Christian elders shun Buhari, Atiku (Punch)
A coalition of Christians under the aegis of the National Christian Elders Forum has excluded President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from its consultation meeting with the presidential candidates. The meeting is for the 2019 general elections scheduled for Lagos on Friday. The prominent members of the NCEF are Solomon Asemota (Chairman); former Minister of Defence Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma, Prof. Joseph Otubu, Joshua Dogonyaro, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Dr Kate Okpareke, Dr Ayo Abifarin, Major Gen Zamani Lekwot, Moses Ihonde, Nat Okoro and Matthew Owojaiye. Read more
Boko Haram notifies military of fresh attack (Punch)
Boko Haram insurgents have threatened another attack on the military base at Jiddari-Polo, Maiduguri. The terrorists on Monday attacked farmers in the area, hacking four to death while one was left with severe injuries. One of the survivors of the Monday attack, Mala Umara, told AFP that the terrorists came in large numbers. Read more
Violence rocks Akwa Ibom Assembly (Nation)
It was all drama yesterday at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in Uyo, the state capital. Five opposition lawmakers, purportedly suspended by factional Speaker Onofiok Luke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reconvened to initiate the removal of Luke and begin the impeachment of Governor Udom Emmanuel. The sitting of the five All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, led by another factional Speaker, Nse Ntuen, was scuttled by suspected thugs. Emmanuel was at the Assembly Complex, which was thrown into confusion as the suspected thugs manhandled the APC lawmakers, who were suspended for defecting from the ruling PDP. Read more
I have no intention to leave APC, says Imo Governor Okorocha (Guardian)
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has reiterated his resolve to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) against “the antics of some forces” in the party. However, he has given his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, the licence to defect to any political party, if he so wishes, to actualise his governorship ambition. Speaking to newsmen yesterday at Douglas House, Owerri, Okorocha blasted the national leadership of APC led by Adams Oshiomhole over what he deems injustice to members of party in the state. Read more
Sex-for-mark: Ex-OAU lecturer chanted incantation to derail trial, says prosecutor (Punch)
Federal High Court in Osogbo, on Tuesday, turned down the bail application of a former lecturer with the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Richard Akindele, dragged before court for allegedly demanding sex to upgrade the scores of one of his students, Monica Osagie. The court rejected the bail application, which Akindele filed through his lawyer, Francis Omotoso, after the prosecuting counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Kehinde Ayantoye, opposed the application. Read more
Senate seeks suspension of new tariff on alcohol, others (Nation)
Senators yesterday urged the Federal Government to put on hold the implementation of the excise tariff increment on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. The upper chamber said the suspension should be in force until all stakeholders have been consulted. It said the discussion with stakeholders should pave the way for consensus on the implementation. The resolutions followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Finance which considered “The urgent need to review the excise tariff increment in order to save local distillers of beverages from looming extinction.” Read more
Seme Customs seizes contraband worth N2.8bn
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, said it has intercepted counter banned goods worth over N2.8 billion in the last two months. Disclosing at the press briefing on the activities of the Command, Customs Area Controller, CAC, Garba Uba Mohammed, said that the Command impounded 850 items with Duty Paid Value, DPV of N378 million. He said the Command collected a total of N1,9 billion during the period under review. Read more
I can no longer feed my family, Metuh tells court (Nation)
Former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh told a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday that he could no longer feed his family because his bank accounts have been frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Metuh said he learnt early yesterday that no debit order was placed on his accounts on Monday night, when he tried unsuccessfully to make a transaction in one of the accounts. Read more
Brexit: Theresa May denies ‘rolling over’ on deal (BBC)
Theresa May has denied claims from DUP leader Arlene Foster that she had “given up” on negotiations before agreeing the Brexit deal. Mrs Foster said the PM’s trip to promote the deal to businesses in Wales and Northern Ireland was a “waste of time” as Parliament would not back it. Meanwhile, former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon told the BBC the deal was “doomed” and must be renegotiated. Mrs May insists it protects the “vital interests” of the whole of the UK. Read more
Trump ‘may cancel Putin talks over Ukraine’ (BBC)
US President Donald Trump says he may cancel a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin following a maritime clash between Russia and Ukraine. Mr Trump told the Washington Post he was waiting for a “full report” after Russian ships fired on and seized three Ukrainian boats on Sunday. The two leaders are due to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires later this week. Meanwhile, the US has urged European states to do more to support Ukraine. State department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Washington wanted to see tougher enforcement of sanctions against Russia. Read more
US sanctions Nicaragua’s vice-president (BBC)
The US has imposed sanctions against Nicaragua’s Vice-President Rosario Murillo, the wife of President Daniel Ortega, accusing her of corruption and serious human rights abuses. She is believed to have held influence over a youth organisation that the US says engaged in extra-judicial killings, torture and kidnapping. Sanctions were also imposed on the presidential couple’s security advisor. Ms Murillo has ruled Nicaragua jointly with Mr Ortega for more than a decade. Read more
Teslim Balogun Stadium near completion for AFCON qualifier, says Adeyinka (Guardian)
The Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Sports, Adeboye Anthoney Adeyinka, has revealed that the state government is working hard to ensure that the state host the final group E African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between the Super Eagles and Seychelles scheduled to hold on March 22. Speaking at a media parley, Adeyinka said the ongoing renovation work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium was to change the artificial tuff to natural grass, which would be completed soon enough to host the qualifier. Read more
Nigeria waits on Solanke, Lookman (Vanguard)
Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke and Everton’s Ademola Lookman are being “allowed to decide” whether they want to switch their international allegiance to Nigeria. Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr admitted that the duo “are not convinced” about the prospect of switching to play for Nigeria, but the German hasn’t given up hope of securing them yet. Read more
Rohr sends fitness coach to Ebuehi (Vanguard)
Super Eagles right full back Tyronne Ebuehi is close to full fitness from the injury he suffered at his new club Benfica following his move in the summer. Ebuehi ruptured his tendon while in training ahead of the start of this season and his recovery after surgery is going smoothly with his January return date still very much in his sight. Read more
Nigeria calls for review of officiating at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Guardian)
Nigeria has called for an urgent review of officiating standards in Olympic Sports ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to sustain the credibility of the global sports fiesta. The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung who made the call at a country meeting with Tokyo 2020 organisers on Monday in Tokyo, Japan, lodged a strong protest against officiating standards particularly in Boxing, which he said is yet to conform to the standards in other Olympic Combat sports. Read more
Last-gasp Fellaini sends Man Utd through (BBC)
Marouane Fellaini’s injury-time winner gave Manchester United a dramatic victory over Young Boys and sent his side into the last 16 of the Champions League. With Juventus beating Valencia to remain top of Group H, United knew victory would send them through too but an all-too-familiar unconvincing home performance had seen them struggle to make the breakthrough. Read more
Mandzukic goal seals Juventus win (BBC)
Mario Mandzukic scored his third goal in as many games for Juventus as they beat Valencia to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. The Croatian tapped in his first Champions League goal since his brace against Real Madrid in last season’s quarter-final, after Cristiano Ronaldo’s low ball across the box. The Italian champions struggled to create much in the first half with a front three of Paulo Dybala, Mandzukic and Ronaldo unable to break the Spanish side down. Read more
Aguero rescues draw at Lyon as Man City reach last 16 (Guardian)
Sergio Aguero grabbed a late equaliser to send Manchester City through to the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Lyon. Maxwel Cornet curled in a stunning strike to give Lyon the lead on 55 minutes at the Groupama Stadium before Aymeric Laporte headed Premier League leaders City level shortly after. Cornet struck again with nine minutes to play as Lyon looked on course to inflict their second defeat on City this season, but Aguero promptly glanced home at a corner to give the visitors the point they needed to reach the last 16. Read more
Bale goal helps Madrid claim top spot (BBC)
Gareth Bale’s goal set Real Madrid on their way to victory over Roma in the Champions League as they cemented their position at the top of Group G. Bale capitalised on a defensive error from home defender Federico Fazio to put the holders in front against the run of play after the break. Spain winger Lucas Vazquez ensured the La Liga side claimed all three points, tapping in from close range after Karim Benzema’s cushioned pass from a Luka Modric cross. Read more
Anthony Joshua won’t be at ringside to watch Fury, Wilder big fight (Guardian)
Anthony Joshua has revealed why he will miss the huge fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, which will shape the next phase of his career. Unified heavyweight champion Joshua is desperate to face American Wilder, who defends his WBC title against Fury in Los Angeles on December 1. If Wilder successfully overcomes Fury, it could set up a potential blockbuster showdown between the rival belt holders. However, if Fury wins and a rematch clause kicks in Joshua may well have to look elsewhere for his next opponent. Read more
Police rescue woman from lynching after rubbing faeces on church gate (Guardian)
A woman who claims to be mentally unstable was almost lynched to death by a mob yesterday in Mazamaza area of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State, for consistently rubbing faeces on the gate of a church. According to a resident, for almost six months, every morning the workers of Ministry of Perfection Church were welcomed to the church with a foul smell emanating from faeces rubbed on the church gate. According to him, the workers often wonder who could have done it; reason the church complained to neighbours. Yet, the unpleasant act didn’t stop. Read more
Policeman kicks as Customs officers gun down wife in Lagos (Punch)
The family of Patience Oni has been thrown into mourning after she was allegedly killed by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in the Badagry area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro gathered that the Customs officers attached to the Seme Border Command, reportedly led by one Abu Yusuf, were trying to evacuate bags of smuggled rice found around the F. O. Filing Station in the Badagry area of the state on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Read more
Siblings, others arrested for kidnapping (Punch)
The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday said it had arrested six people, who were allegedly involved in various kidnap cases in parts of the state. According to the police, among the suspects are three siblings. They are Joy Raymond, Peace Raymond and Ayomide Raymond. The other suspects arrested by the police are Yafara Adamu, Sunday Kehinde and Oluwayomi Akinseye. Read more
House boy ‘kills’ boss (Nation)
A 16-year old houseboy, Zakaria Chiahemba, has been arrested for allegedly killing his boss and stealing her belongings. The incident occurred on October 3 at 25, Osazuwa Street, Oluku in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Police said the suspect allegedly killed his boss, 51-year-old Rejoice Odogwu, with an axe, cutlass and stick. Zakaria allegedly escaped with the deceased’s money, phone and jewelry after committing the murder. Read more