Court orders takeover of building over public safety (Nation)
A Chief Magistrate sitting in Tinubu Magistrate Court, Lagos, Adedamola Paul, has ordered Consolidated Discount Limited to take over the African Continental Bank (ACB) building, with its appurtenances on 106/108, Broad Street, Lagos Island.
He held that it was “in the overwhelming interest of public safety”.
In line with the order, the plaintiff, with the support of the High Court Sheriff, has taken possession of the property.
The court, in giving the order, noted that the defendants remained absent and without legal representation, and thereby deemed the suit “unchallenged” and “closed”. Read more
JAMB Schedules 2022 UTME for April 20-30 (Tribune)
The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has scheduled the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to hold from April 20 to 30th nationwide.
The Board also announced that the UTME mock examination would hold on April 2nd, 2022, while registration for the examination would commence from 12th February and end on 19th March 2022, respectively.
This was contained in a weekly bulletin of the Board released by JAMB’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Dr Fabian Benjamin on Monday.
The Board has also resolved to refund N4,000 which many candidates paid but were unsuccessful in completing the registration process for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination including the Direct Entry Examinations.
The information read: “This is to notify all 2021 candidates who had deposited a draft of four thousand naira (N4,000) for late registration for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry but were unable to complete the registration process owing to no fault of the Board, even after the Board had extended the registration period twice, to visit the board’s Website https://www.jamb.gov.ng, and complete a form for the refund of the value of the draft they submitted to the Board.Read more
NAFDAC bans sachet alcohol drinks, others (Nation)
To curb the abuse of alcohol across the country, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has placed a ban on the registration of alcohol in sachet and small volume PET and Glass bottles below 200ml, amidst other stringent regulatory measures.
The agency stated that its decision was the result of the recommendation of a high powered Committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC on one hand, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) in December 2018.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who dropped the hint in Abuja, explained that the registration of new alcoholic drinks in Sachet and Small volume PET and Glass bottles above 30 per cent ABV (alcohol by volume) has been banned.
She further stated that the Agency will ensure that validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category will not exceed the year 2024. Read more
Olubadan was a caring, straightforward leader, says Osinbajo (Punch)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, was a man that loved his people, demonstrated genuine commitment to the progress of society and lived an accomplished life.
Osinbajo said this on Sunday during a condolence visit to the Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan where he was received by the palace chiefs and wife of the late monarch, Olori Rashidat Adetunji, among other members of the royal family.
This is according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday.
Describing the late Olubadan as a caring and honest leader, the Vice President, who spoke in Yoruba, said, “It is very necessary for me to come here because our father who departed was someone who was deeply kind; he loved people and everyone. Read more
Borno Police nab thugs who assaulted lady over Facebook post (Leadership)
The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Abdu Umar, has confirmed the arrest of four political thugs who attacked and brutalised a female resident of Maiduguri, Fadila Abdulrahman, over a Facebook post allegedly criticising a federal lawmaker.
It was gathered that the suspects arrested by the police include Bello Musa a.k.a Al-Shabba, 24; Nasiru Abubakar a.k.a. Mane, 22; Mala Mohammed a.k.a Bobby, 30, and Ali D. Shettima a.k.a Ari, 25.
They were arrested after State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, ordered security agencies to fish out the culprits and make them face the full wrath of the law.
The thugs, armed with clubs, sticks and other weapons, had attacked Fadila and vandalised her business premises on Sunday at a recreational park in Maiduguri, the state capital. Read more
Suspected kidnappers kill businessman in Ondo (Nation)
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have shot dead a businessman in Okeluse community, Ose local government area of Ondo State.
A worker of the businessman, who was also shot, is receiving treatment in a hospital.
The deceased businessman, MrAborowa Oladimeji but known as ‘Popular’ owned the Popular Petrol station in Okeluse.
Sources said the gunmen stormed the petrol station around 9 pm on Sunday and opened fire on the deceased. Read more
Aisha Buhari backs calls for public execution of Hanifa’s killer (NewTelegraph)
First Lady, Aisha Buhari has endorsed the call for the execution of Abdulmalik Tanko, proprietor of Noble Kids Academy in Kawaji, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
Tanko, proprietor of the school, has confessed to killing the innocent child with rat poison.
He had dismembered and buried her secretly at one of the branches of the school.
The victim was kidnapped in December and killed shortly after, though her abductors had demanded a N6 million ransom. Read more
Kano revokes licences of all private schools(DailyTrust)
The government of Kano has revoked operating licences of all private schools in the state.
The government took the action amid the outrage over the killing of 5-year old Hanifa Abubukar by Abdulmalik Tanko, proprietor of Noble Kids Academy, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased child, who attended the school, was kidnapped and subsequently killed by her school proprietor.
Tanko had confessed to killing her with a rat poison he bought for N100.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the state Commissioner of Education, Sunusi Sa’id Kiru, said the revoked licences will be reviewed and revalidated after certification.
“I want to use this opportunity to inform everyone that henceforth, the government has decided to revoke all certificates of private schools in the State.
‘‘We are all aware of the ongoing case of Hanifa; how she was gruesomely murdered by a suspect called Abdulmalik Tanko who is the the proprietor of Noble Kids Academy; view of the sad incident, especially regarding how she was murdered in the private school, the State government has decided to withdraw the certificate of all private schools for revalidation.
“The ministry of education will set a criteria for their recertification. A panel has been set-up comprising of the ministry of Justice, Department of State Service, (DSS), Civil Defense and other security agencies to look into the revalidation of all private schools in Kano State.” Read more
Police deny compiling list of internet fraudsters in Ogun (ThisDay)
The Ogun State Police Command has denied that it is compiling the list of suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo boys, which is circulating on social media and alleged to have emanated from the state Police Command.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, dissociated the command from the purported list in a statement issued yesterday.
Oyeyemi said the Police Command would have ignored the said list, but for the fact that some extortionists may use it as an opportunity to turn those on the list to easy prey.
He said the Police Command, therefore, saw the need to alert the public that the list did not emanate from the Command. Read more
Emma Thompson reveals she rehearsed ‘entirely nude’ with cast and director of new film (HuffPost)
Emma Thompson has revealed she rehearsed “entirely nude” with the cast and director of her latest film to prepare for getting naked on screen.
In the new comedy-drama Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, Emma plays retired widow Nancy who hires a young male escort named Leo, played by Peaky Blinders’ Daryl McCormack, for a night of pleasure and self-discovery.
The movie, directed by Sophie Hyde, sees Emma appearing in her first ever nude scene, which involved some very naked preparation.
“Sophie, Daryl, and I rehearsed entirely nude and talked about our bodies, talked about our relationship with our bodies, drew them, discussed the things that we find difficult about [them], things we like about them, and described one another’s bodies,” Emma revealed during the film’s virtual premiere at the weekend (via Entertainment Weekly). Read more
UK reviews guidance on using drill music as evidence in court (AllHipHop)
The U.K’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is following in the footsteps of the U.S and considering the use of drill music as evidence in criminal trials. Jay-Z was among the artists who
recently signed a letter asking U.S lawmakers to pass the “Rap Music on Trial” bill. The signatories are seeking legislation that would make it more difficult for prosecutors to use lyrics as evidence in criminal trials.
The move in the U.K comes after a BBC study of prosecutions across the U.K. Defense lawyers and academics raised concerns that using rap lyrics as evidence can prevent defendants – the majority of whom were young black men – from getting a fair trial.
The CPS said it is not aware of any cases where drill music was incorrectly used to prosecute a defendant in the past. However, they are listening to their concerns. The BBC claims their research shows drill music is being increasingly used as evidence, alleging it incites gang rivalries.
They give the example of the murder of Lyrico Steede in Nottingham. During the trial, the court heard that a dispute between Steed and his killer had been fuelled by them insulting and threatening each other in drill music videos. Read more
Egyptian films compete for prizes from 47/48th edition of Cairo Film Society, starting January 29 (EgyptIndependent)
The management of the annual Cairo Film Society Festival, headed by Director of Cinematography Mahmoud Abdel Samie, announced that the 47th and 48th session will be held from January 29 until February 5 at the Creativity Center at the Egyptian Opera House.
The awards and honors ceremony are set for February 12.
According to the management, this edition is exceptional as it follows after last year’s cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Abdal Samie said: “ The festival seeks to present the state of Egyptian cinema and monitor what it presented through the works shown in Egyptian theaters every year, but with the conditions of the coronavirus and the closure, there is a new mediator that must be dealt with, which is the digital platforms, the festival management added an item in the festival list to cope with this angle”. Read more
NATO announces major new deployment (RT)
NATO members will order more fleets and fighter planes into Eastern Europe amid a worsening standoff with Russia, with the bloc citing reports that Moscow is building up troops on its side of the Ukrainian border.
In a statement issued on Monday, the US-led military faction’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he welcomed the commitment of “additional forces to NATO,” vowing that he will “continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the” bloc.
According to his comments, a handful of member states have made announcements that they will step up their current or upcoming deployments, including Denmark, which is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and four fighter jets to Lithuania “in support of NATO’s long-standing air-policing mission in the region.”
Spain and France are focusing on southeastern Europe, with Madrid reportedly contemplating dispatching ships to “join NATO naval forces and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria.” Meanwhile, Paris “has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania under NATO command.” Read more
Sky Ferreira’s mother says her daughter’s new album is coming in March (NME)
Sky Ferreira‘s mum has said that her daughter’s new album is set for release in March.The long-awaited follow-up to the singer’s debut LP ‘Night Time, My Time’, which came out in October 2013, is expected to finally arrive in 2022 after Ferreira wrote on social media last month that the record is “actually coming out this time”.
After previously hinting that she would be releasing new material in March, Ferreira’s mother Tonia Lamere has now appeared to confirm that the singer’s second album will be released that month.
Over the weekend, Lamare shared an image of Ferreira on her Instagram Stories and wrote “new album coming March”. Read more
Heidelberg Shooting: ‘Several’ Injured in University Lecture Hall, Suspect Dead (Newsweek)
Multiple people have been injured after a shooter opened fire in a lecture hall at a university in western Germany, local police have said. The suspected shooter is dead.
The attack at the University of Heidelberg on Monday was launched by a single assailant, Mannheim police said on Twitter.
Large numbers of police forces and emergency workers are present at the scene.
An initial statement by police said: “Large-scale deployment. Multiple injuries. Read more
WikiLeaks founder Assange wins right to appeal against US extradition (France24)
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was on Monday given permission to appeal a decision to extradite him to the United States where he could face a lifetime in prison.
Washington wants to put the 50-year-old Australian on trial in connection with the publication of 500,000 secret military files relating to the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The High Court in London in December overturned a lower court’s ruling not to send him to the United States on the grounds he would be a suicide risk.
But lawyers for Assange then challenged the decision, arguing that the country’s highest court should rule on “points of law of general public importance”. Read more
AFCON: Football enthusiasts saddened about Super Eagles exit (Sun)
Football fans in Kaduna have expressed sadness over the Super Eagles match against Tunisia which ended 1-0 in favour of the North Africans and saw the exit of the Nigerians from the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), shortly after the final whistle was blown on Sunhday, some football enthusiasts expressed bitterness over the outcome of the game.
They said though the Super Eagles tried their best but it was not good enough to give the country victory over the Tunisians.
Mr Jacob Egoh, an operator of a football viewing centre in Barnawa, said: “Putting us against Tunisia at this stage was a bad pair. Read more
AFCON: Comoros goalkeeper Ahamada recovers from COVID-19 hours to Cameroon clash (Punch)
Comoros will be able to count on their goalkeeper Ali Ahamada, negative for Covid, for the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations against Cameroon Monday evening.
During the Covid tests carried out this Monday morning, Ali Ahamada tested negative.
According to Lequipe, the goalkeeper should be able to play against Cameroon in Yaoundé in the round of 16 if he passes the additional examinations.
Earlier, there had been reports that with all three goalkeepers unavailable due to positive Covid-19 tests and injury, giant-killers Comoros will place an outfield player between the posts when they tackle hosts Cameroon on Monday. Read more
Liverpool and Man City ‘hold transfer talks’ with PSV forward Cody Gakpo (Mirror)
Cody Gakpo could become the next young Dutch talent to leave the Eredivisie for the Premier League, with Liverpool and Manchester City both reportedly in talks with the forward.
The 22-year-old made his international debut over the summer at Euro 2020, his reward for a breakout season at PSV Eindhoven in which he scored 11 goals in all competitions, and scored his first goal for the Netherlands in September as they beat Montenegro.
He is said to be on the verge of agreeing a new long-term deal with PSV which would keep him on the club’s books until 2026.
However, the new deal is unlikely to stop Gakpo leaving if a top European club pulls the trigger on a bid, and two of the Premier League’s big guns are keeping close tabs on the youngster. Read more
Julian Alvarez a Manchester City target after impressing for River Plate and Argentina (BBC)
Manchester City are hoping to complete a deal for River Plate and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez has scored 36 goals in 96 appearances for the Argentine champions and is considered one of the most-gifted young players in South America.
The 21-year-old made his international bow against Chile last summer and was part of the squad that won the Copa America in July.
The forward is currently contracted to River until December 2022. Read more
Martina Navratilova says Tennis Australia is ‘capitulating’ to China over Peng Shuai T-shirt ban (Standard)
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has accused the Australian Open of “capitulating” to China following its decision to ban fans from wearing T-shirts with “Where is Peng Shuai?” emblazoned.
Footage emerged online of security officials and police telling fans to remove the shirts at the event at Melbourne Park on Saturday.
Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam winner, has condemned Tennis Australia for banning the garments.
“I find it really, really cowardly,” she said on the US-based Tennis Channel. Read more
Anthony Joshua to ‘discuss options’ amid reports Oleksandr Usyk will fight Tyson Fury next (Independent)
Anthony Joshua is set to discuss a “number of options” with his promoter Eddie Hearn on Tuesday amid reports that the Briton could step aside to allow an undisputed world title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Although Joshua activated his rematch clause after suffering a comprehensive 12 round defeat against Usyk last year, a report in The Daily Telegraph claims a £15m deal that would likely guarantee Joshua a shot at the winner is close to being agreed after a protracted period of negotiations.
Fury’s camp has been in similarly extensive negotiations for a mandatory defence of his WBC title against Dillian Whyte, but have long made it clear their preferred option would be a bout against Usyk, with Hearn saying last week that boxing fans “should expect the unexpected”.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hearn confirmed he would meet with Joshua and his management team tomorrow to assess their next step. Read more
Verstappen: ‘Luck’ needed to fight for seven or eight (PlanetF1)
With a first F1 World title on the board, Max Verstappen says he’ll need “luck” and a “very dominant team” to even come close to Lewis Hamilton’s seven.
Verstappen secured last year’s Drivers’ Championship title with a last-lap pass on Hamilton at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It was a thrilling championship fight from start to finish, one that saw the lead change hands six times with Verstappen and Hamilton going into the decider tied on points.
Taking the win in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen grabbed his first World title and put an end, at least for then, to Hamilton’s bid for a record-breaking eighth. Read more