Super TV CEO: Family accuses Lagos police of cover-up, hires Ozekhome (Punch)
The family of late Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, have asked a constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, to defend their interest and ensure that justice is served.
In their instruction letter to Ozekhome, the family decried the “low level of professionalism” exhibited by the police in the prosecution of the suspected killers of Ataga.
This was disclosed in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro.
According to the statement, the family accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, of complicity in an alleged attempt to protect the killers of the 50-year-old businessman.
They alleged that the family was not informed when the prime suspect, 21-year-old Chidinma Ojukwu, was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Yaba, Lagos. Read more
Septuagenarian escapes death at Lagos road construction site (Guardian)
It was a near death experience for a septuagenarian, Mr. Sumonu Jimoh, and his friend, when his Mercedes Benz Formatic Jeep, with registration number, Lagos LSD 660 FS, rammed into barriers at construction site near
Rutam House, the headquarters of The Guardian Newspapers at Toyota Bus Stop, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway on Sunday.
Jimoh and his friend were returning from an outing when the accident occurred about 7:30p.m. While Jimoh, who drove the car, had a minor injury, his friend was unhurt.
Eyewitnesses blamed the accident on failure of both Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the contractor handling the repair of the Muritala Mohammed flyover bridge, Plycom Nigeria Ltd, to display warning signs indicating road closure, 500 metres away from the construction site. Read more
Traders lament attacks at Oshodi bad spot (Nation)
Traders at Oshodi in central Lagos have lamented the incessant robbery at a failed section of the Oshodi-Agege Motor Road.
The attacks are rampant between Cappa Bus Stop and the ever-busy bus terminal where motorists are forced to slow down to snail speed because of the dilapidated portion, a trader told The Nation.
Why this portion has not been fixed beats one’s imagination, another trader said.
Oshodi hosts an iconic bus terminal and has earned popularity for its centrality, as well as notoriety for its population of urchins. Read more
Hushpuppi: Probe panel submits amended report on Kyari (Punch)
THE Special Investigation Panel has submitted its report to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, two weeks after it was mandated to probe the former Head, Intelligence Response Team, Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The four-man panel headed by the Deputy Inspector -General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, submitted its findings to the IG on Monday.
Kyari is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a $1.1m Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by an Instagram influencer, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma (Abdul); Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide).
The FBI had claimed that Kyari detained Chibuzor at the behest of Hushpuppi for one month to enable the latter and his co-conspirators to fleece their Qatari victim of over $1m. Read more
How we emptied many nigerians’ bank accounts, stole millions of naira —suspect (DailyTrust)
A suspect, Zakarriyah Yahaya, 46, also known as ‘His Excellency’ on Monday revealed how they emptied many Nigerians’ bank accounts using their lost or stolen SIM cards.
Yahaya, who was among 39 suspects paraded at the defunct headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Abuja by the police, explained that bank accounts of many Nigerians receiving alerts were easy to access by using their account and phone numbers.
The suspects, paraded by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, were arrested across the country by Force Investigation Bureau of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led by Tunji Disu, who took over recently from the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
Speaking to journalists, the suspect said, ‘’My name is Zakarriyah Yahaya, I was born and brought up in Jos. I was arrested last month in Mabushi here in Abuja. I used to reset any SIM that receives bank alert. I will reset it and steal all the money in the bank account. Read more
One way: Lagos task force impounds car on road without signage (Punch)
A Lagos-based businessman, Adeolu Oyinlola, has accused some policemen attached to the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, aka task force, of impounding his vehicle over an alleged traffic offence.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Oyinlola’s driver, Sunday Emem, was driving along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway on Saturday when he was accosted by one of four policemen around the BOC Gases area for allegedly passing a uni-directional road (aka one way).
According to Oyinlola, there was no indication on the road that it was uni-directional, adding that efforts to explain to the policemen that there was no such indication proved abortive as they became hostile and aggressive.
Our correspondent, during a visit to the area on Monday, observed that there was no signage on the road as traders confirmed same. Read more
Group demands release of 12 Mouka foam protesters (Guardian)
Firm denies ordering arrest of workers
A group, International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative, has demanded immediate release of five members of the Chemical and Footwear Workers Union of Nigeria, who are also employees of Mouka Foam Nigeria Plc, and seven other workers of the firm, arrested last week for protesting.
This was contained in a letter released by the group yesterday, which was signed by its President, Comrade Osmond Ugwu.
The group described the arrest and detention of the protesters by the police as unlawful.
But in a reaction, the firm said it never ordered arrest of the staff, who were protesting or the “faceless hoodlums that became violent” and harassed workers and distributors. Read more
Lagos, FAO target N240b yearly from coconut (DailyTrust)
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has partnered with the Lagos State Government to have 10 million coconut trees by 2024 and earn N240 billion from coconut.
The state commissioner for agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the 10m productive coconut trees will provide over 80 husked nuts per tree and over 800m husked nuts annually. At an average of N100 per nut with the economic value of over N76bn yearly, she said that would triple to N240bn worth of transaction volume with value added annually.
These figures can only be achieved if the right technical and financial support are provided, she noted. Read more
“Crisis hits ISWAP camp” as Boko Haram fighters surrender (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Army says there is confusion and apprehension within the camp of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists following the recent massive surrender of Boko Haram fighters.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, in Abuja.
He said there is apprehension in ISWAP camp over the decision of Boko Haram fighters to surrender.
Nwachukwu added that due to the situation, the terrorist group had resorted to using futile propaganda via AMAQ Terrorists Media Wing to portray the group as still being a potent force in the North East. Read more
Madonna brings entire catalog to Warner Music as part of new ‘career-spanning partnership’ (Variety)
Madonna, the top-selling female artist of all time, will bring her entire catalog of recorded music under the Warner Music umbrella as part of a career-spanning global partnership announced Monday. The singer, who launched her career with Warner, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, won seven Grammys and dozens of other major awards, including 24 ASCAP Pop Music awards, MTV VMAs, Brits, Ivor Novellos, Junos and more, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Madonna’s compositions are already administered globally by Warner Chappell Music publishing, so the move brings her entire solo music catalog under one roof.
A rep for Warner confirmed that the partnership does not address new recordings; Madonna’s deal with Interscope Records ended last year, so she apparently remains a free agent for future music projects.
Madonna said. “Since the very beginning, Warner Music Group has helped bring my music and vision to all my fans around the world with the utmost care and consideration. They have been amazing partners, and I am delighted to be embarking on this next chapter with them to celebrate my catalogue from the last 40 years.”
The partnership, which comes in advance of next year’s 40th anniversary of Madonna’s debut single, encompasses her entire Sire/Maverick/Warner catalog, including top-sellers and critical favorites “Madonna,” “Like a Virgin,” “True Blue,” “Like a Prayer” and “Ray of Light.” Read more
Man flies 650 miles for first date with woman he met on TikTok (NYPost)
The internet really does bring people together.
A man flew more than 650 miles to meet a woman he met on TikTok and now they’re in a relationship.
Matt Bannon, 26, of Dallas, Texas, posted a video of himself swimming that went viral and received hundreds of responses from women who said they were interested in him — including an Olympic athlete, according to SWNS. One comment caught his eye.
Taylor Bier, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, wrote: “Ooo 25, single, saw there was an Olympic athlete on board – I might not beat that.” Read more
“Free Guy” beat box office expectations, but movie theatres still have a big problem (Variety)
Disney may have a new film franchise on its hands after “Free Guy” beat box office expectations. For theater owners, however, the victory comes at a time when moviegoing remains severely hindered by the pandemic.
Free Guy, a sci-fi comedy adventure that takes place within a video game, collected $28.4 million at 4,165 North American theaters over the weekend. Overseas, Free Guy earned another $22.5 million for a global tally of $51 million. Heading into the weekend, even bullish projections thought a start above $20 million at the domestic box office could be a stretch because the delta variant of COVID-19 has shaken consumer confidence in going to the cinema. Plus, the Disney and 20th Century film is an original property, meaning there isn’t a built-in fanbase to reliably show up on opening weekend.
Shawn Robbins, the chief analyst at Box Office Pro, believes the star power behind Reynolds fueled the stronger-than-expected turnout. Read more
Bob Dylan sued for allegedly sexually abusing 12-year-old girl in 1965 (RFI)
Bob Dylan is being sued for allegedly grooming and sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in 1965.
In a lawsuit filed on Friday, the music icon is accused of giving the tween ‘drugs and alcohol before sexually abusing her at his Chelsea Hotel apartment’.
It is alleged that the 80-year-old musician used his star status to groom, gain the trust of and control the victim ‘as part of his plan to sexually molest and abuse’ her, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court papers, which only identify the plaintiff as ‘J.C.’
A representative for Dylan told TMZ: ‘The 56-year-old claim is untrue and will be vigorously defended.’ Read more
Afghanistan: US takes control of Kabul airport to evacuate staff (BBC)
There have been scenes of panic at Kabul airport as desperate residents try to flee following the seizure of the Afghan capital by the Taliban.
The US army say soldiers shot two armed men, while three people are reported to have died after falling from the underside of a plane they were clinging onto shortly after take-off.
All flights have now been stopped as soldiers try to clear the runways.
The US and other countries are rushing to evacuate staff and allies. Read more
Barbra Streisand shades Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga’s “A Star Is Born” remake (NYPost)
Babs is not happy with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s 2018 remake of “A Star is Born.” After previously celebrating the musical drama, Barbra Streisand is now taking back her praise.
While appearing on the Australian talk show “The Project” to promote her new album, “Release Me 2,” the 79-year-old seemed to blast the film for its unoriginality.
“At first, when I heard it was going to be done again, it was supposed to be Will Smith and Beyoncé. I thought, that’s interesting. Really make it different again, different kind of music, integrated actors, I thought that was a great idea,” she said. “So, I was surprised when I saw how alike it was to the version that I did in 1976.” Read more
Esperance list Iwuala for Champions League, set for debut (Punch)
Esperance de Tunis have registered newly signed Nigerian forward, Anayo Iwuala, in their 34-man roster for the 2021/22 CAF Champions League.
Iwuala joined the Tunisian giants from Enyimba early this month on a three-year contract worth $500,000 and will be a key member of the team in the coming season.
The club said in a statement, “Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive recently sent its list of 34 players, and we can therefore add six players during the next winter window.”
Iwuala will however be hoping to make his first start for the club when they face US Monastir in their opening 2021/21 season opener on Tuesday (today). Read more
NFF hands Amadi 2-year ban for match fixing (DailyTrust)
The Organising and Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has banned the Head coach of Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Cofine FC of Akwa Ibom for two years over match-fixing.
The committee at its sitting on Monday in Abuja found the coach guilty of attempting to fix the match between his club and Bussdor FC on March 15 at the University of Calabar stadium.
After its finding, the O&D committee, presided over by a former NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Esq in line with Art. 4.17(1) of the NLO Rules, banned the coach for a period of two years from taking part in any football related activities from the 15th March, 2021 to 14th March, 2023.
The committee also slammed a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) against Cofine FC for being responsible for the action and inaction of its employee, coach Amadi in the said match manipulation. Read more
Barcelona president Joan Laporta reveals club debt stands at £1.15b (BBC)
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed the Spanish club is 1.35bn euros (£1.15b) in debt, describing the situation as “very worrying”.
The club’s wage bill currently accounts for 103% of total income.
Laporta blames predecessor Josep Maria Bartomeu for the debt, accusing him of leaving a “terrible inheritance”.
Extending Lionel Messi’s contract would have made the wage bill accountable for 110% of revenue, which La Liga refused to accept.
Messi announced an emotional exit from the Nou Camp last week and signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract. Read more
Barcelona to offer Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal in exchange for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Metro)
Barcelona have expressed interest in signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal and are prepared to offer Philippe Coutinho to the Gunners as part of the deal.
Aubameyang joined Arsenal for a then club-record £60m in January 2018 and has been one of the club’s most important players over the past four seasons, scoring 85 goals in 148 matches.
The 32-year-old missed Arsenal’s opening-day Premier League defeat at Brentford on Friday through illness, but is expected to return this weekend as Mikel Arteta’s side host Chelsea.
Despite being more than £1bn in debt, Barcelona are looking to bolster Ronald Koeman’s squad before the summer transfer window closes and are interested in signing Aubameyang, according to Sky Sports. Read more
USWNT star Carli Lloyd announces retirement plans (NYPost)
Carli Lloyd is wrapping up her storied career.
The U.S. women’s national team legend announced Monday her plans to retire, saying she will play her final games in the coming months. Lloyd, 39, will hang up her cleats as the second-most capped player in world soccer history with 128 international goals.
“When I first started out with the National Team in 2005, my two main goals were to be the most complete soccer player I could be and to help the team win championships,” the two-time women’s World Cup winner said in a press release. “Every single day I stepped out onto the field, I played as if it was my last game. I never wanted to take anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to get to the top, but even harder to stay at the top for so long.”
Lloyd’s final games in a U.S. uniform will take place when the USWNT competes in four friendly matches in September and October.
She also plans on finishing the remainder of the National Women’s Soccer League season with NJ/NY Gotham FC to cap her 12-year, six-club professional career. The NWSL’s playoffs begin in November. Read more
Mark Allen edges past his ex Reanne Evans in frosty British Open clash (Metro)
Mark Allen battled back from the brink to beat his former partner Reanne Evans in a fascinating, if frosty, first round tie at the British Open.
The pair were in a relationship 13 years ago, but it is one that has soured badly and even led to the courts over support payments for their daughter.
The unique background to a sporting clash made this first round draw all the more intriguing and it was an engaging match that swung both ways after an awkward start.The former Masters champion offered a fist bump at the start of the contest only for Evans to snub it and go about breaking off for the first frame. Read more