Strangers advised me to kill my son – Kuchi Kuchi singer, Jodie (Punch)
Nigerian gospel artiste, Joy Eseoghene Odiete, simply known as Jodie, was once a household name in the Nigerian music scene after her popular song, Kuchi Kuchi, was released in 2010.
Several years after her absence, the Kuchi Kuchi crooner has come out to reveal reasons why she has not been producing music as before.
In a series of posts on her Instagram page, @jodiegreat, the singer disclosed her struggle as a mother of a child with special needs.
Born with cerebral palsy, Jodie’s son Chinua, clocked six on April 9, 2022. Read more
Nigerian extradited to US over alleged $148,000 scam (Guardian)
A Nigerian wire fraud suspect, Adedunmola Gbadegesin, has been extradited to the United States, where he is wanted in a case of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
His extradition was coordinated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following a request from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, pursuant to a February 11, 2022 Order by Justice D.E Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/21, which granted a request to extradite the suspect to the United States to answer to criminal charges bordering on a romance scam, wire fraud and money laundering.
Gbadegesin, who was arrested on September 2, 2021, is alleged to have defrauded an American lady living in Kentucky, United States, of over $148,000
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement on Wednesday said the offences contravene Title 18, US Code, Section 1349 and 1956 (h) and carry a maximum jail term of 20 years. Read more
Lagos: Collection of toll on Lekki-Ikoyi bridge not illegal (ThisDay)
Lagos State government has insisted that there is no court order stopping it from collection of toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge stressing that its appeal against the judgement of Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos still subsists.
Consequently, the state government urged the public to disregard ‘’the erroneous statements circulating in the media that the State Government does not have the legal right to collect tolls on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and that tolling on the Link Bridge is unlawful.’’
A statement signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, titled, ‘’The Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge – the legal status of appeal against judgment of federal high court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1405/02’’, argued that since the appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court subsists, the judgment of the Federal High Court cannot be enforced at this stage.
He maintained that the position of the law is that once a Notice of Appeal is filed along with an application for stay of execution/injunction pending appeal, the judgement being appealed against cannot be enforced until the application for stay of execution/injunction pending appeal has been determined. Read more
Lagos birthday party shooting accidental, say Police (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has said the shooting by an officer attached to the command that led to the death of two businessmen during a birthday party in the Iyana Ipaja area of the state was accidental.
The PUNCH had reported that a policeman serving at the state command headquarters in Ikeja went into hiding after allegedly shooting two businessmen to death.
It was learnt that the cop, alongside the victims, and other guests, gathered at a bar to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
But reacting to the incident in a statement on Wednesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who identified the cop involved as Inspector Mohammed Hussini, said the suspect was an off-duty police officer. Read more
Bandits kill 1, kidnap another in Kaduna fresh attack (DailyTrust)
Bandits attacked Angwa Kadara in Juji community, Kaduna State on Tuesday night till the early hours of Wednesday morning.
One lady was reportedly killed, another woman kidnapped, while three persons sustained bullet wounds, including the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) Commander whose team repelled the attack.
Five bandits’ motorcycles were reportedly recovered.
Politics Nigeria reports that an indigene, Bossan Apollos who claimed he got the full gist of the terrorists’ attack from two residents, said the youths revolted without fear and caused the bandits to be terrified. Read more
2023: Amosun joins presidential race, vows to help Nigeria ‘achieve her manifest destiny’ (Channels)
Senator Ibikunle Amosun has declared his intention to contest the presidential seat in the 2023 general election, promising to help Nigeria “achieve her manifest destiny”.
The Senator, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District, made the decision known in a letter he wrote to the Senate.
Senate President Ahmed Lawan read the former governor’s letter during a plenary session on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the letter, the lawmaker says his experience makes him fit for the seat. Read more
NDLEA boss wants aspirants tested for drugs ahead of 2023 elections
(Guardian)
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig General Buba Marwa has urged political aspirants going for public offices to come for drug tests.
The anti-drug agency’s boss reiterated the call on Wednesday while decorating officers who have distinguished themselves in the fight against drugs with medals and awards. Read more
Court fixes June 2 to hear Abba Kyari’s extradition suit (Guardian)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed June 2 for a hearing of the extradition suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) against suspended DCP Abba Kyari.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after counsel for the AGF, Pius Akutah, applied for more time to enable parties to respond to processes served on each other by Mahmud Magaji, SAN, lawyer to Kyari.
Akutah informed that though the court, in the last adjourned date, fixed today for hearing in the matter, he had a motion for extension of time dated and filed on April 19.
After the application was not opposed by Mahmud Magaji, SAN, counsel to Kari, Justice Ekwo granted the order as prayed. Read more
Naija FM OAP Ifektive to vie for House of Reps (Nation)
Onetime On-Air Personality at Naija FM, Ife Salako aka Ifektive has announced his intention to vie for a seat at the House of Representatives under the Alimosho Constituency in the coming general elections.
The young broadcaster says his resolve to go into politics is for the growth and development of Nigeria and her people.
Salako made it known that to effect change in the government, one has to partake in it.
On what prompted his decision, he said, “In problem-solving, there is a root cause of each problem and the best way to solve the problem is to go to the root of that problem and solve it from there. Read more
Monica addresses white commentator criticizing black talent being at CMT Awards (AllHipHop)
R&B vocalist Monica took part in the 2022 Country Music Television Awards on April 11. She joined Jimmie Allen and Little Big Town for a live rendition of “Pray.”
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star Anthony Mackie served as one of the hosts for this year’s CMT Awards, along with Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown. Apparently, one right-wing commentator had a problem with the amount of Black talent at the show.
Right Wing Watch reposted a clip of Patrick Howley expressing his displeasure that the CMTs featured so many African-Americans. The former Breitbart News Network reporter took specific aim at Mackie.
“I don’t know who this Black guy who’s hosting. It’s supposed to be Country music. No offense. I mean, y’all have Hip Hop and basketball,” said Patrick Howley. “Just fly with your flock, bro.” Read more
The Big Pink reunite for first new music in a decade (MusicNews)
The Big Pink have reunited after a decade away.
The indie shoegaze legends have released the new single ‘No Angels’, their first release since 2012’s ‘Future This’ album.
Frontman Robbie Furze – who has reunited with original Big Pink drummer Akiko Matsuura and is joined by visual artist Charlie Barker on bass – said of their new tune: “It’s a track reflecting that moment when you understand that all you’ve set your sights on has led to a place far away from where you should be and everything you truly love.
“It took sacrificing everything I’d built in London and moving to Los Angeles, a place I thought I needed to be in order to achieve my dreams, for me to realise that it was about much more than just myself. I had a moment of clarity when I understood what’s truly important and what I needed to do to get back to everything and everyone that I loved. That’s what this song is about.” Read more
Putin ramps up nuclear threat: ‘We don’t brag, we will use them’ (Metro)
Vladimir Putin has vowed to use nuclear weapons against countries that interfere with his war in Ukraine in his latest chilling warning to the west.
The dictator said his response to anyone who ‘threatens’ Russia will be ‘lightning-fast’ and deadly.
He told politicians in St Petersburg: ‘If someone intends to interfere in what is going on from the outside, they must know that constitutes an unacceptable strategic threat to Russia.
‘We have all the weapons we need for this. No one else can brag about these weapons, and we won’t brag about them. But we will use them.’ Read more
I brushed my teeth numerous times before I could kiss Yvonne Nelson – Actor Anthony Woode
(MyJoy)
Kissing in movie scenes isn’t something new for actors.
However, over the years, many actors have complained about the unwelcoming mouth odour of their co-actors.
To not fall prey to this, Ghanaian actor, Anthony Woode decided to do everything in his capacity to have a fresh breath.
In an interview on Pure FM, the relatively new actor revealed that in the upcoming film; ‘Fifty Fifty’, he was expected to kiss actress Yvonne Nelson. Read more
Kenneth Tsang death: Veteran Hong Kong actor and James Bond star dies aged 86 (Independent)
Veteran Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang has died at the age of 86.
Known for his five-decade career in the Hong Kong film industry, Tsang is best known to western audiences through his roles in Hollywood films such as The Replacement Killers, Rush Hour 2, and the 2002 James Bond outing Die Another Day.
The actor was found dead in a Hong Kong hotel on Wednesday 27 April, having tested negative for Covid earlier in the week. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
According to a local government source (viaSouth China Morning Post), Tsang had been quarantined at a hotel in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district, having just returned from a trip to Singapore. Read more
Ray Romano says getting offended is ‘price of freedom of speech’ (Newsweek)
While he thinks what happened between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars was a “tragic situation,” Ray Romano believes it could turn into a positive for comedians and audiences going forward.
Sitcom icon Romano is returning to TV for the second season in the multi-genre HBO Max show Made for Love. He stars alongside Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen…and a sex doll named Diane in the show, which returns on April 28.
Actor, stand-up comedian, and soon-to-be movie director Romano spoke to Newsweek about the return of Made for Love and gave his take on the reaction in the comedy world since Smith slapped Rock onstage at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Romano says he still tries to perform stand-up comedy as frequently as possible. When speaking to Newsweek over the phone, he mentions how he’d just gotten back from performing one of his regular stand-up shows in Las Vegas with David Spade. He also tries to perform at the Comedy Cellar in New York whenever he gets an opportunity. Read more
Marvel star’s superhero show cancelled by Netflix (DigitalSpy)
Marvel star Michael B Jordan’s Netflix superhero series Raising Dion has been cancelled after just two seasons.
The series, which is executive produced by the Black Panther actor, follows a mother and her son, the latter of whom starts to exhibit superhero-like abilities.
Following the release of the show’s second season back in February, speculation had been rife over whether it would be renewed for a third outing.
However, star Sammi Haney – who plays Esperanza Jimenez on the series – has confirmed that the show has sadly been axed in an Instagram post. Read more
CAF names Super Falcons top seeds for AWCON draw (Sun)
Defending champions, Super Falcons are one of three top seeds for the African Women’s Cup of Nations AWCON draw Friday with host country Morocco and Cameroon, runners-up at the last tournament, the others.
The top three seeds will head the three qualifying groups, according to CAF.
The Super Falcons will head Group C, Cameroon are in Group B, while Morocco head Group A.
Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Burundi, Tunisia, Senegal, Botswana, Burkina Faso and South Africa are not seeded and so could battle the Falcons in the group stage of the 12-team tournament. Read more
Villarreal backed to exploit key Liverpool weakness with their ‘quickest player’ (Express)
Villarreal must exploit Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses, claims former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor. Liverpool welcome Villarreal to Anfield this evening in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Liverpool are huge favourites to reach the final and play either Manchester City or Real Madrid. But last season’s Europa League winners Villarreal have already knocked out Bayern Munich on their way to the last four.
Alexander-Arnold is set to start for Liverpool, four days after he was troubled by Everton’s Anthony Gordon in Sunday’s Merseyside derby. Agbonlahor says Villarreal boss Unai Emery must play his quickest player on the England star’s side of the pitch to give his team the best chance of pulling off an upset.
Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT: “How good was Gordon on Trent [Alexander]-Arnold?” And I know Trent [Alexander]-Arnold is an amazing footballer, but he’s the weakness defensively. Read more
Jose Mourinho ‘one of the greats of our generation’, says old student Brendan Rodgers (Standard)
Brendan Rodgers “cannot speak highly enough” of Jose Mourinho as the Leicester boss prepares to face his old mentor in the Europa Conference League.
The pair used to work together at Chelsea in the mid-2000s, when Rodgers was in charge of the Blues’ academy and Mourinho was first-team manager.
But now they go head to head as Roma head to Leicester for the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday.
He said: “He has nothing to prove to anyone. He will always be a winner. I cannot speak any higher of him. He is one of the greats of our generation. Read more
Shane Lowry wants to bring his red-hot form to the Irish Open (IrishIndependent)
Shane Lowry insists he “can’t wait” to capitalise on his run of red-hot form in the Horizon Irish Open at Mount Juliet.
The world number 27 has racked up a runner-up finish, two top-threes and another four top1-3 finishes in nine starts this year.
The Offaly star (35) was second in the Honda Classic in February and followed his career-best tie for third in the Masters earlier this month with another third-place finish in the RBC Heritage two weeks ago.
Winner of the title on his Irish Open debut as an amateur in 2009, he has since gone on to win the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and claim a Rolex Series in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2019 before claiming his maiden major in The Open later that year. Read more
Teenager Rune knocks out top-seed Zverev in Munich (France24)
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev was overwhelmed in his first match in the Munich ATP tournament by 18-year-old Dane Holger Rune 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday.
The German, ranked third in the world had been given a bye in the first round of a tournament he won in 2017, 2018, but only lasted in 1 hour 39 minutes in his second-round match against the 70th-ranked Rune.
Rune broke in the second game to lead 3-0. At 5-3 he had six set points. He squandered four set points on unforced errors in the ninth game. Then Zverev saved the fifth with a winner, before Rune converted the sixth by putting away a volley.
Rune again broke at once in the second set and broke again to lead 5-1. Read more
Jake Paul: I’m excited to be promoter while Serrano gets to be put on a pedestal (BoxingScene)
At a time when he deserves to take a victory lap, Jake Paul couldn’t be happier with his unfamiliar role of simply being along for the ride.
The online influencer and boxing cruiserweight novice played a significant role in helping finalize an historic championship fight on tap this weekend. Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) took the lead in negotiating on behalf of seven-division titlist Amanda Serrano in her forthcoming challenge of two-division and reigning, undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor. Both boxers will make seven-figure paydays for the first-ever female boxing fight to headline at Madison Square Garden in New York City (Saturday, DAZN, 7:30 p.m. ET).
“Amanda has accomplished so much,” Paul told BoxingScene.com. “She deserves to be rewarded. I’m excited to be Promoter Paul while she gets to be put on a pedestal. She’s a superstar who has committed her life to boxing. She doesn’t have a phone, meanwhile I’m posting TikToks all the time.
“Now it’s time to show the commitment she has made and how important women’s boxing is.” Read more