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Justin Timberlake pleads not guilty to drunk driving charge

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Pop singer Justin Timberlake pleaded not guilty on Friday to driving while intoxicated in a virtual appearance before a judge who ordered that his driver’s license be suspended in New York state, US media reported.

On June 18, the 43-year-old entertainer was pulled over in the town of Sag Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City, after police observed his BMW go through a stop sign and struggle to stay within road lanes.

The officer who pulled over the “Cry Me a River” singer said he was in no fit state to drive.

“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests,” the police report said.

Justin Timberlake appeared on a video link from Antwerp in Belgium, where he was on tour to promote his latest album.

During the hearing, Judge Carl Irace ordered that Timberlake’s right to drive in New York state be suspended, which the star’s lawyer Edward Burke told reporters would last for the duration of the case.

Burke again insisted that the “SexyBack” performer was not drunk when he was stopped, and had consumed just one martini before he was pulled over.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 9. Timberlake is not required to attend.

AFP

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NGX: Equities market close week on bullish trend as investors gain N219bn

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The Nigerian equities market reversed several days of bearish trend as investors gained N219 billion at the close of trading on Friday.
This followed the growth in the share prices of stocks like MAY&BAKER, OKOMU OIL and OANDO, amongst others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization rose to N55.5 trillion from N55.2 trillion recorded by the bourse on Thursday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also increased to 97,745.73 from 97,359.76 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was positive as 36 stocks advanced and 10 stocks declined, while 70 others remained unchanged in 6, 603 deals.
READ ALSO: Investors lose N113bn amid suspension of stocks by NGXtock
MAY & BAKER, OKOMU OIL and OANDO led other gainers with 10% growth each in share prices to close at N7.04, N321.20, and N25.30 from the previous N6.40, N292.00, and N23.00 per share.
On the flip side, MECURE, THOMASWY and WAPIC led other price decliners as they shed 9.82%, 9.09% and 9.09% each to close at N7.35, N0.70 and N0.50 from the initial N8.15, N0.77, and N0.55 per share.
On the volume index, OANDO led trading with 14 million shares valued at N371 million in 341 deals followed by ZENITH BANK which traded 13 million shares valued at N489 million in 383 deals.
VERITASKAP traded 11 million shares valued at N11 million in 97 deals.
On the value index, UBA recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N752 million in 470 deals followed by ZENITH BANK which traded equities worth N489 million in 383 deals.
MTN Nigeria traded stocks worth N435 million in 522 deals.
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Protest: One killed, 11 injured in Borno explosion

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One person was killed and 11 others sustained serious injuries in a bomb explosion in Borno State on Friday.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal, disclosed this to journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital.
READ ALSO: Four killed, 34 injured as Boko Haram insurgents infiltrate #EndBadGovernance protesters in Borno
He said the incident occurred during a protest against bad governance at Deribe Junction near the Federal Government Girls’ College Monguno (FGGC) Annex in Maiduguri.
The CP added that the injured victims were taken to the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri for treatment while the corpse was given out for autopsy.
He said police swiftly deployed the personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD), Base 13, which probed the scene and rendered the area around a filling station safe.
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday infiltrated the protesters and killed four people protesters along the Baga Road in Maiduguri.
At least 34 others sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident.
Lawal said: “In a separate incident, a case of culpable homicide was reported in Biu local government area.
“One Muhammad Wakshama reported that his son-in-law, Ibrahim Bulama, had a misunderstanding with his wife, Maryam Ibrahim, and hit her with a stick on the head, resulting in serious injury.
“The victim was taken to the General Hospital, Biu, for treatment but she was confirmed dead on Thursday.
“The suspect was arrested and an exhibit was recovered while the investigation has commenced.”
The CP noted that the incidents brought the total number of deaths in the state to 17 in the past 48 hours, with many others injured.
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EndBadGovernance protest: Army, police beef up

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Security was on Friday beefed up within the Benin metropolis especially around government infrastructures as the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest entered day two.
TVN reports that men of the Nigerian Army, police and Civil Defence were stationed at strategic locations within the city centre and the Kings Square venue of the protest.
Several vehicles of the Nigerian Army and armed policemen were seen patrolling major streets particularly Sakponba Road and other major roads.
An army armoured personnel carrier and that of the police were stationed at the Akpakpava Road by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Edo State House of Assembly.
The soldiers also removed barricades on Sapele Road, erected by youths at different points, of while police also removed those at the Ramat Park, Auchi Bypass Road.
TVN learnt that policemen dispersed some youths with teargas at Benin-Auchi bypass.
Youths also barricaded the ever-busy Ekenwa Road.
However, the Government Reservation Area witnessed heavy vehicular movement as motorists used the area to connect remote parts of Sapele Road.
Commuters who travelled to Benin from other states were prevented from entering the city at Auchi bypass.
Others who could not wait for buses and taxis to start plying the route engaged the services of commercial motorcyclists to continue their journey.
Commercial activities, however, gradually picked up compared to Thursday whereby business owners shut down their business premises.
While commercial banks were still under lock and key, some filling stations, however, opened for business.
Business activities gradually retuned to the ever-busy Oba market, Lagos Street, Ibiwe Street and some adjoining streets around the Kings Square.
Protesters defied heavy downpour to partake in the protest.
One of the leaders of the coalition of civil society organisation that is coordinating the protest in the state, Kola Edokpayi, said that the protest was going on successfully. He noted that people from Ogida, Upper Sakponba and other parts of the state, joined them at the centre, to ensure it remains peaceful.
EndBadGovernance protest: Army, police beef up

Ribadu’s men refuse to return stolen Accordingman’s camera, phones, others

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The officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser who abducted and carted away The According photojournalist, Kayode Jaiyeola’s camera and phones are yet to return them.

Frantic efforts made by Jaiyeola to recover his belongings including going back to the NSA’s office were futile.

Jaiyeola said the security operatives at the gate denied him access despite explaining what transpired to them.

He added that calls to seek the intervention of the ONSA’s spokesperson were not answered.

Jaiyeola said, “I was at the NSA’s office earlier today to see how I could retrieve my phones and camera but I was denied access to the building.

“I tried explaining what transpired to them but they didn’t listen. I also called the number of the spokesperson there maybe he could help intervene but he didn’t pick up. I also called the FCT command, they said the NSA officials didn’t bring them.”

Several calls to the ONSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa were not answered, he has also yet to respond to the message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

The officials who had abducted Jaiyeola were covering the EndbadgovernanceInNigeria protest on Thursday at Eagles Square despite showing them his office identity card.

The ONSA officials drove him to the FCT police command and ordered his detention.

He added that the officials refused his requests to call his office or family and inform them of his whereabouts.

The FCT police command spokesperson Josephine Adeh when contacted on Thursday confirmed that the officials were from the NSA’s office.

She added that Jaiyeola’s belongings were with the officials who brought him.

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Tinubu determined to push on — Shettima

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to be patient, reassuring them that President Bola Tinubu understands their concerns and anxieties.

The VP also disclosed that the president is aware of the activities of the oil subsidy cabal but added that he is determined to push on with the reforms despite the difficulties currently facing the country.

Shettima’s appeal came in response to the nationwide hunger protest and the need for Nigerians to be patient with the president in light of the hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy, the unification of the foreign exchange market, and other economic reforms.

Shettima made this statement at the African Caucus meeting 2024, held on Friday in Abuja, where he represented the president.

He said, “We are gathered here against the backdrop of what happened a couple of weeks ago in Kenya. There is understandable apprehension in the country, but here we are; no matter how long the night is, it must give way to the light of dawn. Surely, the weather might be cloudy, but it won’t rain forever.

“The president made the painful decisions. Reforms are imperative, and we know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade. We are aware of the oil subsidy cabal, but we are determined to push on; efforts will be made with human kindness. Please be patient; our hearts go out to our continent as it endures the cost-of-living hardship, but we shall overcome.”

On Thursday, Nigerians took to the streets protesting soaring inflation, food prices, and economic hardship largely caused by policies and reforms undertaken by the current administration.

The protesters, calling for an #EndBadGovernance, are demanding a reduction in the petrol pump price to N200 per litre, an end to insecurity, the closure of IDP camps, and electoral reforms, among other issues.

However, the rally, which began peacefully, has taken a violent turn in some cities, leading to violent confrontations between the police and the protesters.

No fewer than 17 people are feared to have been killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa during the #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country on Thursday.

One person was shot dead in Abuja and Kano, two were killed in Jigawa, six others were reportedly gunned down by security forces in Niger, while four died in Borno and three in Kaduna.

Also on Friday, police officers dispersed the protesters with tear gas, and many were feared injured.

Oyo releases funds for burial of Nigerian flag designer, Pa Akinkunmi

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The family of the designer of Nigeria’s flag, Late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, on Friday, announced that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had released funds for the burial of their patriarch.

The According reports that the deceased’s flag design was selected as the best in the year 1958 amongst all the presented designs during a competition to get a new national flag design for Nigeria.

Akinkunmi, a native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, lived in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, until he died, on August 29, 2023.

A statement by the family’s spokesman, Samuel Akinkunmi in Ibadan, said, “This is to notify the general public that Governor Makinde has released funds for the burial of our patriarch.

“He died in August last year and he has not been buried as of today. The reasons are not far-fetched. The Federal Government sent a representative led by the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris. He promised us that the government would sponsor the burial. Also, the state government pledged to support the burial.

“At a time when we fixed dates, we approached them and they were not forthcoming. We decided to bury him on our own and they said we should not do that at the time. But to God be the glory, Governor Makinde has fulfilled his promise. We wish to thank him, members of the 7th Assembly, members of the state Advisory Council and everyone who took the matter up.

“We also want to thank Yoruba World Congress UK for their support. They wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu challenging the Nigerian government and the state government for their neglect. Although, the Presidency is yet to fulfil its promise at the time of this correspondence,” Akinkunmi stressed.

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Gunmen attack military checkpoint in Ebonyi

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Suspected Gunmen have attacked a military checkpoint on Amangwu axis of the Amasiri-Owutu-edda highway in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

Ebonyi Police Command confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday.

The states’ Police Public Relations, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday in the area.

According to him, the information reaching us from Owutu Police Division reveals that some hoodlums attacked a military checkpoint on Friday morning.

“It is not yet certain if there were casualties. The attack was carried out by suspected gunmen in the area, who operated with motorcycles,” he added.

NAN

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Sanusi condemns violence by #EndBadGovernance protesters in Kano

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The Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi II, on Friday condemned the violent incidents that occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protests in the state.
The protests which stated peacefully in the state on Thursday later degenerated into violence with a number of people killed and properties destroyed by hoodlums.
Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf had since declared a 24-hour curfew in the state following the violence that trailed the protests.
The Emir, who addressed journalists at his palace in Kano on Friday, described the destruction of lives and property as very unfortunate.
He extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and appealed to parents to monitor their children closely to prevent them from being used as agents of destruction.
Sanusi described the vandalism of the multi-million naira Nigeria Communication Commission’s office as a setback for Kano State.
He stressed that anyone or group instigating trouble ‘’does not represent the interests of Kano State.’’
He urged the people of the state to expose those fomenting trouble and advised everyone to pray for peace, progress, and political stability in the state.
The post Sanusi condemns violence by #EndBadGovernance protesters in Kano appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Nationwide protest: Hoodlums reportedly loot rice mill in Kaduna [Video]

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Hoodlums reportedly looted rice mills situated along Zaria Road in Kaduna State during the nationwide protest.
A video shared by an X user, @Segalink, on Friday, shows some people carting away bags of rice.
TVN reports that some Nigerians are on a nationwide protest, which commenced on August 1, 2024.
The organisers of the protest have lamented about widespread hunger and inflation in the country.

Another looting galore at Rice Mills along Zaria Road in compliance with the 10 days of rage and revolt as incited. Who takes responsibility? pic.twitter.com/w8okZHpbjG
— SEGA L’éveilleur® (@segalink) August 2, 2024

Nationwide protest: Hoodlums reportedly loot rice mill in Kaduna [Video]