Soldiers kill policeman for intercepting colleague with Indian hemp (DailyTrust)
A police sergeant, identified as Ahmed Ali, has been shot dead by some soldiers in Benisheikh town, Borno State after his team intercepted a military man in a vehicle conveying Indian hemp.
Locals and security sources told Daily Trust that the incident happened at the town’s entry checkpoint around 10 am on Monday.
A security source told our correspondent that the soldier, driving in an ash-coloured Acura sport utility vehicle with the registration number FKJ 761 AR, beat a security checkpoint and refused to stop despite a warning from the police. Read more
Amotekun secures release of man kidnapped from Fulani settlement (Guardian)
The Amotekun Corps in Osun said it has secured the release of a man kidnapped from a Fulani settlement at Ago-Igbira in Ila-Orangun area of the state.
The Amotekun Commander in the state retired Brig-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo.
Adewinmbi said the victim, Muhammed Jubril, was released when the local security outfit closed in on the abductors. Read more
IGP replaces Adamawa CP on election duty (Tribune)
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has withdrawn the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa State, Mohammed Barde state with immediate effect.
The IGP also ordered that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Gombe State, CP Etim Equa immediately proceed to Adamawa State for election security of the yet-to-be-concluded supplementary governorship poll.
Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, while addressing pressmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said the IGP is committed to a free and fair process. Read more
Court reverses Buhari’s sack of Ararume as NNPCL chairman, awards N5b against the President, NNPCL (Sun)
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has voided the sack and removal of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as non Executive Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) by President Muhammadu Buhari describing it as arbitrary, unlawful and illegal.
In his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo set aside the removal of Senator Ararume on January 17, 2023 to his position awarded N5 billion against Buhari and NNPCL to be paid to Ararume as damages for the wrongful sack and disruption of his appointment.
Justice Ekwo ordered that Ararume be immediately restored to office as non Executive Chairman of the NNPCL. Read more
INEC officials reconvene at Adamawa collation centre amid tight security (Vanguard)
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have reconvened at the state collation centre in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
The officials reconvened amid heavy presence of security operatives,INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, Adamu Gujungu, who has been mandated by to take the place of the erring Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari was seen at the collation centre.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye is expected at the collation centre. Read more
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Commissioner sympathises with motorists (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, has sympathised with motorists over the gruelling gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which is under reconstruction.
Oladeinde appealed for calm over the hours motorists spend in the gridlock, just as he assured them that the reconstruction would soon be completed.
According to a statement issued by the state government, the commissioner spoke during his working tour of the reconstruction zones at Opic, Kara, and Berger axis. Read more
Adamawa poll: Court refuses to hear Binani’s motion over jurisdiction (Punch)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, refused to hear an ex-parte motion filed by the All Progressives Congress candidate in the Adamawa governorship election, Senator Aisha Ahmed, popularly called Binani.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, instead, ordered the APC candidate’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, to address the court on the issue of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive motion.
Upon resumed hearing on the matter, Afeez Matomi announced appearance for Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, the third respondent in the suit, shortly after the sheriff mentioned his name.
Justice Ekwo then asked Matomi if he had been served. Read more
JAMB extends registration of Direct Entry (DailyTrust)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the closing date for the ongoing 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration by a week.
The exercise, which commenced on Monday, 20th March, 2023, and was billed to end on Thursday, 20th April, 2023, has been extended by one week starting from Friday, 21st April,
2023.
“This extension is partly to give all holders of Cambridge A/Level Certificates, who were unable to register for the exercise on account of some issues associated with the verification of their certificates, another opportunity to do so, as well as accommodate others, who wish to register but were unable to do so within the stipulated time, ” JAMB Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said in a statement. Read more
Actor Aarti Mittal arrested for allegedly running sex racket (Shethepeople)
Actor and casting director Aarti Mittal has reportedly been arrested by Mumbai police on allegations of running a sex racket. She allegedly lured models from the film industry into working as sex workers in return for money. Here’s how the police found out about it.
The film industry can be a really dangerous place if you fall into the wrong company. Not everyone is as sweet as they seem and they don’t always want your good. Models and struggling artists often find themselves involved in the shady business because they are either compelled or desperate to actually do something about their careers.
A similar case came to the notice of Mumbai police where young models trying their luck in the industry were lured into sex work in exchange for a huge amount of money and the one luring them was allegedly none other than their fellow artist, casting director and actor Aarti Mittal, who they met on the set of certain modelling projects. Read more
Acrobat falls to her death during a routine with her husband (Vice)
A Chinese acrobat fell to her death while performing a routine with her husband, prompting discussions about safety precautions and an investigation by Chinese authorities.
On Saturday, the 37-year-old woman, surnamed Sun, was performing at a farm in the city of Suzhou, in the eastern province of Anhui. She and her husband, Zhang—who’s been her trapeze partner for years—were seen hoisted up into the air with ropes, soaring above the brightly lit stage.
But as seen in footage of the show, Sun appeared to have slipped off from her husband just seconds after they were lifted at least 10 meters off the ground. Screams from the crowd were heard as the artist fell and hit the stage. Read more
Film and TV writers authorise strike over pay and other issues (LBC)
Unionised film and TV writers have voted overwhelmingly to give their leaders the authority to call a strike if they are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.
In an email to members on Monday, the negotiating committee of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) said nearly 98% of the 9,218 votes were cast to authorise the strike, with nearly 79% of guild members voting.
The guild is currently negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on a deal aimed at addressing pay and other changes brought on by the dominance of streaming services. Read more
Jonathan Majors dropped by manager Entertainment 360 following domestic violence charges (Deadline)
Talent manager Entertainment 360 has dropped Jonathan Majors, several sources tell us. The recent move by Majors’ longtime manager comes three weeks after the Magazine Dreams star was arrested on domestic violence charges in New York City.
Currently starring in Creed III and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Majors’ departure was due to issues surrounding the actor’s personal behavior, we are informed.
Majors’ representation problems don’t stop with Entertainment 360. PR firm The Lede Company also initiated a break with the Avengers actor last month. Read more
Metro Boomin crowned ‘‘greatest producer of our generation’’ during star-studded Coachella set (HipHopDX)
Metro Boomin was crowned as the greatest producer of his entire generation by 21 Savage as he brought the rapper out during his 2023 Coachella set.
Young Metro’s set went down on Friday (April 14), the very first night of the three-day, two-weekend festival. In addition to guests like John Legend, Future, Don Toliver and legendary producer Mike Dean on the keys, Metro was joined by 21, who had high praise for his “Creepin” collaborator.
“Make some noise for the greatest producer of our generation,” 21 said. Read more
Songwriter behind Shakin’ Stevens hit ‘‘Merry Christmas Everyone,’’ Bob Heatlie, dies aged 76 (Express)
Bob Heatlie, who was the songwriter and record producer behind Shakin’ Stevens’ festive hit Merry Christmas Everyone, has died at the age of 76.
The Scottish hitmaker died on Saturday April 8, with his family and friends sharing their heartache on social media.
Bob also wrote and produced songs for Sir Cliff Richard, 82.
During his career, Bob branched out into writing theme tunes for TV shows, including children’s programme Fun House and the game show Wheel of Fortune. Read more
Ukraine Plane: Iran court jails 10 over downing of flight PS752 (BBC)
A court in Iran has sentenced 10 armed forces personnel to prison over the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in January 2020.
The plane was hit by two missiles fired by a Revolutionary Guards air defence unit after it took off from Tehran. All 176 people on board were killed.
The unit’s commander was sentenced to 13 years for being an accessory to manslaughter and disobeying orders. Read more
Nigerian League foists N3.5m fine on Smart City for match disruption (Vanguard)
The Nigerian National League has pressed a heavy fine of ₦3.5 million and a three-point including three goals deduction on Smart FC for misconduct of fans during their Southern Conference, Group B2 encounter with Gateway United on Sunday at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun state.
Following a review of reports and video evidence brought by match officials and commissioners, the NNL charged the club and its zealots.
The intrusion of fans and violence upon the match referees had resulted in injuries with mutilation and embezzlement of equipment in the stadium. Read more
NPFL: Ogunmodede upbeat on Top 3 pursuit (Punch)
Head coach of Remo Stars, Daniel Ogunmodede, is still optimistic his team can finish in the Top 3 as the regular season of the 2022/23 abridged Nigeria Professional Football League season gradually winds down, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Remo Stars were held 1-1 by Group A table toppers, Bendel Insurance, on Sunday, leaving the Sky Blue Stars in fifth position with four games to go.
It’s the third consecutive draw for the Ikenne side, who started the second stanza strongly by winning their first two games. Read more
Klopp hails season’s best display as Leeds in freefall (RTE)
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool turned in their best display of the season after a thumping 6-1 win at troubled relegation battlers Leeds.
Klopp’s side halted a five-game winless run in all competitions in emphatic fashion as Leeds were put to the sword at Elland Road.
Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota both fired doubles after Cody Gakpo had given Liverpool the lead, while substitute Darwin Nunez completed the rout in the final minute. Read more
On-fire Haaland shows Bayern what they are missing (France24)
When Erling Haaland takes the field for Manchester City on Wednesday in Munich, the Norwegian will face the club who tried to sell the farm to buy him but failed.
Bayern’s late first-leg capitulation in Manchester means the six-time winners need to overcome a 3-0 deficit to make it through to the semis.
Not only must Bayern do so against Europe’s former team, but they need to somehow find the goals that the toothless front-line have lacked in 2023. Read more
Ex-Notre Dame coach Mike Brey to join Hawks staff, sources say (ESPN)
Former Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey will join coach Quin Snyder’s staff on the Atlanta Hawks next season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
No specific role has been finalized, nor will it be until after this season, sources told Wojnarowski. Brey, who has a 30-year history with Snyder, visited with the Hawks in March.
The South Bend Tribune first reported the news about Brey joining the Hawks’ staff.
Brey stepped down as Notre Dame’s coach after the end of this past season following 23 years in South Bend. He was 483-280 overall with the Fighting Irish, leading the school to 13 NCAA tournaments. Read more
Liam Smith, Chris Eubank Jr. hit with fines by British Board over presser conduct (BoxingScene)
Middleweights Liam Smith and Chris Eubank Jr. have been hit with fines from the British Boxing Board of Control, over their conduct during a press conference for a January fight.
At the final press conference, which took places two days before their January 21 encounter,
Eubank took shots at Smith’s personal life, while Smith made homophobic remarks at Eubank Jr.
Smith pulled off a big upset when they stepped in the ring, as he knocked out Eubank Jr. in four rounds. Read more