Atiku does not need Nigeria’s money, says wife (Nation)
Wife of former Vice President, Titi Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday told women her husband is not interested in cornering the nation’s wealth but out to serve the masses. She disclosed that with Atiku’s choice to back restructuring, Nigeria will be repositioned adding that Atiku would assist the country with his wealth where necessary. Titi Abubakar spoke during a rally in Abuja at the old parade ground area 10, alongside Poeples Democratic Party (PDP) governor’s wife, Former PDP senators, ministers and other party faithful. Read more
Clark challenges INEC to control security agents on Election Day (Punch)
A former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, on Thursday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to take charge of the deployment of security personnel during the February and March elections. Clark in a statement entitled “INEC should take responsibility for management and control of 2019 electoral security in Nigeria” noted that the electoral body should be in charge of police personnel posted for election duties. He said INEC should sit down with the police authority to work out the number of police personnel needed to cover the elections. Read more
CCT resumes Onnoghen’s trial Monday (Nation)
The Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ) has fixed Monday (February 4) for the resumption of proceedings in the case of alleged non-disclosure of assets pending against suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen. The CCT chose to resume proceedings in the case following Wednesday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, rejecting Onnoghen application for stay of proceedings pending appeal. CCT’s spokesman, Ibraheem Al-Hassan said, in a statement on Thursday that the tribunal has decided to resume proceedings in the case upon a request by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Read more
Enugu NLC throws weight behind Ohaneze endorsement of Atiku (Guardian)
Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed support for Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. The NLC political committee chairman Ikechukwu Ekere and secretary Pat Eze in a statement said that Ohanaeze reserves right of opinion, free speech and freedom of electoral choices and warned the Anambra state government of the consequence of isolating the people of the state from the wider Igbo. Read more
Boko Haram major threat to polls, says CAN (Nation)
The resurgent activities of Boko Haram terrorists may pose a threat to the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) warned on Thursday. The CAN leadership urged the federal government to tackle the attacks before the polls. This was part of the resolutions at the first quarterly meeting of CAN in Abuja. The Christian body also pointed out efforts of the government in providing security is “not yielding the needed results as wanton killings have continued, especially in some States in the northern part of the country.” Read more
Nigerian in UK jail after 17-year-old girlfriend dies in freak accident (Punch)
A Nigerian man, Oluwaseyi Dada, 21, has been sentenced to 27 months in jail over charges of manslaughter. The London court presided over by Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith, found that Dada’s late girlfriend, Katrina Makunova, 17, had died after she fell over a knife, she had in her handbag, reports Irish Examiner. The judge told Dada, “She died from a single knife wound. “The kitchen knife that caused her death was hers and had, it seems, been brought to the scene by her in a handbag you had given her. Read more
Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir mocks ‘Facebook protesters’ (BBC)
Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has ridiculed his opponents’ use of social media to organise recent protests against his rule. “Changing the government or presidents cannot be done through WhatsApp or Facebook. It can be done only through elections,” he told his supporters. He was speaking as fresh demonstrations were held in the capital Khartoum. The protests started over cuts to bread subsidies in December but have since morphed into anger at Mr Bashir’s rule. Read more
Eight dead as polar vortex clenches US (BBC)
At least eight people have died in the US Midwest as the region shivers in the grip of its worst cold snap in decades. An Iowa student found dead outside a college building is among victims of the deadly freeze. Hospitals have been treating patients reporting frostbite as life across a swathe of the nation grinds to a halt. The iciest blasts may still come on Thursday. Ninety million people – a third of the US – have seen temperatures of -17C (0F) or below. Some 250 million Americans overall have experienced the “polar vortex” conditions, but southern states such as Florida have escaped the brutal chill. Read more
Brexit: ‘Extra time’ may be needed, says Jeremy Hunt (BBC)
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says “extra time” may be needed to finalise legislation for Brexit. Mr Hunt said a possible delay in the UK’s departure from the EU beyond the 29 March deadline depended on the progress made in the coming weeks. The PM is seeking “alternative arrangements” to the backstop, but the EU says it will not renegotiate. Parliament’s February break has been cancelled, which No 10 said showed all steps were being taken to avoid delay. The UK is due to leave the European Union at 23:00 on 29 March. The backstop is an “insurance” policy to stop the return of checks on goods and people along the Northern Ireland border. Read more
Barca’s Umtiti resumes training after knee injury (Punch)
Samuel Umtiti has begun light training as the Barcelona defender continues his recovery from a knee injury, the club said on Thursday. Umtiti has struggled with a knee problem since the start of the season but resumed training, separate from the first team, on Monday. According to Barcelona, Umtiti said he “feels good about the injury” and hopes to “return as soon as possible”. Umtiti’s absence left Barca short in central defence. They have signed Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia this month while Jean-Clair Todibo’s summer move from Toulouse is likely to be brought forward. Read more
‘We love you Emi’: Nantes tribute to tragic ‘warrior’ Sala (Guardian)
Nantes paid an emotional tribute to “warrior” Emiliano Sala at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Wednesday before their first match since their former striker’s plane disappeared over the Channel last week. The 28-year-old had been travelling from Nantes to his new club Cardiff City when the plane went missing, with pilot David Ibbotson the only other person on board. British investigators said earlier on Wednesday it was “likely” that two seat cushions that have washed up on the French shore were from the missing aircraft. Read more
Newcastle sign Almiron in record deal (BBC)
Newcastle have broken their transfer record to sign Paraguay playmaker Miguel Almiron from MLS side Atlanta United for around £20m. It breaks the previous record of £16m that was paid to Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005. Almiron, 24, scored 13 goals last season as Atlanta won the MLS Cup for the first time. The attacking midfielder previously played for Cerro Porteno in his home country and Argentina’s Lanus. Read more
I don’t mind him marrying another woman, wife tells court (Punch)
A 31-year-old man, Paul Fayemi, on Thursday pleaded with a Badagry Customary Court in Topo, Badagry, to dissolve his eight-year marriage to Esther Fayemi on grounds of incompatibility. Fayemi, a businessman, who resides at Plot 8, Aquatic Jungle Str., Airplane Base in Povita Badagry told the court that his wife was troublesome. “I committed a grievous mistake by marrying Esther. “My lord, I met Esther in 2011 when I lost my father. Read more
Man allegedly infects 13-year-old boy with HIV (Punch)
The police in Lagos State have arrested a 32-year-old man, accused of allegedly infecting a 13-year-old boy with HIV after several sessions of anal sex. The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Imohimi Edgal told journalists on Thursday at State Police Command’s Headquarters, that the suspect was exposed after the boy was seen sneaking out of his room. Edgal said the incident occurred at Ejigbo area, suburb of Lagos. “On Tuesday, January 22, a 13-year-old male was seen sneaking out of the house of one Prince Chinecherem, 32, in a rather suspicious manner. Read more