Court remands 33-yr-old man for rape, murder of woman, 55, in Ondo (Leadership)
For allegedly raping and killing a 55-year-old woman, Mrs Deborah Abiodun, a 35-year-old man, James Emmanuel, has been remanded by a Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the defendant, who is a co-worker of the deceased, allegedly committed the offence at a poultry firm located in the Oke-Odu area, off Ilere, on Ijare Road, Akure.
It was further gathered that James, after raping the woman to death, hit her with a stone on her head and dumped her corpse inside a waste pit. Read more
Court remands businessman in prison over alleged $26k fraud (Guardian)
Justice Ibrahim Kala of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, a businessman Lanre Smith, charged with conspiracy and fraud to the tune of $26,000.
Trial judge adjourned till February 5 to hear the defendant’s bail application.
Smith was arraigned before the court by the operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos. Read more
Insecurity: ‘You are reckless,’ Tinubu fires back at Atiku (DailyTrust)
The Presidency on Tuesday night described the statement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar berating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the failure to resolve the security crisis in the country as “reckless”.
Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a reaction to Wazirin Adamawa, said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections was latching on any issue to attack President Tinubu because he was not nursing hangover of his electoral defeat.
The presidential spokesman said President Tinubu remained on top of domestic situation, giving the security agencies all the necessary support they needed to win the battle against criminal elements and secure every inch of our country. Read more
Sanwo-Olu appoints new KAI corps marshal, others (Punch)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (retd.) as the new Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps Agency also known as Kick Against Indiscipline Brigade.
Also, the governor appointed Adefemi Afolabi as General Manager of the Lagos State WasteWater Management Office.
The appointments of the duo took effect on January 25, 2024. Read more
LASUCOM plans to ramp production of health workers (Independent)
Professor Abiodun Adewuya, Provost, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) has affirmed the college’s intention to ramp up production of health workers in order to keep servicing the people across the country.
The College Provost dropped this hint on Tuesday while addressing newsmen on the activities lined up to celebrate the 25th anniversary celebration of the College in Ikeja.
He said that the college has the facility and all it takes to produce world class graduates in the health sciences who would be contributors to global medical practice and research, utilising cutting edge technology and innovation for the advancement of humanity. Read more
Police dismiss 3 officers for armed robbery (Vanguard)
The Ogun State Police Command has paraded three dismissed police officers over their alleged involvement in armed robbery around Ijebu-Ode.
The dismissed officers are Inspector Taiwo Kolawole with Force Number AP/No 341113, Inspector John Ogbe with Force Number AP/No 309292 and Cpl Idowu Sunday with Force Number 513707. All the officers were attached to Ijebu-Ife Division, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
This is just as a Library and Information Science student of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Abdul-Azeez, Ibrahim, a suspected Black Axe cultist Ibrahim was also paraded in connection with series of kidnapping and armed robbery in Ijebu Ode and its environs. Read more
CBN clears all airlines’ FX debts (Nation)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the complete settlement of foreign exchange (FX) owed to all foreign airlines operating in the country.
The final tranche of $64.44 million brings the total disbursements to airlines to $136.73 million,effectively clearing all verified claims within the sector.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria, fulfilling its pledge to clear the backlog of foreign exchange owed foreign airlines in the country, has concluded the payment of all verified claims by airlines with an additional $64.44 million to the concerned airlines,” confirmed Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the CBN, on Tuesday. Read more
Yahaya Bello posters for APC national chair flood party secretariat (Tribune)
Barely 72 hours after the immediate past Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, handed over to his successor, Usman Ododo, his posters for the office of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have flooded the Blantyre Street, Abuja, location of the party national secretariat.
The incumbent national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is from the North-West geo-political zone.
Nigerian Tribune checks showed that certain chieftains of the party from the north have been itching for the exalted office to be moved to the zone as Ganduje’s predecessor, former Nasarawa State governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu is from the North Central. Read more
Ariana Madix makes Broadway debut in ‘‘Chicago’’ with these Vanderpump Rules co-stars in the audience (ET)
In a dazzling debut on Broadway, Ariana Madix lit up the stage as Roxie Hart in the revival of Kander & Ebb’s ‘‘Chicago’’ at the Ambassador Theatre on Monday night.
The 38-year-old Vanderpump Rules star, who has captured the hearts of Bravo fans, delivered a stellar performance that showcased her musical theater roots and left the audience in awe.
The packed crowd included Bravo stars, enthusiastic fans, and Madix’s fellow Vanderpump Rules cast members, Lala Kent and Scheana Shay. Emerson Collins, known for his role on The People’s Couch, was also spotted among the attendees. Read more
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce haters blasted by David Letterman (Fox)
Taylor Swift might have angered a few Brads and Chads, infiltrating the conversation on football Sundays, but she’s still got a David on her team.
Former late night host David Letterman came to the defense of Swift and bashed those hating on her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
“I don’t think in the history of show business, in the history of popular culture, we’ve ever witnessed anything like this. Tremendous,” Letterman said in a video shared on social media. “She fills stadiums around the world and puts on a three-hour show,” he said of Swift. Read more
Jay Leno breaks silence on filing for conservatorship over wife Mavis, her Alzheimer’s diagnosis (NYPost)
Jay Leno is staying upbeat amid his wife Mavis Leno’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
The former late-night host, 73, filed for conservatorship on Friday over his spouse as she battles the disease.
He broke his silence on her condition when approached by the Daily Mail earlier this week while driving with two male pals.
“She’s fine. Everybody’s good, we’re doing well,” the comedian said, as he gave a thumbs-up from the driver’s seat of his vintage car. Read more
Guy Ritchie reveals trailer for new film ‘‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’’ (UNILAD)
The trailer for ‘‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’’ is finally here.
The highly anticipated Guy Ritchie film boasts an all-star cast, including Henry Cavill, Alex Pettyfer, Reacher star Alan Ritchson and Henry Golding.
And if the huge cast wasn’t enough to lure you in, ‘‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’’ comes from the producer of Top Gun: Maverick and Pirates of the Caribbean. Read more
French farmers block roads, keep pressure on government (RTE)
Farmers in France set bales of hay ablaze to partly block access to Toulouse airport in southwestern France and parked tractors across motorways near Paris as they lobbied the government for help to make a living from their work.
Farmers, who also want measures against cheap imports, are looking for more support from new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who will spell out his policy plans later today and from the agriculture minister, who is also due to make an announcement.
“Whatever happens, we are determined to go to the end,” farmer Jean-Baptiste Bongard said as crowds of farmers huddled together around small fires on a highway in Jossigny, near Paris, blocked by the tractors in the early hours. Read more
US reimposes sanctions on Venezuela for banning Maduro opponents (France24)
The United States warned Tuesday it will reimpose sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector, relaxed under a reconciliation deal, after opponents to President Nicolas Maduro were barred from running against him.
The State Department issued a deadline to end a license that allowed US dealings with Venezuela’s key money-making sector, saying Maduro was violating an agreement with the opposition reached in Barbados in October.
“Absent progress between Maduro and his representatives and the opposition Unitary Platform, particularly on allowing all presidential candidates to compete in this year’s election, the United States will not renew the license when it expires on April 18, 2024,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Read more
Venezuela accuses US of ‘blackmail’ over sanctions (AlJazeera)
Venezuela has criticised Washington’s decision to reimpose oil and gas sanctions and warned it could halt deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants who are in the United States without documents.
“All of Venezuela rejects the rude and improper blackmail and ultimatum expressed by the US government,” Vice President Delcy Rodriguez wrote on X.
“If they take the wrong step of intensifying the economic aggression against Venezuela … as of February 13 repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants would be immediately cancelled.” Read more
NPFL: Enyimba battle ready for Rivers Utd – Ozoemena (Leadership)
Enyimba goalkeeper, Henry Ozoemena, has revealed that the team have adequately prepared for their rescheduled game against Rivers United.
The People’s Elephant will be in action against Rivers United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium today.
Ozoemena said Rivers United is not a team to be toyed with.
He also expressed optimism that his team will get a good result in the game. Read more
Guardiola still loving ‘dream’ Man City job as Haaland returns (France24)
Pep Guardiola said he has “everything a manager could dream of” at Manchester City as Erling Haaland is set to return from a two-month injury layoff against Burnley on Wednesday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, and Guardiola’s former player Xavi, who is now in coach of Barcelona, both announced their intention to step down at the end of the season in recent days, citing the emotional strain that comes with management at the top level.
Guardiola also cut short his hugely successful spell in charge of Barca after four years and spent only three seasons at Bayern Munich before arriving in Manchester in 2016. Read more
Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou issues transfer update and Pape Sarr return date (Standard)
Ange Postecoglou says it is “unlikely” Tottenham will do any further transfer business this month.
Spurs have been the busiest top-flight club in January, signing Radu Dragusin in a £26 million deal from Genoa and Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig, while offloading a host of players on permanent or temporary deals – including Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic.
Spurs admire Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and have been linked with a late move for the England midfielder and they are among a host of leading clubs tracking Swedish teenager, Lucas Bergvall, who plays for Djurgardens. Read more
Coco Gauff called out by Craig Tiley as Aus Open boss wades into scheduling row (Express)
The Australian Open tournament director called out Coco Gauff as he responded to criticism over scheduling. Craig Tiley and Australian Open organisers came under fire when multiple matches were played into the early hours, including one that went on until 3.40am. But Tiley claimed that he didn’t expect Gauff to play for more than three hours, also ruling out the use of a Wimbledon-style curfew.
For the first time, the Australian Open started on a Sunday this year and was extended to 15 days. The change was made to minimise late-night finishes but ended up having no impact on matches going into the early hours. On day one, Aryna Sabalenka finished her match at 12.30am and it set the tone for the rest of the tournament, with Daniil Medvedev winning his second-round match at 3.40am while several days of play were only completed after midnight.
Nikola Jokić posts a triple double to lead the Denver Nuggets over the Milwaukee Bucks in Doc Rivers’ debut (CNN)
Doc Rivers took to the sideline for the first time as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, but his debut was spoiled by the Denver Nuggets, as Milwaukee fell to a 113-107 defeat against the defending champion.
As first reported by CNN Sport, Rivers agreed to a deal with the Bucks last week, leaving his role as an analyst at ESPN to replace Adrian Griffin as head coach.
In the first game of his 25th season on the NBA sidelines, Rivers’ squad was unable to contain the dominant play of two-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Read more
Ex-NHL player Alex Formenton turns himself in on charges related to 2018 sexual assault accusation (NBC)
Ex-NHL player Alex Formenton turned himself in to Canadian police on Sunday after he was charged in connection with a sexual assault accusation made in 2018, his legal team said.
Formenton, 24, who played for the NHL’s Ottawa Senators in 2017, took an indefinite leave of absence from Swiss Hockey Club Ambri-Piotta last Wednesday. His legal team did not comment on which charges Formenton faces from police in London, Ontario, but confirmed it was in relation to the 2018 allegation.
“Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgement without hearing all of the evidence,” Daniel Brown, one of the attorneys representing Formenton, said in a statement to NBC News on Tuesday. Read more