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Actor Micheal Ward acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges
Actor Micheal Ward, known for his role as Jamie in the Netflix series Top Boy, was found not guilty of rape and sexual assault by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The 28-year-old had denied two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. The jury unanimously acquitted him on all five charges after deliberating for over five hours. Ward became emotional as the verdicts were read. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident in January 2023, where Ward was accused of raping a woman in a car after meeting outside a New Year鈥檚 party in east London. Throughout the two-week trial, Ward maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual. His solicitor, Humzah Ilyas, stated that Ward was grateful to the jury for carefully considering the evidence and confirmed that the jury agreed it was a consensual sexual encounter. Ilyas also noted that the police investigation had lasted three and a half years, significantly impacting Ward鈥檚 personal life and acting career. Ward looks forward to returning to his work. He also acknowledged individuals who have experienced sexual violence, stating they deserve to be heard and treated with compassion. During the trial, social media influencer Murad Merali was removed from the courtroom for posting about the proceedings online, and was ordered to delete the posts. Ward, born in Jamaica and raised in east London, won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and has appeared in films such as Blue Story and Empir
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Nigerian Army rescues 44 abducted Oyo pupils and teachers after 56 days
The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully rescued 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The rescue operation, which lasted over a month, targeted the kidnappers' network and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other areas. The victims had been held captive for 56 days since their abduction on May 15, 2026. The operation involved troops led by Major General C.R. Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, alongside special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun. Several suspects were arrested in Oyo and other states, which disrupted the group's activities and led to the unconditional release of the captives. While there were casualties among the security forces, the rescued individuals are now receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families. President Bola Tinubu and other officials were thanked for their support and guidance. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the rescue and stated that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested, with others neutralized. President Tinubu also affirmed that no ransom was paid and no concessions were made, vowing to
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Tony Elumelu urges FIFA to improve World Cup officiating standards
Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Tony Elumelu has called on FIFA to enhance the standard of officiating at the ongoing World Cup, stating that poor refereeing could compromise the integrity of the game. In a post on his verified X handle, Elumelu commended the African teams for their representation at the tournament, noting they showcased the quality of African football globally. While praising their performances, he urged FIFA to address concerns regarding the quality of officiating, warning that continued poor officiating would damage the sport. He reiterated his congratulations to all participating African nations.
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