Businessman charged with alleged theft of importer’s N4.2m goods (DailyTrust)
The trial of a 34-year-old man, who allegedly stole generator parts worth N4.2 million, property of an importer, started yesterday before an Igbosere, Lagos, chief magistrate court. The man, Ifeanyi Okoli, was alleged to have committed the offence in November 2019 at the Aspamda Trade Fair market, Lagos, when he stole generator parts belonging to Mr Ezenwa Kennechi. The police prosecutor, Friday Mommoh, led the complainant Kennechi in his evidence-in-chief before Magistrate Alogba. Kennechi told the court how he who brought Okoli to one of his shops at the Aspamda Trade Fair market and alleged that the accused person, however, schemed him out of the shop. Read more
Okada/Tricycle ban: NANS urges LASG to provide alternative transport in Lagos inner roads (Vanguard)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged Lagos State Government to urgently provide alternative means of public transportation in all inner roads following recent ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles.
South-West Coordinator of NANS, Olawale Kappo, said in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos that the state government should have provided alternatives and palliatives for commuters before placing the restriction.
“Motorcycle serves as means of livelihood and employment to thousands of people in Lagos which means banning them will cut people off their means of livelihood and impede them from catering for the needs of their families.
“Several students get their fees from guardians who engage in this means of transportation and earn their living from it. Read more
How burglars hit me with hammer to escape -witness (DailyTrust)
An Igbosere, Lagos, Chief Magistrate’s court heard yesterday how a member of a three-man robbery gang was arrested while wearing some of the items he and his colleagues had stolen. Magistrate M. L. Balogun was told that between 11pm on December 31, 2019 and 5am on January 1, 2020, the 21-year-old accused person, Felix Hidenem Ashaver, and others, still on the run, allegedly burgled a home at No. 74, Fatai Idowu Arobieke Street, Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos. Read more
Nigeria rudderless under Buhari, says Kukah (Nation)
Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese Mathew Hassan Kukah has criticized the security situation under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He also accused the President of reneging on his promise to be even-handed and to end insecurity in the country.
The cleric alleged that the government is favouring Muslims and indulging in “divisive policies that would put our country to the brink”.
Rev. Kukah, who has been a fierce critic of the Buhari Administration made the remarks in his homily during the funeral for slain Seminarian Michael Nnadi. Read more
Motorcyclist arraigned for allegedly killing 70-year-old man (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State police Monday arraigned a 48-year-old man, Samuel Subair, who allegedly killed a 70-year-old man in a motorcycle accident. Subair was charged before an Ikeja magistrate court, Lagos, with ‘‘recklessly riding his motorcycle in a manner that caused the death of the pedestrian’’, whose name was not given. The police prosecutor, Sergeant Unah Mike, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 23, 2020 at about 10.05 pm at Iyana Ipaja, along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, while riding his TVS motorcycle registration number AGL 468 QH. Subair pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge levelled against him. The chief magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola, admitted him to bail of N250,000, with a surety, and adjourned the case till February 24, 2020. Read more
Okowa tasks public servants on good governance, leadership (Guardian)
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday in Asaba, urged political office holders to be guided at all times by good governance and leadership principles.
The governor made the call while swearing in a former member of the House of Representatives, Evelyn Oboro as Special Adviser alongside chairman and members of the state’s Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, Rev. Omatshola Williams, Chief Chinonye Daphey and Chief Ernest Juweto.
Also sworn in yesterday was a member of the State Judicial Service Commission, Chief Lucky Ekayama Loyibo. Read more
‘Hunger forced me to break into my oga’s shop’ (DailyTrust)
A 19-year-old suspected burglar, Isiaka Olalekan, who was arrested for allegedly stealing four expensive phones from his master’s shop, has said it was hunger that compelled him to commit the act. The police quoted Olalekan, who a police patrol team arrested last Friday on the Third Mainland Bridge, as saying, “Hunger forced me into breaking into my master’s shop, where I stole four phones. The thought of breaking into the shop came into me because I did not eat anything for two days.” The police alleged that the suspect broke into the shop of his master, Farouk Nobi, on February 6, 2020 at about 7.15pm and stole four expensive mobile phones. The shop is located at No. 287, Boboreji Market, Lagos Island. Luck, however, ran against him while he was escaping as he was arrested on the Third Mainland Bridge by the police patrol team. Read more
Fayemi okays six-month maternity leave (Punch)
The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has approved six months maternity leave for female workers in the state public service.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, said the new policy, which took effect from February 1, 2020, was aimed at improving maternal health and encouraged nursing mothers to observe the six months exclusive breast feeding campaign of the United Nations Intervention Children’s Emergency Fund.
He said, “The six months exclusive breast feeding campaign is aimed at reducing to the barest minimum, infant and maternal mortality rate as well as facilitates work life balance for female workers in the state. Read more
Headmaster in court for defiling pupil (Punch)
A 35-year-old headmaster at Alhazawa Primary School, Danja, in the Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State, Kabiru Husaini, has been remanded in a correctional centre for the alleged rape of a minor in his school.
Husaini, who resided at Sabon Gari Quarters, Zaria, Kaduna State, allegedly defiled the victim several times, although the victim’s father found out on January 26, 2020.
Husaini will be in the correctional facility till April 14, 2020, when his case comes up for mention before Hajiya Fadile Dikko of a Katsina senior magistrate’s court.
The police alleged that Husaini sexually violated the 10-year-old girl ‘about five times’ inside one of the classrooms in the school. Read more
Fulani herdsmen in army uniform abducted me – OOU graduate (Punch)
A graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Motunrayo Rafiu, who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in the Kabba area of Kogi State, on Tuesday said her abductors were Fulani herdsmen.
She noted that the hoodlums were, however, disguised in army uniform.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Rafiu was abducted on February 4, 2020, while she was on her way to resume at the Abuja campus of the Nigerian Law School.
It was gathered that when Rafiu could not be reached on her telephone, she was declared missing by her friends, who posted her pictures on the social media. Read more
Police have no criminal database, says ex-EFCC boss (Punch)
A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, says the Nigeria Police Force has no criminal database.
Waziri, who is a retired Assistant-Inspector General of Police, said this in her recently published book titled, ‘One Step Ahead: Life as a Spy, Detective and Anti-Graft Czar’.
She said, “Serial or habitual criminals perpetrate their crimes using the same modus operandi. A database aids swift police action. It saves time, resources and lives too. Unfortunately, my service at F Department was brief, just one year.
“Not enough time for my mission to fully mature. Most disheartening, there was no follow-up on my effort after my exit from the department. Up until today, the Nigeria Police Force still does not have a criminal database.” Read more
WHO: Coronavirus officially named Covid-19 (Nation)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially named the new coronavirus as Covid-2019.
“We now have a name for the disease and it’s Covid-19,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva.
It comes after the death toll from the virus passed 1,000. Tens of thousands of people have been infected.
The word coronavirus refers to the group of viruses it belongs to, rather than the latest strain.
Researchers have been calling for an official name to avoid confusion and stigmatisation.
“We had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease,” the WHO chief said.Read more
South Africa marks 30 years since Mandela’s prison release (Guardian)
Many people across the globe yesterday remembered the day in which former President Nelson Mandela raised his fist in the air as he made his way out of the Victor Verster prison, in a move that would forever alter the history of South Africa.
The world vividly remembers the iconic photograph of a grey-haired Mandela dressed in a dark suit, crisp white shirt, and tie, arm-in-arm with Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, as they emerged from the Paarl prison that Madiba, as he is affectionately known, had called home for 14 months. Read more
Ighalo has final say on Super Eagles return – Adepoju (DailyTrust)
Odion Ighalo appears to be contemplating the next move after his Manchester United deal A former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has said. Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo is free to return to the Super Eagles if he so desires. It will be recalled the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has held talks with Odion Ighalo in a bid to convince him to make a return to the national team following his recent move to England. Ighalo announced his retirement from the national team immediately after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, where he was the highest goal scorer with five goals. The Franco-German coach also admitted that it is the dream of every coach to have a player playing for a club like Manchester United in their ranks, adding that the experience of the 30-year-old would be useful for the young players in the squad. Read more
Mandzukic scores on Al Duhail Champions League debut (Punch)
Former Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic struck on his Asian Champions League debut as Qatar giants Al Duhail beat Iran’s Persepolis 2-0 in their opening Group C match of the continent’s premier competition on Tuesday.
Ex-Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Juventus attacker Mandzukic, who was part of the Croatia side who finished runners-up at the 2018 World Cup, headed in a fifth-minute cross from Almoez Ali to give the hosts the lead at the Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.
Mandzukic got plenty of help from the Persepolis defenders though, as they were busy protesting an alleged foul even as Ali chipped the ball from just outside the penalty area. Read more
Ndidi: My understanding of football is much better under Rodgers (DailyTrust)
Wilfred Ndidi admitted he has a better understanding of the game under Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers. The defensive midfielder has made much progress since the arrival of the former Celtic and Liverpool boss, helping the Foxes win more possession with his timely tackles and interceptions while his passing accuracy has greatly improved. “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, what I know now, if I’d have known it when I was growing up, I’d have been a better player. I’m grateful to the manager for everything he’s installed in us,” he told Leicester Mercury. “My understanding of the game is much better now. Read more
Szczesny signs Juventus contract extension (Punch)
Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has signed a three-year contract extension until 2024, the Italian champions announced on Tuesday.
The Polish international joined Juve in 2017 from Arsenal as back-up to club legend Gianluigi Buffon.
The 29-year-old took over as number one after Buffon’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain and has held on to the role despite the veteran Italian’s return to Turin this season.
“This renewal is a demonstration of the club’s trust in me,” Szczesny told Juventus TV. Read more
D’Tigress end Olympics qualifiers on a high despite 71-76 defeat to USA (DailyTrust)
Ezinne Kalu Reigning African champions, D’Tigress ended their FIBA Olympics Qualifying tournament on a high despite a narrow 71-76 points loss to world champions- USA at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, Belgrade, Serbia. The Otis Hughley inspired ladies put up a gallant performance that many would talk about for a long time. D’Tigress dominated the first half, 21-20, 19-6 as they went into half time 40-26 points which would sound like a huge joke for many. Read more
Barca’s Dembele out of Euro 2020 after surgery (Punch)
Ousmane Dembele will miss Euro 2020 after Barcelona announced on Tuesday that the France international will be out for around six months following surgery on his right hamstring.
Dembele’s absence also means he will miss the rest of this season for Barca, who will be without another attacker after losing Luis Suarez to a long-term knee injury last month.
The 22-year-old has suffered a number of hamstring problems since joining from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017 in a deal worth up to 147 million euros ($160.5 million). Read more
Ighalo in United squad for Chelsea clash (Guardian)
Odion Ighalo will be in the Manchester United squad for the Premier League clash with Chelsea next Monday despite missing a training camp in Spain due to fears he could be denied re-entry into Britain if restrictions against the outbreak of Coronavirus are tightened.
The 30-year-old Nigerian international striker joined United on loan until the end of the season on deadline day last month from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
The British government called the novel coronavirus a “serious and imminent threat”, and said anyone with the disease can now be forcibly quarantined if they are deemed a threat to public health as the number of cases in Britain doubled to eight. Read more
D’Tigress to know Tokyo 2020 rivals March 21 (Nation)
World basketball ruling body (FIBA) has confirmed Nigeria’s D’Tigress and 11 others will know their group opponents when the draws for the women basketball event of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is held on March 21.
According to FIBA, Nigeria remains the first African team to qualify both men and women teams for Olympic Games after D’Tigress picked their slot at the just concluded Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Belgrade, Serbia.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu was named among the All-Star Five with double-figures in scoring in all three games of Group A. Read more
Paralympians beg Oboh-Idris to return World Cup trophy (DailyTrust)
Nigerian Paralympians who won the just concluded World power ParaWeightlifting World Cup in Abuja have made a passionate appeal to the suspended President Mrs Queen Oboh-Idris to return the overall trophy they won at the competition.
Speaking during the reception organized in their honour yesterday in Abuja, Team Captain Lucy Ejike said” We appeal to the former President to return the overall trophy we won which we are supposed to present to the Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Sunday Dare who has been a great motivator. “Today, we are not with our pride because Oboh-Idris has taken it away. This trophy is our sweat, commitment and efforts to make Nigeria proud. “We are begging her to please return the trophy so that we can present it to the Minister who will present it to President Mohamadu Buhari. Nobody should deny us our pride,” Read more
Emmanuel Adebayor joins Paraguay’s Olimpia (Punch)
Former Real Madrid and Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor has joined Olimpia, the reigning Paraguayan champions announced on Tuesday.
The Togo forward, who also played for Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace during a decade-long stay in the English Premier League, had been a free agent since December when he left Turks Kayserispor.
Adebayor, 35, will join up with former City team-mate Roque Santa Cruz at Olimpia, where his fellow veteran was top scorer in the Paraguayan league last year.
“Hello to the Olimpia fans. Thanks for everything, see you on Friday,” said Adebayor in a message recorded by the club. Read more
30 years after Douglas knocked down Tyson to shape boxing history (Guardian)
To this day, James ‘Buster’ Douglas retains a place in folklore for his stunning heavyweight title defeat of Mike Tyson in the Tokyo Dome, Japan, on February 11, 1990, now a full 30 years ago.
A rank 42-1 outsider with an undistinguished professional record, Douglas was meant to be an easy scalp for 37-fight unbeaten, 10-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on his unstoppable march towards a showdown with Evander Holyfield.
That night in Japan, when the faults of Tyson’s hard-partying lifestyle were laid bare for the world to see, was the culmination of a wild ride featuring geisha girls, 3 am parties, family tragedy and one Donald Trump. Read more
Arsenal battle Tottenham to host Joshua-Pulev fight (Nation)
Arsenal and Tottenham usually battle it out on the pitch but now they are competing off the field to host Anthony Joshua’s next fight.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed he has offers on the table from both sides to host Joshua’s summer fight with Kubrat Pulev at the Emirates Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Joshua will look to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts when he takes on Bulgaria’s Pulev with the bout set to go ahead in June.
Reports suggest staff at the Emirates have been told they will have to work at a major event in the summer but it seems Tottenham are winning the race to host Joshua’s upcoming showdown. Read more