Pastor assaults wife over alleged infidelity, seeks divorce (Punch)
Modupe, wife of the founder and lead pastor of an evangelical ministry based in Lagos State, identified simply as Akintunde, has accused the cleric of assaulting her over allegations of infidelity she levelled against him at their residence in the Onosa community, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the couple’s marriage, blessed with five children, started experiencing challenges when Modupe, on separate occasions, accused her husband of having a romantic affair with two church members.
Angered by the allegations, Modupe claimed that her husband allegedly slapped and beat her up, adding that during one of the attacks, she lost consciousness and was later hospitalised. Read more
Outrage trails Charly Boy’s comments on Soyinka’s mental health (Leadership)
Renowned singer and social activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has sparked controversy with his recent remarks questioning the mental well-being of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Charly Boy took to his X and Instagram accounts on Monday to caution Nigerians about Soyinka’s statements and actions, suggesting that the ageing scholar might be experiencing ‘brain deterioration’.
In his post, Charly Boy expressed concerns about the influence of Soyinka’s age on his recent rhetoric and behaviours, hinting at possible deteriorating brain health. He highlighted the need for vigilance among Nigerians to prevent opportunistic politicians from exploiting Soyinka’s medical condition for political gain. Read more
‘Hungry people don’t sing’, Tinubu under fire over National Anthem bill (DailyTrust)
Some Nigerians have expressed outrage over the bill President Bola Tinubu signed into law on Wednesday morning.
The bill, which was simultaneously introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives last week, received an accelerated consideration and passage.
The speed with which both chambers of the National Assembly considered and passed the bill at a time Nigerians are facing more pressing issues occasioned by rising inflation and security challenges, has been criticised. Read more
Again, Court Orders Forfeiture Of $1.4m Linked To Emefiele (Channels)
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has again ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of $1.4m linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The judge also ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper for anyone interested in the money sought to be forfeited to appear before the Court and show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said sum should not be made. Read more
I won’t revert to old national anthem, Oby Ezekwesili fumes (Punch)
The former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that she would not revert to the old national anthem, newly signed by President Bola Tinubu as the country’s new anthem.
Ezekwesili made this disclosure in a post on her X handle on Wednesday.
According to her, no one can suppress her right to dissent from what she described as an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who are of good conscience in Nigeria. Read more
Niger will boost monthly revenue to N100b, says Gov Bago (Nation)
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has asked the people of Niger State to expect more development in the coming years.
The governor asked the people not to worry about where the money is coming from but how the government spends the money.
Speaking at the anniversary lecture to mark the first anniversary in office, Bago disclosed that the state now generates N10 billion monthly adding that the government is working to generate up to N100 billion monthly. Read more
Ondo blames widespread mental health challenge on drug abuse (Tribune)
The Ondo state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, has attributed the increase in mental disorder cases in the country to the abuse of drugs by children, youths and elderly people in the country.
Ajaka who disclosed this during the Mental Health Summit organised by Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) in partnership with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), expressed worries over the increase in mental disorder cases.
He, however, disclosed that the state government has concluded plans to build a good rehabilitation centre to cater to people with substance use disorders and mental illness. Read more
Insecurity: Sani donates 150 vehicles, 500 motorcycles to security agencies (ThisDay)
The Kaduna State Government has donated 150 vehicles and 500 motorcycles to security agencies to enhance their operations.
Speaking at the inauguration of the vehicles and motorcycles yesterday at the Government House, Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani, described the provision of the vehicles as a giant step towards enhancing the security and well-being of people.
Sani said that the safety and security of citizens remained paramount, stressing that “it is our duty as a government to support the security agencies in carrying out their vital responsibilities. Read more
PinkPantheress says to hell with bridges, insists songs needn’t be over 2:30 (Vibe)
Even though fans are literally begging for R&B to bring back bridges, PinkPantheress feels songs work better when they’re shorter.
In a recent interview for ABC News’ Prime Playlist, the “Boy’s A Liar, Pt. 2” singer admitted that she believes songs don’t need to be longer than two minutes and 30 seconds.
“I was able to experiment and making short songs was just a result of me experimenting. And a song doesn’t need to be longer than 2 minutes 30, in my opinion,” she explained. Read more
Fiona Beal’s murder victim called killer ‘perfect woman’ before she executed him and buried body in garden (Independent)
A murder victim penned love letters calling a killer primary school teacher with a dark alter ego the “perfect woman” before she stabbed him in the neck and buried his body in their back garden.
A court heard that Nick Billingham, 42, vowed “my body, my heart, my love has been yours since the day I met you and will be yours until the day I die” as he tried to win back Fiona Beal following an affair.
“You are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he gushed in letters read to the Old Bailey. “You are so kind-hearted in every single way and if there were more people like you around, the world would be a better place.” Read more
Jon Bon Jovi breaks silence on Millie Bobby Brown’s secret wedding to his son Jake (Mirror)
Jon Bon Jovi has spoken out about his 22-year-old son’s secret marriage to 20-year-old Millie Bobby Brown. The rocker has previously defended the duo’s fast-moving relationship
Jon Bon Jovi has spoken out about his son’s secret marriage to Millie Bobby Brown.
Fans were shocked when they found out the 20-year-old Stranger Things actress had secretly tied the knot with her 22-year-old beau Jake Bongiovi earlier this month. The young couple – who started dating in 2021 and got engaged last spring – said “I do” in front of their closest friends and family in an intimate ceremony – but are reportedly planning to have a bigger bash later this year. Read more
Community cry foul over pollution caused by lead factory in the Congo (AfricaNews)
Smoking chimneys, lead-laden dust and pungent smells – the residents of this factory in the heart of a working-class neighborhood seem to have become accustomed to this toxic cocktail to which they have been exposed for several years.
Yet here are men, women and children whose examinations have revealed alarming levels of lead in their blood, making their health more fragile by the day.
“This factory makes life difficult for us. When they blow the smoke, our stomachs hurt, my child and I are contaminated with lead,” one resident complained. Read more
Man who assaulted and punched people in New York City indicted on hate crime charges (NBC)
A man accused of assaulting or harassing at least five people in New York City over the past year, including a woman who documented her injury on TikTok, has been indicted on hate crime charges for the “anti-female, anti-white, and antisemitic” attacks, prosecutors say.
Skiboky Stora, 40, is charged with three counts of third-degree assault as a hate crime, one count of third-degree stalking as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree for the incidents that stretched from September 2023 to March 2024, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Stora, of Brooklyn, had previously been arrested in March on an assault charge, accused of hitting a woman in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The woman documented the bizarre injury on TikTok. Read more
Diddy faces more shocking allegations of violence & sexual harassment (HipHopDx)
Diddy is facing further allegations of violence and sexual harassment following a six-month investigation into the Bad Boy Records founder by Rolling Stone.
The story, compiled through interviews with more than 50 people connected to Diddy throughout his career, details how his alleged abusive behavior began during his time as a student at Howard University in the late 1980s.
The article describes an incident where the mogul allegedly used a belt to strike a woman repeatedly, with an unnamed source saying: “[Puff] whupped her butt — like really whupped her butt.” Read more
Authorities raid European Parliament offices over Russian interference (UPI)
Officials said that authorities carried out raids in France and Belgium in a wide-ranging probe of Russian interference in the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Belgian prosecutors said the raids took place at Parliament offices in Strasbourg, France, and Brussels and in private homes as part of the investigation into the so-called “Russiagate” scandal in which members of European Parliament were allegedly paid to promote Russian propaganda.
“There are indications that the European Parliament employee concerned played a significant role in this,” Belgian law enforcement said. Read more
Setback for Eagles as injury rules out Osimhen (Nation)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will now have to do without the services of their talisman, Victor Osimhen ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers with South Africa and Benin Republic because of injury.
According to the update from the team camp, the lanky striker who returned to action for Napoli last weekend has been ruled out again for 4 weeks due to injury.
Osimhen has been battling with injury in recent weeks and returned to action against Lecce last weekend after missing the Partenopei’s last two games. Read more
Barcelona appoint Hansi Flick as manager to replace Xavi (ABC)
Barcelona have announced the appointment of former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick as the club’s new manager on a two-year contract.
Flick, 59, replaces Xavi Hernández, who managed his final game with the club on Sunday, a 2-1 LaLiga victory against Sevilla, after being sacked last week.
“It is a big honour and a dream to sign the contract with this amazing club,” Flick said. “The hours I have been here in Barcelona have been amazing. Everyone here loves this club and gives their best to have success. Read more
‘I’ve played for Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino – Chelsea are getting better boss’ (DailyStar)
Leicester City’s Harry Winks has hailed Enzo Maresca as the best manager he’s ever had – even outshining his time with Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder is set to make a Premier League comeback next season after bagging the Championship title with Leicester, but it looks like he’ll be doing it without Maresca, who appears to be on the brink of taking over at Chelsea, reports football.london.
Winks, 28, who’s been on fire this season under the Italian’s guidance, didn’t hold back in his praise. He told Sky Sports: “By far the best manager I’ve worked for, he’s incredible,” adding that Maresca is destined for the very top. Read more
Wolff: No preferential treatment at Mercedes despite Hamilton’s skepticism (F1i)
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff acknowledges Lewis Hamilton’s right to be sceptical about potential preferential treatment between the team’s drivers but insists the Briton and George Russell are treated equally.
Hamilton’s pointed remarks last weekend in Monaco about Russell having exclusive use of a new front wing, coupled with his pessimistic outlook on ever outqualifying his teammate again this season, fueled speculation of tensions seeping in at the Brackley squad.
It later transpired that the seven-time world champion had declined the opportunity to use the new wing, not wanting to risk a pitlane start if it was damaged during qualifying. Read more
Governor Radda lauds Katsina United Football Academy on Dana Cup feat (CompleteSports)
The Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda has extended warm congratulations to the Katsina Football Academy for securing a slot to participate in the prestigious 2024 Dana Cup in Denmark.
Governor Radda commended the dedication and hard work demonstrated by the Academy’s players, coaches, and support staff in earning this significant opportunity.
The selection to represent Nigeria at the Dana Cup reflected the talent and commitment within the Katsina Football Academy and underscores the state’s growing prominence in youth football development. Read more
‘Someone spat gum at me’ – Goffin criticises Paris crowd (BBC)
Belgium’s David Goffin has criticised the “total disrespect” from fans after he claimed someone spat chewing gum at him during his first-round win at the French Open.
Goffin defeated France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old cupped his ear after he was booed by the partisan French crowd following his win on court 14. Read more