Police dispel rumour of attack on Igbo traders at Oshodi (Punch)
The Police Command in Lagos State on Monday dispelled the rumour that some thugs were attacking Igbo traders in Oshodi area of Lagos. According to a statement signed by the State Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, the police has intensified patrols and surveillance to allay the fears of members of the public. “Attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news on the internet to the effect that a group of boys popularly called the ‘Area boys’ are attacking Igbo traders at Oshodi, preventing them from opening their shops. Read more
I-G orders probe into attack of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Guardian)
The Bayelsa Police Command on Monday confirmed reports that a Deputy Commissioner of Police deployed for election duties in Brass area of the state was manhandled by thugs. Spokesman of Bayelsa Command, DSP Asinim Butswat told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the Inspector-General of Police has ordered a probe into the incident which reportedly occurred on Sunday. He however did not name the officer manhandled by the thugs. Read more
It’s rude to attribute Buhari’s overwhelming win to vote-buying —Kano Govt (Punch)
The Kano State Government has said that the ruling All Progressive Congress in the state does not have to buy votes for President Muhammadu Buhari to win election. The government said Kano remains Buhari’s strongest support base in the country. The Commissioner of Information, Mohammed Garba, disclosed this to newsmen in Kano on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state government was reacting to the allegation of vote buying by the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections. Read more
INEC announcing ‘incorrect’ results, says Secondus (Guardian)
The national chairman of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus has rejected the results of the country’s presidential election currently being announced by Nigeria’s electoral body. Secondus described the results being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission as ‘incorrect and unacceptable’. “All results currently being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is incorrect thus unacceptable to our party and people,” Secondus said on Monday. Read more
Ondo Collation Officer struggles to match figures of results (Punch)
There was drama on Monday at the National Collation Centre in Abuja as the Collation Officer for Ondo State, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, found it difficult to match figures of results that have been declared. The PUNCH reported that, for more than five consecutive times, Soremekun, a renowned International Relations scholar and Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, was grappling with the microphone and giving wrong figures. The situation brought the International Conference Centre to grumblings as people discussed the discrepancies in the figures in hushed tones. Read more
Obaseki urges timely remodeling of 230 public schools (Nation)
With work progressing on a large number of the 230 primary schools marked for remodelling by his administration, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has charged contractors handling the rehabilitation work on timely completion of the projects to provide conducive learning environment for pupils in the state. In a statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the governor said that the state government is committed to providing serene, conducive learning environment for the pupils in line with the infrastructure renewal component of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme. Read more
Feb 23 will be declared Kwara Liberation Day —Lai Mohammed (Punch)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Monday said that February 23 will be declared as Kwara Liberation Day immediately the new government comes to power in the state. Mohammed disclosed this in Ilorin on Monday while addressing a Press Conference with stakeholders of the party in the state. The minister who said that the presidential and National Assembly elections was a clean sweep for APC in the state said, “As you must be aware by now, the official results of last Saturday’s National Assembly elections in Kwara have been announced. Read more
Iran’s foreign minister suddenly quits (BBC)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said he is stepping down, in a surprise announcement posted to his Instagram account. He apologised for “shortcomings” during his time in government. Mr Zarif played a prominent role in negotiating the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major international powers. But the future of the deal has been put into doubt after US President Donald Trump ended US involvement. Mr Zarif’s resignation was confirmed by Iran’s state-run news agency, IRNA, which cited a spokesman for the foreign ministry. Read more
R Kelly pleads not guilty to sexual abuse charges in court (BBC)
R Kelly has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against four women, three of whom were minors at the time. His lawyer entered the plea for the R&B star, who appeared in the Chicago court dressed in an orange jumpsuit. The 52-year-old turned himself in to authorities on Friday after an arrest warrant was issued. He has faced decades of sexual abuse claims without being convicted, and has denied all previous allegations. His court appearance and plea comes weeks after the documentary series Surviving R Kelly aired. It contained allegations of abuse from many women including the star’s former wife. Read more
Ariana Grande to return to Manchester to headline Pride festival two years after terror attack (Metro)
Ariana Grande will return to Manchester for the first time since 2017 for a headline performance at Manchester Pride. The 25-year-old singer announced she’ll be returning to headline the event on Sunday 25 August at Mayfield Depot, having previously teased she’ll play a ‘special show’ in the city as part of her forthcoming tour. ‘Manchester babes, I’m so thrilled to be headlining pride,’ Ariana wrote on Twitter. ‘My heart. I can’t wait to see u and I love u so so much.’ She also teased how another special show could be in the works, adding: ‘We are still working on something a little more special for you guys. It takes a while to put these things together but hopefully I can tell you when I see you at pride.’ Read more
Mauricio Pochettino charged with improper conduct by FA (BBC)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his behaviour at the end of the 2-1 defeat at Burnley. The Argentine angrily confronted referee Mike Dean and also argued with the fourth official during the match. The Spurs boss did admit he “crossed the line” and might apologise to Dean. Pochettino indicated at the time that he would not contest any disciplinary action brought against him. Read more
Simeone faces UEFA investigation after controversial celebration (Vanguard)
UEFA announced on Monday they have started disciplinary proceedings into improper conduct by Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone. The Argentinian celebrated his side’s first goal in their 2-0 Champions League last 16 first win over Juventus on February 20 by grasping his genitals and thrusting out his groin. Simeone apologised for his behaviour the following day and said it was to recognise the courage his team showed in the victory. Juve’s Massimiliano Allegri and the Italian club also face disciplinary action for the late kick-off of the game in the Spanish capital. Read more
Fenerbahce stun Besiktas in dramatic draw (BBC)
Struggling giants Fenerbahce stunned Istanbul rivals Besiktas to fight back from 3-0 down and earn a point in their battle to avoid relegation from the Turkish Super Lig. Nineteen-time champions Fenerbahce, who finished second last season, trailed to goals from home pair Gokhan Gonul and Burak Yilmaz after just 18 minutes. Yilmaz added a penalty in stoppage time before Fenerbahce – who brought on former France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena and on-loan Swansea forward Andre Ayew at half-time – responded with three goals in 12 second-half minutes. Read more
Inter complain about ‘biggest mistake since introduction of VAR’ (Vanguard)
Giuseppe Marotta, Inter Milan’s chief executive on Monday called a 90th-minute penalty against his club “the biggest mistake since the introduction of VAR.” Inter led in Fiorentina on Sunday when referee Rosario Abisso whistled for a handball against Inter defender Danilo D’Ambrosio in the sixth minute of added time. Called to the touchline by the video assistant, the referee watched replays before confirming his original decision to the fury of Inter coach Luciano Spalletti and his players, who were sure the ball hit D’Ambrosio in the chest. Read more