Accidental discharge: Mopol bags 7 years jail term for manslaughter (Vanguard)
A police mobile officer, Salisu Ibrahim, who was attached to the Epe Branch of First Bank Plc, was on Tuesday sentenced to seven years imprisonment for accidentally shooting the bank’s security guard with his service AK47 rifle.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibrahim, however, walked out of the court a free man, having spent six years and five months in prison, exceeding his seven-year jail term because eight months equals to a year in prison.
While convicting Ibrahim, Justice Raliatu Adebiyi described as possible and believable, his confessional statement that the gun exploded and hit the deceased, Olanrewaju Majofodun. Read more
Yuletide: Lagos offers Lake rice for N17K (Punch)
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday commenced the sale of its popular brand of rice, Lake Rice, in preparation for the Yuletide.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal, said in a statement that the rice was available for sale in centres across the state.
He said a 50 kilogramme bag of Lake Rice costs N17,000, while the 25kg bag would be sold for N8,500, warning that the commodity should not be sold above the approved prices. Read more
Court orders Malami, DSS boss to explain Sowore’s detention (DailyTrust)
A Federal High Court in Abuja has asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi, to explain the reason for the continued detention of Omoyele Sowore. Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow, had, through a motion ex-parte filed by his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), asked the court to order his unconditional release from the custody of DSS on the grounds that he has been admitted to bail by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu since November 6. Read more
Buhari signs 2020 budget (Punch)
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, signed the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law.
The National Assembly had passed the N10.59 trillion budget on December 5.
On his verified Twitter handle, the retired major general said, “It is my pleasant duty, today, on my 77th birthday, to sign the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law. I’m pleased that the National Assembly has expeditiously passed this Bill. Our Federal Budget is now restored to a January-December implementation cycle. Read more
Ex-Abia gov, Kalu prays court for bail, claims poor health (Vanguard)
Convicted Senator and former Governor of Abia, Orji Kalu, on Tuesday prayed a Federal High Court in Lagos to grant him bail from the Ikoyi Custodial Centre pending determination of an appeal against his conviction.
Justice Mohammed Idris had convicted Kalu and sentenced him to a concurrent jail term of 12 years for N7.2 billion fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Kalu together with a former Commissioner for Finance in Abia, Jones Udeogo, and Kalu’s company, Slok Nig. Ltd. Read more
Court summons AGF, DSS DG over Sowore (Vanguard)
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Tuesday, summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, to appear before it on Monday to explain the continued detention of pro-democracy activist, Omoyele Sowore.
The court, in a bench ruling that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, ordered the duo to appear and show cause why it should not direct the unconditional release of Sowore from detention.
Justice Ekwo mandated the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court to immediately notify both the AGF and the DSS boss of its summon, as well as the pending fundamental rights enforcement suit Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, initiated against them. Read more
Nigerian Drama Series: “Crazy, Lovely, Cool (CLC)” Debuts On Netflix (Guardian)
The Nigerian drama series titled Crazy, Lovely, Cool has debuted on Netflix. The series was produced and directed by Obi Emelonye, the popular filmmaker according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
‘Crazy, Lovely, Cool’ (CLC), is a joint production between The Nollywood Factory, owned by Emelonye and Trace TV.
Interestingly, the setting of this movie is entirely Nigerian as it was shot in 2017 inside the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Read more
Cee Hope drills over 40 girls on self-defence skills against sexual abuse (Guardian)
Cee Hope, a non-governmental organisation, recently in Ogba area of Lagos organised a mentorship programme to educate girls on how to defend themselves against sexual violence and physical abuse.
The organisers of the programme stated that young girls needed to be educated on how to defend themselves, based on the trending cases of rape suffered by the girl/child in recent times.
The mentorship programme, which was put together for girls residing in Lagos and Ogun states, was attended by over 40 girls, who were also taught life lessons and psychological process to overcome pressures in the society. Read more
NDLEA seizes truckload of N28m marijuana in Ondo (Punch)
The Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday said it had seized a total of 14.3 tonnes of Indian hemp in the state.
The Federal Government agency also stated that two persons —Ohimai Ayodele and Ojeagbese Asabiya — have been arrested in connection with the crime.
The commander of the NDLEA in the state, Mr Haruna Gagara, stated this while speaking with journalists at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital. Read more
Kenya records progress in malaria elimination (Guardian)
Kenya, on Tuesday, recorded progress in malaria elimination due to the adoption of a vaccine, treated nets in households and improved management of the disease.
The acting Director-General of the Ministry of Health, John Wekesa, said that the usage of the malaria vaccine had boosted the fight against the disease responsible for many deaths among women and children in Africa.
“We remain committed to ensuring the highest possible quality of health is guaranteed to our population through eradication of killer diseases like malaria. Read more
Eight migrants die trying to reach Spain in 24 hours (Punch)
Spanish police retrieved a body from a boat off the southern coast on Tuesday, the eighth migrant killed at sea in a 24-hour period while trying to reach the country.
The boat was spotted in the western Mediterranean off the coast of the southern region of Andalusia before dawn and 47 survivors — 30 men and 17 men — were taken to the port of Motril, a spokesman for Spain’s Guardia Civil police force said.
A Moroccan coastguard vessel had earlier retrieved seven bodies and rescued 70 migrants after they got into difficulty in the Alboran Sea in the western Mediterranean, a Moroccan military source said. Read more
Kwara United suffer defeat on return, lose in Ilorin to Heartland (Vanguard)
A 60th-minute penalty by Christian Pyagbara inspired Heartland to a 1-0 win in Ilorin over nosts, Kwara United on Sunday.
It was the first Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match in Ilorin since the 2017/18 season when Kwara United were relegated from the top flight and marks their return after the buy-over of Delta Force received conditional approval by the League Management Company (LMC).
Heartland moved to within three points of the top four with the victory, while Kwara United remain rooted in the relegation zone after the loss. Read more
Liverpool’s coach, Klopp laments timing of Club World Cup (Punch)
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are fully focused on winning this week’s Club World Cup ahead of their semi-final against Monterrey of Mexico but hit out at the timing of the competition and questioned FIFA’s plans to expand the tournament in future.
“We are here now and we are completely focused on it, but if you had asked me beforehand if I think that there should be a Club World Cup in the middle of our season, I would say no, in my honest opinion,” Klopp told journalists at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Liverpool face Monterrey on Wednesday.
The Anfield club have had to take time out from their seemingly relentless march towards the Premier League title to travel to Qatar for the tournament, in which they are Europe’s representative’s thanks to their Champions League triumph last season. Read more
Zidane says Real Madrid only focused on football amid fears of Clasico unrest (Guardian)
Zinedine Zidane has said he is not worried about Wednesday’s Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona being overshadowed by Catalan independence protests.
The fixture was originally scheduled for October 26 but had to be postponed and there are renewed fears of unrest at Camp Nou, where Madrid and Barca will be playing for first place in La Liga.
“I am not worried about anything,” said Zidane in a press conference on Tuesday. Read more
NPFL: 10-man Rivers United edge out Katsina United 2-0 (Vanguard)
A goal in each half from Stephen Michael and Ishaq Rafiu was also Rivers United needed to see off United in a Matchday 8 fixture decided at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Sunday.
The home side, had set sight on turning the tide from their loss away to Enyimba three days earlier. They started a second straight game without goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande, while former MFM stopper Ospino Egbe was the preferred choice in goal.
The visitors named a strong side for the visit, but without Gambo Mohammed. Captain Usan Bara’u got a look in as the ‘Changi Boys’ settled for their preferred 4-3-3 formation. Read more
NBBF/Total National Men’s Division 1 League set for January 20 (Guardian)
The 23 teams in the Total National Men’s Division 1 League will begin their quests for honour and promotion to the Premier Division on January 20, 2020, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has revealed.
According to information released by the NBBF Secretary General, Afolabi-Oluwayemi Olabisi in a letter addressed to the clubs, the teams will converge on the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos to battle for the title.
Divided into the traditional Atlantic Conference and Savannah Conference, nine teams will compete in the Atlantic Conference made up of teams from the South West, South South and South East geo-political zones, while the 14 teams from North East, North Central and North West make up the Savannah Conference. Read more
Kanu: Arsenal need experienced coach for revival (Punch)
An Arsenal FC legend, Nwankwo Kanu, says the management of the English Premier League clubside needs to look for an experienced coach capable of handling the players.
Kanu told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos that Arsenal’s recent poor performance can be improved.
“The recent poor performances of Arsenal FC can improve with experienced management. Read more
FIFA goes after Blatter, Platini in bid to recover $2m (DailyTrust)
World football ruling body FIFA on Monday filed claims in a court in Switzerland seeking to recover two million Swiss francs (about £1.56 million) from former French football star Michel Platini. It said the money was paid inappropriately by ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter to Platini.
“FIFA has today filed claims in the relevant Swiss courts against former FIFA President Joseph Blatter and former FIFA Vice-President Michel Platini, seeking restitution of the two million francs unduly paid to Mr. Platini back in February 2011,” FIFA said. Read more
Israel Abia shines in Sunshine Stars 3-0 defeat of Adamawa United (Vanguard)
Adamawa United suffered a second straight defeat in the league after they were beaten by visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure with a 0-3 scoreline. The loss follows on the heels of their 4-0 defeat on MatchDay 7 in Uyo by Akwa United.
Israel Abia took his season’s goals tally to five so far with a scoring a first half goal that is coming after forward netted four times last week against visiting Nasarawa United in one of the MatchDay 7 fixtures.
Two other second half goals by substitutes Timileyin Ogunniyi and Sadiq Yusuf ensured the Akure Gunners comfortably return with the maximum points from Pantami Stadium, the adopted home of the Yola-based Adamawa United. Read more
Gusau to face AFN panel tomorrow (Guardian)
Embattled President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Shehu Ibrahim Gusau has been told to appear tomorrow before the panel set up by the federation to investigate allegations of financial impropriety, misapplication of funds and breaches of the AFN constitution against him.
In a letter dated December 13, 2019, and signed by Oluwole Afolabi, chairman of the investigative panel, Gusau was asked to appear before the committee at 10.00 am at the AFN Board room, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
“You are kindly requested to attend the meeting with relevant documents to buttress your submissions,” the letter read. Read more
Kane relishing chance to learn from new Spurs boss Mourinho (Punch)
Harry Kane says he has embraced the chance to learn from new Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho despite his huge respect for predecessor Mauricio Pochettino.
Spurs registered their fourth win in five Premier League games under Mourinho at Wolves on Sunday after sacking Pochettino last month.
Kane said the two managers work in different ways, but the England skipper hopes to benefit from life under the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss. Read more