‘Yahoo boy’ bags 12 months jail term (Guardian)
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, convicted and sentenced an internet fraudster, popularly called ‘Yahoo Boy’, Lekan Bibire Usman, to 12 months imprisonment.
The judge convicted him following his guilty plea to a count charge of fraudulent impersonation brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The prosecuting counsel, Sulaiman Sulaiman, had on April 4, told the court that Usman impersonated one Christopher Karmond by using the name on his Google account.
The prosecutor said that the convict used the said name with an intent to gain advantage for himself. He said offence contravened Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Act. Read more
Magodo residents lament as policemen lead land grabbers to excavate wetland (Punch)
Some landlords and residents on the Magodo GRA Phase II Estate, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos State, have accused policemen attached to the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, of accompanying suspected land grabbers to excavate a wetland.
PUNCH Metro gathered that during the invasion, the policemen and the land grabbers, who were reportedly sponsored by members of a Lagos family, stormed the estate with bulldozers to excavate the wetland, which affected the foundation of many buildings on the estate.
During a visit to the estate, our correspondent observed that the fences of some buildings had collapsed, while the foundation of other buildings had sunk due to the continued exercise.
A landlord, Bolaji Omotoso, whose house is on the brink of collapsing, said complaints to the state government on the matter had gone unheeded. Read more
NEMA receives 178 more stranded Nigerian returnees from Libya (Channels)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has received another batch of 178 stranded Nigerian returnees from Libya.
They were returned through the Al Buraq Air with Registration number 5A-DMG Boeing 700-787.
The flight arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja at about 18:20 hours on Wednesday.
Among the returnees are 73 female adults, 63 male adults, 15 male children, 13 female children, 14 male infants and six female infants. Read more
Noodles truck crushes Lagos police traffic warden to death (Punch)
A female traffic warden has been crushed to death in an accident involving a truck and five vehicles in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the truck driver, who was conveying noodles inward the Lekki axis on Thursday, skidded off the road due to brake failure.
He was said to have rammed into some vehicles at the Shoprite end of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, where he knocked down the policewoman.
Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, learnt that the corpse was removed by her colleagues, and the truck towed to the Maroko Police Division. Read more
Seme Customs handover illicit medicaments (Vanguard)
Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has intercepted a total of 139 cartons of expired soft drinks.
The Command also stated that it intercepted a total of 325,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise locally known as petrol, estimated at over ten (10) tankers of 33,000litres each.
The Customs Area Controller, Compt. Mohammed Jibo, during a press conference, said aside from the 139 cartons of expired soft drinks intercepted, it also impounded some consignments of illicit and restricted medicaments.
Speaking on the war against the smuggling of petroleum products, with respect to a recent offensive by his officers and men, Jibo said, “The continuous surveillance of the beaches and creeks by our men, has yet recorded another huge interception of one thousand, six hundred (1,600) Jerry cans of petroleum product of 30 litres each. Read more
Ruggedman hosts Faze, Konga, others at foundation night (DailyTrust)
Ruggedman hosted veteran singers, Faze, Konga, Adx of Artquake, among others, at the June edition of his foundation night.
The singer described the foundation night as an event where he hosts a number of artists monthly.
The maiden edition took place in May when he hosted Durella and Ay.com. Supported by Flex B, Leena Martins and Ike of BBNaija.
The June edition, which featured Faze, Adx of Artquake and Konga, also had supporting acts such as Spider Ridder, Dj Shevco, Whiteman, Hype Mc Plat G and Dj Quest. Read more
Foundation trains 370 widows in Abuja on skill acquisition (Sun)
The President of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, has urged the Federal Government to ensure the rights of widows are enshrined in international law.
The gender rights crusader, while calling on relevant authorities to take the plight of widows seriously, said many of them may be passing through hardship of different kinds.
“They should ensure compliance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” she urged.
Ahmadu made this known in her message to 370 widows who were undergoing numerous skills acquisition programmes to commemorate the International Widows’ Day on Thursday in Abuja.
Consumers laud Chivita on health campaign (DailyTrust)
CHI Limited, a nutrient drink producer has been applauded for driving health and nutrition discourse in Nigeria through its “Everyone Has a Chivita” marketing campaign.
A cross-section of harnessed responses at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos indicated that most of the existing consumers believed the campaign resonated with their brand choice, said the company in a statement yesterday.
Kehinde Olawale, a fashion entrepreneur, stated that he enjoys a pack of Chivita Active regularly, especially during his weekly running around due to its benefits to his active lifestyle.
“I am always on the go, buying materials and delivering finished products to my customers, which is why Chivita Active is beneficial to me. Anyone who cares about wellness and active health would enjoy Chivita Active,” he said. Read more
Kogi Assembly justifies impeachment, suspension of members (ThisDay)
The impeached and suspended members of the Kogi State House of Assembly have been described as black legs whose stock in trade was to cause disharmony between the executive and legislative arms of government and amongst members of the house.
The assembly made this position known at its plenary session yesterday following the deliberation on the discovery that the suspended three lawmakers forged members’ signatures in a bid to impeach the speaker.
The impeached lawmakers, namely former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Ahmed; former Majority Leader, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, and former Chief Whip, Hon. Moses Ododo, released a statement in which they claimed to have purportedly impeached the Speaker by a notice signed by nineteen members.
Consequently, the House of Assembly at its plenary yesterday ordered its Ethics and Privileges Committee to commence investigation into the alleged forgery as members whose signatures were found in the documents have denied ever signing any impeachment notice against the Speaker, Hon. Mathew Kolawole. Read more
Tragedy in Ondo as flood sweeps away Secondary School Student (Vanguard)
A Junior Secondary school student of St Carmel Girls School, lkare- Akoko, in Akoko North East council area of Ondo state, Motunrayo John, has reportedly been swept away by flood.
The victim’s identity was revealed when her mathematical set was picked floating on the river.
Vanguard gathered that the victim who left the school premises while the rain was falling was swept away around River Dada, in the Semusemu area of the ancient town.
One of the students told newsmen that the victim was playing in the rain by measuring the depth of the flood when she was suddenly swept away. Read more
French Montana believes rappers have ‘the hardest job’ following Lil Tjay shooting (HipHopDX)
It’s hard out here for a rapper these days — so says French Montana. Following the shooting of fellow Bronx native Lil Tjay — just the latest Hip Hop artist to be targeted by gun violence in recent years — the Coke Boys capo shared his thoughts on the incident during a brief chat with TMZ on Wednesday (June 22).
I know he’s been rushed from one hospital to another, so I pray for his family,” he began while handling business in New York City. “I haven’t spoken to him. I heard he’s in critical condition. It’s a bad situation.”
French — who collaborated with Tjay numerous times on tracks like “Slide” and “Bag Season” — then claimed being a rapper is “the hardest job” right now due to them having targets on their back.
“It’s hard out here for rappers, man,” he continued. “We got the hardest job. You don’t know where it comes from, man. We think that everybody loves us but everybody doesn’t love us.” Read more
At 90, Oscar-winner John Williams, stepping away from film, but not music (CST)
After more than six decades of making bicycles soar, sending panicked swimmers to the shore and other spellbinding close encounters, John Williams is putting the final notes on what may be his last film score.
“At the moment I’m working on ‘Indiana Jones 5,’ which Harrison Ford — who’s quite a bit younger than I am — I think has announced will be his last film,” Williams says. “So, I thought: If Harrison can do it, then perhaps I can, also.”
Ford, for the record, hasn’t said that publicly. And Williams, who turned 90 in February, isn’t absolutely certain he’s ready to, either.
“I don’t want to be seen as categorically eliminating any activity,” Williams says with a chuckle, speaking by phone from his home in Los Angeles. “I can’t play tennis, but I like to be able to believe that maybe one day I will.” Read more
‘Titanic’: Remastered version set for theatrical release in time for valentine’s day 2023 (Deadline)
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of James Cameron’s Titanic, the multiple Oscar winner and box office phenomenon has been set for a fresh theatrical release just in time for Valentine’s Day next year. A remastered version will be available in cinemas in 3D 4K HDR and high-frame rate, with Disney releasing internationally beginning February 10, 2023, Deadline has confirmed. Paramount has domestic rights and is expected to also set its date in the coming days.
Cameron’s longtime producing partner and COO of Lightstorm Entertainment Jon Landau, fresh off a 36-hour plane journey from New Zealand, teased news of the Titanic rerelease at Disney’s CineEurope presentation in Barcelona on Wednesday. There he showed off a 3D look at the remastered version.
The epic that made mega-stars out of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio originally sailed into domestic movie theaters in December 1997, and rolled out over several months internationally. It went on to win 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Original Song and more.
A 3D version came out in 2012. In total, Titanic is the No. 3 movie ever at the global box office with $2.2 billion. Of that, $659.4 million is from North America and $1.542B from overseas. Cameron’s Avatar is the top movie of all time worldwide. Read more
A third ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ movie is finally in production (CNN)
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” star Nia Vardalos this week gave her Instagram followers both a Greek lesson and the best news of their day.
The actress said in a post that a third film in the franchise is now in production in Greece — and that she’s directing it. She cheekily dropped the latter news by sharing the Greek word for director.
She also thanked the eager fans for their “lovely messages” as they awaited news on the next installment.
“We’re filming in the beautiful Plaka of Athens,” she said. Read more
Discovery+ nabs rights to Alex Holder’s Trump 2020 election footage documentary (THR)
Discovery+ revealed on Wednesday that the streamer has purchased Unprecedented, documentary filmmaker Alex Holder’s three-part series on former president Donald Trump’s re-election campaign that has gained the attention of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“Alex Holder’s Unprecedented three-part docuseries about the 2020 election will be released on discovery+ later this summer,” a Discovery+ spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. The streamer touts that the series features “never-before-seen footage of the Trump family on the campaign trail and their reactions to the outcome of the election” and offers “intimate and unprecedented interviews with Trump, his family and others who were in the White House.” No release date was provided.
Discovery+ originally purchased rights to the docuseries in 2021. Deadline was the first to report the news.
After announcing on Tuesday that raw footage from the docuseries had been subpoenaed by the House Select Committee, Holder himself is set to testify before the committee investigating the attack on Thursday. In the press release accompanying his announcement, Holder said the footage of interest related to the last six weeks of Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign, while a subpoena procured by Politico shows Holder was asked to hand over raw footage from Jan. 6, interviews from Sept. 2020 to the present with Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Jared Kushner and footage “pertaining to discussions of election fraud or election integrity surrounding the November 2020 presidential election.” Read more
Eminem says rap music is ‘therapeutic’ for him (People)
Eminem is opening up about the healing power of art.
The 15-time Grammy Award winner, 49, recently called into the Sway in the Morning show on his Sirius XM Radio channel 45 and was asked about how rapping about mental health and addiction was transformative for him.
“I think that’s one of the great things about rap music… is that you could put so much of your life in it,” Eminem said over the phone. “It’s therapeutic, and that’s how it’s always been for me.”
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has shared some of the more intimate parts of his life with his fans through his music. He also wrote several verses about his addiction to prescription pills in his 2010 album Recovery. Read more
Robin S thanks Beyoncé for ‘giving me my flowers’ by sampling ‘Show Me Love’ on ‘Break My Soul’ (Variety)
Earlier this week, Beyoncé surprise-dropped her first single “Break My Soul,” from her forthcoming seventh solo studio album “Renaissance.” The pulsating dance track samples Robin S’ 1993 hit “Show Me Love,” and the beloved house artist appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Wednesday to share her gratitude for the inclusion.
“This is Robin S, and this message goes out to Queen Bey herself, Beyoncé, to Jay-Z, to the entire team,” she said during her interview. “Thank you so much for giving me my flowers while I’m still alive. I am honoured, and I’m excited to see what else can happen.”
Robin says she learned of her song’s usage in the single through her son, who informed her that “Show Me Love” was sampled in the anticipated new release. “My son called me and he’s like, ‘Mom, mom. You’re trending all over the place,’” she told the broadcast. “You know, Beyoncé put her song out and it’s ‘Show Me Love’, and you’re trending everywhere.’”
Robin also revealed that there was no formal contact between her and Beyoncé before the song was released. However, the well-known house performer said “it doesn’t have to be confirmed. A singer knows her songs.” Read more
LASU, UI draw as HiFL 2022 kicks off across Nigeria (Sun)
The 2022 edition of the Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) got off to a thrilling start on Tuesday with matches played across five centres.
HiFL is an initiative of Pace Sports Entertainment and Marketing Limited in collaboration with the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) and sponsored by StanbicIBTC, Bold and the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services.
In the match played at the Lagos State University Sports Complex, the Lagos State University Football team, LASU Blazers played a 1-1 draw with the UI Pioneers from the University of Ibadan.
The UI Pioneers took an early lead and scored the opening goal through a penalty in the fourth minute after a rash challenge from one of the Blazers defenders. Ijimakinwa Oluwakayode of the Pioneers took the penalty and sent the Blazer’s keeping in the wrong direction. Read more
Coach, former Olympian saves US swimmer Anita Alvarez from drowning (UPI)
Coach and former Spanish Olympian Andrea Fuentes took quick action, diving into a pool to save Team USA artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez after she lost consciousness at the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The incident occurred Wednesday at Alfred Hajos National Pool Complex. USA Artistic Swimming, the governing body of the sport in the United States, said Thursday that Alvarez is now resting and will continue to be monitored.
Alvarez, 25, reposted several of the medical updates Wednesday and Thursday on her Instagram story.
“Anita is OK — the doctors checked all vitals and everything is normal: heart rate, oxygen, sugar levels, blood pressure, etc.,” Fuentes said Wednesday in a statement. Read more
Dortmund on verge of signing Haller as Haaland replacement (France24)
Ajax forward Sebastien Haller flew to Germany on Thursday to complete a medical check before signing with Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Erling Haaland.
Haller was picked up by Dortmund officials after landing at the city’s airport from where he was taken for his medical.
The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international is reportedly poised to ink a four-year deal with Dortmund to replace Haaland, who has joined Premier League champions Manchester City.
German daily Bild say Haller’s transfer from Ajax is set to cost Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund around 31 million euros ($32.5 million) including bonuses. Read more
Gareth Bale poised to decide on his future with one eye on Wales’ World Cup bid (IrishIndependent)
Gareth Bale is poised to make a decision on his future in the next 48 hours.
Bale is close to agreeing a deal to play on next season and was spotted at Cardiff City’s training ground yesterday, but it is understood there are no guarantees he will join the Championship club.
After Wales secured their place at the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years, Bale received a number of offers from clubs across the world to continue his career.
Bale wants to ensure he is in peak condition for the tournament in Qatar, which starts in November, and Wales’ qualification has postponed any plans of early retirement. Read more
Portland Trail Blazers acquiring forward Jerami Grant from Detroit Pistons for a protected 2025 1st-round pick, sources say (ABC)
The Portland Trail Blazers are acquiring Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant for a protected 2025 first-round pick and additional draft assets, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
The Blazers have been pursuing Grant to pair with All-NBA guard Damian Lillard for over a year and now land him and absorb his $21 million salary using a trade exception, sources said.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ pick is protected 1 through 4. The deal also includes Detroit acquiring Portland’s No. 36 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft for the Blazers at No. 46, as well as a 2025 second-round pick that Detroit had owed Portland, sources said. The Pistons also get a 2026 second-round pick from the Blazers, which will be the most favorable between Portland’s and the New Orleans Pelicans’.
The deal delivers the Pistons $43 million in salary cap space for free agency, and gives them the fifth and 36th picks in Thursday’s draft. Read more
Saudi series LIV golfers allowed to play in 150th Open (NYPost)
Players who have joined the new Saudi Arabia-funded league will still be allowed to compete at the British Open next month, organizers said on Wednesday.
The U.S. Open had allowed players who were banned by the PGA Tour for signing up to the LIV Golf series to play at last week’s tournament.
“Players who are exempt or have earned a place through qualifying for the 150th Open in accordance with the entry terms and conditions will be able to compete in the Championship at St. Andrews,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement.
The world’s oldest major championship begins July 14. Read more