)
Heavily armed bandits on Friday stormed the Dan-Ali community in Danmusa local government area of Katsina State, disrupting Jummat prayers at several mosques.
Eyewitnesses said that the bandits who were armed with dangerous weapons arrived in large numbers, firing sporadically and caused panic among worshippers.
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the attack might not be unconnected with the arrest and detention by the security operatives, of a suspected informant, Aisha Bala, a middle-aged woman from the community. Read more
Oyo court sends siblings, 33 others to jail over internet fraud (Punch)
Oyo zone office of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has secured the convictions of two siblings, Adedeji Adeboye and Adedamola Adeboye, and 33 others for involvement in internet-related fraud at the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan.
This was disclosed in a statement and pictures shared on the X.com page of the anti-graft agency on Friday.
According to the statement, the convicts were tried before Justices Ladiran Akintola, Bayo Taiwo, and O.S. Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan. Read more
We sold $543.5m to authorised dealers in 11 days – CBN (DailyTrust)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says as part of move to address volatility in the forex market, it sold a total of US$543.5 million in September.
The FX was sold to authorized dealer banks through two-way quotes at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) on 11 dealing days.
The CBN disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Financial Markets Department,
Dr. Omolara O. Duke, on Friday. Read more
Rivers LG Poll: You’ve constitutional duty to provide security, NBA tells Police (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has described as unconstitutional, the decision of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, not to provide security for the Local Government elections scheduled to hold in Rivers State on Saturday.
NBA, which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, in a statement that was signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, maintained that police have a statutory responsibility to ensure adequate security in the state, during and after the elections.
It argued that the responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security “is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.” Read more
Tinubu bows to pressure, upgrades Speaker Abbas’ national honour to GCON (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has upgraded the national honour he had earlier conferred on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Rather than the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) he had earlier announced, the speaker is now to receive the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Recall that President Tinubu during his Independence Day address to the nation, announced the nationals honoured conferred on Abbas, Senate President, Chief Justice of the Federation, and Deputy Senate President. Read more
We won’t allow anybody cause instability in Rivers — Fubara (Independent)
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration is determined to support the cause of developing a sustainable democracy, and will therefore, not tolerate any misguided group or individual attempting to create confusion or any form of instability in the State.
The Governor also urged every registered voter and leaders of political groups to ensure they are at their polling units on Saturday, 5th day of October, 2024, to participate in the process that will usher in new political leadership in the 23 Local Government Councils.
Governor Fubara gave the charge while addressing Rivers Political Stakeholders who converged at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, preparatory for the October 5th Local Government election. Read more
NMA proposes PPP to reverse Nigeria’s annual $2b on medical tourism (Vanguard)
Troubled by the 2 billion USD annual capital flight Nigeria spent on medical tourism, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and other partners on Thursday in Lagos mapped out strategies, including the adoption of public-private partnerships to reverse the trend.
They agreed that the adoption of public-private partnerships in the health sector will enhance sustainability and efficiency.
According to the NMA, annually, many Nigerians travel to countries like India, the UK, and the USA, in search of medical care. Read more
Tax reforms: Tinubu seeks to repeal FIRS, establish NRS (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu is seeking to restructure the country’s tax system in new reforms that will scrap the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).
Ealier, Tribune Online reported that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday confirmed receipt of four tax reform bills transmitted by President Bola Tinubu for consideration and quick passage.
Abbas who presided over the plenary, explained that the proposed bills were designed in line with the objectives of the present administration explained that the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, seeks to provide the fiscal work for tax in the country and tax administration bill which will provide clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes. Read more
School of Rock costars put fans in a frenzy with new photos together flashing diamond ring (EW)
The music is still going strong for School of Rock actors Caitlin Hale and Angelo Massagli.
The duo, who played Marta (nickname: Blondie) and Frankie in Richard Linklater’s 2003 comedy about a man posing as a substitute teacher (Jack Black), who turns his young students into a rock band, sent fans swooning with photos she posted on Instagram this week. Hale and Massagli, who’ve dated since 2016, posed for several black-and-white snapshots, while wearing formal attire — and, in her case, a sparkling ring — against the backdrop of Brooklyn, N.Y.
“Sneak peek,” she captioned it. Read more
Clashes erupt during public forum over an impeachment motion against Kenya’s VP (AfricaNews)
Supporters and opponents of Kenya’s deputy president clashed Friday at public forums over an impeachment motion against him, which was introduced in parliament by the ruling alliance this week.
Rigathi Gachagua is accused of supporting anti-government protests in June and of being involved in corruption and other irregularities, charges he denies.
A motion for the impeachment of Gachagua was proposed in parliament on Tuesday and Kenyans were given until Friday to fill out public participation forms at their constituencies. Read more
Kim Kardashian calls for killers Erik and Lyle Menendez to be released (Independent)
Kim Kardashian is calling for convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez to be released, weeks after the reality star visited the brothers in prison.
The Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty, have been back in the public eye following the release of Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
They were arrested for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder outside their home in March 1990 and sentenced in 1996. In 2024, new evidence emerged that has the potential to set them free. Read more
Woman loses eye after retractable lead snaps back in her face during dog walk (Metro)
A woman has shared her journey after losing her eye in a freak accident while walking her dog.
Daniella Abreu, 24, suffered the horrific injury when taking her husky Blu out around Stuart on the east coast of Florida.
Before leaving her house, Daniella noticed that the dog lead she usually used was frayed and decided to grab an old retractable one instead. Read more
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ writer Adele Lim to direct ‘Princess Diaries 3’ (UPI)
The writer behind Crazy Rich Asians and Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon is set to direct Princess Diaries 3.
Adele Lim, who directed the 2023 movie Joy Ride, said she is “a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries,” which opened in 2001 and starred Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews and Mandy Moore.
Hathaway portrayed Mia Thermopolis, an awkward high school student who discovers she is the princess of Genovia. Read more
Man jailed for neglect after young son left with 50 rat bites (Independent)
A man has been convicted of child neglect after a rat attack that left his six-month-old son with disfiguring injuries.
A judge sentenced David Schonabaum, 32, on Wednesday after the Evansville man was convicted by a jury in September on three felony counts of neglect of a dependent.
The Indiana man has been sentenced to the maximum 16 years in prison. Read more
Trump falsely claims he was endorsed by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon (NBC)
Former Donald Trump on Friday falsely claimed in a social media post that he had been endorsed by longtime JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.
A representative for Dimon said he hasn’t endorsed anyone in the 2024 presidential race, and Trump quickly tried to distance himself from the claim.
Trump first posted about the endorsement on his Truth Social account at around 2 p.m. ET, using what appeared to be a screenshot of a news story from an unidentified outlet saying, “New: Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has endorsed Trump for President.” Read more
Osimhen’s transfer market value drops (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen’s valuation has dropped following his move to Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Osimhen however remains the most valuable player in the Turkish Super Lig with a price tag of €75m.
The 25-year-old linked up with Galatasaray from Napoli on a season-long loan deal this summer. Read more
Sources: LeBron James won’t play in Lakers’ preseason opener (ABC)
LeBron James will not play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason debut Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN. James, 39, will be held out for rest but is expected to play in L.A.’s second game Sunday at Acrisure Arena against the Phoenix Suns.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said James and Anthony Davis — coming off busy summers crossing the globe with Team USA, culminating with winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics — would both play at some point this weekend.
James’ son, Lakers rookie Bronny James, could see his first preseason action Friday, as Redick said he plans to experiment with varying lineups during exhibition schedule. Read more
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers won’t change approach despite Dortmund humbling (SkySports)
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has told his critics to judge him in January insisting he will not change his approach despite their 7-1 humbling against Borussia Dortmund.
The defeat, which was their first of the season, sparked suggestions about the manager’s approach to the match and if they should be more defensive against top opposition.
During both his spells as Hoops boss, Rodgers has suffered similar heavy defeats to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. Read more
Paul Pogba handed new date to return to football as doping ban significantly reduced (Mirror)
The Juventus midfielder, formerly the world’s most expensive player when joining Manchester United for £89million and a World Cup winner with France, has always maintained he had inadvertently taken DHEA
Paul Pogba will be back in action in March 2025 – after the Court of Arbitration for Sport slashed his drugs ban.
The former Manchester United star, currently on the books of Juventus, had been looking at the end of his career if CAS upheld the four-year suspension that was dished out in February. Read more
Diarra v Fifa: Some transfer rules break EU law – top court (BBC)
Fifa rules that govern the way some football transfers work break the European Union’s laws, the highest European court has found.
A long-running legal battle between Lassana Diarra and Fifa has ended with the European Court of Justice finding in favour of the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder.
Diarra’s legal team challenged some of Fifa’s rules after the termination of his contract with Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014. Read more
Lassana Diarra case finds Fifa transfer rules ‘‘contrary to EU law’’ (Independent)
Fifa will have to update key paragraphs of its transfer rules to ensure punishment on players for breaking contracts is less draconian, after a European Court of Justice ruling on the Lassana Diarra case on Friday morning.
Although the immediate impact of the judgement is nowhere near as direct as the 1995 Bosman ruling, which instantly changed the nature of movement the next summer, future effects will depend on how this ruling is actually tested in court.
The case came after Diarra’s contract with Lokomotiv Moscow was terminated in 2014, and he asked Fifa to confirm he was a free agent so he could move to Charleroi. The process which led to that caused a delay that ultimately saw the Belgian club pull out of a deal, which the player and his representatives argued represented a restraint of trade. Read more