Police arrest 3 traffic robbers, recover pistol, ammunition (Guardian)
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested three robbery suspects and recovered a pistol and four rounds of ammunition at the Toyota bus stop, Oshodi, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday.
Hundeyin said the suspects: Goddey Omuyibo 32, alias Aro Ghetto Boy, Destiny Nwanga 27, alias Aro Smiling God and Ebuka Igwe, 23, alias Aro Do or Die, were arrested on Tuesday.
“The suspects were arrested following a tip-off from civic-minded Lagosians to the RRS officers who were on routine patrol along Ladipo and Oshodi. Read more
NURTW Crisis: Lagos to set up committee on parks, garages (Independent)
The Lagos State government has been closely watching events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW).
There have been claims and counterclaims over the control of the Union.
According to a statement by Gbenga Omotoso, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the state government will set up a committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages, with a membership of key stakeholders in the sector.
Omotoso said, “The government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors. Read more
Apapa Customs intercepts N1.143 billion tramadol, codeine syrup, other prohibited items (Sun)
Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says that it intercepted tramadol, codeine syrup and other prohibited items worth over N1.143 billion in the first quarter of the year 2022.
Speaking during a press briefing at Apapa Port, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta Ibrahim, said anti-smuggling activities have been a matter of Central concern in the command, particularly with the activities of recalcitrant traders who are always looking for ways to undermine Custom’s system.
According to him, the enforcement unit has been strengthened through strict monitoring, enhanced collaboration and sharing of credible intelligence with relevant government agencies to suppress smuggling activities to their barest minimum.
‘Thus, the command recorded 46 seizures of various items with a duty paid value of N1.142 billion as against 28 seizures made in the corresponding months of the year 2021.
‘The seized items include unregistered medicaments such as tramadol and codeine syrup, unprocessed wood, used clothing, footwear, foreign parboiled rice and other sundry items that fall under the prohibition list. Read more
FG, EU launch electric motorcycles for rural communities (Punch)
The Federal Ministry of Power on Thursday in Lagos unveiled 10 electric-powered motorcycles manufactured by MAX Nigeria under its Electric Vehicle opportunities in rural and peri-urban communities in Nigeria.
The pilot project was funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, within the framework of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the motorcycles were deployed to Gbamu-Gbamu mini-grid solar community in Ogun State to transport goods and agricultural produce under the pilot phase of the programme.
Director, Renewable and Rural Power Access Department, Federal Ministry of Power, Abubakar Ali-Dapshima, said electric mobility was very important to the socio-economic development of rural and peri-urban communities. Read more
Court declines to sack Ayade, deputy for defecting to APC (Vanguard)
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed the suit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed to declare the seat of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and his Deputy, Ivara Esu, vacant, following their defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, held that the duo could not be sacked from their positions, other than through statutory procedures that were stipulated in sections 180, 188 and 189 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
It held that defection to another political party was not stated as one of the grounds for the removal of either a governor or his deputy.
“The 3rd and 4th Defendant cannot be removed except by Constitutional provision.
“This court has no power to declare vacant the seat of the 3rd and 4th Defendants”, Justice Ekwo held. Read more
Grammy can’t know African music better than Africans- AFRIMMA CEO (Nation)
Founder of the African Muzik Magazine Awards (Afrimma) Anderson Obiagwu, has noted that the Recording Academy will not be able to cover the African music landscape better than Africans with the Grammys.
Anderson, the Chief Executive Officer of Big A Entertainment, made this known on his Instagram page following the loss of leading Nigerian music stars at the 64th Grammy.
The entertainment executive noted that Africans lose their narratives when people seek western validation with awards.
“We lose our narratives when others continue to sell our story. Western validation is good but not necessarily a hill to die on. Read more
12-year-old raped by Kaduna cleric gives birth (DailyTrust)
The 12-year-old girl, who was raped by an elementary teacher in Unguwan Fantaro, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, sometime in June 2021, has given birth to a baby boy.
Halima (not real name) used to hawk chin-chin, a popular Nigerian snack in her village, when she was lured by the teacher called Salihu under the guise of buying chin-chin worth N200.
Salihu covered Halima’s mouth and had carnal knowledge of her inside the room.
Daily Trust recalls that the victim became pregnant three months after the incident and she was placed under the custody of the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development through the Ummulkhairi Foundation. Read more
Former JAMB Boss diverted N15m for radio license – ICPC Witness (Channels)
A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, was Wednesday told how the former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, allegedly diverted N15 million from the board to set up a personal radio station in his hometown.
Prosecution witness, retired Air Commodore Najeem Sanusi, who testified before the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuata, of court 9, in the ongoing trial of Ojerinde, told the court that he was given bank drafts of N15 million on the directives of the defendant, to procure a radio license from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Sanusi was brought before Justice Egwuata, to testify in a 10-count charge of official corruption and abuse of office brought against Ojerinde by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
This is according to a statement signed by ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua. Read more
Recruitment tragedy: Court frees Abba Moro, jails ex- Perm Sec (Punch)
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted a former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia.
The convict was prosecuted alongside Senator Abba Moro and others over the botched immigration recruitment in 2014 that led to the death of about 20 people.
Other defendants were a Deputy Director in the Ministry, F. O Alayebami; one Mahmood Ahmadu (at large), and the contracting firm given the recruitment job, Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.
However, Justice Dimgba has deferred the sentencing of Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia to April 27. Read more
Bruce Willis pictured for first time since aphasia diagnosis reveal (PageSix)
Bruce Willis was all smiles as he snuggled with his wife in a pair of touching photos – his first public appearance since she announced his heartbreaking aphasia diagnosis.
“Mom & Dad in their favourite habitat,” Emma Heming Willis captioned the two images she posted Wednesday on Instagram, along with the hashtag #offthegrid.
The couple’s 10-year-old daughter Mabel Ray Willis took the snaps of her parents, who celebrated their 13th anniversary last month, sitting on a fallen trunk in the woods.
Emma, 43, has thanked fans for their outpouring of love after announcing the 67-year-old actor was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects the ability to communicate.
“Your love, support, compassion, prayers really help. I’m grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she wrote in an earlier post on her Instagram Story. Read more
Elmer and Mr Benn author David McKee dies at 87 (Guardian)
David McKee, the author and illustrator of the iconic children’s books Elmer, Not Now, Bernard and Mr Benn, has died aged 87, his publisher has said.
The author and illustrator died surrounded by family in the south of France following a short illness. After a lifetime of travelling the world, he and his partner Bakhta, a French-Algerian art dealer, had been dividing their time between London and Provence in recent years.
His long time publisher Klaus Flugge said he was devastated by the news. “His was a singular voice and a shining light in children’s books that highlighted inclusivity, diversity and parts of our world that are not always present in publishing for children.”
He added: “Not only was I fortunate to be his publisher, he was also a wonderful friend, and he will be missed by many more people than he could ever imagine.” Read more
Michelle Yeoh on inspiring younger generations of Asian actors (People)
Nearly 40 years into her acclaimed career, Michelle Yeoh is receiving her best reviews to date, for her performance in the genre-defying fantasy Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“Every time I make a movie, I hope the audience discovers something new about me,” the star, 59, tells PEOPLE in the latest issue.
“What I really enjoyed doing [in Everything Everywhere All at Once] was the physical comedy, which I’ve not really done before. You’ve seen me in martial arts films — I’m always serene. I know exactly what I’m doing. I am the teacher, the mentor. And suddenly in this one, [my character] Evelyn Wang, she knows nothing. She’s a very ordinary, aging housewife who’s got so many troubles in her head. It was really fun.”
The celebrated star is known for playing captivating superspy Wai Lin opposite Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, the formidable warrior Yu Shu Lien in 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and more recently the regal and unwavering Eleanor Young in 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians and the fierce Ying Nan in Marvel’s 2021 hit Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Read more
Amy Schumer on Louis C.K. winning Grammy after sexual misconduct (USAToday)
After hosting the Oscars, Amy Schumer has some thoughts on the Grammy Awards – namely the fact that disgraced comedian Louis C.K. won one.
Appearing Wednesday on “Watch What Happens Live,” host Andy Cohen asked Schumer about the comedian taking home the Grammy for best comedy album after previously admitting to accusations of sexual misconduct.
“I don’t think it feels good,” Schumer said after taking a long sip from her drink. “It doesn’t feel good.”
Cohen applauded the comedian for answering the question: “I thought you were going to plead the fifth,” he said. Read more
Mandy Moore’s new single celebrates ‘simple moments’ (MusicNews)
Mandy Moore’s new single is a celebration of the “quieter, simpler moments” in life.
The 37-year-old star has released a nostalgic new single called ‘Little Dreams’, and she’s explained what inspired her to make the track.
She said: “I wanted to write a song about how a life is comprised of these seemingly mundane moments that ultimately all piece together to form something greater.
“It’s about the little things we look back on with such nostalgia when we’re reflecting on a particular point in time: the walk you took with someone right after it had rained, or the drive when someone introduced you to a record that wound up becoming one of your favourites. Read more
Jack White says unreleased music with Jay-Z could “see the light of day” (NME)
Jack White has revealed that he has been working with Jay-Z and unreleased music with the rapper could soon “see the light of day”.
The former White Stripes frontman, who releases his new album ‘Fear Of The Dawn’ tomorrow (April 8), was speaking with Apple Music‘s Zane Lowe about his unfinished work and recent team up with the rapper.
When asked whether the pair had been working together, White replied: “Yeah. That’s true, but it’s not me who doesn’t finish stuff. So it’s, uh…I’m not that guy. No, I’m just teasing. But I’m more the personality, like, I’ll be there tomorrow, you know. So it’s different working styles. So some of that stuff I think will see the light of day when those guys aren’t busy with other projects and stuff.”
When asked if it was “fun” to work with Jay-Z, he added: “Yeah, it was. It’s so different, you know, because when I went into the studio with him, there was just one microphone which was, I kind of was [like] ‘Whoa, what? Where are the other microphones?’” Read more
EU rights envoy condemns Uganda Security Force abuses (VOA)
The European Union’s rights envoy, Eamon Gilmore, in a visit to Uganda, has condemned rights abuses by security forces against critics, including torture and forced disappearances. A Uganda government spokesman has denied the accusation of systemic abuse and says some individual officers found guilty of abuse were punished.
Speaking to the media after meeting Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, Wednesday evening, Gilmore said the rights of detained people must be respected.
Gilmore noted a rise in allegations of torture, arbitrary arrests, and forced disappearances by security forces during Uganda’s 2021 elections.
He said those responsible for the abuses, as well as extrajudicial killings in November 2020, need to be brought to justice. Read more
Morocco 2022: Super Falcons set for double header against Canada (Nation)
Nine–time African champions Nigeria will clash with reigning Olympic champions Canada in two friendly matches that will be held over three days in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria City. Both matches take place Friday, 8th April and Monday, 11th April respectively.
Two players – defenders Onome Ebi and Glory Ogbonna – were among the contingent that flew out of Nigeria aboard a Lufthansa Airline plane on Tuesday night, and connected a flight from Frankfurt to Vancouver on Wednesday. The other players are to fly direct to Vancouver from their bases in Europe and the American continent.
Canada’s Women National Team are the reigning champions of Olympic women’s football, having won the gold medal at the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament in Tokyo in August 2021, after beating Sweden on penalties following a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time.
The Super Falcons have won the African title nine times and recently qualified for the Women AFCON finals holding in Morocco this summer, after a 3-0 aggregate win over Cote d’Ivoire in February. Read more
UEFA introduces 70% squad cost rule as part of new financial regulations (BBC)
Uefa has brought in new financial regulations which will limit clubs’ spending on wages, transfers and agents’ fees to 70% of their revenue.
Permitted losses over a three-year period have also risen from 30m euros (£24.98m) to 60m euros (£49.96m).
The new rules will come into force in June and clubs will have three years to implement them.
Uefa said “breaches will result in pre-defined financial penalties and sporting measures”. Read more
Christensen tells Chelsea to adopt ‘nothing to lose attitude’ after Real reverse (France24)
Andreas Christensen has urged Chelsea to take a “nothing to lose” approach if they are to revive their season following Wednesday’s convincing 3-1 loss at home to Real Madrid.
Blues centre-back Christensen was given a tough time by Real hat-trick hero Karim Benzema, as well as Vincius Junior, as the title-holders were well beaten in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final.
It was a fine return to Stamford Bridge for former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti but a rather more sobering occasion for Denmark defender Christensen, who was replaced at half-time.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has already said it is beyond his side to turn around their fortunes in the second leg against the Spanish giants. Read more
Lewis Hamilton could be fined by FIA due to ridiculous rule (GMS)
In the latest twist in the world of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton may face punishment from the FIA over his nose stud if he continues to wear it.
Niels Wittich, who replaced former race director Michael Masi, has reminded drivers that wearing any form of jewellery during a race is not acceptable.
And with the Australian GP in Melbourne this weekend, the German has put out a stern message regarding the correct sporting code.
Wittich said: “The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition & may therefore be checked before the start.” Read more
Serena Williams’ tennis future in doubt after coach links up with Simona Halep (Express)
Serena Williams, who tops the all-time women’s Grand Slam charts with a staggering 23 titles, will seemingly be absent from tennis for a while longer as long-term coach Patrick Mouratoglou has stated that he is now the full-time coach of Simona Halep. Williams’ future remains up in the air as the 40-year-old struggles to return to fighting shape after being struck down with injury last year.
Williams has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in the first round at Wimbledon in 2021. Aliaksandra Sasnovich benefited from a walkover in that match before Ashleigh Barty went on to lift the trophy at SW19.
The Michigan-born tennis sensation’s absence now totals almost one year. She was ruled out of the Australian Open back in January after claiming she was ‘not where she needed to be physically to compete’.
Williams’ return to the sport is now a matter of debate after Mouratoglou, who became her coach a decade ago, came clean on a private chat which preceded his switch to coaching Halep. Read more
Anderson Silva makes a boxing return on the May 14 card headlined by Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
(Sportsnaut)
UFC legend Anderson Silva will return to the boxing ring for the third time on a May 14 card headlined by fight sports icon Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
TMZ Sports broke the news on Wednesday evening that the former UFC middleweight champion will compete at “The Global Titans Fight Series” event in Dubai next month. The card will also feature the return of Mayweather, Jr. as he fights in an eight-round exhibition against a former pro boxer, and fellow unbeaten talent, in Don Moore.
Silva will face a countryman and former MMA fighter turned boxer Bruno Machado. The 24-bout cage fighting veteran has won six straight in a boxing ring. On Thursday, MMAFighting confirmed that Silva vs Machado will also be an eight-round exhibition fought at a 194-pound catchweight.
The 46-year-old “Spider” has not fought since his September 2021 knockout win over former UFC light heavyweight great Tito Ortiz at Triller Fight Club: Legends II. That was Silva’s second win as a boxer after a victorious debut over one-time WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. in June of that year. Read more
Conor McGregor charged with two dangerous driving offences after appearing in Dublin court (Metro)
UFC star Conor McGregor has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving, failure to produce insurance, driving without insurance, failure to produce a licence and driving without a licence after appearing at Blanchardstown Court on Thursday morning.
The 33-year-old will return to court in the summer, with the case adjourned till 23 June.
On leaving the court, McGregor, who broke his leg in his last fight in July, said of his immediate plans: ‘Just straight back into training. The leg’s getting better every day.’
McGregor was arrested on Tuesday 22 March in Ireland with his Bentley Continental GT briefly seized. Read more
