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Showing posts from August, 2020

Man killed for accusing neighbour of sleeping with co-tenant’s wife

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A tenant, Adekunle Adeyemi, has gone into hiding after allegedly stabbing a co-tenant, Stanley Dickson, to death in the Grammar School area of Ikorodu, Lagos State. Punch Metro gathered that Stanley accused Adekunle of having an illicit affair with the wife of another neighbour, Arinze Onuoha, who confronted him with the accusation. During the confrontation, it was learnt that an argument ensued between Adekunle and Arinze, but Stanley, who informed Arinze of the alleged affair with his wife, Chisom, was not at home. Adekunle was said to have threatened to confront Stanley with the accusation on his return from work in the evening. A resident of the area, Ibidunni Adegoke, said during a visit to the area on Sunday that when both Adekunle and Stanley returned from work in the evening, they had a confrontation, which degenerated into a fight, adding that when the fight broke out, Adekunle allegedly stabbed Stanley to death. She said, “The victim (Stanley) went to report his neighbour’s w...

Ghana reopens international airport after five months

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Ghana will reopen its international airport on Tuesday but with new regulations in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus , the president announced. Kotoka International Airport , located outside the capital Accra , was closed in March along with other border points in a bid to contain the virus in the West African country. “ I am glad to announce that Kotoka International Airport will reopen and resume operations from Tuesday , 1 st September 2020 , ” President Nana Akufo -Addo said in a nationwide broadcast late Sunday. He said land borders would remain closed . New safety measures have been imposed to prevent passengers bringing the virus into the country. “ Any passenger arriving in Ghana must be in possession of a negative Covid - 19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin , ” he said . The test should have been done not more than 72 hours before their departure. All airlines are to ensure compliance with the directive for passengers wishing to ...

Lagos health commissioner Abayomi recovers from COVID-19

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Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has recovered from coronavirus . Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State , Gbenga Omotosho, made this known on Monday. Abayomi had on August 24 announced that he tested positive for the virus . Announcing Abayomi ’ s recovery, Omotosho tweeted , “ It is with gratitude to God that I announce the recovery and subsequent negative test for COVID - 19 of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi. “ It is with gratitude to God that I announce the recovery and subsequent negative test for COVID - 19 of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi. “ Following the mandatory isolation , the Commissioner retook a COVID - 19 PCR test which returned negative yesterday evening . “ Governor Sanwo - Olu , the Incident Commander, is excited by the news and urges Lagosians to realise that COVID - 19 is still with us ; they should keep obeying the guidelines- watching their hands , wearing face masks a...

Lebanon names Berlin envoy, Mustapha Adib, as new PM

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Lebanon named its envoy to Germany , Mustapha Adib , as the new premier Monday to steer the country through a deep crisis after the Beirut explosion compounded a sharp economic downturn . The presidency made the announcement in a televised statement as Adib arrived at the palace in Baabda near Beirut to meet President Michel Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri . Adib has been Lebanon ’ s ambassador to Germany since 2013 and his name only emerged on Sunday to replace Hassan Diab, whose government resigned in the aftermath of the deadly August 4 blast at Beirut port . The 48 - year - old was born in the northern city of Tripoli and is a Sunni Muslim , making him eligible to become prime minister under Lebanon ’ s sectarian- based power- sharing system . His biography on the Berlin embassy website presents him as an academic who holds a PhD in political science . It says he has conducted “ research and expert work in the areas of both human and state security , parliamentary oversight...

Ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Felagha, dies at 26

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A former goalkeeper of Nigeria’ s Flying Eagles , John Felagha , is dead . He died in Senegal on Sunday, according to the Nigeria Football Federation . He was aged 26 . NFF expressed condolence with the family of the late player in a tweet on Monday . The football federation tweeted , “ Former National U 17 and U 20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died . “ Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal . He was aged 26 . The federation expressed its condolences with the family of the late player . “ Our thoughts and prayers are with his family . ”

DJ Cuppy reacts to call for Pepsi to dump her for DJ Switch

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Popular Nigerian disc jockey , Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola popularly known as DJ Cuppy has reacted to a call for her to be dumped as Pepsi ambassador. The call came from a Twitter user who said that she should be replaced with DJ Switch , another ace female disc jockey . This was after DJ Switch put up a splendid performance at the ongoing BBNaija reality TV show over the weekend which was hailed by many on social media . “ DJ switch , Pepsi please replace Cuppy !” , the man wrote . In response to the call , DJ Cuppy said that such can never happen because Pepsi loves her too much . “ REPLACE ? No , Pepsi loves Cuppy too much , so this can never happen . Sign ASWELL ? Yes , they certainly should add more females ! Blue heart # CuppyDat” , she tweeted .

Sudan government, rebel groups agree peace deal

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Sudanese leaders and rebel commanders agreed Monday on a historic peace deal , a crucial step towards ending 17 years of conflict in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed . Leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front ( SRF) , an umbrella organisation of rebel groups from the western region of Darfur and the southern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile , raised their fists in celebration after inking the agreement . Fighting in Darfur alone left around 300, 000 people dead after rebels took up arms there in 2003 , according to the United Nations, with former government leaders accused of carrying out genocide and of crimes against humanity. Conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile erupted in 2011 , in the wake of South Sudan ’ s independence , resuming two decades of war. “ I congratulate all in Sudan on reaching a historic comprehensive peace that addressed the roots of the problem and ended the war , God willing, ” said Gibril Ibrahim, commander of one of rebel groups , th...

Late Black Panther star Boseman secretly got married before death

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Although the late Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman was a public figure , he succeeded in shielding his private life from public glare. Not many of his fans knew that he got married before his demise . The PUNCH gathered that the late movie star got engaged to his long time girlfriend , Taylor Simone Ledward , in 2019 and the couple later tied the knot in a private ceremony before his death . It was reported that the actor passed away at his home in Los Angeles after a private four- year battle with colon cancer and his wife was at his bedside alongside close family . Ledward is a singer who graduated from California State Polytechnic University . The couple kept much of their early relationship secret , before allowing themselves to be pictured together at award ceremonies and red carpet premieres . Their budding romance was first confirmed in 2015 , when the pair were spotted together by paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport . She was then seen with him again in 2017 as a...

How Denzel Washington helped Chadwick Boseman pay tuition fees at Oxford

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Hollywood actor , Denzel Washington , has reacted to the death of Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman , whom he once helped with tuition fees at a prestigious theatre program. Chadwick Boseman died on August 28 after battling colon cancer for four years . His wife , Simeone Taylor , and members of his family were by his side when he died at his Los Angeles home . “ He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career , ” Denzel Washington said in a tribute statement . In June 2019 , Chadwick Boseman narrated before an audience how he and nine others were sponsored by Denzel Washington to study at Oxford University . “ Many of you already know the story that Mr . Washington , when asked by Phylicia Rashad to join her in assisting nine theatre students from Howard University , who had been accepted to a summer acting program at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford , gracefully and...

Lesbians woo me a lot, ex-BBNaija star Uriel reveals

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Big Brother Naija season 3 star, Uriel Oputa , has revealed that her beauty has not only attracted men but also women , having been approached by lesbians “ plenty of times ” . The 32 - year - old who first gained popularity as a contestant at the 2016 Top Actor Africa told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview that she doesn ’ t have anything against anyone into lesbianism, saying , “ how you want to live your life is how you want to live your life, but that ’ s not what I do . ” Narrating an experience , the hair extension and wig enthusiast said , “ I’ ve had somebody approach me; she just wanted to be friendly with me. You know , how you meet a friend at a salon and so on… and the phone conversation turned from her looking for a house and all sorts of things to I like your hips . ” A startled Uriel added that “ immediately I heard that , everything just made sense to me and I obviously started avoiding her . It was a bit awkward but I had to let her know that I don’ t do that sort of...

Reckless drivers to face death sentence in Zamfara – Gov

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Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State says his administration has a plan to “ introduce a law that will enforce death sentence on reckless drivers ” responsible for the death of their passengers . Matawalle also said “ such drivers will also be compelled by law to pay compensation on every life lost ” . The governor said this when he led members of his Executive Council and the Management of BUA Group to a condolence visit to the Emir of Gusau Alhaji Ibrahim Bello over the death of 15 persons from the Emirate. Matawalle expressed sadness over the death of 15 persons who lost their lives as a result of reckless driving by a truck driver who ran into their vehicles last Wednesday along Gusau / Funtua road . He said his administration would introduce speed limit gauge on highways as well as weight measurement on trucks . “ Drug tests will also be conducted on drivers passing along the major roads in the state in order to guard against rough and reckless driving which usually end up in...

COVID-19: Lagos has passed peak, says health commissioner

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The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi, has said the state has passed the peak of the COVID - 19 pandemic . He, however , said there was the need for vigilance, saying the scourge was not over . Abayomi spoke on Wednesday during a talk show on Nigeria Info 99 . 3 FM , themed, ‘ Fighting COVID - 19 in Lagos ’ . He said , “ Lagos might be a its peak in the COVID - 19 pandemic , but it ’ s not over yet as we may see an escalation of positive cases . However , until we see a decline in the number of positive cases , we shouldn ’ t relent. “ We believe the lockdown was not effective because of the reality of a city where people go out to fend for themselves on a daily basis . If not , you will replace a health crisis with an economic crisis . “ Concerning the number of positive results seen this period , we have sample collection centres in every local government in Lagos , so the more we test the more cases we find . If there are no more positives , then the outbreak ...

South-West won’t place Amotekun under police, says Akeredolu

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The Chairman of the South - West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor , Mr Rotimi Akeredolu , on Wednesday declared that the South - West Security Network , Operation Amotekun , would not be subsumed under the Nigeria Police. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Mr Garba Shehu, had earlier said the structure of the security agency would be defined by the Inspector - General of Police. But South - West governors objected to the position on the grounds that the bill setting the security agency up was passed by the Houses of Assembly of the six states of the South- West and was duly signed into the law by the governors of the states . Akeredolu , who spoke on Channels TV programme, Sunrise Daily , on Wednesday , said the agency could not operate under community policing . According to him , there was a collaboration between the police and the Amotekun corps in order to secure lives and property of people of the region . He said , “ A law set up Amotek...

Lagos pastor defiles, impregnates two sisters

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The Lagos State Police Command , on Wednesday , arraigned a pastor , Nduka Anyanwu , before the state Magistrates ’ Court in Yaba for allegedly defiling and impregnating two sisters . Anyanwu was alleged to have slept with the sisters , aged 17 and 13 , on several occasions and impregnated them . The suspect was arraigned on two counts bordering on defilement before Chief Magistrate A . Adedayo . He pleaded guilty to the charges . The prosecutor , Roman Unuigbe , told the court that Anyanwu committed the offences sometime in June 2020 at a church complex in the Oshodi area of the state under the pretext of praying for the victims . PUNCH Metro gathered that the mother of the victims had tried to prevent the police from arresting the defendant on the grounds that he was a man of God. According to Unuigbe , the offences contravene Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State , 2015 . Following the defendant ’ s plea , Magistrate Adedayo ordered him to be remanded in custody and adjourn...

Judge handling suits against Ize-Iyamu’s candidacy linked with Wike – APC

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The All Progressives Congress has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court , Justice John Tsoho , asking for the transfer of two suits filed against the candidacy of Mr Osagie Ize - Iyamu as the party ’ s flag - bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State , from Justice Taiwo Taiwo to another judge of the court . The party stated that it would not get justice from Justice Taiwo because of his alleged strong affinity with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State , who belongs to the rival Peoples Democratic Party . The PDP had nominated Governor Godwin Obaseki as its candidate in the forthcoming September 19 , 2020 governorship election in Edo State . The APC, in its August 20 , 2020 petition signed by its National Secretary , John Akpanudoedehe , alleged that Wike had openly boasted that he would do everything to ensure that the PDP won the Edo State governorship election . Aside the alleged affinity between Justice Taiwo and Wike, the APC also expressed doubts...

Delta SARS operatives extort, attack man with machetes

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Some operatives of the Delta State Police Command have allegedly assaulted and extorted a resident of the state identified simply as Samuel . PUNCH Metro learnt that the operatives attached to the Special Anti - Robbery Squad of the command , on Saturday , August 22 , 2020 , accosted Samuel and his girlfriend , who were on a motorcycle in the Koka area of Asaba . It was gathered that the policemen allegedly dragged the victims from the motorcycle into their waiting vehicle and when Samuel and his girlfriend demanded where they were being taken to , the SARS personnel allegedly dealt machete blows on the man ’ s leg. A human rights activist , Harrison Gwamnishu , alleged on Instablog that the SARS personnel extorted the sum of N 15 , 400 from the victims before they were released . The post read , “ The SARS officers dragged him from the okada and forced him and his girlfriend into their car. The victims demanded to know where they were being taken to but the officers responded by mache...

Boko Haram: gov Mailafia declines police invitation, secures injunction

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A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia , on Monday failed to honour the invitation by the police in Abuja. Mailafia ’ s lawyer, Yakubu Bawa , who addressed a press conference in Jos on Monday, faulted the police invitation, saying he “ find the service of the letter of invitation on Dr Mailafia by the Nigerian Police Force through the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police , Force Criminal Investigation Department , strange and alien to our extant laws and procedure . ” The police had last week invited Mailafia to appear at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The former CBN deputy governor had been grilled and released twice by the Department of State Services over the comments he made during a radio programme alleging that a serving northern governor was the commander of Boko Haram. Bawa said , “ It is imperative to state that the case the Nigeria Police Force is investigation , where the name of Dr Obadiah Mailafia purportedly fe...

Ex-convict jailed one year for stealing Osun trader’s purse

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An ex - convict , Ismaila Sikirullahi , on Monday, bagged a one - year jail term for stealing . The convict allegedly stole an Itel mobile phone and N 8 , 360 belonging to a shop owner , Anifat Azeez . The police prosecutor , Inspector Kayode Adeoye, said , “ Sikirullahi , had on August 17 , 2020 , around 3 pm on Bası Bankole Street , Oke - Oniti area , Osogbo , did break into the shop of one Anifat Azeez and stole a purse containing one Itel mobile phone and the sum of N 8 , 360 , property of Anifat Azeez . ” Adeoye also told the court that Sikirullahi had just completed a jail term for a similar offence . The two counts of burglary and stealing were said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 412, 383 and 390( 9 ) of Criminal Code, Cap 34 , Vol . II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002 . The defendant had no legal representation but pleaded guilty to the charges . Delivering his judgment , the presiding magistrate , Adebayo Ajala, found Sikirullahi guilty of the offences and...

Enugu monarch arraigned for falsely calling self engineer

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The Enugu State Police Command , on Monday, arraigned the traditional ruler-elect of the Ogugu community in the Awgu Local Government Area of the state , Chief Emmanuel Ogbonna, before the Enugu South Magistrates ’ Court for perjury . The police accused Ogbonna of claiming on oath to be an engineer when he had no qualifying certificate to back the claim . The two counts read , “ That you , Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna , sometime in 2011 at the Enugu State High Court, Awgu Division , within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did make an oath in suit No . HAW / 01 / 2011 between Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna and Jonas Uchenwa and six others , that you are an engineer when you knew you never obtained any professional qualifying certificate , thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 145 and punishable under Section 146 of the Criminal Code , Cap 30 , Vol . II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 . “ That you , Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna, within same time ...

Two children hit by stray bullets in South Africa clash

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa  One child was killed by a stray bullet in Cape Town on Monday and another wounded when illegal residents fired at police seeking to prevent them from moving into social housing units , the mayor said . Police in the coastal South African city have broken up several unlawful property grabs in recent weeks . These so - called “ land invasions ” happen relatively regularly in South Africa , fuelled by rampant inequality and a lack of low -cost housing in urban areas . But Cape Town ’ s latest “ invasions ” have turned violent , with squatters setting vehicles on fire and destroying community facilities as they clashed with law enforcement officials . The situation escalated on Monday , when shots fired at police killed an eight - year -old boy and wounded a 12 - year - old girl , Mayor Dan Plato said in a statement . “ Over the last month we have seen violent and coordinated land invasions in over 30 different parts of the metro , ” Plato said , ad...

FG may reopen schools soon, minister tells protesting students

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Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba The Minister of State for Education , Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba , says the Federal Government has started considering full reopening schools . Nwajiuba said this during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 on Monday in Abuja, monitored by our correspondent . Though he said no date has been fixed yet for full schools ’ resumption , the minister urged protesting students to “ be patient with FG ” . He explained that the government had continued to engage stakeholders , some of whom have expressed readiness to resume fully . Secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria were closed due to the COVID - 19 pandemic on March 19 , 2020 . The minister expressed optimism that the date for resumption was “ around the corner” . He disclosed that he and the Minister of Education , Adamu Adamu , met some stakeholders in tertiary education on Monday on the issue . Nwajiuba said about 78 privately - owned universities were insisting t...

Channels TV’s John Momoh Appointed as UNILAG governing council chair

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The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , who is also the Visitor to the University of Lagos , has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television , Mr . John Momoh , as the acting chairman of UNILAG Governing Council . This is contained in a letter dated August 21 , 2020 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education , Sonny Echono . The letter titled , ‘ Emergency Meeting of the Governing Council of University of Lagos ’ with reference number FME / PS / 606/C . 1 / III/129, called on Momoh to convene an emergency council meeting with a view to approving the nomination of the Acting Vice - Chancellor for the university . The letter read in part , “ I am directed to request you to convene an emergency meeting of the governing council to consider and , if found suitable , approve the Senate nomination of the Acting Vice -Chancellor of the University of Lagos in line with the enabling Act . “ You are to preside at the meeting in ...

Marseille record three more COVID-19 cases

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French football giants Marseille announced Tuesday that three more people have tested positive for the coronavirus , following five players last week . “ Marseille has just learned that three new suspected cases of COVID - 19 have been detected in its professional squad , ” the club said in a statement . Marseille , which had to cancel what would have been the Ligue 1 season opener last Friday because of the five existing coronavirus cases , added that it had notified the French league about the new infections . The five players already infected , whose names have not been divulged , are all asymptomatic , according to the club . Besides Marseille , several other Ligue 1 clubs have been affected by the virus , including Nimes, Montpellier , Lens , Nice, Angers , Monaco and Brest . Paris Saint - Germain , meanwhile , have obtained a derogation from league officials to push back their season - opening match , initially scheduled on Saturday against Lens, to September 10 . PSG played in S...

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against apple, blackcurrant from Australia

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has cautioned Nigerians to stop consuming an organic apple and black currant originating from Australia . NAFDAC Director- General , Prof . Moji Adeyeye, who disclosed this , said the products had been certified harmful for human consumption. “ The Centre for Food Safety of Hong Kong ’ s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has warned against the consumption of Pure Tassie Organic Apple and Blackcurrant Juice originating from Australia . “ This was due to unacceptable level of patulin ( a mycotoxin ) which had exceeded the maximum limit in fruit juice , ” she said . Adeyeye pointed out that the level of patulin content in the affected fruit juice can induce the liver , spleen , and kidney damage. She added that the toxic level would affect the immune system and causes nausea , gastrointestinal disturbance and vomiting . Adeyeye implored importers , distributors , retailers and consumers to immediately stop the import...

UNILAG crisis: Court strikes out suits against Babalakin, others

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Justice J . I. Essien of the National Industrial Court on Tuesday struck out two suits challenging the “ purported ” removal of the Vice - Chancellor of the University of Lagos , Prof . Toyin Ogundipe. This was after the formal withdrawal of two suits filed in relation to controversy in the university . One of the suits was filed by Ogundipe to challenge his removal by Governing Council then under the chairmanship of the now - suspended Pro - Chancellor, Dr Wale Babalakin ( SAN ) . The other was filed by the Senate of the university to challenge Ogundipe’ s removal and his replacement with Prof . Theophilus Soyombo by the governing council . While Messrs Tayo Oyetibo ( SAN ) and Ebun - Olu Adegboruwa ( SAN ) applied for the withdrawal of Ogundipe’ s suit ; Prof . Taiwo Osipitan ( SAN ) applied for the withdrawal of the suit filed by the Senate. There was no objection to the withdrawal of both suits by Mr Tola Oshobi ( SAN ) who represented Babalakin in both cases . Following the applic...

How I escaped from police custody –Oyo serial killer

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The suspected serial killer in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State , Sunday Shodipe , has been re- arrested . The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State , Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi , who confirmed the development on the telephone to our correspondent in Ibadan on Sunday, said the 19 - year - old suspect was back in custody. Residents of the area were excited with the news of the re - arrest of the suspected ritual killer , warning that he must not be allowed to escape again. The suspect, while narrating how he escaped, said he climbed a tank stand and scaled the fence when he was taken out to take his bath . Shodipe said this in a video posted by Oriyomi Hamzat TV . He spoke after he was re- arrested on Sunday. He said , “ The new DPO at Mokola Police Station told a policeman, Funso , that he should take us out to have our bath . The policeman took me out and he warned me against trying to escape . I didn ’ t even think of escaping when he said that . “ But when I saw that ...

UCL final: 148 arrested as PSG fans riot after defeat

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Police said Monday they arrested 148 people as Paris Saint - Germain fans set cars ablaze , smashed shop windows and clashed with police in the French capital after the team ’ s Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich . The violence occurred around the Parc des Princes stadium and on the Champs -Elysees avenue during and after the match on Sunday night, police said on Twitter . Thousands of supporters had gathered at the Parc des Princes to cheer on PSG, lighting flares and chanting as they watched the 1 - 0 defeat in Lisbon on a big screen. AFP

Bandits killed 1,126 Nigerian villagers in six months – Amnesty

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Global rights group , Amnesty International , says bandits killed 1 , 126 villagers in Nigeria between January and June 2020 . The organisation said the most affected were villages in Southern Kaduna , where armed men killed at least 366 people in multiple attacks between January and July. The AI said this in a report signed by its Director, Osai Ojigho , on Sunday The organisation said it interviewed civilians in Kaduna , Katsina , Niger, Plateau , Sokoto , Taraba and Zamfara states , who said they lived in fear of attacks and abduction as insecurity escalated in the rural areas . “ The Nigerian authorities have left the rural communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen , who have killed at least 1 , 126 people in the North of the country since January , ” the report stated . Amnesty pointed out that many of those interviewed described how security forces often arrived hours after attacks had ended, even when officers had been given information about impending attacks . “ During one ...

AMCON returns property to Anglican Church after 99 years

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The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria has handed over a landed property and all the assets on it popularly called the Ambrosini Property at Ebute Meta to the Cathedral Church of St. Jude after almost 100 years that it was leased out . The handing over was attended by representatives of the church and AMCON at the venue of the property in Ebutte Meta area of Lagos on Thursday . Speaking at the event , a Credit Officer in AMCON , Ndom Ita , said , “ It is a pleasure for us to officially handover this place to the dioceses . It is a significant event . “ The official handing over of this place means that there are no more encumbrances with the property ; everything on this property has been resolved . ” The Dean of the Cathedral Church of St . Jude, Olufeyisanjo Ojelabi , recalled that the property which belonged to the church was given to a reputable company , Ambrosini & Co , to get a loan after which it became a big problem to the church since the year 1920 . Along the line ...

Brazilian president threatens to punch reporter in the mouth

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday threatened to punch a reporter repeatedly in the mouth after being asked about his wife ’ s links to an alleged corruption scheme. “ I so want to pound your mouth with punches , ” the far - right president said when a reporter from O Globo, posed the question . The reporter was part of a group that met Bolsonaro after his regular Sunday visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Brasilia . The president ignored protests from other journalists after the remarks and left without making further comments . The O Globo reporter asked about a report in the magazine Crusoe linking First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro to Fabrício Queiroz, a retired police officer, friend of the president , and former adviser to her son Flavio Bolsonaro , who is now a senator . Queiroz and Flavio Bolsonaro are under investigation for a scheme that allegedly swindled pay from government employees when the younger Bolsonaro was a regional lawmaker in Rio de Janeiro , and before J...

Lagos health commissioner Abayomi contracts COVID-19

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The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi , has tested positive for coronavirus . The Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso , made this known in a Press statement on Monday. The statement was titled , ‘ Press release on the positive COVID - 19 status of Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi’ . The statement read , “ Subsequent to close contact with persons feeling unwell and testing positive for the COVID - 19 infection , the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Prof . Akin Abayomi , has tested positive for the virus . “ Professor Abayomi became aware of his status following the required testing protocol of contact tracing procedures . “ However , he is doing well with no symptoms . Adhering to the protocol of the home - based strategy in Lagos State , the Honorable Commissioner will be isolating in his home for the next 14 days but will continue to discharge his duties both as the Deputy Incident Commander of the Incident Command...

Nigeria’s economy shrinks by 6.10% in Q2

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For the first time in more than three years , the nation ’ s economy shrank in the second quarter of this year as the Gross Domestic Product fell by 6 . 10 per cent . The National Bureau of Statistics , in its GDP report for Q2 2020 , said on Monday that the decline was largely attributable to significantly lower levels of both domestic and international economic activity , which resulted from nationwide shutdown efforts aimed at containing the COVID - 19 pandemic . “ Gross Domestic Product decreased by –6 . 10 per cent ( year - on - year ) in real terms in the second quarter of 2020 , ending the three - year trend of low but positive real growth rates recorded since the 2016 /17 recession , ” the NBS said . It said when compared with Q2 2019 , which recorded a growth of 2 . 12 per cent , the Q2 2020 growth rate indicated a drop of 8 . 22 per cent , and a fall of 7 . 97 per cent when compared to the first quarter of 2020 ( 1 . 87 per cent ) . “ Consequently , for the first half of 2020...

After Beirut blast, foreign workers beg to go home

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After struggling first through Lebanon ’ s economic crisis and then the coronavirus pandemic , Ethiopian worker Tarik Kebeda said the deadly blast that ripped through her Beirut home was the final straw . Inside the small house she shares with four friends , she pointed to the window frames covered by sheets , because the glass was smashed out by the August 4 explosion. They had already lost their jobs — as domestic workers , or in supermarkets or restaurants — but now their home too is at risk. “ I’ m scared to sleep here , ” the 22 - year old said , showing the deep cracks running down the bedroom’ s walls , saying she feared the building “ will collapse on top of us ” . Thousands of foreign workers were already stranded in Lebanon , after months of dollar shortages and then the coronavirus pandemic . Then came the blast in Beirut ’ s port that killed more than 181 people , wounded thousands and devastated swathes of the city . Many say it was just one disaster too many, and now they...