Author: The Whistler Newspaper

A Kano State High Court has sentenced one Abdulaziz Umar to death by hanging after convicting him of murder and armed robbery arising from the killing of Mubarak Salisu during a phone snatching incident in 2020.

Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who delivered judgment in the case on Tuesday, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found Umar guilty on all counts.

According to the charge, Umar and five accomplices — Muyi, Umar Sarki, Diga, Ashosho, and Taduke, all of various addresses and still at large — allegedly attacked Salisu at Race Course, Badawa, Kano on October 1, 2020, robbing him of a Samsung mobile phone valued at N100,000.

During the attack, Umar stabbed the victim with a sharp knife in the stomach and on the hand, from which Salisu died.

Umar faced four counts, including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, culpable homicide punishable with death, and brigandage.

The court found him culpable on all charges, with the homicide count establishing that he inflicted the fatal stab wounds with the knowledge that death would be the probable consequence of his actions.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Aisha Salisu of the Kano State Ministry of Justice, called four witnesses.

The defence, led by counsel Ya’u Abdullahi Umar, presented only the convict himself as a witness.

The five co-accused remain at large.

Kano Man Bags Death Sentence For Stabbing Samsung Phone Owner is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Cameroon defender, Lauren, has tipped Arsenal to beat Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg and qualify for the final.

The tie is finely balanced after the 1-1 draw in the first leg.

If the Gunners are able to eliminate the LaLiga side, they will be playing in only their second final in the history of the club.

That would be a potential clash between either Paris Saint-Germain of Bayern Munich in Budapest.

“We have a big chance to win against Atletico Madrid, to reach the final, and also to be able to win the league by the end of the season. It’s very important,” Lauren told Hayters.

“Viktor Gyokeres is scoring goals, Bukayo Saka is back in the team and scoring goals. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli can do it as well.”

UCL: Lauren predicts Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid semi-final second leg

The Taraba State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested a 40-year-old man for alleged possession of a locally made firearm and involvement in illegal checkpoint activities in Kurmi Local Government Council of the state.

The suspect, identified as Jonathan Wunuji, was apprehended on May 2 in Visaula town following what officials described as credible intelligence. He was later paraded at the NSCDC state headquarters in Jalingo.

Speaking on Monday on behalf of the State Commandant, Anthony Bala Bitrus, the command’s spokesperson, Iliya Samaila, said the suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed locally fabricated pistol and two live cartridges.

According to Samaila, Wunuji allegedly threatened to open fire on NSCDC operatives during the operation but was swiftly disarmed before carrying out the threat.

Preliminary investigations, according to the command, suggested that the suspect may have been working with accomplices to intimidate residents in the area.

Authorities also allege that he operated an unlawful checkpoint, where he extorted from motorists and passersby despite prior warnings from community leaders and security personnel.

The NSCDC said the suspect has confessed and will be charged in court promptly.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, Samaila urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and reliable information, noting that community intelligence remains key to maintaining peace and security across Taraba State.

NSCDC arrests man over illegal checkpoint, firearm possession in Taraba community

The payments platform secures money transmitter approval across the United States as it prepares to serve the growing cross-border corridor between Africa and North America.

Juicyway has received regulatory approval to operate as a money transmitter across 48 US states through a regulated partnership structure. The approval gives Juicyway the regulatory basis to participate in the US payments ecosystem and positions the company to serve cross-border flows between Africa and North America — one of the fastest-growing payment corridors in the world.

Money transmission in the United States is governed at the state level. Unlike markets with centralised payment regulation, operating across the US requires separate authorisation in each jurisdiction. Achieving coverage across 48 states represents a significant regulatory undertaking — and the foundation on which any serious cross-border payment infrastructure touching the US must be built.

The approval comes as demand for reliable Africa-US payment infrastructure continues to grow. African professionals getting paid by US companies, businesses managing cross-border payroll, and platforms settling funds across continents are all navigating a system that was not designed with their specific needs in mind. Juicyway is building directly for this reality.

“The US is one of the most important origins of global payment flows,” said Ife Johnson, Founder and CEO of Juicyway. “A significant and growing share of those flows involve Africa — talent, services, trade, and capital. Having regulatory approval across 48 states means we are now positioned inside that system, not routing around it. That changes what we can build next.”

Juicyway serves over 2,200 enterprises and 17,000 individuals, having processed more than $4 billion in transaction volume across African currency corridors and beyond. The US approval follows the company’s FCA authorisation in the United Kingdom and PSP registration under Canada’s Retail Payment Activities Act.

Businesses and individuals can learn more at juicyway.com.

About Juicyway
Juicyway is a cross-border payments platform built to make moving money across African trade corridors fast, transparent, and reliable. Founded in 2021, the company serves over 2,200 enterprises and 17,000 individuals, with more than $4 billion in transaction volume processed across Africa, the UK, North America, and beyond.

Juicyway Approved Across 48 US States, Strengthening Its Africa-America Payment Infrastructure

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has directed all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective commands.

The IGP said “This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe,”

According to Disu, the objective is to strengthen accountability, identify existing gaps, and provide an accurate assessment of the Police’s operational needs.

“Let me emphasize that this is not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed,” Disu said.

Speaking further, the IGP reminded the Commissioners of Police that they carry enormous responsibility as the officers under their command look to them for direction, communities look to them for protection while he (IGP) looks to them for results.

“Lead with integrity, lead with discipline, and lead with the people – and this Force will be transformed” he charged the State Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

He emphasized that the police cannot secure the country alone, noting that security is a collective enterprise.

“We need the trust, the cooperation, and the active partnership of the Nigerian people – and we are committed to earning it,” he said.

“I am therefore directing every Commissioner of Police to hold regular town hall engagements across their State Commands. These are not ceremonial events. Commissioners must sit with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organizations, women’s groups, and transport unions – listening, sharing information, and building genuine partnerships.

“I am also taking a step that I believe will send a strong signal of openness and accessibility: I am directing all Commissioners of Police to make their contact details available to community leaders within their States. When a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice.”

Disu added, “We have undertaken a comprehensive retraining and strategic repositioning of our personnel, with particular emphasis on human rights standards, lawful use of force, and professional conduct. This is ongoing work, and it will not stop.

“The Police Complaints Response Unit – the CRU – remains fully operational, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any citizen with a legitimate complaint about police conduct has a direct and accessible channel. Contact details will be made available at the close of this conference. I encourage all Nigerians to use this channel, and I encourage members of the press to publicize it widely.

“I also wish to address the circulation on social media of videos depicting police misconduct. Some of these incidents occurred years ago, and the officers involved were sanctioned at the time. But I understand that perception matters. We are working – actively and with urgency – to rebuild and sustain public trust. I ask Nigerians to judge us by our actions going forward.”

IGP directs CPs to audit arms, ammunition in their commands, make contacts public

The Lagos State Government has sealed over 12 properties across the state for failing to comply with elevator safety regulations.

The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Safety Commission during a recent compliance exercise in parts of Lagos, including areas like Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of the commission, Lanre Mojola, said ‘the affected buildings were sealed for failing to register their elevators, lack of routine maintenance, and absence of certified safety inspections”.

Mojola noted that the exercise, which took place in early May 2026, is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to prevent accidents and ensure public safety in residential and commercial buildings.

He warned property owners to comply with the state’s safety guidelines or face stricter sanctions, adding that the commission will continue monitoring facilities across Lagos.

The commission urged residents to report faulty elevators and avoid using lifts that show signs of malfunction, stressing that safety remains a top priority for the state government.

Lagos seals over 12 buildings for breaching elevator safety rules

Athletic Club have appointed German boss Edin Terzic as their new head coach.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach has agreed a two-year contract and is scheduled to be presented by the Bilbao-based club at the start of next season.

The 43-year-old will replace Ernesto Valverde, who said in March that he would leave Athletic Club this summer after four years in charge.

Andoni Iraola had been linked with a return to his former club after saying he will leave his role as Bournemouth manager this summer.

Terzic has had two spells in charge of Dortmund, winning the German Cup in 2021, narrowly missing out on the Bundesliga title in 2023 and reaching the Champions League final in 2024.

He asked to leave Dortmund shortly after losing 2-0 to Real Madrid at Wembley and was yet to resume his managerial career.

Terzic had previously been Slaven Bilic’s assistant at Turkish club Besiktas and Premier League side West Ham.

Athletic Club are currently eighth in Spain’s La Liga table with four games of the season left.

Terzic Agrees To Become New Coach Of Athletic Club is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has disclosed that 36 vessels laden with a variety of cargoes, including petroleum products, food supplies, and other essential goods, are expected to berth at major Lagos ports.

The ports scheduled to receive the vessels include Apapa Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Tin Can Island Port.

According to the NPA’s Daily Shipping Position report, the vessels are projected to arrive between May 5 and May 10, 2026.

Of the total number, 15 ships are expected to convey containerised cargo, while 21 others will transport bulk consignments such as fresh fish, general cargo, aviation fuel, bulk wheat, base oil, diesel, petrol, gasoline, and crude oil.

The authority also revealed that 11 vessels have already arrived within the port network and are currently awaiting berthing to offload items including containers, bulk urea, fuel oil, petrol, bulk fertiliser, gasoline, and gas.

In addition, 24 ships are actively discharging various cargoes across the three ports. These include bulk urea, containers, trucks, fresh fish, bulk wheat, aviation fuel, diesel, and other essential commodities.

36 vessels laden with fuel, food to berth at Lagos ports – NPA

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps follow Peter Obi, Kwankwaso to NDC

An aspirant for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the FCT, Hon. Sarah Ivie Adidi, has formally submitted her Expression of Interest and Nomination forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid renewed assurances of support from residents of the nation’s capital.

Sarah, while addressing a large crowd of supporters and party faithful who accompanied her to the venue of the exercise, said she remained committed and focused on making the AMAC/Bwari constituency a model in Nigeria through redevelopment and empowerment projects.

She reaffirmed her commitment to building a constituency that works for everyone, emphasizing her focus on infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and improved security. She also expressed deep gratitude to residents for the overwhelming show of love and support so far.

“This journey is not mine alone,” she said. “It belongs to every young person who believes in a better future, every woman who dares to lead, and every citizen who wants effective representation. Together, we will make our voices heard and turn our dreams into reality,” she added.

The atmosphere at the venue of the submission was carnival-like, as youth groups and well-wishers who accompanied her created a vibrant and celebratory scene. Chanting slogans, waving banners, and dressed in coordinated campaign colours, supporters turned the occasion into a powerful demonstration of grassroots backing.

Particularly notable was the strong presence of women’s groups from across the constituency, who came out in solidarity and excitement.

Speaking at the event, several women group leaders from across the constituency described Hon. Adidi as the preferred choice and the hope of the constituency.

The women praised her track record in youth empowerment, women’s advocacy, and community development, expressing confidence in her ability to deliver inclusive and people-centred representation.

FCT Residents Reaffirm Support For Adidi Following APC Form Submission is first published on The Whistler Newspaper