300-level ABU student commits suicide, blames parents in note (Guardian)
A 300-level student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Aisha Omolola Abdulganiyu, has committed suicide, blaming her parents for the decision she took to kill herself. This was confirmed by the university on its official twitter handle @Tweet_abuzaria, which stated: “Aisha Omolola, a 300 Level student in ABU took her own life today. She reportedly took poison “Sniper” earlier today in her apartment at Samaru, which immediately took her life.” The female student took her life in the early hours of Wednesday after hanging out with her friends. She reportedly ingested a harmful substance after she wrote a goodbye note. In the note, she bade farewell to her friends and loved ones, stating that her life had been made a living hell. The young lady noted that her parents blame her for their mistakes. Read more
Five held over Badeh’s murder (Nation)
The police are holding five suspects for their alleged involvement in the killing of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh. They, however, declined yesterday to reveal the identities of the suspects. According to them, two of the suspects “actively” participated in the killing of the former Defence chief penultimate week. The remaining three suspects played other roles that led to Badeh’s murder, the police explained. But the suspects were not paraded as scheduled by the Police, who claimed that their decision was to prevent other members of the gang from escaping. Read more
APP takes Buhari, PSC, others to court over IGP’s tenure (Vanguard)
Action Peoples Party, APP, has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari, Police Service Commission, PSC, to the Federal High Court, Abuja, urging it to declare that “any person or an officer of the Nigeria Police Force, who has attained the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service cannot be deemed to be a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force, for the purposes of being appointed or re-appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, as an Inspector General of Police”. Other defendants in the suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1570/2018, include the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris. Read more
Buhari appoints Akpabio coordinator of Presidential Support Committee (Guardian)
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed former Senate Minority leader Godswill Akpabio as the National Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee. The Akwa Ibom state Coordinator of the committee,Mfon Okon, Uyo said four indigenes of the state have also been appointment into the committee. The new appointees include Lady Valerie Ebe, a former deputy governor of the state as chairman, National Advisory Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, national director – planning & strategy, Senator Aloysius Etok – national director for inter-party affairs, and the party’s South-South zonal woman leader, Mrs Rachael Akpabio as the National Assistant Welfare Secretary. Read more
Conduct LG elections now, rights group tells Obiano (Vanguard)
The ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra State has been accused of taking the people of the state for a ride by not conducting local government elections in the state. The accusation was made by a human rights group, Corruption Watch, through its coordinator Mr Chuks Ogbuka in Nnewi. According to the group, “Governor Willie Obiano will be taking the people of Anambra State for a ride if he fails to conduct local government elections in the state as soon as possible to fulfill his second term campaign promise. Read more
EFCC secures 312 convictions in 2018 (Nation)
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it has secured 312 convictions between January and December 24, 2018. It said the rate of convictions was “undoubtedly a significant improvement from the 189 convictions in 2017”. The commission said the convictions were secured in all its 11 zonal offices nationwide. Acting Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Tony Orilade gave the breakdown in an appraisal statement in Abuja. Read more
Protesters attack DR Congo Ebola centre (BBC)
Protesters angry with the postponement of Sunday’s presidential election in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo have attacked a clinic where possible Ebola cases are assessed. The attack happened in the eastern city of Beni, one of three opposition areas where the vote has been postponed. The electoral commission has cited the current Ebola outbreak as one of the reasons behind the postponement. But opposition parties have accused the authorities of seeking to rig the vote. Along with Beni, voting has been postponed until March in Butembo, also in the east and in Yumbi, which is in the west. Read more
Row over Dubai ‘missing’ princess meeting (BBC)
Former UN rights chief Mary Robinson has been accused of supporting the emirate of Dubai’s version of events over a princess who was feared missing. Mrs Robinson, who recently met Sheikha Latifa, daughter of Dubai’s ruler, said she was a “troubled young woman”. She told the BBC the princess regretted making a video in which she alleged confinement and torture. Radha Stirling, head of the rights group Detained in Dubai, said questions remained about the princess’s welfare. “Anyone familiar with Princess Latifa’s story who listened to the BBC Radio interview today with Mary Robinson will be astonished at the extent to which Mrs Robinson appeared to be reciting almost verbatim from Dubai’s script,” she said. Read more
Trabzonspor want Kabore to replace Onazi (Vanguard)
Trabzonspor are desperate to sign a replacement for injured Nigeria international Eddy Onazi in the winter transfer market, according to reports. It is all but confirmed that the central midfielder will not kick a ball again this season after undergoing surgery following the injury he suffered against Rizespor three days ago. According to Karadeniz Gazetesi, Trabzonspor will reignite their interest in Burkina Faso international Charles Kabore, who is currently on the books of Krasnador in Russia. Read more
Anderson double sees Hammers come back to sink Saints (Guardian)
Felipe Anderson scored twice as West Ham came from a goal behind to win 2-1 away to Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday. After a lacklustre first half at St Mary’s, all three goals came in a nine-minute spell early in the second half, with Nathan Redmond firing the Saints ahead before Brazilian star Anderson’s double put West Ham on top. Victory saw the Hammers climb into ninth place in the table while Southampton, denied a third straight win under new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, remained in 16th spot just three points above the relegation zone. Read more
Inter to play two games with no fans (BBC)
Inter Milan will play two home league games behind closed doors following the alleged racist abuse of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly on Wednesday. The Italian side will also play a third match at the San Siro without opening the ‘curva’ section of the ground, popular with fans known as ‘ultras’. Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti said he asked for the match to be suspended three times and that Koulibaly was targeted in the 1-0 defeat. Inter are deciding whether to appeal. A supporter who was with a group of Inter Milan fans died after being knocked down by a van amid violence before the match in Milan. Read more
Sammie Okposo blasts Akpororo (Vanguard)
Popular gospel singer, Sammie Okposo believes in ‘practicing what you preach.’ And that’s why he came down heavily on comedian cum gospel artiste, Akpororo for taking off his shirt while performing at a street praise Jamz in Lagos. Akpororo, who’s known for his radical praises on the street performed at an end of the year concert. The comedian had taken off his shirt at some point and this did not go down well with singer Sammie Okposo as he took to his Instagram page to condemn Akpororo for the act. Read more
Man cuts off brother’s hand in Bayelsa (Punch)
A man, whose identity has not been determined, was said to have cut off his brother’s hand when the two of them engaged in a fight on Christmas Day. The man was said to have rushed to his house, picked up a machete with which he tried to cut his brother on the head, but the victim was said to have defended himself with his hand. It was gathered that the victim was the first to attempt to stab his brother with a knife, but failed. It was learnt that the incident occurred at Otatubu, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Read more