Court remands butcher for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old stepdaughter (Vanguard)
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Yaba, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered that a 40-year-old butcher, Tunji Adeniran, who allegedly defiled his 14-year-old stepdaughter, be remanded in a custodial centre.
The police charged Adeniran with defilement.
Chief Magistrate, P.E. Nwaka, did not take the plea of Adeniran for want in jurisdiction.
Nwaka ordered that Adeniran be remanded in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Lagos State, pending legal advice from the State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Nwaka adjourned the case until February 18. Read more
Man in police net for allegedly beating wife to death (Nation)
Detectives attached to the Lagos Police Command have arrested a man, David Idibie, for allegedly beating his wife, Juliana, 42, to death in Ajah.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night at their Joado Street, Oke Ira Nla residence.
It was gathered that the deceased had picked a fight with her husband on grounds that he no longer ate at home.
Sources told The Nation that she accused her husband of having a lover in whose place he usually ate since he no longer ate at home. Read more
Eko, Ikeja DisCos Confirm Partial System Collapse (Independent)
Eko Electricity Distribution Company Limited and Ikeja Electric Plc have confirmed the partial system collapse, which left some parts of their coverage areas in darkness for hours on Wednesday.
The DisCos in separate statements released on their Official Twitter accounts, said the partial collapse of the grid occurred at about 1.58p.m.
Ikeja Electric in its statement said: “Dear Customer, this is to inform you that we experienced a system collapse at 13:58hrs (1.58p.m) today and this affected all customers on the IE network.
“However, we are pleased to confirm that supply has been restored to Alimosho, Ogba and Alausa transmission stations at 14:47hrs (2.47p.m). Read more
Paternity crisis: Court orders DNA test for Nollywood star’s daughter (Nation)
An Ogba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on Wednesday ordered a DNA test to be conducted on Oluwafifehanmi, the daughter of a Nollywood star, Ronke Odusanya.
The trial Magistrate, Ms. M. O. Tanimola, gave the order while ruling on an application brought before her court by Olanrewaju Saheed, the estranged lover of Odusanya.
The daughter of the estranged couple, was born in 2019.
The popular actress and the father of her child, Olanrewaju Saheed, also known as Jago, are currently in court for several reasons including the welfare and custody of their daughter. Read more
Senate President condemns Kagara school abductions (Vanguard)
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has condemned the savage attack on Wednesday on Government Science College, Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State in which some staff and students of the school were abducted.
Lawan described the incident as a callous and despicable crime and urged the security agencies to ensure immediate rescue of the abducted persons and the arrest of the criminals involved.
“Our security establishment should collaborate across the agencies and with the state government to expeditiously accomplish this task.
“Government at all levels should also ensure that our schools are henceforth protected against heartless criminals who have apparently identified them as soft targets,” Lawan said.
The Senate President sympathised with the families of the abducted persons and the Government and people of Niger State over the incident. Read more
Mob destroys Niger deputy gov’s private residence (Punch)
Residents of Brighter Road in Minna Niger State were thrown into confusion on Tuesday morning as irate youths who joined traders shopping in the area’s mini-market destroyed the private residence of the Niger State Deputy Governor in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The incident, according to a source, happened around 11.00am when the youths and the traders whose shops were demolished by the Urban Development Board unleashed their anger on the deputy governor’s house.
A source who craved anonymity told this medium that the marketers alleged that they were not given any quit notice by anybody but only to saw caterpillars demolishing people’s shops without allowing them to pack their goods and valuables that were inside. Read more
42 persons including 27 students, 3 staff kidnapped at Govt College, Kagara (Vanguard)
Forty two persons including 27 students, 3 staff have been confirmed kidnapped in Niger State Boarding school.
In a swift reaction, the state government has ordered the immediate closure of boarding schools in security affected areas; rules out payment of ransom to bandits; assures of government intervention to release those abducted.
It has been confirmed that 42 persons out of which are 27 Students, three staff were among those kidnapped from Government Science College, Kagara in Rafi local government area of Niger State early Wednesday.
12 of those abducted are also said to be family members of staff of the School. Read more
Stop hoarding petrol or face sanctions, DPR warns depots (Punch)
The Department of Petroleum Resources has warned fuel depot owners against hoarding petroleum products in their facilities, saying it would sanction erring operators.
The Director, DPR, Mr Sarki Auwalu, issued the warning on Wednesday in Lagos, according to a statement by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Paul Osu.
Auwalu said the warning was necessitated by reports received by the agency on the activities of some depot owners who had created artificial scarcity by hoarding products in some parts of the country.
According to him, the depot owners’ nefarious activities are causing Nigerians untold hardships.
He said from available records, there was product sufficiency in the country, adding that there was no need for “such practices by these group of unpatriotic citizens”. Read more
Davido, FK Abudu, others make TIME 100 next list (DailyTrust)
TIME magazine has released its 2021 list of 100 emerging leaders who will shape the future of the world.
The TIME 100 NEXT is a flagship program of the multi-award winning, global magazine- TIME, that highlights 100 young or rising persons of influence across the globe.
On the list is the Nigerian-American singer and record producer, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who was recognised for his song, ‘FEM’.
The song became like an anthem during the 2020 #EnSARS protests in Nigeria. Read more
Prince Philip taken to hospital after falling unwell at Windsor Castle (Metro)
The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. Prince Philip’s move to a private London hospital on Tuesday has been described as ‘a precautionary measure’ and he is said to be in ‘good spirits’. Philip, 99, had a coronavirus jab in January. His admission comes after he was said to be ‘feeling unwell’ yesterday. In a statement, the Palace explained on Wednesday afternoon: ‘His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in London, on Tuesday evening. Read more
MPs vote for wrongfully arrested Mamadi III Fara Camara to become permanent resident (CBC)
In the span of 18 days, Mamadi III Fara Camara has gone from anonymous engineering lab instructor, to being pulled out of his car and arrested for attacking a Montreal police officer, to spending six nights in jail, to receiving an official police apology.
And now, the 31-year-old PhD student is capping off the whirlwind with a decidedly happier piece of news: the House of Commons voted unanimously on Tuesday in favour of a motion to grant him permanent resident status.
Camara arrived in Canada in 2017 on a temporary student visa, which expires in mid-May.
While the motion is non-binding and the government stopped short of promising to follow through, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said in an email that “we stand ready to support” Camara and his family as they go through the immigration process. Read more
Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page cast in Dungeons & Dragons movie (BBC)
Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page has been cast in the lead role for the film adaptation of fantasy board game Dungeons & Dragons, reports say.
The actor sent hearts aflutter as the mysterious Duke of Hastings opposite Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne Bridgerton in the hit Netflix drama.
He will now join the likes of Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Justice Smith in the new fantasy adventure.
Dungeons & Dragons began as a table-top role-playing game in the 1970s. Read more
“Loose Women”’s Jane Moore forced to apologise as Tyson Fury’s wife Paris swears seconds into show (Metro)
Loose Women host Jane Moore was forced to apologise to viewers after Tyson Fury’s wife Paris swore just seconds into the show. Appearing via video link on Wednesday’s instalment, the Loose Women panel were discussing Paris’ latest pregnancy announcement. Paris explained that despite their sixth baby being planned, the pandemic has made things harder, especially with her children at home. ‘Congratulations Paris, you’ve got baby number six on the way,’ Jane began. Read more
“Hotel Rwanda” hero goes on trial for terrorism (France24)
As the terrorism trial for Paul Rusesabagina, whose story inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda,” is set to start on Wednesday, his family says the critic of longtime Rwandan President Paul Kagame has no chance at a fair trial and might die from poor health behind bars.
Rusesabagina, praised for saving ethnic Tutsis during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, was arrested last year in Rwanda after mysteriously disappearing during a visit to Dubai. Rwanda accuses him of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, which has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks.
The circumstances around the 66-year-old Rusesabagina’s arrest, his limited access to an independent legal team and his reported worsening health have drawn international concern for the Belgian citizen and US resident. His family this month said they spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a conversation the State Department described as one with “families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.”
“This is a charade,” one of Rusesabagina’s daughters, Carine Kanimba, told The Associated Press ahead of the trial. “They kidnapped him. It is the violation of due process and international law. He should be released immediately and unconditionally.” She alleged that Rwanda has fabricated evidence against her father. Read more
Moderna study suggests half doses offer strong immune response, but experts caution against changing approach (CBC)
There’s now early evidence showing Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine may elicit a strong immune response even through half doses, prompting hope that further research could back up the results and eventually allow countries like Canada to stretch out vaccine supplies.
The company’s peer-reviewed findings, based on a Phase 2 trial, were published online by the journal Vaccine last week.
The study looked at the mRNA vaccine’s “immunogenicity” — its ability to provoke an immune response — through both anti-virus, spike-binding antibody levels and neutralizing antibodies, which help to block reinfection. Read more
China overtakes US to become EU’s top trading partner (France24)
China last year overtook the United States as the EU’s biggest trading partner, the EU statistics agency Eurostat said Monday.
Britain meanwhile, which is no longer part of the European Union, was the third-largest trading partner for the bloc, behind China and the United States, the agency said.
The supremacy of China came after it suffered from the coronavirus pandemic during the first quarter but recovered vigorously with consumption even exceeding its level of a year ago at the end of 2020.
This helped drive sales of European products, particularly in the automobile and luxury goods sectors, while China’s exports to Europe benefited from strong demand for medical equipment and electronics. Read more
Ahmed Musa: Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr refuses to say if clubless Musa will be called up (BBC)
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr believes his captain Ahmed Musa will find a new club but remains tight-lipped over calling him up for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations squad.
The 28-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in October and has been linked to several clubs in England.
He completed a successful medical at English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion but the club pulled out of a planned short-term deal because of a lack of finances.
“It’s unfortunate it didn’t work out at West Brom but I believe Musa will find another club soon,” Rohr told BBC Sport Africa. Read more
VanVleet carries Raptors to victory over Bucks after Lowry leaves with injury (CBC)
Fred VanVleet scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam added 23 and the Toronto Raptors withstood the loss of Kyle Lowry to beat the slumping Milwaukee Bucks 124-113 on Tuesday night.
Lowry exited with a sore left ankle in the third quarter but had 18 points, six rebounds and six assists in 22 minutes. The ankle problem caused Lowry to go to the locker room late in the first half, though he returned to start the third quarter.
“He hit it a couple of times, once in the first half and then once in the second,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “They’re going to evaluate it thoroughly here tonight and we should know more here tomorrow.”
Even with Lowry out of the game, the Raptors never fell behind in the second half. Read more
World No. 1 Ash Barty reacts to Australian Open exit as Karolina Muchova sets up Jennifer Brady semi-final (Metro)
Ash Barty suffered a surprise Australian Open quarter-final defeat to Karolina Muchova after a medical timeout spun the match on its head. Barty, the world No. 1, looked on course for the semi-finals after taking the opener 6-1 in 25 minutes but tumbled out 1-6 6-3 6-2 to the 25th seed from the Czech Republic. Muchova took a lengthy off-court timeout citing dizziness when a set-and-a-break down, which completely shifted the momentum of the match. She returned to court and suddenly took control, first levelling before fighting her way to the semi-finals, where she will face USA’s Jennifer Brady. Read more
Bale ‘towards end of career’, admits agent (France24)
Gareth Bale is not playing regularly at Tottenham because he is coming towards the end of his medal-strewn career, his agent Jonathan Barnett said on Wednesday.
When the Wales international rejoined Spurs on loan from Real Madrid in September, the emotional homecoming was hailed as a perfect fit for the player and the club where he rose to global stardom.
Jose Mourinho’s team have been involved in 22 Premier League matches following Bale’s return to the north London club but the 31-year-old has started just two of those.
Mourinho last week questioned Bale’s Instagram post which suggested he was in good health despite being unavailable to feature in his side’s FA Cup defeat at Everton. Read more
Referee Darren Drysdale slammed for squaring up to Ipswich Town player Alan Judge in shocking scenes (Metro)
There was an extraordinary moment in League One last night as referee Darren Drysdale appeared to lock heads with Ipswich Town’s Alan Judge during the side’s clash with Northampton Town – and former official Mark Halsey has called for a full investigation into the incident. Words were exchanged between Drysdale and Judge after the latter was pulled up for simulation in the dying moments of the game and what happened next stunned viewers and overshadowed the goalless draw at Portman Road. Drysdale, seemingly enraged by the reaction to his decision, moved his head towards Judge before players from both teams jumped in to diffuse the situation and the Ipswich midfielder was booked. Read more
James Harden inspires Brooklyn Nets to win against Phoenix Suns (BBC)
James Harden inspired the biggest half-time comeback in the history of the Brooklyn Nets as they recovered a 21-point deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 128-124.
Harden scored 38 points for the Nets, who were without the injured Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
They did not lead in the game until Harden scored a three-pointer with 31.4 seconds remaining.
“We had nothing to lose but to fight back,” said Nets coach Steve Nash.”We took advantage of outstanding defence in our own end and James made some big shots.” Read more