Security forces know hideout of my uncle’s killers – Senator Abbo (Nation)
Senator Ishaku Abbo has alleged security forces are aware of the hideouts of bandits that killed his uncle at Muchalla ward in Mubi local government area of Adamawa. The gunmen killed his uncle in the early hours of Saturday and made away with his step mother during the invasion of the family’s residence. The senator, who is undergoing investigation over alleged assault of a lady in an Abuja sex toy shop, alleged military and police personnel know the kidnappers’ hideout, which he claimed is two kilometres outside Mubi town. Read more
We saved Obasanjo from being removed as President, says Gowon (Punch)
A former Head of State and elder statesman, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd.), said on Saturday that he and another former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), were among key figures who convinced the National Assembly against impeaching former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007. Gowon stated that Obasanjo was able to complete his tenure as President because of the key roles he and others played by speaking to the then Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abbah and the Senate President, Pius Anyim, to let peace reign, adding that their action was borne out of the need to preserve the seat of the President. Read more
I will redefine public perception of NASS – Gbajabiamila (Guardian)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has promised to bring reforms that will redefine the legislature in the eyes of the public. Gbajabiamila made the pledge at his maiden meeting with members of his media team in Abuja on Saturday. “I will bring reforms that will help shape and redefine the Nigerian legislature in the eyes of the public. Read more
Miyetti Allah condemns killing of Fasoranti’s daughter, says herdsmen not responsible (Punch)
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has commiserated with the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on the death of his daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunrin. In a statement by its National Secretary, Baba Uthman Ngelzarma, the group also lambasted the media for attributing the killing to herdsmen. MACBAN also called on the police to ensure that the killers were brought to book. Read more
Olakunrin: Nigeria, a killing field under Buhari, PDP laments (Nation)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the gruesome killing of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, by yet -to- be apprehended gunmen. In a statement Saturday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party also lamented what it described as the unpardonable lethargy in apprehending Olakunrin’s killers since she was killed on Friday. Read more
785 witnesses to testify before Kano Governorship Election Tribunal (Guardian)
No fewer than 785 witnesses are expected to appear before the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to testify for APC and PDP on the conduct of the March 2019 governorship elections in the state. Counsel to the petitioners and respondents told the Tribunal at a pre-hearing session on Saturday in Kano that they were ready with their witnesses. Counsel to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, the second respondent, Mr Effiong Effiong (SAN), said they have assembled 203 witnesses who would testify before the tribunal in support of the elections won by Ganduje. Read more
Atiku’s witnesses not attacked in Zamfara- Police (Nation)
Zamfara State Police Command has refuted allegations of bandits attack on presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar’s witnesses travelling to Abuja to testify against the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari. The command denied claims by the witnesses they were attacked by bandits in Zamfara state, a situation that forced them to scamper into the bush and stopped their journey to the Supreme Court to testify for the former Vice President. Read more
Assets forfeiture: Presidential panel seals Nwaoboshi’s properties in Delta, Abuja, Lagos (Guardian)
The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property has sealed up suspicious assets and properties belonging to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, located in Warri, Asaba in Delta State, and Lagos State respectively. The Presidential Panel carried out the action on the premise of last week’s ruling of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which ordered an interim forfeiture of properties belonging to Nwaoboshi, who represents Delta North senatorial district. Read more
I’m now Miyetti Allah member, I need Ruga settlement, says Melaye (Nation)
Senator Dino Melaye (PDP-Kogi West), on Saturday joked that he had become a member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and deserved a share of the Ruga Settlement. He said he received 104 cows from sympathisers following the death of his mother Deaconess Comfort Melaye and this made him qualified to join Miyetti Allah. He stated this at the funeral service for Deaconess Melaye in Aiyetoro-Gbedde, Ijumu local government, Kogi State. Read more
19 ships carrying various products expected at Lagos ports (Guardian)
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is expecting 19 ships to bring foods and other goods from July 13 to July 29, at the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos. NPA in its daily publication ‘Shipping Position’ in Lagos on Saturday said that none of the vessels would bring petroleum products. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 19 ships are carrying general cargo, buckwheat, steel products and containers of different goods. Read more
Ezekwesili urges FG to tackle insecurity (Nation)
A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, on Saturday decried the spate of killings and other violent crimes in the country. Ezekwesili expressed the concern while speaking with newsmen at the 11th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture series in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the lecture, organised to mark the 85th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, was” Rethinking Credible Elections, Accountable and Good Governance in Nigeria”. Read more
Iranian tanker will be released if oil isn’t going to Syria, says Hunt (BBC)
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said the Iranian tanker detained by Royal Marines near Gibraltar could be released, if the UK is guaranteed the oil is not bound for Syria. The tanker, seized on 4 July, was suspected of breaking EU sanctions. Iran claimed the seizure was “piracy”. Iranian ships later tried to impede a British tanker, the UK claimed. Read more
Distraught mum found daughter having sex with four men in drug den (Metro)
A distraught mother found her teenage daughter having group sex with four drug addicts while attempting to rescue her from a crack den. Neighbours living close to the ‘house of horror’, in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, described seeing the woman sobbing in the street after following her daughter to the property. One witness told Grimsby Telegraph: ‘The woman knocked on my door in absolute hysterics. She knew her daughter was going to the house to buy drugs, so she came to the house to see if she was there. Read more
Israel education minister defends ‘gay conversion therapy’ (BBC)
Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has said he believes so-called “gay conversion therapy” can work, triggering widespread condemnation. “I think it’s possible,” Mr Peretz, an Orthodox rabbi, told Israel’s Channel 12 TV channel. He added that he had “a very deep familiarity with the issue”. PM Benjamin Netanyahu said such remarks were “unacceptable”. Other politicians and gay groups also voiced criticism. Read more
Woman with baby screams abuse at lesbian couple for kissing on Barcelona train (Metro)
A woman with a pram launched a tirade of abuse against two lesbians after she spotted them kissing on public transport in Barcelona. Artist Carla Gallen was riding an underground train when she gave her partner a kiss. One of her fellow passengers then immediately reacted negatively, causing her to begin filming the encounter. Read more
Ambassador row: Other leaks may be in circulation says Met Police (BBC)
Scotland Yard has said there may be more sensitive documents in circulation, as it warned media against publishing leaked diplomatic memos. Police have launched a criminal investigation into the leak of diplomatic emails from the UK ambassador in the US, Sir Kim Darroch. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said publishing the emails could be a criminal offence. Read more
France to create new space defence command in September (BBC)
France will set up a new space defence command in September, President Emmanuel Macron has announced. Speaking a day before the annual Bastille Day celebrations, Mr Macron said that the command would help to “better protect our satellites, including in an active way”. Analysts say this marks a switch from a defensive to an offensive posture. Read more
Cardi B shows off daughter Kulture’s lavish first birthday gifts (Metro)
Cardi B’s daughter is going to be looking super fashionable this year as her mum has just bought her some stylish new get-up for her first birthday. The Bodak Yellow rapper showed off the gifts little Kulture Kiari Cephus received on her Instagram story, including the cutest bejeweled ballerina pumps. And we’re totally jealous. Read more
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello finally seal romance rumours with kiss (Metro)
Rumours that Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are more than just friends and collaborators have been floating for a while… And the pair have done nothing to squash speculation as they’ve been spotted kissing on camera two days in a row. Footage emerged of Shamila – who recently released new song Senorita together – pecking at Dottie’s True Blue Café in San Francisco earlier today. Read more
AFCON: ‘Hardest to come’ for Senegal in quest for first African title, says Coach (Punch)
Coach Aliou Cisse acknowledged on Saturday the “hardest is yet to come” for a Senegal side trying to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. The Teranga Lions are the highest-ranked African nation, at 22nd in the world, and Cisse is bidding to lead his country a step further than the team he captained in an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Cameroon at the 2002 final. Read more
Frank Lampard impressed with Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham after Chelsea beat St Patrick’s in Dublin (Metro)
Frank Lampard admits he was impressed with Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham as Chelsea sealed a 4-0 win against St Patrick’s in Dublin on Saturday. Chelsea continued their pre-season preparations with a comfortable victory as Olivier Giroud scored twice, while there were also goals for Mason Mount and Emerson Palmieri. Batshuayi and Abraham, who both left Chelsea on loan last season, started the match in attack but couldn’t find the target, although they both had excellent chances to score. Read more
Inter striker Icardi leaves training camp amid transfer rumours (Punch)
Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi has left the club’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, the Serie A giants announced on Saturday, as speculation surrounding his future intensified. The Argentinian, who was stripped of the captaincy last season amid a long contract dispute, has been linked with a possible move to Juventus. Read more
Manchester United make decision on Mario Lemina transfer (Metro)
Manchester United have distanced themselves from a move for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina. The Gabon international was left out of Southampton’s pre-season tour after the club agreed to Lemina’s wish to leave this summer. The 25-year-old, who moved to the Saints from Juventus, was a target for Arsenal before his move to the south coast and the Gunners are said to be interested in his services again this time around. Read more
Reiss Nelson destroys Bernd Leno with superb goal in Arsenal training (Metro)
Arsenal may be struggling in the transfer market but Reiss Nelson fans has given fans a glimmer of hope by scoring a sublime goal against Bernd Leno during pre-season training. Unai Emery is looking to sign a new wide attacker this summer with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha his top target. But with Palace holding out for £80 million, it looks like Emery will be missing out on a key signing. Read more
Roger Federer must tread new ground to beat Novak Djokovic and win historic 9th Wimbledon (Metro)
For the third time, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will contest the Wimbledon final. Federer, though widely considered to be the finest grass-court player in history, has a losing head-to-head record against his great Serbian rival at the All England Club. His two losses to the world No. 1 have both come in the finals – with Djokovic clinching the 2014 and 2015 titles – with his only win coming seven years ago in the semi-finals. Read more
Cricket World Cup: England & New Zealand set for final (BBC)
England’s men will attempt to win the World Cup for the first time when they meet New Zealand in Sunday’s final at Lord’s. The hosts, playing in their first final for 27 years, will start as favourites against the 2015 runners-up. “It would mean everything to win it,” England captain Eoin Morgan said. Read more
Italian cyclist in intensive care after being impaled by giant splinter during race (Metro)
Italian cyclist Lorenzo Gobbo is in intensive care after his lung was punctured by a piece of wooden track during a race in Belgium. The 17-year-old was rushed to hospital and required surgery to have the giant piece of wood removed after it cut his thigh, pierced his side and tore through his lung. The half-a-metre long piece of wood was raised after a pedal had hit the track following a collision between riders. Read more