Police extradite fugitive from UAE over alleged $307k fraud (Leadership)
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the INTERPOL NCB Abuja, has successfully extradited a Nigerian fugitive, Abubakar Aboki Muhammed, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The male suspect, who was extradited on Friday, was subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice issued by NCB Abuja following an extensive investigation into a case of obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, and money laundering.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the case originated from a report filed in July 2023 by an Abuja-based international businessman, who was defrauded by Muhammed under the guise of being a shipping agent. Read more
Tinubu hails pro-democracy activist Ayo Obe at 70 (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated veteran human rights activist and lawyer, Ms. Ayo Obe, on her 70th birthday on Saturday.
The President lauded Obe for her unwavering commitment to justice and her significant contributions to Nigeriaโs democratic journey.
Ayo Obe, a renowned pro-democracy activist, has held several pivotal roles throughout her distinguished career, including leading the Civil Liberties Organisation and the Nigeria Transition Monitoring Group. Read more
Alleged $1m fraud: Peter Okoye lied about education, royalties, bank access โ Lawyer (Sun)
In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing fraud trial involving Nigerian music star Peter Okoye of P-Square and their former manager Jude Okoye, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), on Friday accused Peter of deliberately misleading the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with false and contradictory claims.
The EFCC had arraigned the defendant alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd on a four-count charge.
In one of the counts, Jude and his Northside Music Limited allegedly dishonestly converted the sum of $767,544.15 to his use. Read more
โPatently fabricatedโ, EFCC denies alleged pre-defection meeting between Olukoyede, governor (Channels)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has denied an allegation that its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, met with a former South-South governor and his predecessor 48 hours before they decamped to the All Progressives Congress.
The denial followed claims by a spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, during a recent interview on Channels Television.
Ibe, who was a guest on Seun Okinbaloyeโs Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, alleged that the EFCC Chairman and the Solicitor General met with a former and a serving governor from the South-South region 48 hours before they decamped to the APC. He also claimed that the meeting took place at a government lodge in the South-South state. Read more
Nigeriaโs X3M Ideas ranks 31st on FTโs Africa fastest-growing companies 2025 (Guardian)
Nigeriaโs creative agency X3M Ideas has secured a position on the Financial Times of Londonโs list of Africaโs Fastest-Growing Companies for 2025.
The agency ranked 31st among 130 companies, marking a notable achievement in the marketing communication sector, which is typically underrepresented compared to fintech, e-commerce, energy, and financial services.
The Financial Times ranking, compiled in partnership with global research firm Statista, assesses companies based on their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2020 to 2023. Read more
Ondo guber poll: Aiyedatiwa knows fate June 4 (Nation)
The Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal has fixed June 4 to deliver judgment in the suits challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwaโs victory in last yearโs governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa had secured a landslide victory by winning in all the 18 local government areas.
Not satisfied with the outcome of the polls, the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi filed a petition at the tribunal. Read more
Tinubu, Obi, Fayemi and I at the Vatican, by Bianca Ojukwu (Vanguard)
The Vatican has a way of setting everyone on an even keel. I remember how dazed I was when on my last trip during the Funeral mass of Pope Francis some weeks before, when President Donald Trump had walked into the Basilica and was led to his seat at the square.
A number of dignitaries lined up to go exchange pleasantries with him, causing a bit of a stir and a crowded scene. To my surprise, a middle-aged prim-looking priest walked up to them and addressed them rather tersely, โ scusi,(meaning Excuse me) This is St Peterโs, not the White House. Kindly take your seats pleaseโ. He clearly didnโt give a hoot who was likely to be offended but was more concerned that the order and solemnity of the event was not torpedoed by boisterous politicians. Read more
Ugandan activist alleges she was raped while in Tanzanian detention (BBC)
A Ugandan activist who was arrested and held for days in Tanzania and later found at the border between the two countries has told the BBC that she was raped while in detention.
Expanding on the earlier remarks of her rights group who said she showed “indications of torture”, Agather Atuhaire alleged that people dressed in plain clothes “blindfolded” her, after which she was hit, “violently” stripped and sexually assaulted.
Atuhaire had been held incommunicado in Tanzania alongside fellow Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who was on Thursday found at the border with his home country. Read more
Young Thug blasts Kid Cudi as a ‘rat’ over Diddy testimony (HipHopDx)
Young Thug has blasted Kid Cudi as a โratโ for testifying against Diddy in his sex trafficking trial.
Cudi took to the stand on May 22 and gave evidence about how he believed Diddy had broken into his house and harmed his dog as well as setting fire to his car.
In a since deleted post on X, Thugger has made it known that he disapproves of Cudi testifying in the trial. Read more
German woman arrested after 18 injured in Hamburg knife attack, authorities say (CNN)
Eighteen people were injured, four critically, in a knife attack Friday in the German city of Hamburg, authorities said.
Hamburg police said they have arrested a 39-year-old German woman, who they believe acted alone in carrying out the attack at the cityโs Central Station, after a major police operation. She is in police custody and expected to be brought to a court on Saturday, police said.
Seven people were โbadly injured,โ while seven others were โlightly injured,โ police said. The victims are aged between 19 and 85 years old. Read more
EU vows to defend interests after Trump threatens 50% tariffs (AlJazeera)
The European Union has said it will defend its interests after United States President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 50-percent tariff on all goods from the 27-member bloc.
The EUโs top trade official, Maros Sefcovic, said in a post on X that he spoke on Friday with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the issue.
โThe EU is fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both,โ he said, adding that the EU Commission remains ready to work in good faith towards an agreement. Read more
Cannes 2025: Dardenne brothersโ bid for 3rd Palme dโOr wraps up wide-open race (France24)
In what has become a fixture of the worldโs most prestigious film festival, Cannes habituรฉs Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne walked the red carpet on Friday for their 10th shot at the top prize, 26 years after they won their first of two Palme dโOr awards for โRosettaโ.
Set in a shelter for teen mothers, their latest feature, โThe Young Motherโs Homeโ follows five young women as they navigate the challenges of early motherhood, amid drug addiction, depression and tense encounters with prospective adoptive parents.
It was an instant favourite for festival veteran Alongkot Maiduang, pen name Kalapapruek from Thailand, a frequent contributor to the grids that track the preferences of a handful among the hundreds of film critics who descend on Cannes each year. Read more
Jin talks BTS reunion, new music on Tonight Show (UPI)
South Korean singer Jin told Jimmy Fallon about reconnecting with K-pop boy band BTS and performed a new song on The Tonight Show.
The band, which also consists of J-Hope, Suga, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook, is slated to reunite following their military service.
“It was great to be alone, but when they come back, since they worked very hard, I’m going to honor them and give them great respect,” Jin told Fallon Wednesday. “They are my lifesavers, so I need to show my appreciation and take care of them.โ Read more
Osimhen agrees three-year deal with Saudi Pro League club (Sun)
Victor Osimhen has reportedly agreed to a move to Al-Hilal as Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United will miss out on signing the striker.
Osimhen, who has been on loan to Galatasaray from Napoli, has had a remarkable season, scoring 36 goals in 40 appearances and helping the Turkish club win the league and cup titles.
According to a report by Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh, Osimhen has agreed to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal this summer in a three-year deal. Read more
Carlos Alcaraz shows signs of Rafael Nadalโs โkiller instinctโ as he prepares for French Open title defense (CNN)
If an 18th birthday is supposed to be a momentous, coming-of-age occasion, then Carlos Alcaraz got the memo. In front of a home crowd in Madrid, the then-up-and-coming tennis star braced himself to face one of the gameโs great players for the first time.
Alcaraz had spent his whole childhood idolizing Rafael Nadal. To face the legendary Spaniard on his favoured clay surface produced a cocktail of emotions: excitement, exhilaration, but also deep-seated terror.
โI was so scared,โ Alcaraz has since said about that moment. โI couldnโt play. His presence, the atmosphere that you feel โ itโs unbelievable.โ Read more
Pacers-Knicks: Siakam, Indiana win Game 2 in East final (AlJazeera)
The Indiana Pacers are halfway to a chance to play for an elusive NBA title as they head home in their Eastern Conference finals, but they might prefer to stay right where they are.
Pascal Siakam scored a playoff career-high 39 points on Friday night, as the Pacers beat the New York Knicks 114-109.
The result means the Pacers lead 2-0 in the playoffs after the first two games of the series at the Knicksโ Madison Square Garden home aren. Read more
Ronaldo ‘could play’ in Club World Cup โ Infantino (BBC)
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has claimed “there are discussions” over Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the Club World Cup this summer.
Ronaldo’s club, Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League, failed to qualify for the expanded 32-team tournament in the United States.
But Infantino says the 40-year-old Portugal forward, who is out of contract this summer, could still feature in the new-look event. Read more
FIA confirm outcome of Franco Colapinto red flag pass (PlanetF1)
Franco Colapinto has escaped punishment for passing Lance Stroll under red flag conditions in Free Practice 3.
Stewards have published their decision after Franco Colapinto passed Lance Stroll under red flags during Free Practice 3 at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Colapinto was seen to pass the Aston Martin driver on the exit of the Nouvelle Chicane in the closing moments of the final practice hour, though the Alpine driver escaped punishment.A stoppage in the final moments of Free Practice 3, triggered by Lewis Hamilton clouting the barrier at Massenet, saw cars tour back to the pits at reduced speeds. Read more