Court orders CBN to immediately unfreeze 20 #EndSARS protesters’ accounts (ThisDay)
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately unfreeze 20 bank accounts linked to protesters and promoters of #EndSARS and police brutality.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the order following the withdrawal of the suit by the counsel to the CBN, Mr Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).
The order, which was for 180 days, was to enable the CBN investigate the defendants of alleged crime.
Although the order was supposed to be renewed upon an application by the CBN, however following the decision of counsel to the CBN, Aondoakaa, to withdraw his earlier application for extension of time and the subsequent decision of the defendants through their lawyer, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), to also withdraw all processes filed against the suit, the judge subsequently struck it out. Read more
#EndSARS: Youth rep to sue CBN as court unfreezes accounts (Punch)
One of the youth representatives in the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses, Rinu Oduala, has threatened legal action against the Central Bank of Nigeria after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the apex bank to unfreeze the accounts of 20 #EndSARS promoters.
The accounts were targeted by the apex bank in 2020 in the wake of the #EndSARS protests which demanded an end to police brutality and bad governance in the country.
The order was issued on Wednesday by the judge, Ahmed Mohammed, following an agreement by the legal teams of the CBN and the defendants to end the case.
In reaction to the order, Oduala whose account was among those frozen by CBN took to social media where she revealed that she has informed her lawyers and that she will take legal action against the apex bank. Read more
US Consulate seeks increase from 13,762 Nigerians studying in America (Tribune)
Up from over 13,762 Nigerians, the United States Consulate has expressed a desire to have an increase in the number of Nigerians studying in the United States.
This desire informed the opening of the third EducationUSA Advising Center in Ibadan, on Wednesday.
According to the latest Institute of International Education Open Doors Report, Nigeria retained its top ranking as the number one source of African students studying in the United States with about 13,762 Nigerians studying in more than 1,000 US colleges and universities.
The Ibadan centre of EducationUSA, which is the third after Lagos and Abuja offices, is set up to advise Nigerians who want to seek studies in the United States. Read more
Dakuku Peterside to deliver Honour’s Day Lecture at Federal University, Otuoke (Guardian)
Barely three days after delivering a keynote address at the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) retreat in Calabar, turnaround expert, and immediate past director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside is to mount the podium again for another thought-provoking discourse.
Dr Peterside, will on Friday, February 12, 2020, deliver a paper titled “Challenging The Way We Deliver Higher Education In A Changing World” at the First Honour’s Day Lecture of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
A statement from the university signed by the Registrar, Yousuo Donald Iruo, revealed that the event is part of activities marking the send forth of the institution’s 2nd Vice-Chancellor, Professor Seth Accra Jaja. Read more
Fela Anikulapo Kuti nominated for 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Punch)
The late afrobeat legend, Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti popularly known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti could be set for a posthumous honour after he was nominated for the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The late musician was nominated alongside international artistes like JAY-Z, Dionne Warwick, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Iron Maiden and Carole King, and he could be inducted on his first-ever nomination.
The Water No Get Enemy singer will also compete with other veteran singers likes of Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, LL Cool J and Chaka Khan who made the 16-man list of nominees which was announced on Wednesday.
Todd Rundgren, Kate Bush, the New York Dolls, Devo and Rage Against the Machine completes the nomination list. Read more
Insecurity: We have failed, says Gbajabiamila (ThisDay)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has admitted that the government of the day has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian.
He stated categorically that from the abundance of the failures has emerged a culture of self-help in matters of internal security that portends grave danger for the nation’s continued existence.
Gbajabiamila stated Wednesday at the plenary while delivering his speech on the resumption of the lawmakers for the 2021 legislative session.
He stressed that the true test of government is in its ability to protect the most vulnerable, adding that it is impossible to separate the goal of economic prosperity from the ambition to ensure that people live in a just society free from abuse of power and protected by a justice system built on fairness and the rule of law. Read more
Fani-Kayode has joined APC, says Gov Bello (Punch)
Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has confirmed former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fani-Kayode on Monday met with the National Chairman of the APC, Governor Mai Buni of Yobe State and Governor Bello, fuelling speculation he was on his way back to the party.
Bello put paid to speculations while addressing a crowd of APC supporters as seen in a video on social media.
According to him: “Our brother and friend, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has joined our party in good faith. Read more
EFCC raids ‘Yahoo Boys’ hideouts in Osun, Ogun, Jos, arrests 45 suspects (Guardian)
The Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 39 internet fraud suspects, known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’.
Ten of them were arrested at Ilesha, Osun State, while Twenty-nine others were arrested in different locations at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
Those arrested at Ilesha are: Oyesoji Tosin, Olaniyi Emmanuel, Samson Ojo, Sodiq Sunkanmi, Kolawole Abiodun, Oluwole Gbenga, Olajuyigbe Olamide, Oyebanji Olabisi Temitope, Ayoola Oluwafemi, and Oluwatobiloba Gbadamosi.
The suspects arrested at Ago-Iwoye include Emmanuel Lawal, Kareem Olamide, Adekunle Kehinde Salawu, Bella Tijesu, Aderibigbe Adedoyin, Anifowose Hammed, Lateef Adetayo, Busari Oluwatobi, Tobi Adeyemi, Gabriel Obisesan, Oluwole Olasunkanmi and Odetola Samson. Read more
Ogun communities raise the alarm over influx of herdsmen from Oyo (Punch)
Residents of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State where a farmer was recently slaughtered by Fulani herdsmen have raised the alarm that the fleeing Fulani herdsmen from Oyo State have invaded their area, allegedly killing their people and destroying property.
The residents said famine was looming in their area following the invasion by the herdsmen, who they said, had forced farmers to abandon their farms for fear of being attack.
The local government shares a border with Igangan and Ijio in Oyo State and Benin Republic.
They spoke through a statement signed by some leaders of the residents; Southern Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Abdulakeem Mulero; National Youth Council of Nigeria, Saheed Oyeleye; Federation of Imeko-Afon Local Government Student Union, Adebia Adegoke and The Patriots, Imeko-Afon Local Government, Abel Babatunde. Read more
Global COVID-19 cases declined 17% worldwide last week, WHO says (CNN)
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported across the globe has declined for a fourth week in a row, according to data from the World Health Organization, offering a glimmer of hope that the world is turning a corner in its efforts to contain the pandemic.
The number of Covid-19 deaths reported worldwide decreased for the second week running, with 88,000 new deaths reported last week, a 10% drop compared to the previous week, according to WHO.
More than 3.1 million new cases of Covid-19 were reported around the world last week, the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update. That was a 17% decline from the previous week and the lowest number of cases worldwide since the week of October 26, 2020. Read more
J&J boss says annual vaccine may be needed (DW)
The chief executive of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) told news channel CNBC on Tuesday that people may have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 annually for several years. “Unfortunately, as the virus spreads it can also mutate,” said Alex Gorsky.
“Every time it mutates, it’s almost like another click of the dial so to speak where we can see another variant, another mutation that can have an impact on its ability to fend off antibodies or to have a different kind of response not only to a therapeutic but also to a vaccine,” he said.
Peter Ben Embarek, of the World Health Organization team holds up a chart showing pathways of transmission of the virus
J&J has currently approached the US health regulator to authorize its single dose COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. Gorsky said that the company is working on making a two-dose vaccine, whose clinical trial data will be available in the second half of 2021. Read more
Bitcoin consumes ‘more electricity than Argentina’ (BBC)
Bitcoin uses more electricity annually than the whole of Argentina, analysis by Cambridge University suggests.
“Mining” for the cryptocurrency is power-hungry, involving heavy computer calculations to verify transactions.
Cambridge researchers say it consumes around 121.36 terawatt-hours (TWh) a year – and is unlikely to fall unless the value of the currency slumps.
Critics say electric-car firm Tesla’s decision to invest heavily in Bitcoin undermines its environmental image. Read more
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2021: Jay-Z, Foo Fighters among wild nominees (NYPost)
There may be some big pimpin’ going down in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
In his first year of eligibility, Brooklyn’s own Jay-Z was among the nominees for the class of 2021 at the rock hall, which were announced Wednesday morning.
If he were to be inducted, Hova would become just the third solo rapper to hang his mike in the RRHOF, after both Tupac Shakur (2017) and the Notorious B.I.G. (2020) were enshrined posthumously.
Fresh off of releasing their 10th studio album, “Medicine at Midnight,” earlier this month, Foo Fighters also scored a nomination the first time they were eligible — which is 25 years after an artist’s debut record. Read more
Aunt Jemima finally has a new name (CNN)
Quaker Oats is releasing a new name and logo for its “Aunt Jemima” products, finally retiring the racist stereotype that has adorned its pancake mixes and syrups for decades.
The name “Aunt Jemima,” long criticized as a racist caricature of a Black woman stemming from slavery, will be replaced with the Pearl Milling Company name and logo on the former brand’s new packaging, according to parent company PepsiCo.
“We are starting a new day with Pearl Milling Company,” a PepsiCo spokesperson said. “A new day rooted in the brand’s historic beginnings and its mission to create moments that matter at the breakfast table.”
PepsiCo attorneys purchased brand name and logo trademarks for Pearl Milling Company on February 1. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben Perrott, PLLC in Washington DC spotted the filing Monday morning.
“We’ve been looking for it ever since they made the announcement,” Gerben told CNN Business on Tuesday. Read more
China Mars mission: Tianwen-1 spacecraft enters into orbit (BBC)
China says it has successfully put its Tianwen-1 mission in orbit around Mars.
It’s the first time the country has managed to get a spacecraft to the Red Planet and comes a day after the United Arab Emirates accomplished the same feat.
Tianwen-1, or “Questions to Heaven”, comprises an orbiter and a rover.
Engineers will bide their time before despatching the wheeled robot to the surface but the expectation is that this will happen in May or June. Read more
Russia orders arrest of top aide to Alexei Navalny (DW)
Russia has issued an arrest order for Leonid Volkov, a top aide to opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Russian media reported on Wednesday.
Man lying on the snow covered ground being arrested in Russia
Volkov, who lives in the European Union, has pressured the Kremlin to release Navalny, through calls for protests in Moscow and for international institutions to sanction Russia.
He has been added to a wanted list that extends to several former Soviet countries, known as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Read more
Guinness Book of World Records recognises Okagbare (Guardian)
Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the only athlete to have attended the Athletics Diamond Meetings 67 times.
Okagbare on Wednesday shared the good news via her verified Instagram handle.
She said: “A dream made a reality through God’s grace and determination.
“Look what finally came in the mail.
“Thanks to Guinness book of world records, I am indeed honoured, proud and grateful.” Read more
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals UFC title plans and drops hint over McGregor vs Poirier III (Metro)
Khabib Nurmagomedov has suggested he plans to vacate the UFC lightweight title and believes a fight to crown a new champion will be booked for May or June. Nurmagomedov announced his shock retirement from MMA in October following a title defence against Justin Gaethje. The undefeated Dagestani insisted he would not be able to fight on without his father, who died in 2020 from a heart condition exacerbated by Covid-19. After watching Dustin Poirier beat Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January, Nurmagomedov believes the American deserves to be champion – but added he saw nothing from either man that would tempt him back to the octagon. Read more
Klopp unable to attend mother’s funeral in Germany due to Covid measures (Guardian)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed his mother died last month and he is unable to travel from Britain to attend the funeral in Germany because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
According to reports, Elisabeth Klopp died on January 19 at the age of 81. She was from Glatten in the Black Forest region,
“She meant everything to me. She was a real mum in the best sense of the word,” Klopp told local newspaper the Schwarzwaelder Bote.
“As a devout Christian, I know she is in a better place now,” he added.
Germany has introduced strict travel restrictions from countries such as Britain which have been hit by a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus. Read more
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios through; Stan Wawrinka out (BBC)
Nick Kyrgios played for over three hours to beat Ugo Humbert
Novak Djokovic survived a scare and Nick Kyrgios saved match points as day three at the Australian Open caught the attention of the crowds.
Defending champion and world number one Djokovic overcame Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.
Australian Kyrgios then produced a thrilling five-set win over Ugo Humbert in front of a rowdy John Cain Arena.
Kyrgios showed his usual mix of fiery antics and exciting shots to beat the Frenchman 5-7 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
He fell to his knees after winning the match before sitting in his chair and shaking his head in disbelief. Read more
NBA team Dallas Mavericks have stopped playing national anthem at owner’s request (CNN)
The Dallas Mavericks have stopped playing the National Anthem prior to home games, the team confirmed to CNN on Wednesday.
The team has not played the anthem in eleven games at American Airlines Center this season and does not plan to play the anthem in the future, a team spokesperson said.
Team owner, Mark Cuban, directed the team to stop playing the anthem before the season, according to multiple reports.
No reason was given on why this decision was made. CNN has reached out to Cuban for comment.
The Mavericks had not played a game in front of any fans until this Monday when the team welcomed 1,500 vaccinated essential workers — including first responders, medical personnel, transportation workers among others — to the arena.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban in attendance against the Phoenix Suns. Read more
“I was afraid to lose” – Nick Kyrgios reacts to Australian Open fightback (Metro) Nick Kyrgios revealed that fear drove him to a stunning fightback against Ugo Humbert as he saved two match points to survive an early Australian Open exit. Kyrgios, the world No. 47 from Canberra, looked set for a second-round defeat to the French 29th seed but dug deep to beat his 22-year-old opponent 5-7 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 and book a third-round clash with world No. 3 Dominic Thiem. As ever, there were fireworks on court an ongoing row with chair umpire Marijana Veljovic over a faulty let cord machine punctuated the five-set thriller, while Kyrgios brought his usual bag of tricks, but his press conferences remain some of the most insightful and interesting in sport. Read more
