We’ll sanction errant officer over bizman’s bleeding wife – LASTMA (Punch)
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olajide Oduyoye, has said the officer involved in the alleged extortion of a Dubia-based businessman, Jude Eze, will be dealt with according to the state’s civil service rules.
PUNCH Metro had reported that a combined team of policemen and LASTMA officials arrested Jude last Friday in the Akowonjo area of the state for seat belt infringement and drove off with his bleeding wife, Sophia.
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
Residents urge Sanwo-Olu to replace Olayemi wood bridge (Guardian)
Worried by the dangerous state of Olayemi wood bridge in Ayobo, residents have called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to replace the bridge.
The bridge, which is the shortest route to Igando, Isheri and Ikotun, has been abandoned for years and since then constitutes a risk to commuters and pedestrians.
One of the pedestrians, who spoke with The Guardian, said he is grpped by fear whenever he passes through the bridge because he is scared the woods would break.
A tricyclist, who spoke with The Guardian in confidence, said the bridge had been abandoned for a very long time despite the huge sum managers of the bridge collect. Read more
Why we’ve not taken Super TV CEO’s suspected killer to court – Police (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has explained why it has not taken Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the killing of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to court.
The University of Lagos undergraduate and Ataga reportedly lodged in a service apartment in the Lekki area of the state and the corpse of the latter was discovered in the room the following day.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told one of our correspondents on Wednesday that Chidinma would be taken to court after the police had concluded their investigation.
“We will take her to court when we finish the investigation; we are still investigating,” he stated. Read more
Lagos ex-gov hails Tunji Bello 60 (Guardian)
The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has congratulated Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment & Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, as he clocks 60 today, July 1, 2021.
He described Bello as a technocrat, administrator and visionary who has made significant contributions to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
In a statement by his Media Office, signed by Tunde Rahman, the APC leader said: “Bello deserves nothing but accolades on this day. As brave and forthright activist, he ceaselessly fought for the democracy we now have.”
Bello’s extensive experience and vast knowledge proved particularly vital in the struggle to end military dictatorship. Read more
NDPHC begins work on 33kv line to restore power to Osun community after 10 years (Vanguard)
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, has commenced construction work on a new 15 kilometers 33kV line from Ile-Ife transmission station to Olode-Garage (Awolowo Town) to restore power supply to Ifetedo/Garage-Olode, Ife South LGA of Osun State.
The project when completed would restore power supply to the area which has being without electricity supply for over 10 years.
Speaking at the official flag-off of the project, on Tuesday, the Executive Director, Network, NDPHC, Mr. IfeOluwa Oyedele said the distribution intervention project also includes the rehabilitation of Ifetedo/Garage-Olode 33kV power line. Read more
We’re seeking explanation from FG on Kanu’s arrest, says Britain (Punch)
The United Kingdom has said it will seek clarification from the Federal Government on the circumstances and legality of the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The Head of Communications, British High Commission, Mr Dean Hurlock, who stated this while responding to enquiries from one of our correspondents, said the UK was in the process of seeking explanations from the Federal Government on the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest and extradition.
Hurlock said this as Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel to the detained IPOB leader, said members of the legal team had formally applied to the Department of State Service to allow them access to their client. Read more
EFCC arraigns BESIEC boss, eight others for alleged N500m fraud (Guardian)
The Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) , Dr. Loko Tersoo Joseph and eight others over alleged financial fraud of five hundred Million naira, (N500, 000,000).
Others arraigned before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State capital are; Serki Mtomba Manaseh (secretary), Akange Akula(Treasurer) and 5 other members/Commissioners, Abe Aboyi Augustine, Donald Kertyo, Agber Aondona Emmanuel, Sunday Agbaji, and Ekoja Daniel.
The defendants were arraigned on a 23-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, forgery and money laundering to the tune of N500 million. Read more
Govs seek stronger ties with Canada, China, S’Africa (ThisDay)
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has visited the residence of the Canadian Ambassador to Nigeria, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, where he canvassed stronger ties between the states and the three countries.
He also called on Nigerians to rise to the defence of democracy with a view to advancing the development of the country.
A statement by the NGF’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Abdulrazaque Barkindo, said Fayemi made the call yesterday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy call on the Canadian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Simard, at his residence.
The visit was part of Fayemi’s shuttle diplomacy to representatives of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria towards engendering inter-governmental synergy between global governments at the sub-national level. Read more
Bill Cosby freed after top court overturns sexual assault conviction (BBC)
US comedian Bill Cosby has left prison hours after his sexual assault conviction was overturned by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court.
The judges said there had been a “process violation” by the prosecution, but admitted their ruling was unusual.
Mr Cosby, 83, served more than two years of a three to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia.
In 2018 he was found guilty of drugging and molesting ex-basketball player Andrea Constand.
Mr Cosby is best known for starring in the 1980s TV series The Cosby Show and was once known as “America’s Dad”. Read more
Social media could make human society ‘fail catastrophically’ if left unchecked (Metro)
The invention of social media could cause human society to fail ‘catastrophically, unexpectedly, and without warning’ if it continues down its current path.
That’s coming from a cross-disciplinary team of ecologists, biologists and sociologists.
The team, led by Joe Bak-Coleman, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington Center for an Informed Public, warned that we still know little about what causes complex systems, like human society, to collapse.
‘One of the things about complex systems [like human societies] is they have a finite limit to perturbation,’ said Bak-Coleman in an interview with Vox. Read more
William and Harry reunite for Diana statue tribute (RFI)
Princes William and Harry set aside their differences on Thursday to unveil a new statue to their mother, Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday.
The brothers will take the wraps off the tribute in the garden of Diana’s former London home at Kensington Palace, in a stripped-back ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When the project was announced in 2017, William, 39, and Harry, 36, said they hoped it would help visitors reflect on their mother’s “life and her legacy”.
Diana, who died aged 36 in 1997 in a high-speed Paris car crash, remains an enduring source of fascination.
On Tuesday, her 1981 Ford Escort — an engagement present from Prince Charles — was sold at auction to a South American museum for over £50,000 ($69,200, 58,100 euros). Read more
Xi says no more ‘bullying’ as China marks party centenary (AlJazeera)
China’s President Xi Jinping told crowds gathered in Beijing that the era of China being “bullied” was over and that anyone who tried to separate the party and the Chinese people was doomed to failure as celebrations to mark 100 years of the Communist Party got under way in the Chinese capital.
Speaking from the balcony above the portrait of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square, Xi spoke for more than an hour of the party’s successes since its founding in 1921 – how it had freed China from an “exploitative” feudal system, created a “socialist market economy brimming with vitality” and eliminated absolute poverty.
“Only socialism could save China,” said Xi, who was dressed in a dark grey Mao-style suit. “And only socialism with Chinese characteristics could develop China.”
The Chinese Communist Party defeated the nationalists in the country’s civil war in 1949 and Mao Zedong declared the People’s Republic of China with the goal of lifting people out of crushing poverty. China is now the world’s second-largest economy. Read more
Nxivm cult: Actress Allison Mack sentenced to three years in prison (BBC)
US actress Allison Mack has been sentenced to three years in prison for her role in the Nxivm sex cult.
The 38-year-old admitted racketeering and conspiracy charges in April 2019 related to her efforts to recruit women.
Last year, cult leader Keith Raniere was handed 120 years in prison for multiple crimes, including forcing women to be his sexual “slaves”.
In a letter before sentencing, Mack begged forgiveness from her victims. Read more
The Duke: Jim Broadbent plans infamous painting heist in comedy-drama based on true story (Metro)
Jim Broadbent is seen planning his next move in the heist of a world-famous painting in a newly released scene from comedy-drama The Duke.
The Harry Potter actor stars as Kempton Bunton, a man who allegedly stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London.
In the new clip, shared exclusively with Metro.co.uk, Kempton is seen planning his next moves after seeing the heist in a headline.
‘I give them the painting, they put on an exhibition, charge the public to see the Duke, and give me the proceeds. Bingo!’ he says. Read more
Iraq War architect Donald Rumsfeld dead at 88 (RT)
Donald Rumsfeld, former congressman and US defense secretary, best known for his role in advocating the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has passed away just short of his 89th birthday, according to his spokesman.
Rumsfeld died on Tuesday, surrounded by relatives in Taos, New Mexico.
“History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country,” his family said in a statement. Read more
Ex-Napoli star tips “reborn” Osimhen to score over 20 league goals next season (Guardian)
Victor Osimhen has been tipped to continue from where he stopped at the end of this past season and score over 20 league goals for Napoli in the fast-approaching 2021/22 season.
Making this prediction was former Napoli midfielder, Salvatore Bagni, who believes the Nigerian striker will finally show his true talent and strength for the former Italian champions in the upcoming Serie A season.
“In my opinion, the Nigerian will score more than 20 goals in the next football season and will be fundamental to the plans of the new Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti. This is my prediction,” said Bagni, in an interview with Tele A. Read more
Jadon Sancho: Man Utd agree £73m fee with Borussia Dortmund for England winger (BBC)
Manchester United have agreed a fee in principle of 85m euros (£73m) with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho.
The 21-year-old England winger, who is yet to have a medical or agree personal terms, is expected to sign a five-year contract with the option of a sixth.
The fee, payable over five equal instalments, will see Sancho become the second-most expensive English player of all time behind Harry Maguire.
Defender Maguire joined United from Leicester for £80m in 2019.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified four key positions he wants to improve as they look to build on their progress last season. Read more
Pogacar claims fifth stage time trial in the Tour de France (RFI)
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar won the fifth stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Slovenian claimed the 27.2km time trial between Changé and Laval Espace Mayenne in 32 minutes.
Stefan Kung was second and Jonas Vingegaard was third.
Mathieu van der Poel finished in fifth, 31 seconds off Pogacar, to hold on to the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
“The temperature was perfect for me,” said Pogacar. “I’m really happy with my performance. I would love to have the yellow jersey but Mathieu looks great in it.” Read more
Lionel Messi contract: Barcelona star becomes a free agent (BBC)
Manchester City, Paris St-Germain – this is not a drill. One of the world’s greatest players is now officially a free agent.
Yes, 12 months on from his aborted attempted to leave Barcelona, Lionel Messi is now out of contract.
The Argentine superstar’s deal expired at midnight and despite months of rumour and conjecture, he has failed to commit to an extension.
Talks over a new contract are believed to be ongoing, meaning Messi may well decide to stay at the Nou Camp. Read more
Jake Paul donates $5k to UFC fighter’s GoFundMe after she said she couldn’t afford to train (RT)
Jake Paul has become an unlikely advocate for the issue of fighter pay in the UFC – and has fired another shot across Dana White’s bow by donating to Sarah Alpar’s crowdfunding page after she revealed she couldn’t afford to train.
Paul, the YouTuber who has somehow metamorphosed into one of pay-per-view boxing’s top draws, has been a frequent and vocal critic over what he sees as improper payment structures within the UFC.
He has frequently called out White on social media, telling him to “pay your fighters” and railing against the UFC boss for his reluctance to cut the type of check which Jon Jones says he requires to challenge Francis Ngannou in the Octagon in what is likely the biggest box office fight currently available in the UFC.
Paul has also made light of the fact that his one-round boxing match with former UFC fighter Ben Askren earlier this year represented a career-high payday for him, and promised the same treatment for Tyron Woodley ahead of their August bout in which the former multiple UFC welterweight champion’s purse is expected to far outstrip anything he received in his eight-year UFC career. Read more
Andy Murray survives enormous Wimbledon scare to win five-set thriller against Oscar Otte (Metro)
Andy Murray survived an almighty scare against world number 151 Oscar Otte in an enthralling second-round clash at Wimbledon on Wednesday evening, coming through the draining five-set tussle 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-4 6-2.
The three-time Grand Slam winner looked leggy and distracted for large spells but summoned all his will power and know-how against an inspired Otte, drawing on the energy of a pulsating Centre Court crowd to add another chapter to his catalogue of epics at the All England Club.Otte’s powerful serve proved tricky for Murray to pick up initially, but in a fifth game briefly interrupted by cheers of ‘It’s Coming Home’, the 34-year-old broke the German at the fourth time of asking before seeing out the opening set with relative ease. Read more