Robbers lead mob to lynch innocent clearing agent in Lagos (Punch)
A 26-year-old clearing agent, Temitope Adeoye, has met his untimely death in the hands of a mob, who mistook him for a thief in the Cele-Ijesha area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro gathered that Temitope, and his friend and colleague, Babatunde Adigwe, were on their way back from work at the Tincan Island Port, Apapa, when they were accused of being thieves by some men. It was gathered that while Adigwe was able to escape, Temitope was beaten and burnt to death by the irate mob. Read more
Many feared dead as Boko Haram terrorist attack Borno governor’s convoy (Guardian)
Boko Haram terrorists Wednesday attacked the convoy of Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima. Shettima was on his way to a political rally at Gamboru-Ngala in the state when the attack occurred. The deputy governor of the state Usman Durkwa, said he cannot confirm the attack. “I am hearing it as rumour. I’m yet to get report on the attacks of Governor’s convoy,” Durwa said. “They are yet to return from campaign rally in Mafa, Dikwa and Gambouru, a border town with Cameroon.” Read more
AAU suspends ASUU chair over alleged sexual harassment (Punch)
The authorities of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has suspended the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities of the institution, Dr Monday Igbafen. Igbafen, the university said, was suspended over alleged gross misconduct bordering on sexual harassment. The suspension order was contained in the university’s News Bulletin dated February 13 and signed by the Deputy Registrar Information and Public Relations Officer, Edward Aihevba, titled, “Suspension of Dr M.L. Igbafen, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy.” Read more
Electorate can use any finger to vote – INEC (Guardian)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that electorate can use any finger to cast their votes in the forthcoming general elections. The commission made the clarification on its official twitter page @inecnigeria on Wednesday. It said that the ballot paper was not finger sensitive, but advised the electorate not to allow the indelible ink on their fingers cross into another box. “A voter can use any finger to vote but should ensure that his or her mark is clear and placed inside the box of the political party of his or her choice and does not stray into another box,’’ it said. Read more
We’ll relocate polling units from insecure areas in Zamfara, INEC says (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will relocate some polling units in the areas vulnerable to security challenges in Zamfara. The Residents Electoral Commissioner of the state, Hajiya Asmau Maikudi, said this at a press conference in Gusau on Wednesday. The REC said the electoral officers at the local government offices of such areas were meeting with all stakeholders to see the possibilities of relocating those polling units to other places where security was guaranteed. Read more
PDP drags INEC to court over card reader (Guardian)
Nigeria’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the use of card readers for the 2019 general election. The party asked a federal high court in Abuja the court to restrict INEC from postponing elections in any polling unit as a result of a malfunctioning card reader. According to the electoral body, should there be any case of card reader malfunctions, voting will be suspended till a new card reader arrives or postponed till the next day if a replacement is not available by 2 pm. Read more
Ex-US Air Force officer Monica Witt charged with spying for Iran (BBC)
US prosecutors have accused a former US Air Force officer of spying for Iran in an elaborate operation that targeted her fellow intelligence officers. Monica Witt, who allegedly defected to Iran in 2013, had previously worked as a US counterintelligence officer. Four Iranian citizens have also been charged with attempting to install spy software on computers belonging to Ms Witt’s colleagues. According to the FBI, Ms Witt was last seen in southwest Asia in July 2013. Read more
Joshua to fight Miller in US on 1 June (BBC)
Anthony Joshua will fight in the US for the first time when he defends his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles against Jarrell Miller on 1 June. Joshua, 29, will take on Miller at Madison Square Garden in the undefeated American’s home city of New York. Miller, with 23 wins and a draw, has never fought for a world title. The 30-year-old will almost certainly be the heaviest opponent Joshua has faced as a professional having weighed 22st 7lbs in his last contest. That is almost five stone heavier than what Joshua weighed in at ahead of his victory over Alexander Povetkin in September. Read more
Klopp faces sanction from FA charge (Punch)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faces a touchline ban or a fine after being charged by the Football Association for comments he made about referee Kevin Friend after his side’s Premier League clash at West Ham on February 4. Klopp intimated after the 1-1 draw that Friend’s second-half performance had been affected by an assistant referee’s mistake for Sadio Mane’s opening goal. Mane’s goal stood at the London Stadium despite James Milner being clearly offside in the build-up before Michail Antonio’s equaliser cost Liverpool two points in the title race. Read more