Prince Philip turns 99 today, June 10, and the British royal family marked it with the release of a rare portrait alongside his wife of 72 years, Queen Elizabeth.

In the photo, the Duke of Edinburgh stands next to the monarch in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, which is where the royal couple has been in isolation since March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Prince Philip has on his tie of the Household Division — the seven British army regiments that serve the Queen. Queen Elizabeth, who turned 94 in April, wears a floral dress by her dresser and confidante Angela Kelly, who is living on the castle grounds.

One of the emirs of the newly created emirates in Kano, the Emir of Rano, Dr Tafida Abubakar Ila ll, was reportedly taken to a hospital yesterday, May 1, over an illness.

Though it is still not clear if his illness is related to Coronavirus, Daily Trust reported that he was brought to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in a critical state. He was reportedly referred to the Nassarawa Specialist Hospital for further medical attention.

A traditional title holder in Rano emirate who pleaded anonymity told the publication that the Emir of Rano was first rushed to AKTH, but was referred to Nassarawa hospital due to lack of oxygen.

He said; “The vehicle conveying the emir to Nassarawa hospital just left the premises of AKTH, the condition of the emir was critical at the time they departed AKTH.

“The emir is in critical condition and from the look of things, the situation is alarming, may Allah protect us all.”

Igwe Anayo Anochili, the traditional ruler of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community, Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State has been sacked by a high court in the state after being found guilty of certificate forgery.

Anochili was dragged to the court by another contestant, Chief Nathan Nwanze Nwangwu who stated that he (Anochili) was not qualified to contest for the traditional stool having presented a questionable Secondary School Certificate.

While Anochili insisted that he polled the majority of lawful votes cast during the Igweship election in 2003, Nwangwu stated that he was the only qualified candidate who indicated interest. He also accused Anochili of truncating his presentation to the government for recognition.

Justice Afam Nwobodo who presided over the case, found merits in the arguments of the plaintiff on Anochili not being qualified to contest in the Igweship election.

He said;

“The defendant has since tendered his school certificate before this court as Exhibit 16. The said Certificate is dated June 2004 and bears the name of Anochili Anayo C. born on February 1, 1979. Meanwhile Exhibit 2 filled by the 2nd defendant shows that he was born on the 1st day of September, 1965.

“Can it be said that the candidate for the Igwe stool in Exhibit 2 and the owner of the school certificate Exhibit 16 is the same person? My answer is in the negative.

“Now, even if the purpose of argument, that they are the same person, the question is- was the 2nd defendant qualified to contest for the office of the Igwe of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community as the time he filled the form on 30th October, 2003? My answer is emphatic No.”

The High Court Judge also issued a restraining order against the defendants or their agents from conducting any further election or selection on the Igweship for Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community.

Justice Afam added;

“The 2nd defendant is hereby restrained by the order of this court from parading himself of being paraded by any other person as His Royal Highness, Igwe Cyril Anayo Anochili or performing any duties customarily reserved for the Igwe of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community.

“The Court hereby declares that the 3rd plaintiff is the qualified candidate for Igweship of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community and was duly elected/selected the Igwe Elect as at 1st January, 2004.

“That Executives of Umuogbugbuagu Progressive Union of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community shall present the 3rd plaintiff to the Governor of Enugu State for recognition.

“The defendants shall pay the cost of this action to the plaintiffs, assessed at N100,000 only.”