Burnt Igbosere High Court is Nigeria’s oldest judicial building (Nation)
To stakeholders in the justice sector, the burning of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos by hoodlums under the guise of #EndSARS protest last Wednesday, was the height of hooliganism and wanton destruction of government property.
The ugly incident cast a dark shadow on the judiciary and will set justice delivery many paces backwards.
Igbosere High Court is reputed as the oldest and most recognisable judicial building in Nigeria.
When it was established, it was called the Supreme Court and its jurisdiction was limited to Lagos. Read more
Panic as police, LASTMA abandon Lagos roads (Guardian)
Lagosians are living in palpable fear as policemen, officials of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) have deserted Lagos roads and neighbourhoods.
Pockets of military personnel are now sighted around areas where there are public assets like the International Airport, the state secretariat, multinationals, foreign embassies, among others.
Lagos residents now feel unsecure with the absence of policemen within the metropolis. The fear is heightened due to the recent looting and burning of police stations where arms and ammunition were carted away. Read more
Probe panel will get Lekki shootings CCTV footage – Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has promised that the Closed Circuit television footage obtained from the Lekki toll plaza will be handed over to the panel of inquiry looking into the shootings.
Sanwo-Olu made the promise while featuring on the ‘Connect the World with Becky Anderson programme’ on CNN on Monday, while responding to questions on the shootings at the Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
The governor said no blood stains were seen at the Lekki toll plaza when it was inspected, but added that two persons had been reported dead. Read more
Lagos indigenes condemn violence, attack on Oba of Lagos (Nation)
The Association of Lagos State Indigenes (ALSI) has condemned the attack on the palace of the Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu.
The group, in a statement by its president, Alhaji J.A.B. Sanuth, general secretary, Ademola Ajao and Board of Trustees member Layi Ajayi-Bembe, said the demands of the youths were relevant, constitutional and beneficial to the polity.
The statement reads: “We were saddened by the infiltration of the peaceful protest by thugs and street urchins which has led to arson, looting and destruction of properties, looting of shops and burning of properties in the State. Read more
Lekki shooting: Nigerians fault woman’s claim on victim (Punch)
Some Nigerians have faulted the claim by a woman that her son, identified simply as Anthony, was killed when soldiers opened fire at #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the yet-to-be-identified woman claimed in a video that Anthony’s corpse was recovered by his friends.
The clip, however, generated reactions as Nigerians took to their social media pages to refute the woman’s claim that Anthony was killed by the soldiers. Read more
Igbo group dissociates self from Kanu’s statement, condemns attack on Lagos monarch’s palace (Vanguard)
Leaders of Ndigbo in All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos, have condemned the attack on the palace of Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, and the destruction of public, private buildings and monuments in Lagos State, by hoodlums in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.
The Ndigbo leaders, led by Joe Igbokwe, who made the remark on Monday after a meeting, told newsmen that “the act is unfortunate, condemnable, unwarranted and should never happened again.”
Other Ndigbo leaders at the briefing include Eze Uche Dimgba (Okpenteba), State Coordinator Ndigbo in APC, Lagos; Dr. Ken Mordi, Board of Trustee, BOT, member; High Chief Kelvin Nworah, Coordinator Lagos East Senatorial Ndigbo in APC Lagos, among others. Read more
Abiru demands probe of PDP candidate’s murder allegation (Nation)
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the senatorial by-election in Lagos East District, Tokunbo Abiru, has asked the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to investigate the attempted murder allegation levelled against him by the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi.
Abiru and Gbadamosi are from reputable families from Ikorodu. Abiru’s father, Senator Justice Akanni Abiru, and Gbadamosi’s grandfather, Alhaji Sule Gbadamosi, were associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Read more
Low passenger volume as domestic flights resume fully (Punch)
Domestic flights have resumed at Nigeria’s busiest airport, the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, but on a slow start.
The Lagos State Government had placed a three-day curfew in the state in a bid to address the violent protests that erupted in the country’s commercial city following the recent #EndSARS demonstrations.
The curfew warranted the halt of domestic flight operations into and out of the busiest airport in the country, a development that led to less traffic in other airports across the country. Read more
CACOVID breaks silence on palliatives in warehouses (Vanguard)
The Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID, has explained that the palliatives COVID-19 looted from many warehouses across the country were waiting for distribution.
In a late night statement by the Ag. Director of Corporate Communications of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, the coalition said that the magnitude of the quantity of items delayed procurement and distribution exercise.
The statement reads in full:
“Members of the Private Sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) wish to call for calm, amidst the looting of COVID-19 palliatives meant for distribution in various State Government warehouses across the country. Read more
Amy Coney Barrett confirmed to US Supreme Court (BBC)
The US Senate has confirmed Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in a victory for President Donald Trump a week before the general election.
Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans voted 52-48 to approve the judge, overcoming the unified opposition of Democrats.
The 48-year-old took the oath of office at the White House alongside President Trump.
Her appointment seals for the foreseeable future a 6-3 conservative majority on the top US judicial body.
Only one Republican, Senator Susan Collins, who faces a tough re-election battle in Maine, voted against the president’s nominee in Monday evening’s vote. Read more
Belarusians strike nationwide in latest push to oust president (CBC)
Factory workers, students and business owners in Belarus on Monday began a strike to demand that authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko resign after more than two months of continuing mass protests following a disputed election.
Most state-run enterprises continued to operate despite the strike, which was called by opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. But analysts said it helped mobilize opposition supporters for a new round of confrontation with authorities, posing a significant challenge for Lukashenko, who has run the country for 26 years and until recently has been able to successfully stifle dissent. Read more
Covid: Belgian doctors with coronavirus asked to keep working (BBC)
Doctors in the Belgian city of Liège have been asked to keep working even if they have coronavirus amid a surge in cases and hospital admissions.
About a quarter of medical staff there are reportedly off sick with Covid-19.
Now 10 hospitals have requested that staff who have tested positive but do not have symptoms keep working. Read more
NASA data suggests much more water on the moon than first thought (Metro)
Hidden pockets of water on the moon could be much more common than scientists previously thought, and the discovery could have potential implications for future lunar missions. Researchers suggest that in some cases tiny patches of ice might exist in permanent shadows no bigger than a penny. They explored phenomena on the moon called ‘cold traps’, which are shadowy regions of the surface that exist in a state of eternal darkness. Read more
Covid: Melbourne’s hard-won success after a marathon lockdown (BBC)
Melbourne’s grinding second coronavirus lockdown began in the chill of winter.
In early July, the nights were long and dark, and Australia’s cultural capital was confronting the terrifying reality of another deadly wave of infections.
More than 110 days later, experts say it is emerging as a world leader in disease suppression alongside places including Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Raina McIntyre, a biosecurity professor at the University of New South Wales’ Kirby Institute, told the BBC that Australia’s response had been “light years ahead” of the US and the UK. Read more
Tom Holland confirms “Spider-Man 3” filming is underway in Atlanta (Metro)
It’s taken a while to get to this point, but Spider-Man 3 is finally underway. Tom Holland has confirmed that filming for his third solo outing as Peter Parker has begun, as he jetted into Atlanta, Georgia last night.
The 24-year-old filmed himself on a private plane for his Instagram stories, before greeting his followers from the tarmac.
And even with a face mask on, we could see that Tom was very excited about why he had flown to the States. Read more
CAF appoints Kenyan ref for Eagles, S’Leone clash (Punch)
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Kenyan, Peter Kamaku, as the centre referee for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Sierra Leone in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The Super Eagles will square up against the Leone Stars in the first match of a crucial double-header on November 13 at the refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Kamaku will be assisted by compatriots Gilbert Kipkoech Cheruiyot (Assistant Referee 1) and Tony Mudanyi Kidiya (Assistant Referee 2), while Anthony Juma Ogwayo will serve as the fourth official. Read more
Franck Kessie: ‘Wearing the Milan shirt like a second skin to me’ (BBC)
It’s been a while coming for AC Milan’s Franck Kessie but the club the Ivorian joined in 2017 is now sitting in the place he hoped they would be – top of Serie A.
Milan have won their opening four games of the season and are on an impressive run since football resumed after the coronavirus-enforced lockdown.
Since losing the last game they played prior to lockdown – a 2-1 home defeat by Genoa – the seven-time European champions are unbeaten in 21 games, winning 17 of them while scoring 54 goals and averaging 2.62 points per game. Read more
Mikel Arteta defends Alexandre Lacazette after Arsenal’s defeat to Leicester City (Metro)
Mikel Arteta praised Alexandre Lacazette following Arsenal’s defeat to Leicester City and claims the striker looked ‘sharp’ during the game. Jamie Vardy’s goal in the 80th minute secured victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side on Sunday evening. But Lacazette was unlucky not to have put Arsenal in front after his near-post header from a corner was ruled out as Granit Xhaka was deemed to be standing in an offside position. The French striker has faced criticism from Gunners supporters over his performances in recent weeks. Read more
Kane and Son team up to secure win for Spurs once again (BBC)
Son Heung-min and Harry Kane linked up yet again for the only goal as Tottenham claimed a fortunate win away to Burnley.
Kane headed Erik Lamela’s pass into the path of Son, who headed home Spurs’ first effort on target.
That is the 29th time the pair have combined for a Premier League goal, while Son is now the division’s leading scorer with eight.
Burnley were unfortunate to lose with Ashley Barnes having a goal ruled out for offside and Kane clearing a James Tarkowski header off the line. Read more
Liverpool in talks to sign Schalke defender Ozan Kabak (Metro)
Liverpool are in talks with Schalke over a £30 million deal for Ozan Kabak, according to reports. The Premier League champions are in the market for cover in central defence following the injury to Virgil van Dijk, who will be sidelined for the majority of the season. The Netherlands international has not yet had knee surgery following the poor challenge from Jordan Pickford during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton last weekend, but Liverpool face the prospect of losing their best defender for several months. Fabinho has impressed when asked to cover at centre-back, but Klopp is keen for Liverpool to bolster his defensive options. Read more
Ibrahimovic scores twice as Milan draw (BBC)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice but was unable to prevent Milan dropping points for the first time this season as they drew 3-3 with Roma.
Ibrahimovic, 39, fired Milan ahead before Edin Dzeko headed in an equaliser soon after.
Alexis Saelemaekers restored Milan’s lead but Roma equalised again through a Jordan Veretout penalty.
Ibrahimovic made it 3-2 as he converted from the spot but Marash Kumbulla equalised late on. Read more