Banker forges customer’s cheque, steals N22.3m (Punch)
A banker with the Polaris Bank, Babatunde Keshinro, was on Monday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly forging a customer’s cheque and stealing the sum of N22.3m.
Keshinro was arraigned before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on nine counts bordering on stealing, forgery and fraudulent accounting.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Keshinro allegedly forged a Polaris Bank cheque No. 47423262 dated August 16, 2018, in the sum of N340,000 purportedly signed by one Alhaji Kola Oseni.
Keshinro, according to the prosecutor, Bilkisu Buhari, was the account manager of Oseni and his company, Baritos Nigeria Limited. On December 14, 2016, he allegedly made a debit entry of N10m supposedly on the instructions of Baristos Nigeria Limited in favour of Hillcrest Solicitors.
Buhari told the court that the offences contravened sections 287, 365, 337 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, No. 11, 2015. Read more
Judge’s ex-house help arraigned for ‘stealing’ $38,000 jewellery (Nation)
A former domestic staff of a high court judge, Peace Anyawu, was on Monday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate court in Igbosere for allegedly stealing jewellery valued at $38,000.
Prosecutor Sgt. Chinedu Njoku told the court that Anyanwu, 22, and two others conspired to commit the alleged offence.
Njoku said the incident took place at D5, Millenium Estate, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, between July 2019 and October 26, 2019. He said the stolen jewellery belonged to Justice Bola Okikiolu- Ighile. Read more
Sanwo-Olu celebrates women in Lagos at International Women’s Day (Vanguard)
To celebrate the immense impact of their work on the drive towards a Greater Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken advantage of this year’s International Women’s Day to celebrate 200 notable women.
The Governor shared a video highlighting the exponential growth that Lagos has experienced over the years due to the exemplary work spearheaded by trailblazing women such as Efunroye Tinubu, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Sinatu Ojikutu, and Tosin Oshinowo.
“We must ensure we continue to record growth across all facets of our society. Therefore, celebrating women isn’t just the right thing to do, recognising their immense contributions and impact is necessary for growth and sustainable development at a time when women make up almost half of our population, and are fast becoming the largest group of enablers of the economy through their enterprise and sheer desire for greatness,” Gov. Sanwo-Olu said. Read more
2020 NiMET prediction: Lagos to experience 270 days of rainfall (Vanguard)
Lagos State shall experience a rainy season of 240-270 days, while the maximum annual rainfall is predicted to be 1,750mm this year, 2020
Recall, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, had earlier released 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) report to guide various sectors of the country, with an expected high volume of rainfall.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, in the company of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mr Joe Igbokwe, disclosed this on Tuesday, at the press briefing on the year 2020 seasonal rainfall predictions and prevention of flooding in Lagos State.
“Worthy of note is the increasing frequency of extreme weather events which indicates that year 2020 will likely experience days with extremely high amounts may result in flooding,” Bello stated. Read more
Don’t panic, says govt as Nigeria gets second coronavirus case (Nation)
The Federal Government on Monday advised Nigerians not to panic as the country now has a second Coronavirus (Covid-19) case.
It said the latest carrier of the virus is one of the 62 directs contacts of the Italian index case in Lagos and Ogun states, who are currently on isolation.
The good news, according to the Federal Government, is that a team of Nigerian researchers has successfully performed the genome sequencing of the Coronavirus strain that the index case brought into Nigeria. Read more
Buhari writes Reps, seeks amendment of Finance Act (DailyTrust)
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a letter to the House of Representatives seeking to amend the Finance Act approved by the National Assembly in November 2019. This was contained in a letter read out by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the plenary on Tuesday. The President, in the letter, sought for the amendment of the new law to take effect from February 1, 2020. The requested amendment also wants the new law to show that the annual fees payable on basic goods items are different from Value Added Tax (VAT). Read more
How we forced Sanusi out of palace – Ganduje’s aide (Punch)
The Special Adviser to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Media, Salihu Yakasai, says the immediate past Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, refused to leave the palace even after he had been formally informed of his dethronement on Monday.
Yakasai said the state government had to deploy policemen to escort him out.
The governor’s spokesman said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday.
He said if Sanusi had humbled himself and left the palace immediately he was informed of his removal, he would have been spared the drama. Read more
FRSC to ban roadside parking in FCT (Guardian)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is prepared to move against motorists parking by roadsides in the FCT, to control traffic congestion and accidents.
The FRSC Sector Commander, FCT, Gora Wobin told News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that roadside vehicular parking contributes to traffic and incessant accidents resulting in loss of lives and properties.
He said that such misconduct would no longer be condoned from motorists in the territory. Read more
Police arrest notorious armed robbery suspect, recover arm, ammunition in Enugu (Guardian)
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect, whose gang had been terrorising the Abakpa axis of Enugu metropolis.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said this in a statement issued to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday.
Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved by the Anti-Cult Squad of the Command on March 7 after intelligence information.
The police spokesman said that the Command recovered one locally-made single barrel pistol, five live cartridges and N47, 000. Read more
Ellie and Nele: From she to he – and back to she again (BBC)
Studies suggest that most people who transition to another gender do not have second thoughts. But after two trans men met and fell in love, their personal gender journeys took an unexpected turn, to a destination neither had foreseen.
“I always felt we have a very special history. We have special bodies, and a special connection based on the physical experience we had.”
Ellie is 21 and Belgian. Her German partner, Nele, is 24. Both took testosterone to become more masculine, and they had their breasts removed in double mastectomy surgery. Now they have detransitioned, and live again as female – the gender they were assigned at birth.
“I’m very happy I didn’t have a hysterectomy,” reflects Nele. “It means I can stop taking hormones, and my body will return to looking feminine.” Read more
South African president cleared of graft watchdog accusations (Guardian)
A South African court on Tuesday ruled in favour of President Cyril Ramaphosa in a probe of suspected money laundering and personal enrichment linked to his 2019 party leadership election campaign fund.
Judges dismissed an investigation by Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane in which she accused Ramaphosa of misleading parliament over his campaign financing.
In a damning report last year, Mkhwebane — South Africa’s ethics watchdog — published findings concerning a 500,000 rand ($31,460) donation to Ramaphosa’s campaign from a company facing extensive corruption allegations. Read more
Coronavirus: China says disease ‘curbed’ in Wuhan and Hubei (BBC)
President Xi Jinping has visited the city of Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, sending a message that Beijing has the situation under control.
His visit comes as China recorded its lowest number of infections, just 19 on Tuesday, all in Wuhan apart from two who had arrived from overseas.
China has seen 80,754 confirmed cases, 3,136 of whom have died.
The visit was Mr Xi’s first trip to the city since the outbreak began. Read more
Israeli court rejects Netanyahu trial delay request (Guardian)
An Israeli court on Tuesday turned down a request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the opening of his corruption trial next week, a published ruling said.
The scheduled March 17 trial date looms as Netanyahu and his right-wing allies try to form a government in the face of fierce opposition, following last week’s general election, the third in under a year.
Lawyers for Netanyahu, the first Israeli premier to be indicted in office, had told the Jerusalem district court they had not received all the prosecution’s case material and asked for a 45-day delay. Read more
Putin paves way for another presidential term (BBC)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not ruled out running for president again beyond 2024, when his term ends.
But he told parliament that the Constitutional Court would first have to approve such a step. An MP has proposed “resetting to zero” the number of presidential terms.
Mr Putin however rejected as “not expedient” a proposal to scrap the current rule that a president can serve no more than two consecutive terms.
He has been in power for 20 years. Read more
US election: Voting ongoing in six states as Biden, Sanders compete for presidential ticket (Punch)
Voters in Michigan and five other states headed to polls early Tuesday in the latest slate of primaries that will decide whether Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders will face President Donald Trump in November.
Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington state also vote Tuesday.
But Michigan, with its large delegate haul and its status as a swing state, is the day’s top prize.
Sanders needs a strong showing in Michigan to remain viable as a candidate, and he and Biden have barnstormed the state in recent days in bids to broaden support and turn out the vote. Read more
Japan unveils fresh economic package to offset virus damage (Guardian)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday announced a second emergency package to tackle economic woes stemming from the coronavirus outbreak, including $15 billion in loan programmes to support small businesses.
The package came as the government ramps up its response to the virus, which has infected more than 500 people across the country and been linked to nine deaths.
It included plans to expand the government’s low-interest loan programmes to 1.6 trillion yen ($15 billion) from its original 500 billion yen announced last month in the first package. Read more
Billie Eilish tackles body shaming as her world tour kicks off in Miami (BBC)
Pop star Billie Eilish delivered a powerful message about body shaming as she kicked off her world tour in Miami on Tuesday night.
The 18-year-old has previously said she wears baggy clothes to avoid being sexualised, and addressed criticism of that choice during a video interlude.
“If what I wear is comfortable, I am not a woman,” she said. “If I shed the layers, I am a slut”.
“Though you’ve never seen my body, you still judge me for it. Why?” she asked. Read more
Osimhen hails Lille after heroic win against Lyon (Nation)
Victor Osimhen has praised Lille’s ‘solid performance’ in their 1-0 victory against Lyon in Sunday’s Ligue 1 game.
The Super Eagles star featured for the entirety of the game as Loic Remy’s strike ensured the Great Danes extended their winning streak against the Kids.
The victory at Stade Pierre Mauroy saw Christophe Galtier’s men maintain their fourth spot in the table after gathering 49 points from 28 matches. Read more
Imperfect Liverpool offer Atletico hope (DailyTrust)
Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday was met with an unusual sense relief around Anfield for a side that had just clinched a 22nd consecutive home league win and moved 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Such has been the Reds’ relentless run towards a first league title in 30 years that three defeats in three different competitions in four games was considered a slump in form. A 3-0 reverse at Watford deprived Jurgen Klopp’s men the chance to match Arsenal’s “invincible” unbeaten league season and a FA Cup exit at the hands of Chelsea means they cannot replicate Manchester United’s treble of 1998/99. Read more
Coronavirus: La Liga matches & Barca Champions League game behind closed doors (BBC)
Matches in Spain’s top two divisions will be played behind closed doors for at least the next two weeks because of coronavirus concerns.
The change will take effect from Tuesday, with fans now banned from the game between Eibar and Real Sociedad.
La Liga acted on guidance from Spain’s ministry of health and the country’s sports council.
Barcelona’s Champions League match against Napoli on 18 March will also be played at an empty Nou Camp. Read more
Arsenal says staff uninfected with coronavirus after Olympiacos owner tested positive (Guardian)
Arsenal Football Club has said none of its staff is infected with the coronavirus after Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis tested positive to the virus.
“Our home match with Olympiacos in the Europa League was played on Thursday 27th February and none of our staff who came into contact with him on that matchday have reported any symptoms,” an Arsenal spokesman told Goal.
“We continue to follow strict protocols with regard to coronavirus. We’re following the Government health guidelines and have additional procedures in place to protect our players and staff. Read more
Coronavirus: Man Utd match at LASK behind closed doors (BBC)
The first leg of Manchester United’s Europa League last-16 tie at LASK will be played behind closed doors because of coronavirus concerns.
LASK made the decision following advice from the Austrian government.
United sold their allocation of just under 900 tickets but the game is one of several European club competition fixtures that will have no spectators.
Wolves’ Europa League last-16 first-leg match at Olympiakos on Thursday will also be played in a near-empty stadium. Read more
Ighalo sparks Man Utd, Martial revival’ (Nation)
Manchester United’s signing of Odion Ighalo has forced Anthony Martial to up his game at Old Trafford, according to club legend Roy Keane.
The Red Devils raised eyebrows by bringing in the former Watford forward on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January, but the Nigerian has impressed after notching three goals for the club.
And Keane believes Ighalo has given the whole team a boost as well as providing a goal threat, raising the work rate of Frenchman Martial – who scored the opener in United’s 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City. Read more
How Adesanya’s parents battled ‘ringside nervousness’ in UFC victory against Romero (Guardian)
Femi Adesanya, who is the father of Nigeria-born New Zealand-based MMA fighter, Israel Adesanya, has revealed how his wife and other members of the family coped with what he described as ‘ringside nervousness’ during Sunday’s UFC 248 fight against Cuban ‘monster’, Yoel Romero in Las Vegas, United States.
Israel Adesanya retained his middleweight title by a unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) against Romero, who is one of the most feared fighters in UFC history.
Speaking with The Guardian from Las Vegas yesterday, the senior Adesanya narrated how the family members, who came all the way from New Zealand to support their son, were able to cope with some of the ‘hard punches.’ Read more
‘Military training’ as China’s footballers ordered to stay trim, beat virus (DailyTrust)
Chinese football clubs and national teams must undertake “spring military training” to defeat the coronavirus and help fulfil President Xi Jinping’s dream of making the country a force in the sport, officials said. Matches in China are indefinitely suspended over the outbreak but the football association has issued detailed orders, telling clubs how long players must train each week, what exercises they must do and even how slim they must be. The strict instructions, the latest in a series handed down by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in recent years, are likely to be met with surprise by coaches such as Rafael Benitez and Fabio Cannavaro with a background in European football. Read more