We didn’t submit our certificates to Army —Buhari’s mate (Punch)
A mate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa (retd), told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday that the claim that he and members of his set were asked to hand over their school certificates to the Nigerian Army while being enlisted in 1962 was false. Tarfa was testifying as Buhari’s first defence witness in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to challenge the outcome of the February 23, 2019 presidential election. Under cross-examination by counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yunus Usman (SAN), Tarfa said he was enlisted in the Nigerian Army alongside Buhari and others on April 16, 1962. Read more
Shi’ites group says Zakzaky led IMN is fake, dangerous cocktail (Nation)
A factional Shi’ites organization, Al-Thaqalayn Cultural Foundation has described the Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky led Islamic Movement in Nigeria, (IMN) as a fake movement. It said, the Zakzaky movement is a curious hybrid and a concoction, a dangerously unstable cocktail of incoherent and disorganised hallucinations and fantasies that only exist in their wildest dreams. This was as the group urged the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to desist from using the IMN crises to make Nigeria another testing ground for their struggle for regional supremacy. Read more
Shi’ites-Police clash: Injured corps member discharged from hospital (Punch)
A National Youth Corps member, Aliyu Suleiman, who was hit by a stray bullet during the July 22 clash between the Police and members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shi’ites) in Abuja, has been discharged from the hospital. The incident had claimed the life of another corps member, Precious Owolabi, who was hit by a bullet while reporting the event for Channels TV where he was carrying out his primary assignment.’ Read more
Supreme Court affirms Ihedioha as PDP guber candidate (Nation)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, as the authentic governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election. Tye apex Court dismissed a suit filed by Senator Sam Anyanwu, challenging the emergence of the Imo Governor as the PDP candidate. The appeal, heard by a panel of five Justices of the Supreme Court, presided over by Hon. Justice G. Okoro, held that the allegations of fraud and over voting pleaded by the appellant were not proved. Read more
NDLEA wants Ganduje to complete abandoned drug rehabilitation center (Guardian)
The Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano, Dr Ibrahim Abdul has called on Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state to complete the 150-capacity rehabilitation centre started by the state government within the agency’s premises. The NDLEA Commander made the call in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano on the activities of the agency in the month of July. Read more
Don’t set Edo ablaze, Obaseki warns Senate (Punch)
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday warned the Senate not to allow powerful persons to set Edo State on fire in order to satisfy their thirst for power. Obaseki’s comment is coming on the heel of the Senate resolution on Edo Assembly crisis directing him to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the state Assembly. Obaseki in a statement issued and signed by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, declared, “This illegality will not stand.” Read more
Alaafin’s advice gave us electoral victory, Makinde reveals (Nation)
Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde on Tuesday said one of the secrets of his electoral success at the 2019 governorship election was the advice offered him by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi during his campaign four years earlier. Makinde spoke at the Alaafin’s palace, Oyo when he paid a working visit on the monarch. The governor made the visit on his way to inspect the abandoned 10,000 metric tone silo embarked upon by the immediate past administration and the Ajila Value Adding Ventures Limited, Awe. Read more
Cross River doctors suspend strike (Guardian)
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has suspended its 12 days old strike in Cross River, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The suspension of the strike was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Annual General Meeting of the Association held on Tuesday in Calabar. NAN reports that the Association in the state had embarked on an indefinite strike following the kidnap of their member, Dr Marcus Inyama on July 18 in Akpabuyo local government area of the state. Read more
Nasarawa Assembly to sanction LGs over refusal to pay salary (Nation)
Nasarawa State House of Assembly has said that it will sanction any local government chairman that undermined its powers and refused to pay June salary as directed by the house. Chairman of the house committee investigating nonpayment of June local government salary and unnecessary deductions, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammed Alkali (APC) Lafia North stated this when the committee met with Overseers of Development Areas in the state at the assembly complex on Tuesday. Read more
Police arrest suspected kidnappers of village head in Nasarawa state (Guardian)
The Police Command in Nasarawa State has arrested four suspects in connection with the kidnap of Alhaji Umaru Jibrin the village head of Hunki in Awe Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Mr Bola Longe, the state’s Commissioner of Police stated this on Tuesday in Lafia while briefing newsmen. According to him the suspects- Musa Adamu (26), Umaru Mohammed (28), Nuhu Muhammed (38) and Hassan Zakari (20), were arrested following a tip-off. Read more
Royal Marines used brute force, says tanker captain (BBC)
The captain of a tanker seized while carrying Iranian oil has said Royal Marines used “brute force” in detaining his ship. Earlier this month, UK forces helped authorities in Gibraltar who believed the tanker was carrying oil to a Syrian refinery in breach of EU sanctions. The captain said marines made his unarmed crew kneel on the deck at gunpoint. The MoD said the seizure complied with “international rules and norms”. Read more
Afghanistan war: UN says more civilians killed by allies than insurgents (BBC)
Pro-government forces, including Nato allies, killed more civilians in Afghanistan in the first half of 2019 than insurgents did, UN figures show. The unprecedented figures for January to June come amid a ferocious US air campaign against the Taliban. Some 717 civilians were killed by Afghan and Nato-led forces, compared to 531 by militants, the UN said. The latest data has been revealed as Washington and the Taliban continue negotiations over US troop withdrawals. Read more
Drones grounded after crash near playing children (BBC)
Drones carrying lab samples between hospitals in Switzerland have been grounded after a crash 50 yards from where pre-school children were playing. The drone crashed in woodland after a rope holding its emergency parachute broke, in May, IEEE Spectrum reported. Swiss Post said it would examine all safety procedures before flights resumed and asked drone-maker Matternet to urgently fix a series of issues. Read more
Princess Haya: Dubai ruler and wife begin London court battle (BBC)
The ruler of Dubai, one of the most high-profile leaders in the Middle East, and his estranged wife are beginning a court battle in London over the welfare of their children. Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum’s wife, Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, is the third female member of his court to run away from the United Arab Emirates. This month she was reported to be in hiding in London in fear for her life. Read more
Russia Instagram influencer Ekaterina Karaglanova found dead in suitcase (BBC)
A prominent Russian Instagram influencer has been found dead with knife wounds in a suitcase in her rented apartment in Moscow, police say. Ekaterina Karaglanova, 24, was discovered on Friday after her family raised the alarm when she failed to contact them for several days. Ms Karaglanova, who had more than 85,000 followers on Instagram, had also recently graduated as a doctor. Read more
ASAP Rocky pleads not guilty to assault in Sweden (BBC)
ASAP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to assault in Stockholm. The US rapper, real name Rakim Mayers, is on trial accused of assaulting a 19-year-old Afghan refugee in the Swedish capital a month ago. Two members of the 30-year-old’s entourage are also on trial and have pleaded not guilty. ASAP Rocky and the two other suspects, who’ve been held in prison after a fight that took place on 30 June, claim they were acting in self-defence. Read more
Nicki Minaj And Boyfriend Kenneth Petty Obtain Marriage License (Guardian)
36-year old female rapper, Nicki Minaj has reportedly taken a marriage license in Los Angeles with her 40-year-old boyfriend, Kenneth Petty. According to a TMZ report, Minaj and Petty took a trip together to the Bev Hills Courthouse yesterday, July 29 and were spotted by many witnesses. It is gathered that eyewitnesses report that they saw the lovebirds at the marriage license bureau window, and they got the paperwork they need to tie the knot. Read more
Leonardo DiCaprio had major moustache struggles in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood: ‘It drove him mad’ (Metro)
Leonardo DiCaprio just couldn’t get used to the fake moustache he had to wear in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The Oscar-winning actor plays Rick Dalton, an actor coming to terms with his failed transition from a hit TV series to movies. Clearly nothing like Leo’s real life story then. In order to properly embody the character in the 1960s, Leo had to don a full-on moustache at one point in the film but it’s safe to say he didn’t appreciate the look at all. Read more
Mbappe steals the show as PSG ease to 3-0 win over Sydney (Punch)
Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show once more for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring an eye-catching first goal as the French champions beat Sydney FC 3-0 on Tuesday in China. Strike partner Edinson Cavani also scored in the first half before substitute Metehan Guclu netted with a clever flick a minute from time in sweltering Suzhou. In the absence of Neymar, the Brazilian who is still working his way back to full fitness, the French starlet Mbappe was the focus of attention. Read more
Harry Maguire: Man Utd & Leicester remain apart on defender’s valuation (BBC)
Leicester City and Manchester United remain apart in their valuation of England defender Harry Maguire. United made a £70m bid earlier in July but it is understood the Foxes want about £90m, a sum the Old Trafford club believe is unrealistic. Maguire, 26, missed training on Monday because of illness, leading to rumours a deal was close. However, the centre-back, who played in Leicester’s friendly at Stoke City on Saturday, trained as normal on Tuesday. Read more
Dani Ceballos names the two Arsenal legends he has been inspired by (Metro)
Dani Ceballos has revealed he is desperate to emulate the achievements of former Arsenal stars Ces Fabregas and Santi Cazorla. Arsenal confirmed the arrival of the 22-year-old midfielder last week and he made a positive impression during a breif cameo appearances as a second half substitute during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Lyon. Ceballos has some illustrious Spanish footsteps to follow in given the exploits of Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla, both of whom provided flair and industry in equal measure during their stints in north London. Read more
Chelsea ban fan over use of racist language (Guardian)
Chelsea has permanently banned one supporter from Stamford Bridge for the use of racially abusive language and threatening and aggressive behaviour during last season’s home game with Manchester City. The Premier League club has also temporarily excluded five other supporters for periods of between one and two years for the use of abusive language and threatening and aggressive behaviour at the fixture on December 8. Read more
Moise Kean: Everton closing in on deal for Juventus & Italy striker (BBC)
The Italian, 19, has been linked with a move to Goodison Park for up to £36m, with manager Marco Silva reportedly wanting five new players before the transfer deadline on 8 August. Kean has scored eight times in 21 games for Juve, who he joined aged 10, and has two goals in three Italy matches. Everton’s record signing is midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who arrived from Swansea for £45m in 2017. Read more
Shkodran Mustafi’s agent and father plays down chances of leaving Arsenal for Serie A (Metro)
Shkodran Mustafi’s agent and father, Kujtim, has played down the prospect of an imminent departure from Arsenal and says a move to Serie A is not on the cards. The Gunners are actively looking to offload a player they spent £35million on just three years ago due to the series of high-profile gaffes and errors that have plagued his time at the Emirates. Ligue 1 side Monaco are reported to have made an approach to Arsenal to sign Mustafi, while Italian giants Roma have also been credited with an interest. Read more
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas are living it up in Ibiza and we want in (Metro)
They might not all play for the same football team anymore but that hasn’t stopped Lionel Messi, Cesc Fàbregas and Luis Suárez from maintaining a close friendship. So much so that the famous footballers were spotted enjoying a group holiday in Ibiza together with their wives on Monday. The stunning gang set temperatures soaring as they hopped on board a luxury yacht for a day of fun in the sun together as the players enjoy the last of their summer break ahead of pre-season training. Read more
