Traders raise alarm over threat to invade market (Vanguard)
Traders under the umbrella of Balogun Business Association, BBA Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, along the Badagry expressway, have raised the alarm over threat by thugs to invade the market and unleash mayhem on them.
They alleged that the thugs who were sponsored by a former leader of the association, had the backup of some top senior policemen.
Consequently, they have called on Police authorities in Lagos to wade in, with a view to arresting those spoiling for war, in order to avert bloodshed.
Briefing journalists over the weekend, at the association’s secretariat, the traders disclosed that information at their disposal revealed that the invasion would take place between Sunday and Wednesday, this week..Read more
Occupants escape as building collapses in Lagos (Guardian)
A three-storey building in Ajegunle, in the Apapa area of Lagos, has collapsed but occupants escaped death. The building, located at 16, Olufiditi Street, Off Safejo/Alaba Road, Alaba, Ajegunle, was said to be under construction and housing about 16 construction workers when it collapsed at about 2:00a.m. on Sunday.
It was gathered that workers, who were sleeping beneath the structure, fled as the foundation began to shake before it collapsed.
A resident, Bayo Kassim, told The Guardian that the owner was notified of the condition of the building, but he ignored the warning.
It was also discovered that the developer and the owner of the structure were served notice by the relevant agency but they ignored it and continued with the construction before the collapse. Read more
Bizman’s bleeding wife’s health worsens following ordeal in hands of LASTMA officials (Punch)
The health of Sophia, the wife of a Dubai-based businessman, Jude Eze, has deteriorated after some personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority allegedly absconded with her during an arrest while she was bleeding.
PUNCH Metro had reported that a combined team of policemen and LASTMA officials arrested Jude on Friday in the Akowonjo area of the state for seat belt infringement.
It was reported that Sophia was bleeding and could not use the seat belt, but attempts to explain to the LASTMA personnel proved abortive as they allegedly impounded Jude’s vehicle with his wife inside.
The father of four had told PUNCH Metro that while he was pleading with the officials to allow him to take his wife to hospital, one of them jumped into the car and drove away. Read more
Usifo Ataga: Ojukwu not alleged killer, Chidinma’s real father (Guardian)
There are indications that Mr. Ojukwu, the purported father of the prime suspect, Chidinma, in the brutal killing of Super TV boss, Usifo Ataga, is not her biological father.
A report yesterday, revealed that Mr. Ojukwu, who was arrested and released by the police was not her real father. According to a source, Mr. Ojukwu is not her biological father but her guardian. The source said her real name is Chidinma Blessing Egbuchu, that she is not from Abia State as claimed but from Imo State.
“She is the second child of the late Mr. Michael Egbuchu and Mrs. Kate Egbuchu. Her parents were reportedly separated in the late 90s. Her father died in 2019 and her mother remarried, now bearing Kate Idibia.
Meanwhile as investigation continues into his killing , Ataga’s brother, Dr. Isi Ataga, claimed the deceased was bound, gagged and stabbed several times before his death. Read more
Desist from extorting Courier/Logistics operators, Lagos Assembly cautions (Tribune)
The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered the local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to desist from extorting and harassing operators of courier and logistics services in the state.
This was contained in House of Assembly Motion No. 31 moved by Hon Ganiu Sanni Okanlawon (Kosofe 1).
This was discussed during the plenary on Monday.
The Assembly then resolved to call on the Lagos State Government to direct the Commissioner for Transportation and other relevant agencies to ensure that operators of courier services and logistics are not harrassed by the local governments.
“The House call on Local Governments and LCDAs to desist from harassing and extorting operators of courier and logistics services and restrain their traffic department from doing so. Read more
Nigeria has utilised 88% of vaccine, says PSC (Punch)
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, on Monday said out of the 4,024,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine received by the Federal Government of Nigeria, 3,441,146 doses have so far been utilised.
Shuaib disclosed this during the national briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 in Abuja.
He said, “A total of 4,024,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine were received by the Federal Government of Nigeria in March 2021; 3.924 million through the COVAX facility and another 100,000 doses from the Government of India. I am glad to inform you that 3,441,146 doses have so far been utilised for the 1st and 2nd dose vaccinations, which is approximately 88 per cent of the total AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine stock in the country. Read more
Kwara records 3 deaths in 81 fire outbreaks (Leadership)
Between January and June, this year, a total of 81 fire outbreaks were recorded in Kwara State.
Leadership investigation showed that during the period under review, three lives were lost to the incidents while 82 lives were saved.
Also, property worth N3,033,665,00 were lost to the fire incidents while property worth N10,612,625,00 were saved.
It was gathered that the State Fire Service received 91 emergency calls and 81 fire calls during the period under review.
The emergency calls received by the Fire Service are as follows: January, 19; February, 30; March, 11; April, 21; May, 8; and June, 2.
The fire calls received during the period are as follows: January, 16; February, 28; March, 11; April,18; May, 6; and June, 2. Read more
Court strikes out copyright infringement suit against Nigerian Breweries (Sun)
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by Mr Paul Allen Oche against Nigerian Breweries Plc and three others over alleged copyright infringement.
In the suit filed in February 2019, Mr Oche had claimed (amongst other reliefs) the sum of N1.5 billion being damages against the Company for the alleged breach of his copyright in the work “The Amstel Factor: An Amstel Malta guide on how to be the best you can be”.
In a considered ruling on the notice of preliminary objection filed by Nigerian Breweries Plc, Justice Binta Nyako held that Mr Oche had no locus standi to institute and maintain the suit and consequently struck it out. Nigerian Breweries Plc had stated in the preliminary objection that Amstel Malta is one of the well-known brands in its portfolio for which it had launched several campaigns over the years and that Mr Oche was laying a false claim to the copyright in one of such campaigns launched in 2016. Read more
Hearing on forfeiture of Patience Jonathan’s $5.78m, N2.4b suit gets Oct 7 date (Guardian)
A federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till October 7 to hear a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the $5.78 million and N2.4 billion linked to Dame Patience Jonathan.
Justice T.G Ringim fixed the date after taking arguments from counsel to the parties in the matter. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the application for forfeiture in 2017 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
The defendants are Mrs. Jonathan and LA Wari Furniture and Bathes. According to the anti-graft agency, the funds belong to the ex-First Lady. Read more
Robbers steal N13m from parked vehicle, dispossess PoS operators, bank customers (Punch)
The Borno State Police Command, on Monday, paraded nine suspects, who allegedly specialised in robbing bank customers and Point of Sale terminal operators in Maiduguri and environs.
The suspects, who were arrested between April and June in Maiduguri and other locations, were said to have been found with millions of naira and other valuables allegedly stolen from their victims.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Okon Edet, while briefing journalists, disclosed that the arrests were made due to the rising crime rate in the state, where armed hoodlums would attack and dispossess PoS operators of huge sums of money and some would trail and rob customers leaving bank premises.
While tracking the suspects, police personnel were said to have recovered six assorted vehicles, two PoS machines, six fabricated duplicate car keys, corrosive substances used for breaking vehicle glasses and N14.5m. Read more
Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: Unilateral ceasefire declared (BBC)
The Ethiopian government has declared a ceasefire in the Tigray region – eight months after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops to oust its leadership.
The announcement came as witnesses reported anti-government troops in the streets of Tigray’s capital, Mekelle.
All sides have been accused of carrying out mass killings and human rights violations.
More than five million people are in urgent need of food aid, the UN says, with 350,000 facing famine. Read more
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines ‘may provide lifetime protection against Covid’ (Metro)
A new study has suggested the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines could provide lifelong protection against Covid-19 for people who have already been infected with the virus.
The mRNA jabs can provoke an immune reaction that can protect people for years, Washington University researchers found.
They said Covid survivors’ immune cells recognised the infection, which can still be found in bone marrow eight months later.
After looking at other research that demonstrated memory B cells could get stronger 12 months after initial infection, they concluded immunity to the virus could be lifelong if someone received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine after getting the virus. Read more
Minor earthquake hits California, driving Twitter into frenzy (RT)
A 3.9-magnitude tremor has struck the San Francisco Bay Area in California, setting off a Twitterstorm as residents rushed to social media to report the relatively minor ripple that appeared to cause no damage.
The quake shook California’s Alameda County on Monday evening. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located some 3.4 km (2.1 mi) north of San Lorenzo, a community in the East Bay with a population of about 26,000 people.
Although minor, the sudden tremor sent Twitter into overdrive, with #earthquake shooting up to the top of regional Twitter trends. Read more
UN human rights chief calls for reparations over racism (BBC)
The United Nations Human Rights Council has urged global action including reparations to “make amends” for racism against people of African descent.
Its new report also urges educational reform and apologies to address discrimination.
The findings cite concerns in about 60 countries including the UK, Belgium, France, Canada, Brazil and Colombia.
The study began after the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in US police custody in 2020. Read more
Benedict Cumberbatch ‘cast in Dungeons and Dragons’ blockbuster (Metro)
Benedict Cumberbatch has reportedly been cast in the upcoming film adaptation of popular fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) Dungeons & Dragons.
The 44-year-old Dr Strange star, who narrated an animated short film about popular character Drizzt from the beloved RPG just last month, now appears to be part of the upcoming big screen Paramount blockbuster.
The likes of Star Trek co-star Chris Pine, Fast and Furious actress Michelle Rodriguez and Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page are all confirmed for the flick so far.
A source told The Sun: ‘After narrating the animated film, Benedict couldn’t not be in the film version. Read more
Judge dismisses antitrust complaints against Facebook (France24)
A US judge on Monday dismissed the blockbuster antitrust action against Facebook filed last year by federal and state regulators, helping lift the value of the social media giant above $1 trillion for the first time.
Judge James Boasberg of the US District Court of Washington, DC dismissed the cases filed in December by the Federal Trade Commission and more than 40 states, which could have rolled back Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram and the messaging platform WhatsApp.
The federal lawsuit “failed to plead enough facts to plausibly establish a necessary element… that Facebook has monopoly power in the market for personal social networking services,” the judge said in a 53-page opinion, while allowing authorities the opportunity to refile the case. Read more
Picasso painting found in Athens years after gallery heist (BBC)
A painting by Pablo Picasso that was stolen nine years ago during a heist at a Greek gallery has been recovered.
On Monday, police in Athens said Picasso’s Woman’s Head had been found along with a 1905 painting of a windmill by Piet Mondrian.
Both were taken, along with a third artwork, during an elaborate 2012 heist at the Athens National Gallery.
The artworks were stripped from their frames in the early morning raid which only took minutes to carry out. Read more
61 athletes to fly Team Nigeria flag in Tokyo 2020 Games (ThisDay)
Team Nigeria will depart for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in two batches with 61 athletes flying the country’s flag.
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development made this disclosure on Monday during a plenary meeting with National Sports Federations whose athletes qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
According to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020 affected the organisational structures of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“This consequently pushed International Federations (IFs) to review their international sporting calendar and qualification pathway for athletes in their quest to participate at the Games. Read more
Plaudits for new Celtics coach Udoka (Punch)
Nigerian basketball coaches and players have hailed former D’Tigers star, Ime Udoka, after he was appointed the 18th coach of NBA side, Boston Celtics.
The appointment, which was confirmed on Monday by the 17-time NBA champions, was received with celebration by basketball lovers in the country.
Udoka, a seven-year NBA veteran, represented Nigeria at the 2005 and 2011 Afrobasket in Algeria and Madagascar, winning bronze medals on both occasions.
The 43-year-old spent nine years as assistant coach at three NBA teams – San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. He won the NBA as an assistant coach in 2014 with the Spurs. Read more
Benfica’s Nuno Tavares agrees five-year contract with Arsenal (Metro)
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Nuno Tavares from Benfica and have already agreed personal terms with the young left-back, according to reports in Portugal.
The Gunners are plotting an ambitious summer spending spree and want to bring in five major signings, though they are also looking to plug gaps in their squad with rather less spectacular arrivals.
Arsenal have been in need of a new backup left-back to play understudy to Kieran Tierney, with the Scot’s frequent injury absences causing Mikel Arteta several headaches last season.
The likes of Cedric Soares, Bukayo Saka and even Granit Xhaka all filled in at left-back, with the problem exacerbated by the decision to loan out Sead Kolasinac – who will likely be sold this summer. Read more
Wimbledon 2021: World number four Stefanos Tsitsipas stunned by unseeded Frances Tiafoe (BBC)
World number four Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a shock straight-set defeat by American Frances Tiafoe on day one at Wimbledon.
Third seed Tsitsipas, who reached the French Open final earlier in June, was beaten 6-4 6-4 6-3 by the impressive world number 57 Tiafoe on Court One.
It is the third time in four attempts the 22-year-old Greek has exited Wimbledon in round one.
Tiafoe will play Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in the second round. Read more
Switzerland stun France on penalties after epic 3-3 draw in Euro 2020 last 16 (Metro)
Switzerland caused a mammoth upset in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Monday night as they claimed a 5-4 win on penalties after an epic 3-3 draw.
Yann Sommer produced a superb save from Kylian Mbappe on the decisive spot kick after Mario Gavranovic, Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Vargas and Admir Mehmedi had all scored for the Swiss.
Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram, Presnal Kempembe had all netted from 12 yards before the Paris Saint-Germain superstar saw his effort palmed away.
The Swiss will now take on Spain in the quarter-finals in Saint Petersburg on Friday. Read more
England & Germany set for last-16 meeting (BBC)
England will attempt to beat Germany in a major tournament knockout game for the first time since the 1966 World Cup final when they meet in Tuesday’s Euro 2020 last-16 tie at Wembley.
A relaxation of ticketing restrictions means 40,000 fans will be present, with both teams hoping to set up a Rome quarter-final with Sweden or Ukraine.
The Three Lions have only ever progressed from one Euros knockout tie.
“It’s an incredible record really,” said England boss Gareth Southgate.
That victory came on penalties against Spain in 1996, a tournament at which England eventually lost in the semi-finals on penalties to Germany. That defeat remains the only time England have been beaten in a major tournament on home soil. Read more
Messi at the double as Argentina trounce Bolivia in Copa America (France24)
Lionel Messi celebrated his record 148th international cap with two goals as Argentina trounced Bolivia 4-1 to clinch top spot in Copa America Group A on Monday.
Messi — who had equalled Javier Mascherano’s Argentinian caps record of 147 last week — marked his 148th appearance in style, setting up the opening goal before bagging a brace of his own.
The victory at Cuiaba’s Arena Pantanal stadium sees Argentina advance to a quarter-final on Saturday against Ecuador, the fourth placed finishers from Group B.Bolivia, who had already been eliminated after three defeats in their opening three games, were outclassed from the outset by a rampant Argentina. Read more