Woman remanded for dealing in 12.5kg Indian hemp (DailyTrust)
A forty-one-year-old woman, Basirat Akinyemi, has been remanded in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre by a Lagos federal high court for dealing in Indian hemp.
Justice Tijjani Ringim, who presided over the court on Thursday, ordered that the woman be remanded after she pleaded guilty to a count charge of dealing in a banned product brought against her by the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Arraigning the woman before the court on Thursday, the prosecutor, Mr Jerry Aernan, told the court that she was arrested with the hemp on August 16, 2021, at 22, Oshogun Street, Alapere, Ketu-Lagos, by the agency’s operatives.
The prosecutor told the court that the offence committed by the woman contravened Section 11(c) of the agency’s Act. Cap. No 30, laws of the federation of Nigeria and punishable under the same act.
The defendant, following the reading of the charge to her, admitted to committing the offence and pleaded guilty. Read more
Man arraigned for alleged stealing of N1.5m telecoms parts (Punch)
A 43-year-old man, Lukman Afolabi, has been arraigned before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing telecoms parts worth N1.5m.
The defendant is standing trial on two charges of conspiracy and stealing, which contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant and others at large, reportedly committed the offences on July 10, 2021 at about 4:50am, on Ogison Street, Egan, in the Igando area of Lagos.
Aigbokhan alleged that the defendant had stolen two moister batteries and three ratifine modules, all valued at N1.5m, belonging to MTN Telecommunication Company. Read more
Lagos seals 19 petrol stations in Lekki (Guardian)
The Lagos State government has sealed 19 petrol filling stations along Lekki-Epe expressway in Eti-Osa local council of the state.
The stations were sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for various offences including non-adherence to the state’s physical planning laws, no evidence of building permit, siting of the stations without recourse to approved distance from each other, building of the highly inflammable structures within residential areas and others.
Speaking on the move, the General Manager of the agency, Gbolahan Oki, said there was need to check indiscriminate siting and construction of petrol filling stations to prevent the attendant loss of lives and properties that comes from such practice.
Oki emphasised that the agency doesn’t grant operational licence to petrol filling stations. He, however, said the supervision of every stage of the construction of such stations from start to finish and the structural stability of the building after obtaining development permits from its sister agency, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, was part of the LASBCA’s responsibilities. Read more
Pipeline vandalism: Fuel litters Lagos community, sacks residents, cripples trading (Punch)
Several residents of Omoboriowo Street at Pipeline bus stop, Igando-Ikotun Road, Lagos and its environs were temporarily displaced on Friday after suspected pipeline vandalism in the area went awry.
Petrol gushed out from the vandalised pipeline of Atlas Cove-Mosimi System 2B Pipeline channel around 1am, flooding houses and drainage channels, forcing dwellers to flee their homes at night.
City Round learnt that the fuel spilled heavily to neighouring areas including Old Garage at Ikotun Junction, New Garage Ikotun Junction, Ikotun Market and Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area.
It took hours of combined efforts of officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others, to restore normalcy. Read more
Burna Boy, Don Jazzy link up in new single, video “Question” (Guardian)
Grammy award winner and African Giant crooner, Burna Boy has come through with a brand new single dubbed “Question” and an accompanying music video.
The new hit is the superstar’s second single of the year.
Teaming up with renowned record producer and Mavin Records Chief Executive Officer, Don Jazzy, Burna Boy has again proven why he is the ‘African Giant’ as he comes through with distinctive vocals to deliver yet another vibrant record to add to his ever-growing catalogue.
The new single serves as the follow-up to the energetic, Chopstix-produced banger, Kilometre, which has been viewed over 9.4 million times on YouTube since its release by the end of April this year. Read more
Jubilation as Niger, Zamfara freed students reunite with families (DailyTrust)
It was tears of joy for parents yesterday as 90 children kidnapped from the Salihu Tanko Islamic School, Tegina, Niger State reunited with their parents after spending over 80 days in captivity.
However, a couple whose son died in captivity said they would remain in pain for long as they had been longing to see their child since the day he and his peers were abducted by bandits.
It was a moment of wailing when it dawned on them that they would never see their son again. This was when other parents and siblings met with their released loved ones in Minna on Friday.
The children were kidnapped late May and had been in captivity for 88 days until Thursday when they were released after payment of ransom. Read more
Taliban takeover: No Nigerian in Afghanistan, FG declares (Punch)
The Federal Government has declared that there is no Nigerian in Afghanistan who needs evacuation, following the takeover of the country by the Taliban.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission explained that its findings indicated that no Nigerian national resided in the country.
Findings also indicate that Nigeria has no high commission or consulate in the Asian country.
Against the backdrop of the desperation by many foreigners as well as Afghans to leave the country, the NiDCOM spokesman, Abdul-rahman Balogun, told one of our correspondents on Friday that there was no record of any Nigerian citizen living in the country. Read more
Prison congestion: Ganduje frees 3,717 inmates in six years (Guardian)
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has granted pardon to 3,717 inmates from 2015 to 2021, as part of efforts to decongest the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) facilities in the state.
This was revealed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar.
Anwar noted that the move was in response to President Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal to state governors to help in decongesting Correctional Centres in the country.
According to the statement, the governor made the disclosure when he received members of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Centres Reform and Decongestion under the chairmanship of Justice Ishaq Bello, at his office last Thursday. Read more
Kenyans stranded overnight in Mombasa Road traffic jam in Nairobi (BBC)
Frustrated drivers in Kenya have been venting their anger after spending hours overnight in an enormous traffic jam in the capital, Nairobi.
“Ridiculous that I’m getting home at 4 am” after an 11-hour journey, tweeted lawyer Pauline Otsyula.
Other commuters explained that they arrived home in the early hours just in time to leave for work once again.
Nairobi is notorious for its traffic jams but Thursday night saw the worst many residents can remember.
Videos and photos show irritated drivers still stuck on one of the city’s main highways, Mombasa Road, early on Friday morning.
One tweeter said that people had parked at the roadside to sleep in their cars. Read more
Rolling Stones remember Charlie Watts with touching tribute video
(Billboard)
The Rolling Stones is honoring its “engine room” and virtuoso drummer Charlie Watts in a touching tribute video three days after he died at the age of 80.
In a two-minute video posted to the band’s official Twitter account on Friday (Aug. 27), the Stones honored their fallen member with vintage footage of Watts in action behind the kit, and the first verse of their It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll album’s opening track “If You Can’t Rock Me” perfectly sets the scene: “The band’s on stage and it’s one of those nights, oh yeah/ The drummer thinks that he is dynamite, oh yeah.”
A rep for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer announced on Tuesday that he had passed away. “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts,” read the official statement. “He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family. Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as a member of The Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation.” Read more
Delta variant doubles the risk of hospitalisation, study confirms (NBC)
People infected with the delta variant of the coronavirus have double the risk of hospitalization compared with earlier versions of the virus, according to a large study from England published Friday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
The study confirms prior research that suggested the highly infectious variant could lead to greater risk of hospitalization, including research from Scotland published in June.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified delta as a “variant of concern” in June, telling NBC News in a statement at the time that the classification was “based on mounting evidence that the Delta variant spreads more easily and causes more severe cases when compared to other variants.” Read more
Ida expected to make landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane (CBS)
Hurricane Ida is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, according to a NOAA report released Friday. The storm, which is expected to arrive Sunday, is barreling toward the southern coast of the U.S., bringing winds above 110 mph and “catastrophic” storm surges.
“Once Ida moves past western Cuba and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, it will be moving through a very favorable oceanic and atmospheric environment consisting of high ocean heat content waters, low vertical wind shear and a moist low- to mid-level atmosphere,” the NOAA report said. Read more
“Iconic” character to be killed off in Downton Abbey film sequel (Metro)
An ‘iconic’ Downton Abbey character will be killed off in the film sequel – and it better not be the Dowager Countess of Grantham, as played by Dame Maggie Smith.
According to reports, the tear-jerking scenes for the second film, which also follows on from six series of the hit TV period drama, have already been filmed.
A source has claimed that the show’s creator Julian Fellowes ‘has made this death so poignant’, which surely points to one of the show’s most integral or beloved characters?
The insider added to The Sun: ‘Those who have seen the scenes said they are so emotional. Read more
US airstrike targets Islamic State member in Afghanistan (Guardian)
Acting swiftly on Joe Biden’s promise to retaliate for the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport, the US military said it used a drone strike to kill a member of the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate Saturday.
The strike came amid what the White House called indications that IS planned to strike again as the US-led evacuation from Kabul airport moved into its final days.
Biden has set Tuesday as his deadline for completing the exit.
Biden authorized the drone strike and it was ordered by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet publicly announced.
The airstrike was launched from beyond Afghanistan less than 48 hours after the devastating Kabul attack that killed 13 Americans and scores of Afghans with just days left in a final US withdrawal after 20 years of war. US Central Command provided few details; it said it believed its strike killed no civilians. Read more
CAF approves 5,000 fans for Eagles, Liberia clash (Punch)
The Confederation of African Football has granted the Nigeria Football Federation’s request to have spectators watch the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on September 3
The NFF had written to CAF to have at least 12,000 spectators for the Eagles’ first World Cup qualifiers.
In a letter signed by Raul Chipenda, CAF’s Development Director, CAF approved stated that only 5,000 fans would be allowed to watch the game.
“As it is known, we would like to reiterate that the CAF and FIFA COVID-19 match protocols clearly state that all matches must be played behind closed doors,” the statement read. Read more
UNN Lions beat Uniben Royals as HiFL quarterfinals begin (Guardian)
The University of Nigeria football team UNN Lions has defeated high-flying UNIBEN Royals from the University of Benin 2-0 in a quarter-final game in the ongoing Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL).
The game played at the University of Nigeria Sports Complex witnessed a lot of drama as the Royals, who ousted the defending champion, UNICAL Malabites, met a resolute Lions’ defence line led by Emeka Alex. StanbicIBTC Man-of-the-Match, Anichebe Elvis scored both goals for the Lions in the 37th and 52nd minutes to the dismay of the Royals’ fans.
Speaking after the game, Coach of the UNN Lions, Ike Chijoke praised his boys for playing to instructions. “I realised that my players were anxious in the first ten minutes of the game, so I needed to talk to them to stay calm because we know that we are playing against a very good side. Immediately we recovered, we forged ahead, and the game started flowing. I told my team that we have to utilise our home advantage for us to secure our place in the finals in Lagos. They did what we planned, and we eventually won.” Read more
Imaobong Uko, the twinkling little star of Nigerian athletics (DailyTrust)
It is said the future of the world belongs to the youth and it is from the youth and not from the old that the fire of life will warm and enlighten the world. This indisputable statement has found expression in the intriguing story of Nigeria’s fast rising queen of the track, Imaobong Nse Uko.
Before now, not many people were aware of the huge potential in the young athlete but her commanding performances at the just concluded World Athletics U-20 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya where she sprinted to three gold medals in three different events have shot her to international limelight.
The 17-year-old Akwa Ibom indigene’s rise to stardom actually began when she defeated older and more experienced athletes to win the 400m race at the 2018 National Sports Festival Abuja in a personal best of 52.36s when she was just 14 years.
Before then, she had won the 400m race at the Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival in 2018, a year after she finished in the second position in the same competition. In addition, she was the 2019 Nigerian U-18 Champion in the same event. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo: Man Utd ‘reach agreement’ to re-sign Juventus forward (BBC)
Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.
United have agreed to pay £12.8m for the 36-year-old, with the deal subject to personal terms, a visa and a medical.
Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games in his first spell at Old Trafford before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009.
“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester,” said a United statement. Read more
Arteta still supported by owners at Arsenal (DailyTrust)
Despite Arsenal’s midweek success in the second rate Carabao Cup competition it remains that there have been no Premier League wins and no goals for Arsenal this season. However, Mikel Arteta still retains the backing of the board of directors at the Emirates.
Whereas the fans are rapidly turning against the coach, the directors partly blame COVID-19 for ruining their start to the season. It is true that Arteta has not been able to field his strongest team as yet. Arsenal have been without their captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and striker Alexandre Lacazette because of COVID. £50 million signing Ben White is missing from the defence because of the virus and Willian also has COVID however he is likely to return to Brazil. Critics point out that Arsenal are their own worst enemy because they made the same mistake with Aubameyang as they made with Mesut Ozil, both being hugely overpaid at £350k a week. That makes any player difficult to sell although I am told the club would listen to serious offers. Read more
Jules Kounde attempts to force through Chelsea move as transfer talks with Sevilla continue to stall (Metro)
Jules Kounde has pulled out of Sevilla’s squad and elected not to travel for Saturday’s clash against Elche as he looks to secure a transfer to Chelsea, according to reports in Spain.
The Champions League holders have been chasing the Frenchman for much of the summer though have struggled to agree a fee with Sevilla, who had set an asking price of around €70m (£60m) – slightly less than his release clause.Chelsea’s offer, though, is yet to exceed €50m (£42.8m) which Sevilla believe is far too low and, due to La Liga rules, would give them minimal profit to bring in a replacement centre-back. Read more