We didn’t have sex for two of our three-month marriage, man says, rejects wife’s pregnancy (Punch)
A 28-year-old woman, Bilkisu Aminu, has sued her ex-husband, Muhammad Jibril, before a Sharia Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, over his denial of her pregnancy. Bilkisu, who resides in Benin Street, Kaduna State, told the court that she got married to the defendant for three months before they were divorced. “He divorced me on February 6, but after a few days at home, I went to a private hospital and the doctor confirmed that I am pregnant. Read more
I am committed to professionally responsive Army – Buratai (Guardian)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to have a professionally responsive Army. Buratai spoke on Monday in Abuja, at a seminar on `Regimentation and Combating Security Challenges Associated with Forests and Protected Areas in Nigeria.’’ The theme of the seminar is: “Enhancing Synergy between the Nigerian Army and National Park Service: National Security in Perspective.’’ Buratai was represented by Maj.-Gen. Ali Nani, Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army. Read more
Onnoghen’s counsel decries ‘withholding of judgment’ six weeks after hearing (Punch)
The lead counsel defending the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), suggested on Monday that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had been ordered to keep away in files the judgments on the embattled top judicial officers’ appeals. Awomolo, in a press statement, copies of which he shared to journalists at the end of Monday’s proceedings, expressed concerns that while political and election matters were treated with dispatch, the Court of Appeal has not been able to give judgment in the appeals filed by Onnoghen six weeks after they were heard. Onnoghen is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on six counts of false and non-declaration of his assets. Read more
I’m surprised by judgment of Supreme Court, says Jerry Gana (Nation)
Presidential aspirant under the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prof. Jerry Gana, has said he was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s judgment that declared a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, the authentic presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party. While Duke emerged the candidate of the party, a lower court nullified his nomination and declared a former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana, as the candidate. Not satisfied with the judgement, Duke approached the Court of Appeal which upturned the lower court’s judgement and declared him the candidate. Read more
Two JAMB officials attacked, nearly set ablaze at LASPOTECH mock centre —Oloyede (Punch)
Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, says two JAMB officials were attacked during the mock exercise which held on Monday (today). He said the two officials would also have been set ablaze but for the quick intervention that saved them from the attempted jungle justice. He said the reason for the dastardly attack was yet to be ascertained, even as the two officials have been taken to the hospital after they were rescued. The registrar made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday when he led the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on a visit to some CBT centres in Abuja during the mock examination. Read more
IPOB members arrested in Anambra for allegedly attacking, burning police station (Punch)
Members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra who allegedly attacked and burnt a police station in Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State have been arrested. Five of those arrested were paraded on Monday by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mustapha Dandaura at the command’s headquarters in Anambra. He said the suspects were nabbed by the Command’s Special Anti-robbery Squad after “An aggressive manhunt of perpetrators”. The CP said, “On February 15, 2018 at about 2:00a.m., hoodlums suspected to be IPOB members attacked Ajali Division, burnt down the station, three police patrol vehicles and other exhibits. Read more
Man arraigned for posing as soldier (Nation)
A 20-year old man, Osayuki Ehiozuwa, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for posing to be an Army officer. Osayuki was said to have committed the offence on March 28, 2019 at Ofunmwengbe Street, Bénin City when he pretended to be an Army Officer by presenting a fake identity card. The offence is punishable under Section 109 of the Criminal Code cap 48 vol II Laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable in Edo State. Read more
Scam: NERC is not recruiting, commission warns Nigerians (Punch)
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has disowned a message circulating about purported ongoing recruitment by the commission. NERC in a notice posted on its website, said the perpetrators of the recruitment scam demanded employment processing fees from unsuspecting members of the public. “The commission is not recruiting either directly or through any proxy for any position,“ NERC said in the notice, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday. Read more
We closed a section of Port Harcourt-Aba road to protect INEC office —Police (Punch)
Police Command in Rivers State have appealed to residents of Port Harcourt to continue to show understanding and cooperation with the Command’s continuous closure of Port Harcourt-Aba road. The command’s spokesman, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, Deputy Superintendent Police told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Monday that the closure was on account of security. NAN reports that the Waterlines Bus-stop to GRA stop axis of the road had remained closed since March 9, 2019 Governorship and House Assembly polls. Read more
NDA postpones entry examination (Guardian)
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Monday postponed the entry examination for 71, Regular Course applicants. The Academy Public Relations officer, Major Abubakar Abdullahi, in a statement issued in Kaduna, said that the schedule examination to hold on April 13. Abdullahi said that a new date would be announced. “NDA wishes to inform all applicants of the 71 Regular Course that entry examination earlier scheduled to hold on 13 April 2019 has been postponed. Read more
Motorcyclist remanded in prison for allegedly beating man to death (Punch)
An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Monday remanded a motorcyclist, Ibrahim Awwal, in prison for allegedly beating a man to death. Chief Magistrate O.O Olatunji remanded Awwal, 20, in Ikoyi Prisons and ordered that the case file should be sent to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Oladele Adebayo, told the court that Awwal committed the offences on March 12 at 8.30 p.m. at Tedi Village, Onireke in Ojo, near Lagos State. Read more
EU accused of funding project in Eritrea using ‘forced labour’ (BBC)
Eritrean human rights activists have accused the EU of funding a scheme in Eritrea that uses “forced labour”. The EU is backing a road-building project as part of its programme to stem migration from Africa into Europe. National service recruits will be used and the Foundation Human Rights for Eritreans (FHRE) says conscripts are “trapped for an indefinite period within the service”. FHRE has threatened to sue the EU over violating its human rights charter. Read more
We’re all responsible for tackling knife violence among young people, says Theresa May (Metro)
Theresa May has insisted ‘we cannot simply arrest ourselves’ out of the UK’s knife crime crisis, as she announced plans to hold teachers, nurses and police officers accountable if they don’t intervene. Opening a summit in Downing Street on Monday, the Prime Minister said a collective effort – involving families, communities and ministers – was required to tackle violent crime, particularly among young people. More than 100 experts will meet this week to assess the extent to which frontline workers will be held to account for failing to ‘spot warning signs’ that a young person could get involved in violence. Read more
China to curb all types of fentanyl, following US demands (BBC)
China says it will crack down on all types of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, following a plea from the US. All fentanyl-related substances will be added to China’s list of controlled narcotic drugs from 1 May, officials said. It follows a pledge Beijing made during US-China trade talks in December. The powerful painkiller, much of it believed to be made in China, is said to be driving a huge rise in drug addiction in the US. The number of deaths from painkillers such as fentanyl led to President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency in 2017. Read more
30 firefighters die battling China forest fire (Guardian)
Thirty firefighters died after they were sent to tackle a forest blaze in remote mountains in southwest China’s Sichuan province at the weekend, authorities said Monday. Nearly 700 firefighters were deployed to battle the fire, which broke out on Saturday on steep terrain at an altitude of around 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) in Muli County, the ministry of emergency management said. Rescuers have found the bodies of 30 firefighters earlier listed as missing, the ministry said on its official twitter-like Weibo account. Read more
Turkey local elections: Setback for Erdogan in big cities (BBC)
The party of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lost control of the capital, Ankara, in local elections, in a blow to his 16-year rule. The main opposition is also slightly ahead in the contest for mayor of Istanbul, figures published by the state-run Anadolu news agency suggest. But the president’s AKP party is challenging the result in both cities. Municipal elections were held across the nation on Sunday and an AKP-led alliance won more than 51% of the vote. The elections, considered a verdict on Mr Erdogan’s rule, have been taking place during an economic downturn. Read more
27 killed, hundreds injured, in Nepal storm (Guardian)
A freak storm tore down houses and overturned cars and trucks as it swept across southern Nepal killing at least 27 people and leaving more than 600 injured, officials said Monday as a major rescue operation gathered pace. The rare spring storm battered the rural district of Bara and adjoining areas late Sunday with high winds. Five children were among the dead, the home ministry said, as rescuers battled to get relief supplies to the region and evacuate injured. The winds were so fierce that they overturned a bus carrying passengers, witnesses said. Houses, trees and electricity pylons were all toppled in the storm. Read more
Joe Biden denies Lucy Flores’s misconduct allegations (BBC)
Former Vice-President Joe Biden has denied allegations of misconduct ahead of his widely-expected announcement of a presidential run. Lucy Flores, a former Nevada Assembly member, says Mr Biden kissed her on the back of her head at a campaign event. “I had never experienced anything so blatantly inappropriate,” she wrote. Mr Biden said he had shown “expressions of affection” to people over the years, adding “not once – never – did I believe I acted inappropriately”. “If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully,” he said. Read more
Grandmother, 61, gives birth to her own granddaughter for son and his husband (Metro)
A 61-year-old woman gave birth to her own granddaughter so her son and his husband could be fathers. Baby Uma Louise was born at Nebraska Medical Center on March 25. Cecile Eledge gave birth to the infant for her son Matthew Eledge, 32, and his spouse Elliot Dougherty, 29, who had been desperate for a child to call their own. Cecile carried the baby after receiving eggs donated by Dougherty’s 26-year-old sister that she used to conceive through IVF. The amazing birth was captured by photographer Ariel Panowicz and shared on Facebook. Read more
Bearded woman who thought she would never find love marries in Christian-Satanist ceremony (Metro)
Back in June 2017, Little Bear Schwarz feared she would be single forever because of her beard. But when she posted on Facebook about her fears, a comment popped up and a man called Tobias Bradick, 45, asked her out. Now, the pair have married in a Christian-Satanist ceremony to celebrate both their religions, near Little Bear’s home in Tacoma, Washington, USA. The pair first met through an online polyamory group in 2014 but it wasn’t until the Facebook post in 2017 that they started to see eachother as more than friends. Read more
Azpilicueta calls for Chelsea unity after fans demand Sarri sacking (Guardian)
Cesar Azpilicueta has called for unity at Chelsea after fans demanded the sacking of manager Maurizio Sarri during their comeback win at Cardiff. Late goals from Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek rescued Chelsea on Sunday and kept alive their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish. But the dramatic conclusion could not mask a poor Chelsea display, which saw disgruntled supporters vent their frustration at Sarri and call for the Italian to be dismissed. Read more
Guardiola says pressure will bring out best in Man City players (Guardian)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the pressure of needing to win every one of their remaining Premier League matches to finish ahead of Liverpool will boost their quadruple bid. City, with the League Cup already in the bag, are chasing an unprecedented clean sweep, with the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup also in their sights. They can return to the top of the table if they win their game in hand against struggling Cardiff on Wednesday. Read more
Paul Pogba: Man Utd midfielder happy at club – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (BBC)
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba is happy at the club, amid rumours linking the midfielder with Real Madrid. Pogba described the Spanish giants as “a dream club for every player” while on international duty with France, and Real boss Zinedine Zidane has said he likes the 26-year-old “a lot”. But Solskjaer said on Monday: “He didn’t talk about himself. “He said anyone would like to play for Real Madrid.” Pogba rejoined United from Juventus in 2016 for a then world record £89m but his future at Old Trafford appeared in doubt earlier this season. Read more
Gary Neville says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is planning massive Manchester United overhaul this summer (Metro)
Gary Neville says Ole Gunner Solskjaer has ‘four or five’ players he wants to sell – and just as many that he wants to buy – as he looks to reshape Manchester United’s squad this summer. The Red Devils won again at the weekend, beating Watford 2-1 in Solskjaer’s first match since being handed the reins permanently, and are locked in the battle to finish in the top four. But Neville believes Solskjaer faces a massive task to turn the squad into title challengers and says his former teammate will need the support of a director of football to make the changes required. Read more
Rebel Icardi blasted by Inter coach Spalletti (Guardian)
Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti remained defiant over his decision to snub Argentina striker Mauro Icardi despite Sunday’s 1-0 Serie A defeat to Champions League rivals Lazio. Inter Milan are third, ten points behind second-placed Napoli, with Lazio just three points off the elite European football berths in fifth. “The need to mediate with someone just to get him to pull on the shirt that they love, that’s humiliating,” said Spalletti of the ongoing dispute with Icardi. Read more
Halep closes on world number one Osaka (Guardian)
Simona Halep cut the gap to world number one Naomi Osaka in the WTA rankings on Monday after the Romanian made the semi-finals at the Miami Open last week. French Open champion Halep, who last held the top spot in January, would have returned to the summit had she reached the final in Florida following Osaka’s early exit. Halep reduced Osaka’s lead to 239 points and moved above Petra Kvitova after the Czech fell to eventual champion Ashleigh Barty in the last eight. Read more