Court grants NDLEA request to detain Abba Kyari for 14 days (Guardian)
Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted the request by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) the permission for further detention for 14 days the two alleged drug couriers named in the case involving suspended DCP Abba Kyari.
The court gave the order for the detention of Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus for 14 days in the NDLEA facility in Abuja pending investigation.
The order was issued after listening to the Director, Prosecution and Legal Services (NDLEA), Joseph. Sunday who moved an ex-parte application to that effect.
The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DFPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejob, in a recent statement, said: “Interim investigations report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, on Jan. 19. Read more
Unmarried female police officers can’t get pregnant, court rules (Punch)
Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused to nullify Regulation 127 of the Nigeria Police Force, which forbids unmarried police officers from getting pregnant.
The Regulation provides that “an unmarried woman police officer, who becomes pregnant, shall be discharged from the Force and shall not be re-enlisted except with the approval of the Inspector General of Police”.
The decision of the Court was sequel to an action filed by Nigerian Bar Association querying the legality of the provision which, it argued, was not only in conflict with the 1999 constitution (as amended), but also amounted to discrimination against an unmarried female police officer.
Citing the case of Omolola Olajide, a female police officer that was sacked in Ekiti State on January 26, 2021, for being pregnant while unmarried, the NBA maintained that such discriminatory Regulation has also rendered many female officers childless for fear of being sacked. Read more
APC groups in Alimosho disagree over Tinubu, Aregbesola feud (Guardian)
Different groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Alimosho Local Government are disagreeing over the feud between former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu and interior minister Rauf Aregbesola.
The APC Alimosho Liberation Movement and Veterans under the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, described the action of Senator Solomon Adeola and Abdullah Enilolobo-led group as “deceitful.”
Senator Adeola and Enilolobo reportedly led some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Alimosho area of Lagos state in a rally to pledge their allegiance to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, preceded by a press briefing at Igando-Ikotun Secretariat, Ikotun, Lagos, saw the crowd stage a walk for their support for Asiwaju Tinubu. Read more
OkonLagos, Victoria Inyama, others educate Ugezu on importance of DNA test in Nigeria (Vanguard)
Nollywood producer, director, and actor, Ugezu J Ugezu, has been chastised by colleagues and social media users for his opposition to the use of DNA tests in Nigeria.
The legendary actor had on Monday shared a post on his official Instagram page to admonish men who have made it a habit to take a paternity test before claiming a child.
Following the trends in Nigeria and as parents realize daily that their children aren’t biologically theirs, many men, particularly in Nigeria, are becoming interested in DNA tests.
Ugezu alarmed by the rising popularity of paternity tests believes that African men should not be subjected to them and according to him, any child born to an African man is the man’s child.
He believes that DNA-related issues are the reasons many families are tearing apart. Read more
Nostalgic Daddy Showkey visits Ajegunle birthplace (Nation)
Galala singer Daddy Showkey has been left nostalgic after a visit to his birthplace in Ajegunle, Lagos.
The “Galala” crooner decided to take his fans and followers on a tour to the house (a single room) where he was born and raised alongside his siblings.
During the visit, Showkey revealed the video of his hit project, ‘Diana,’ which is considered one of his most successful songs released in 1999, was shot in the same compound he was born and raised in.
“This is where I was born. This is the compound where I grew up. And this is where I shot the video of my song “Dyna” (Diana). This is a jungle. We are in the jungle. No shaking!” he said.” Read more
2023: Third Force Launches ‘The National Movement’ In Abuja (Vanguard)
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, some Nigerian Politicians have launched a third force it believed would wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and displace the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Former Kano State Governor, Musa Rabiu Kwankaso, convener of The National Movement said the group of politicians who sought to displace the ruling and opposition party on the road to 2023 elections are aligned with the interest of the ordinary Nigerian.
The group said it would under a new platform, The National Movement (TNM), restore the hope of Nigeria and urged the citizens to act against mere complaints of ill-treatment.
“We call on Nigerians to stop the new culture of sitting at home agonizing and engaged in lamentations and trading blame games. We should not despair.
“We must rise up and rebuild the bridges of fraternity, love and solidarity among our people. Read more
Ethnic youth leaders condemn media attack on Emefiele (Sun)
The Nigerian Ethnic Youth Leaders Council (NEYLC) condemned on Monday a national newspaper for what it described as an unprovoked attack on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The NEYLC, which is made up of the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement (ACYM), Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Movement, Oduduwa Youths and Middle Belt Youth, made its position known in a statement signed by the Ohanaeze Secretary-General and head of Coalition’s secretariat, Nwada Ike Chiamaka.
The ethnic youth leaders said it was surprising that the newspaper could descend so low to the point of criticising Emefiele for an ambition that is yet to be made known.
The group was reacting to a publication by the newspaper, in which it cast aspersions on the friends and well-wishers of the CBN governor.
IPOB worried over Nnamdi Kanu’s health status (Nation)
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised the alarm over alleged refusal by the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow family members and lawyers to its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu during routine visitation in its custody.
The group warned the Federal Government and its security agencies should be held responsible if anything untoward happens to Kanu.
In a statement by its Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, IPOB expressed fear over Kanu’s state of health, urging DSS to explain the reason behind shielding him from his family and lawyers.
It maintained there was no option to unconditional release of its leader, warning those behind the perpetual detention to be ready to bear the consequences. Read more
By-election: PDP Candidate laments school cert requirement for Reps (Independent)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the by-election for Akure North/Akure South federal constituency, Barrister Olumuyiwa Adu, lamented secondary leaving school certificate as academic qualification required for anyone aspiring to the House of Representatives.
He expressed disappointment in the section of the electoral act which deals with the academic quality of the people who would be saddled with the role of making laws that bother on the sustenance of the people and the nation.
Adu, a lawyer and chartered accountant, stated that the quality of people at the National Assembly would determine the quality of laws that would be made for the nation.
He made the observation during a pre-election debate organised by the Correspondents’ chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists at the Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital. Read more
NPA ’ll address stakeholders’ concerns over electronic truck call-up system – MD (Sun)
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is ready to tackle all concerns raised by port users on the implementation of the electronic scheduling system for trucks doing business in the ports.
Its Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos while reviewing the state of implementation of the policy, popularly known as “ETO system”, a year after it took off.
“We are ready to effectively tackle all concerns raised by port stakeholders; having operated the novel electronic call-up system for about a year, it should be expected that some of the teething issues should give way.
“All lingering issues will require a bit of time to resolve. The important thing is that we are committed to resolving them,” he said. Read more
Harrison Ford reportedly helps crew member who had heart attack on Indiana Jones 5 set (NME)
Harrison Ford reportedly helped a crew member who suffered a suspected heart attack on the set of Indiana Jones 5.
The actor, reprising his titular role in the forthcoming film, is said to have noticed the medical emergency at Pinewood Studios on Monday (February 21).
“All of a sudden a male member of the crew collapsed,” a source close to the production told The Sun. They said Ford “was standing just yards away and yelled for a medic”.
They went on to say “there was a huge amount of panic” at the time, as “the on-site first aider did CPR while they waited for an air ambulance and paramedics to arrive”. Read more
My music is doing well on streaming platforms in Kenya than in Ghana – Celestine Donkor (MyJoy)
Award winning Ghanaian Gospel Artiste, Celestine Donkor has revealed that her music is doing really better on streaming platforms in Kenya than in Ghana at the moment.
She made this revelation in an interview on the Hitz 103.9 FM Daybreak Hitz Show after she was asked whether she is against the hullabaloo of Ghanaian Gospel Musicians not getting shows in other countries.
The Agbebolo hitmaker said there are measures musicians need to take in order for their music to appeal to the global market, which has got to do with their brand positioning. To her, once your music is seen, heard and loved in other countries the people would connect to you.
She also touched on how easy it has become in recent times for musicians to get their music across borders due to the mechanics available to them. Read more
Kanye West slams Khloe Kardashian for posting photo of 4-year-old Chicago looking “too grown” (PopBuzz)
Kanye West has said that his daughter Chicago, four, looks “too grown” in photos taken with her aunt Khloé Kardashian.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are currently in the process of getting a divorce and so far Kanye seems to have taken issue with some of Kim Kardashian’s parenting decisions. Kanye has publicly slammed Kim for allowing their eldest daughter, eight-year-old North, to wear lipstick and have a TikTok account.
Now, Kanye believes that his daughter Chicago is looking “too grown” for his liking.
On Saturday (FEB 19), Khloé Kardashian shared a number of images from her “girls day” with Chicago and her daughter True Thompson. On Instagram Stories, Khloe posted two selfies with Chicago in the car. Read more
Netflix to Invest $45m in French, European films in deal that could pave return to Cannes (THR)
Netflix has reached a deal with the French cinema guilds that will see the streaming giant invest at least €40 million ($45 million) in at least 10 French and European films over the next three years, all of which will get theatrical releases in France.
The deal, unveiled Tuesday by French guilds ARP, BLIC and BLOC, which together represent the interests of French creatives, producers and cinema owners, marks the first agreement of its kind in France with a subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service. Under the deal, Netflix agrees to invest at least 4 percent of its annual net revenue in France in French and European film productions, with at least €30 million ($34 million) earmarked for French-language features. All the films backed by Netflix under the deal will have a theatrical premiere in France and launch on Netflix 15 months later. Netflix will have an exclusive seven-month streaming window.
The agreement includes a provision requiring Netflix to invest at least 17 percent of the €40 million in low-budget films, defined as those with a budget of under €4 million ($4.54 million). Netflix has committed to pre-financing these films, meaning the investment will come before principal photography.
Tuesday’s deal follows Netflix’s pact with France’s broadcasting authorities, under which the streamer committed to invest 20 percent of its annual revenue in France on French content, both series and movies. Netflix has little choice in the matter, as the French government has ruled that the streamer, like all TV networks in France, must invest in French content as a requirement of operating in the country. Read more
Tom Holland on how Zendaya reacted to his Uncharted stunts (People)
Tom Holland had some explaining to do!
While appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers Monday, the 25-year-old actor revealed that his girlfriend Zendaya and his mom seemed to agree behind the scenes that his Uncharted stunts were extreme.
“You are in mid-air, and you get hit by a car,” Meyers, 48, began. “How do they bring that to you as an idea? Do you just call your stuntman, and say ‘Bad news?’ “
With a laugh, Holland said that he was a lifelong fan of the Indiana Jones franchise, so filming such demanding scenes for the action-adventure was both “exciting” and “tough.” Read more
Gal Gadot role sees Jordanians call for Death On The Nile ban (NewArab)
Jordanians are calling for the new film, Death On The Nile, to be banned from cinemas in the country due to the inclusion of Israeli actress Gal Gadot.
The Arabic hashtag #Ban_the_Zionist_film is now trending on Jordanian Twitter, with many cinema goers equating the screening of the film with normalisation of the Israeli occupation due to Gadot’s past service in the military.
“The Jordanian people will not permit the Zionists to appear on our screens,” noted Jordanian activist Anas Al-Jamal said.
Activists were quick to point out the Wonder Woman star’s past support for the Israeli military’s 2014 assault on Gaza.
“Kuwait banned the showing of a film in which the former soldier in the occupation army Gal Gadot acts. Thanks to Kuwait for its honourable and noble positions from its leadership, government and people,” Jordanian activist Maya Rahal wrote. Read more
Coronation Street releases a new novel featuring Elsie Tanner (DigitalSpy)
Coronation Street has published a new novel featuring classic Corrie character Elsie Tanner.
Written by Maggie Sullivan, the fifth book in the wartime Corrie saga is titled We’ll Meet Again on Coronation Street and it’s a female-fronted, nostalgic story.
In the novel, the three female protagonists are looking to change their lives and adjust to a new normal as the war has drawn to a close.
Among the residents of Coronation Street, Ida Barlow has welcomed back her husband Frank after the conflict, but their marriage isn’t as rosey as one should hope. Ida is striving to maintain that independence acquired during the war.
Newcomer Wendy Collins has moved to the street and taken a job as a teacher at the local school, but is struggling to fit into the new work environment.
And finally, Elsie Tanner is trying to lift the residents’ mood by organising a trip to Blackpool, where they might finally be able to relax. Read more
Super Falcons will beat Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan – Waldrum (Leadership)
Super Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum, is confident that his team will beat Lady Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, in the second leg final qualifier of the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Abidjan, tomorrow.
The Falcons go into the game with a 2-0 advantage obtained last Friday in Abuja. The eventual winner qualifies for the WAFCON billed for July this year in Morocco.
“We should play on the front foot in Ivory Coast, we are not to sit back trying to contain them. Though we weren’t at our best in the first leg, now that we know how good they are, we shall go all out to get the result that will qualify us for the main competition,” Waldrum told Completesports.com.
“My team played according to instructions even though we did not entertain but they were able to shut them out. We scored two goals and kept a clean sheet, that is a good platform to start from and hopefully we shall come back victorious. Read more
Man Utd told Roy Keane as manager could ‘attract stars’ with his ‘strong connections’ (DailyStar)
Richard Dunne has remarkably claimed he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Roy Keane became the next manager of Manchester United.
Keane, 50, has been out of management since 2011 when he held the reins at Ipswich Town though admitted to former team-mate Gary Neville that he is keen to test himself again in the dugout.
Speaking on the Overlap YouTube channel the former Man Utd captain said: “Realistically where am I going to go back in to?
“The championship, top of League One… I think there’s something in there where I could be a good manager.” Read more
‘Barcelona were close to signing Vlahovic, Locatelli and Lautaro’ (FootballItalia)
Former Barcelona director Ramon Planes admits that Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Locatelli and Dusan Vlahovic came close to joining the La Liga giants over the last few years.
Lautaro was a top target for the Catalans in the 2019-20 and Planes has revealed why the Argentinean didn’t move to the Nou Camp.
“He was really, really close,” he said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia.
“The situation changed with COVID. We had held many meetings with his agents and Inter directors before the pandemic, which has changed football at an economic level. ” Read more
Nicholas Latifi calls on Formula 1 to help with social media abuse (Independent)
Nicholas Latifi says Formula One could do more to help drivers deal with social media abuse.
Latifi received death threats after his late crash at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December triggered a chain of events which saw Max Verstappen overtake Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the season to claim the world title.
The driver revealed he hired security on a recent trip to London as he felt he and his family were in danger following the threats. He is now trying to encourage those in the sport and officials to open up on the topic.
“It is a very serious topic, especially now more than ever,” said the Williams driver. “Maybe in previous years it was a topic people didn’t want to speak about but it is one of the most important things in modern times so I think it is important to be open to talking about certain things. Read more
Steph Curry gets a 3-point record as LeBron James takes another NBA All-Star win (NPR)
Stephen Curry got another 3-point record. LeBron James got another All-Star win.
Not a bad night in Ohio for the two All-Stars from Akron.
“It’s right on the nose of how it should go,” Curry said.
Curry turned boos to oohs and aahs with the greatest long-distance shooting performance in All-Star Game history, then James made a turnaround jumper that gave Team LeBron a 163-160 victory over Team Durant on Sunday night. Read more
Kovalev aiming for Cruiserweight title shot after 3 or 4 fights, then retirement (BoxingScene)
Sergey Kovalev wants to end his career with one last piece of hardware.
The former longtime light heavyweight titleholder from Russia is hoping to become a two-division titlist by winning a belt in the cruiserweight ranks, according to his manager Egis Klimas. Kovalev, a force in the light heavyweight class for the first half of the 2010s, has seen his career plunge dramatically ever since his 11th-round knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez in November of 2019, which was the last time Kovalev fought.
Recently, Kovalev was shown working out with trainer Buddy McGirt, gearing up for a comeback, reportedly against Chinese contender Meng Fanlong at a contracted weight of 185 pounds on a Triller Fight Club card in the spring. Klimas made it clear Kovalev won’t be returning to light heavyweight at this juncture in his career.
“For him to fight [at] cruiserweight it’s not gonna be a big issue,” Klimas said on The 3 Knockdown Rule. “He has a good name. Right now he’s hungry. He wants to fight. Right now at the end of his career, we don’t see no point for him to go to 175. Read more
Patrick Lefevere leaves door open for Mark Cavendish to ride Tour de France (Eurosport)
QuickStep-Apha Vinyl Team manager Patrick Lefevere has opened the door for Mark Cavendish to ride the Tour de France again.
Cavendish impressed with a stage 2 win at the UAE tour on Monday, boosting his chances as he goes head to head with Fabio Jakobsen for a spot on the Tour.
Jakobsen appeared to have the edge over Cavendish in recent weeks for the single sprinter’s spot on the team, and said he was among other sprinters currently on the long list to ride the tour, with Cavendish tipped for the Giro d’Italia.
But Cavendish won four stages and the green jersey at last year’s Tour, and Lefevere says the ‘best rider will go’ this time around. Read more