Suspected kidnapper impregnates hostage (DailyTrust)
A suspected kidnapper, Auwalu Haruna, has been traced and arrested by the police from the Yobe State command in Kano State for allegedly impregnating his 20-year-old woman hostage.
The spokesman of the police in Yobe, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, who disclosed this to journalists, said the suspect, a self-proclaimed marabout, allegedly used charm to abduct the victim.
Abdulkarim said the suspect was arrested after Tarmuwa Division received a complaint from one Alhaji Mohammed Kellu that his daughter was abducted by the suspect. Read more
#EndSARS protest: ECOWAS Court finds FG guilty of human rights violation (Channels)
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, has ruled that the Federal Republic of Nigeria violated the human rights of Obianuju Udeh and two others.
The court found Nigeria in breach of Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, specifically on the right to life, security of person, freedom of expression, assembly and association, prohibition of torture, the duty of the state to investigate, and the right to effective remedy.
The applicants, Obianuju Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, alleged that these violations occurred during the peaceful protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020.Read more
UNDP’s Artificial Intelligence UNIPOD launched in UNILAG (ThisDay)
The University of Lagos has announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence-themed UNIPOD on its campus as part of a network of 13 UniPODs being set up across African countries by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to create a link between research and product innovation while empowering the continent’s youth to spearhead its industrial progress.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Folashade Ogunwola made this known during the UNDP public lecture and AI UniPOD ground- breaking ceremony, held at the Senate Building of the institution on Wednesday.
The University Innovation Pods (UniPODS) are an initiative of the UNDP’s pan-African initiative, timbuktoo. The UNIPODS aim to encourage students in universities to engage in innovation and design thinking and are multi-pronged. They focus on supporting and growing innovative, scalable, and impactful entrepreneurship by African young people, while relying on a springboard of partners who together contribute meaningfully to building an African youth innovation and start-up ecosystem. Read more
Supreme Court ends reign of Igbooye-Epe monarch (Sun)
In the intricate tapestry of Nigeria’s judicial system, the Supreme Court stands as the ultimate authority, embodying the finality of justice and the pinnacle of legal interpretation.
Based on this, the apex’s final verdict on any dispute put an end to further adjudication on any legal matter therefore, it recent ruling on the legal battle for the throne of Orijeru of Igbooye Land, Epe, Lagos has ended the reign of Mr. Michael Onakoya as king of the town. .
The apex court in a significant ruling struck out an appeal filed by Mr. Onakoya, challenging his dethronement as the traditional ruler of Igbooye land. Read more
Adamawa goes to Supreme Court over alleged deductions from Federation Account (Nation)
The Adamawa State Government has gone to the Supreme Court seeking interpretation of Section 162 (1), (2) and (3) of the Constitution regarding the distribution of revenue from the Federation Account.
The State Government is asking the apex court to notice where the constitution stipulates that “The entire sum in the Federation Account must be distributed among all levels of government without deductions, except as permitted by law.”
The government, in a statement by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou restated the constitutional provision that the President must comply strictly with the Constitution in managing and distributing revenue. Read more
‘Not A single woman in 14 houses of assembly,’ Ene Obi advocates more representation (Channels)
Former Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria, Ene Obi, on Wednesday advocated for more women representation in the parliament.
Ene, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said 14 Houses of Assembly across the federation do not have a single woman representation.
“We just need to remind ourselves that in 14 houses of assembly, there is not a single woman in the houses of assembly,” she said. Read more
FG places N1m bounty on father who allegedly defiled 3- year-old daughter (Vanguard)
Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, has announced a N1million bounty on one Magnus Okpalannadi, 62, who allegedly defiled his three-year-old daughter.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs Grace Njoku, Head of Information and Public Relations of the ministry, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, stated that the Ministry received a report that Okpalannadi, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, was alleged to have been sexually molesting his little daughter. Read more
Body of ex-Senate President Joseph Wayas arrives Nigeria 33 months after (Leadership)
The body of Nigeria’s Second Republic Senate President, Senator Dr. Joseph Wayas, has arrived in Nigeria 33 months after his death in the United Kingdom.
The remains of the elder statesman, which arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Wednesday morning, were received by his family members; Cross River North Senator, Jarigbe Agom; Hon. Peter Akpanke; kinsmen, and other stakeholders.
The body was thereafter deposited at the morgue of the National Hospital, Abuja, after opening two years and nine months at a London morgue. Read more
Voluntarily adopt sustainability reporting, FRC tells banks, others (Punch)
The Financial Reporting Council has urged all financial institutions in the country to voluntarily adopt sustainability reporting regulations before they become mandatory.
Sustainability reporting is the practice of organisations disclosing their environmental, social, and governance performance and impacts caused by an organisation’s everyday activities.
The FRC also said Nigeria has emerged as a leader in financial best practices, as the country is now a reference point for other African nations seeking to enhance their financial systems. Read more
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce is still being hashed out 8 years later (People)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are slowly approaching a divorce settlement nearly eight years after their breakup.
“Both sides are still talking,” a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE of remaining issues in the divorce negotiations, “but it’s not done yet.”
Jolie originally filed for divorce back in September 2016. The actors, who shared the screen in 2005’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith as well as 2015’s By the Sea, were declared legally single by a judge back in 2019. Read more
Nancy Cartwright confirms she’s the aunt of “supersta” Sabrina Carpenter: “She’s pretty amazing’’ (DailyMail)
The Simpsons star Nancy Cartwright just confirmed ‘the rumors’ that It Girl Sabrina Carpenter is, in fact, her nepotistically-privileged niece.
‘Yeah, absolutely!’ The 66-year-old Emmy winner – who boasts 4M social media followers – answered a fan question on Tuesday.
‘Isn’t that amazing? When you find out that somebody, that maybe you’ve known me for a little while, doing this little 10-year-old boy for like 35 some years, and some of you guys for way less than that. Find out that I’m related to this, like, superstar. She’s pretty amazing.’ Read more
George Clooney demands Joe Biden drop out of Presidential race (FilmNews)
George Clooney has hit out Joe Biden’s plans to run for President later this year and demanded he step down.
The Oscar-winning star felt compelled to write an open letter after the 81-year-old American President stumbled through a disastrous debate against Donald Trump last month.
Last week, Biden sat down for an interview with George Stephanopoulos which sparked further concerns over his ability to lead. Read more
Elon Musk beats $500m severance lawsuit by fired Twitter workers (AlJazeera)
Elon Musk has won dismissal of a lawsuit claiming he refused to pay at least $500m of severance to thousands of Twitter employees he fired in mass layoffs after buying the social media company now known as X.
United States District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco, California ruled on Tuesday that the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) governing benefit plans did not cover the former employees’ claims, and therefore she lacked jurisdiction.
The case is one of many accusing Musk of reneging on promises to former Twitter employees, including former Chief Executive Parag Agrawal, and vendors after buying the company for $44bn in October 2022. Read more
West Virginia police chief resigns after outrage over his hiring of officer who killed Tamir Rice (NBC)
A West Virginia police chief has resigned from his position following criticism over his hiring of the former Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014.
D.S. Teubert voluntarily resigned as chief of police of the White Sulphur Springs Police Department and demoted himself to patrolman, Mayor Kathy Glover announced during a city council meeting Monday evening.
White Sulphur Springs is in southeastern West Virginia, about 370 miles from Cleveland. It has a population of roughly 2,220. Read more
Egypt and Jordan criticises Israel’s continuing aggression in the Gaza Strip (AfricaNews)
The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan have strongly criticized Israel’s continuing aggression in the Gaza Strip after holding talks in Cairo on Wednesday.
“Minister Safadi and I have emphasized our complete rejection of the Israeli systematic policies to impose a new reality on the Palestinian people that forces them to flee, to displace them from their lands and country,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told journalists at a news conference after the talks.
“This leads in the end to liquidating the Palestinian case and what it represents by eradicating the land for peace principle and the whole idea of a Palestinian country and nation,” he added. Read more
Triple crossbow murder suspect Kyle Clifford found (Metro)
The suspect of a triple crossbow attack murder Kyle Clifford has been found by police with injuries in North London.
BBC commentator John Hunt’s wife Carol Hunt, 61, and the couple’s daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found dead at a house in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, near Watford, at around 7pm on Tuesday.
Hertfordshire Police said: ‘Following an extensive search, Kyle Clifford, aged 26, was found in the Enfield area by officers this afternoon. Read more
Super Falcons Echegini completes PSG move (Sun)
Super Falcons striker Jennifer Echegini has expressed her delight after securing a move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from Juventus.
Echegini has signed a three-year contract with PSG, keeping her at the club until June 2027.
In an official statement on its website, PSG announced the signing of the Nigerian forward from Juventus. Echegini described the transfer as a proud moment in her career. Read more
Osimhen resumes pre-season training with Napoli (Leadership)
Victor Osimhen, on Tuesday, started the pre-season with Napoli FC, but the Nigeria international has kept waiting for offers to leave the Stadio Maradona.
He arrived at Castel Volturno to undergo medical examinations with Napoli and start the pre-season under Antonio Conte.
Osimhen is not expected to remain at the Stadio Maradona beyond the summer, but he was yet to receive formal offers to leave the club. Read more
Netherlands fans attack England supporters (BBC)
Five people suffered minor injuries after England fans were attacked by the Netherlands supporters in Dortmund before Wednesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final, according to UK police.
Police said a group of the Netherlands fans attacked England fans in bars and attempted to steal flags.
They said that the majority of the Netherlands fans were there to “enjoy the game” but there were some groups of supporters deemed a “risk”. Read more
NFF begins search for Supersand Eagles’ coach (CompleteSports)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has requested for applications from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of the Coach of Beach Soccer National Team, otherwise known as Supersand Eagles.
The public notice, which is on the Federation’s website (https://thenff.com/?post_type=jobpost&p=16146&preview=true), has specified for candidates to have attended at least one beach soccer refresher course organized by the NFF, be conversant with, and abreast of, the ever-changing rules and dynamics of the game and possess at least CAF C Coaching License. Read more
Rory McIlroy takes swipe at American commentator over caddie criticism (Independent)
Rory McIlroy has strongly defended caddie Harry Diamond after criticism following his heartbreakingly near miss in the US Open at Pinehurst.
McIlroy, who is back in action this week at the Scottish Open, has backed himself to bounce back quickly.
But the world No.2 took aim at former Tiger Woods coach Hank Haney, who claimed McIlroy would have won at Pinehurst if legendary caddie Steve Williams was on the bag. Read more
Djokovic, Musetti, Rybakina, Krejcikova advance to Wimbledon tennis semifinals (UPI)
Novak Djokovic didn’t need his racket to advance to the Wimbledon semifinals, while Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova had straight-sets victories to clinch their spots Wednesday in London.
Italian Lorenzo Musetti and American Taylor Fritz played the tightest match of the day, with Musetti outlasting Fritz in 3-hours, 27 minutes at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Musetti, ranked No. 25 in the world, will meet Djokovic (No. 2) in a semifinal Friday in London. The winner will meet No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain or No. 5 Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the men’s singles final. Read more