Super TV CEO murder: Chidinma’s dad, four others face trial (Punch)
Mr. Onoh Ojukwu whose daughter Chidinma is standing trial in the suspected murder of Super TV CEO Usifo Ataga; and four others were, on Monday, brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged obstruction of justice and failing to report a crime to the law enforcement agencies.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ojukwu is the father of Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu, the alleged killer of Mr. Michael Usifo Ataga, Chief Executive of Super Television.
Ojukwu, 57, and Babalola Disu, 42, are to face trial on charges of obstructing the Police from performing their duties and failing to report a crime to the Police.
The three other defendants, Jessica Egbochi, 28; Abayomi Olutayo, 23; and Ifeoluwa Olowu, 23, are to face trial for dishonestly receiving stolen items. Read more
Police nab two robbery suspects in Lagos (Guardian)
Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), yesterday arrested two robbery suspects at Akowonjo Road in Alimosho Local Government Council of Lagos State.
The suspects, namely Samuel Akabueze 31yrs and Onuoha Joshua 37yrs, were arrested inside a Lexus Jeep registered as LSD 666 GK.
The operatives recovered a locally made gun with two rounds of ammunition and ATM cards of Eco & Access Banks.
The 2 suspects confessed to belong to a three-man robbery gang that specialises in snatching vehicles and robbing innocent motorists during traffic across Lagos. Read more
N1b fraud: Aviation firm accuses SFU CP of cover-up, petitions IGP (Punch)
An aviation fuelling company, Star Orient Nigeria Limited, has accused the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos State, Anderson Bankole, of stopping investigation into a N1b fraud case.
The case, involving the company and some financial institutions, was reportedly discontinued based on a petition by one Babatunde Babalola.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Star Orient conducted an audit of its operational and accounting systems and discovered secret bank accounts opened in its name.
The bank accounts were said to have been used to launder the company’s funds estimated at about N1bn. Read more
FG certifies Moderna COVID-19 safe, reschedules second vaccination for Aug 16 (Guardian)
The relevant health authorities, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), have certified that the four million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated to Nigeria by the United States government through the COVAX facility are safe and efficacious for administration on Nigerians.
Speaking at the bi-weekly ministerial press conference yesterday in Abuja, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, observed that the agency painstakingly monitored all incoming vaccines.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who also confirmed the safety of the jab, stated that the current administration had not approved private importation of vaccines neither does it procure doses from private sources. Read more
8 killed as IPOB’s sit-at-home order turns bloody (Punch)
The sit-at-home order handed down to the people of the South-East turned bloody on Monday as hoodlums wreaked havoc in Anambra and Imo states, killing four policemen and four other persons.
Gunmen, who went on a shooting spree in Anambra, attacked a police Area Command in Nnewi axis of the state.
The incident was said to have occurred few hours after a joint security patrol team allegedly killed two persons suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network/IPOB, who were enforcing the group’s sit-at-home directives in the area.
Gunmen attack Anambra Area Command, kill cops, cart away arms
A police officer, who pleaded not to be named, said, “Many policemen were wounded in the attack and were rushed to the hospital. I think four of our men lost their lives in the attack.
“What I’m telling you is unofficial report. The PPRO will brief soonest. It was terrible; these guys (hoodlums) came in seven vehicles. Read more
Court voids FG’s power to collect VAT, Income Tax (Nation)
The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has declared that it is the Rivers State Government and not the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), that should collect the Valued Added Tax (VAT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT) in the state.
The court, presided over by Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Attorney-General of the Federation, both first and second defendants in the suit, from collecting, demanding, threatening and intimidating residents of Rivers State to pay to FIRS, personnel income tax and VAT.
Justice Pam made the declaration while delivering judgment in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, filed by Attorney-General for Rivers State (plaintiff), against the FIRS (first defendant) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (second defendant).
The court, which granted all the eleven reliefs sought by the Rivers State Government, stated that there was no constitutional basis for the FIRS to demand for and collect VAT, Withholding Tax, Education Tax and Technology levy in Rivers State or any other state of the Federation. Read more
Nine rescued as pastor, wife, 11 others kidnapped in Kwara, gunmen demand N30m (Punch)
Kidnappers have demanded N30m to release a funeral guest, Mr Ayo Alabi, who was abducted at Eleyin village between Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the gunmen got in touch with one of his friends, Mr Williams Owolabi, on Sunday and demanded N30m for his release.
Alabi was returning from a funeral at Osi in the Ekiti LGA of Kwara State on Saturday evening when six armed men emerged from a bush and attacked the Sienna vehicle he was travelling in.
The gunmen reportedly intercepted the vehicle on the Okeonigbin/Omu-Aran highway, as they ordered the seven occupants of the vehicle to come down. Read more
NNPC repositions ahead PIB implenmetation (Nation)
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday announced re-designation and redeployment of some of its officials.
In a statement, the corporation stated it has re-designated the Chief Operating Officer (COO) positions as Group Executive Directors (GEDs).
It said the steps were in alignment with the rules of Company & Allied Matters Act (CAMA), preparatory to the post-Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB status of the corporation as a Limited Liability Company,
The statement named Mr. Billy Okoye as the GED Ventures & Business Development and announced Mrs. Aisha Ahmadu-Katagum’s promotion GED, Corporate Services. Read more
Speeding Customs Van Kills 7, Injures 14 In Katsina (DailyTrust)
A Nigerian Customs Service patrol vehicle on Monday crushed seven persons to death and wounded 14 others after losing its brakes on a highway in Katsina.
The incident occurred around 9.30am along Jibia-Kauran Namoda highway in Jibia council area of Katsina, chairman of Jibia People’s Forum Gide Dahiru confirmed.
“We could not confirm what actually caused the over speeding that led to loss of control by the customs but six people died on the spot while one died while being rushed to the Orthopedic hospital Katsina, the remaining 14 who sustained injuries are presently on admission at the same hospital”.
Dahiru explained that the customs officers ran into the bush for safety while the vehicle was set ablaze by an angry mob at the scene of the incident before the arrival of security personnel who brought the situation under control. Read more
US Democrats unveil sweeping social safety net plan (VOA)
Democrats on Monday unveiled a sweeping $3.5 trillion social safety net proposal that would sharply expand the role of the national government in the lives of millions of Americans.
The plan formally embraces many of President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign promises to give impoverished people a better shot at joining middle-class American life. At the same time, it would expand government services across an array of existing and new programs.
It would provide universal free prekindergarten schooling for 3- and 4-year-old children and two years of free community college classes for high school graduates. For older Americans, the plan would boost federal spending for added health care benefits, with first-time funding for dental, vision and hearing aid care. Read more
Britney Spears says ‘Free Britney’ as judge denies request to remove Jamie (Metro)
Britney Spears has opened up about feeling ‘completely hopeless’ and posted a fan holding up a ‘Free Britney’ flag after a judge denied her request to ‘immediately remove father Jamie’ from his role within her conservatorship.
The pop star’s lawyer, Mathew S Rosengart, requested an emergency hearing last week to review the status of Jamie Spears, who still oversees his 39-year-old daughter’s finances, despite her recent calls for him to be ousted from the position.
However, a one-page court filing in Los Angeles shows judge Brenda Penny denied the request to bring forward the hearing, meaning the potential suspension will be heard on September 29. Read more
R. Kelly: Jury selection begins in singer’s sex trafficking trial (BBC)
R&B singer R. Kelly has appeared in court in New York, as jury selection for his sex trafficking trial begins.
It comes more than two years after he was charged with abusing women and underage girls for almost two decades.
The Grammy Award-winning singer faces charges including child sexual exploitation, racketeering and bribery. He has pleaded not guilty.
Potential jurors are being questioned over whether they can keep an open mind in the case. Read more
Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre sues Prince Andrew for ‘sexually assaulting her at age 17’ (Metro)
Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre has filed a lawsuit in New York alleging that Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17 years old.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court on Monday on Giuffre’s 38th birthday, claims that she was forced to have sex with the Duke of York three times as ordered by the late Epstein.
Giuffre alleges that convicted pedophile Epstein or his alleged madam Ghislaine Maxwell instructed her in each of the times to have sex with the royal. Read more
Fires in Greece Show No Signs of Slowing (VOA)
More than 600 firefighters continue to battle a massive wildfire ravaging the Greek island of Evia that has charred buildings and pine forests and forced thousands to evacuate.
The fire covering the country’s second-largest island has been blazing, uncontrolled, for seven consecutive days, resulting in the deaths of a volunteer firefighter and an Athens official.
The United States and several European and Middle Eastern countries sent firefighters and firefighting planes and helicopters to Greece. Over the weekend, the U.S. Navy provided a reconnaissance plane from an airbase in Sicily, according to the Navy Times. Read more
Zac Efron cast as Ted Bundy in “Extremely Wicked” because he’s so ‘beloved and trusted’ by younger generations (Metro)
Zac Efron may have seemed like a wild choice to play serial killer Ted Bundy but director Joe Berlinger has revealed there was a very specific reason for his casting.
The High School Musical actor gripped viewers in the role, with the filmmaker aiming to show how Bundy used his charisma and charm to lure in his victims.
‘I wanted the audience to take the same journey that the victim took, which is to almost start beliving that maybe he didn’t do it – that’s what these psychopaths do, they convince you that they’re good guys,’ Berlinger said, speaking to Metro.co.uk ahead of the release of his documentary The Longest Wave. Read more
Quan Hongchan: Chinese teen diving star’s village mobbed by fans (BBC)
China’s teen diving sensation Quan Hongchan’s family and neighbours have been harassed by tourists hoping to get social media “likes”, local media say.
Ever since the 14-year-old won Olympic gold after delivering three perfect-10 dives, fans have rushed to her Maihe village home to take videos and photos.
Some persistent fans are even climbing trees for a better view.
Quan has received massive support online after she said she took up diving to pay her sick mother’s bills. Read more
Minister sets up panel to probe disqualification of 10 Nigerian athletes in Tokyo (Guardian)
Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, has set up a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disqualification of 10 Nigerian athletes at the just concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Team Nigeria finished in the 74th position on the overall table and sixth best in Africa with a silver and a bronze medal at the end of the Games. The country’s participation was nearly marred by controversies arising from disqualification of athletes over non-compliance with anti-doing rules and the provisional suspension placed on Nigeria’s top sprinter, Blessing Okagbare.
“I have ordered a full investigation that will not only uncover what happened, but will also recommend a process where such lapses can never occur in the future and initiate leveraging compliance monitoring technology to guardrail this,” Dare stated yesterday in a press release made available to The Guardian. Read more
Firmino double as Liverpool beat Osasuna in preseason friendly (Punch)
Liverpool signed off their pre-season preparations with a convincing 3-1 win over La Liga side Osasuna at Anfield on Monday night.
Twenty-four hours on from the 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao, this was an opportunity for some of the fringe players to stake their claim and Takumi Minamino did just that as his strike gave the hosts an early lead (14).
Minamino was lively throughout as a one-two with Kostas Tsimikas allowed the full-back to cross for Roberto Firmino to double the lead (21), and the Brazilian added a third four minutes before the break. Read more
Olympic flag arrives in Paris ahead of 2024 Games (France24)
Mayor Anne Hidalgo returned to the French capital on Monday with the Olympic flag from Tokyo ahead of Paris’s turn to host the Games in 2024.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo brandished the Olympic flag after disembarking from the Air France flight that brought many of France’s Olympic medalists back to Charles de Gaulle airport.
Hidalgo, who formally received the flag Sunday during the Tokyo closing ceremony from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, told reporters the flag “is the symbol that now, really, the Paris Games are coming”, adding: They will be “very positive for our country”. Read more
Chelsea agree £34m deal to sell Tammy Abraham to Roma ahead of Romelu Lukaku arrival (Metro)
Chelsea have agreed a £34m deal to sell Tammy Abraham to Roma ahead of Romelu Lukaku’s arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal, West Ham and Atalanta have all been linked with moves for Abraham but Jose Mourinho’s Roma are now on the verge of securing his signature, according to Sky Italia.
The England international has been at Chelsea since the age of seven and made 82 appearances for the club since breaking into the first-team six years ago. Read more
Not just the pandemic Games: 12 moments to remember from the Tokyo Olympics (France24)
A decade in the making and a year delayed due to Covid-19, the 2021 Olympics are wrapping up in Tokyo. The gloomy backdrop didn’t break the Olympic spirit, though, as records fell and athletes shared moments of triumph and solidarity. Here are 10 of the most memorable moments.
The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics kicked off in style with a fireworks display.
The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics kicked off in style with a fireworks display. © David J. Phillip, AP
On Friday, July 23, the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics began in a nearly empty stadium with pink fireworks bursting into the air after a countdown.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, both masked, cheered on the athletes before taking their socially distanced seats.
“Today is a moment of hope. Yes, it is very different from what all of us imagined. But finally we are all here together,” said Bach in the opening speech. Read more