Court remands nursery school staff for negligently killing 3-year-old girl (Guardian)
An Igbosere High Court, Lagos, on Monday ordered that a former staff of a Lagos-based nursery school, Rukayat Amisu, accused of negligently killing a three-year-old girl, be remanded in prison custody. The police charged Amisu, whose residential address was not given, with manslaughter before Justice Adedayo Akintoye. Justice Akintoye, adjourned the case until March 11, for hearing in the bail application. Earlier, the Lagos State Prosecution Counsel, Mr Babatunde Sunmonu, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on Oct. 21, 2015, at 10 a.m at Olab Private School, at No. 11, Idowu St., Lagos Island. Read more
36 presidential candidates beg Atiku to drop litigation against Buhari (Punch)
The Forum of Presidential Candidates and Political Parties for Good Governance, has appealed to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to shelve the idea of challenging the outcome of the just concluded presidential election in court. The forum made up of chairmen and candidates of 36 political parties, who contested the election with the winner, President Muhammadu Buhari, specifically urged Atiku to disregard the advice of those asking him to challenge the outcome of the poll in court. The chairman of the forum, Mr. Shittu Kabir, stated this in a statement he read on behalf of his colleagues at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. Read more
RRS arrests leader of notorious fraudster ring (Guardian)
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested the leader of a four-man fraud syndicate, Chibuzor Osuji. Osuji allegedly confessed to RRS that his gang members comprising Frank, Stella and Emeka, daily lured suspects, who they tricked into their dollar-making scam. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, in a statement said his men are on the lookout to arrest other gang members as soon as possible. The RRS said Osuji and his team members operate in Ikeja, Ojota, Ojodu, Berger, Ogba, College Road and Agege. Read more
LASPOTECH begins examinations in spite of workers strike (Punch)
Students of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, on Monday, commenced the 2018/2019 academic session’s second semester examination amidst withdrawal of essential services by the striking non-academic staff unions of the institution. Mr Abiodun Awoyemi, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, LASPOTECH chapter, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that it was unfortunate that the management went ahead to conduct examinations for the students under a harsh condition. Awoyemi said that while the unions would not disrupt the conduct of the examination, they would ensure that services under its purview were not provided. Read more
Gunmen attacks former Cross River official (Guardian)
Dr George Abang-Ekpungu, the former Commissioner for New Cities Development in Cross River escaped attacks by gunmen suspected to be hired killers on Sunday night. Abang-Ekpungu, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Calabar, said the incident took place in his country home in Kakwagom community in Boki local government area. “My house was attacked last night. The thugs came in with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons to my house to kill me. “There was so much gunshots inside my house. My car and other valuables were destroyed and we found over 15 pellets in the morning. Read more
I know nothing about the stealing of Amnesty equipment- Dokubo (Nation)
The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Charles Dokubo has stated that he knows nothing about the stealing of the equipment from the just-commissioned Vocational Training Center in Kaiama, Bayelsa State and has also set up an investigative panel to look into the pilferage. The Coordinator shut down rumours of his involvement in the looting during the launch of the Special Investigative Panel to probe the invasion and looting of the training center which took place in Abuja on Monday. The members of the panel include Brig-Gen. Sotunde Sangonuga, who is the Chairman of the panel, Mr. Dodoye Arikpo (DSS), Barr. Paddy Ogon, Mrs. Cynthia Ogbe, Mr. Reuben Wilson, and Mr. Unyime Eyo. Read more
INEC declares PDP candidate winner of Imo Rep seat (Guardian)
Nigeria’s electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Jerry Alagbaso winner of the House of Representatives election held in Orlu/Orsu/Oru East federal constituency of Imo State. The returning officer, Prof. Innocent Madufor, announced the result at its office in Owerri, the state capital on Monday morning. Resident Electoral Commissioner, Francis Chukwuemeka Ezeonu had on Saturday, February 23, 2019, declared the elections inconclusive due to violence and snatching of ballot boxes. Read more
PDP chides Obiano over suspension of taxes (Nation)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra state has described as deceptive the suspension of taxes by the State government few days to the State House of Assembly election. The party said it was worrisome that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-controlled government would at any election time suspend taxes the people have paid at the beginning of the year. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the party in the state, Nnamdi Nwangwu in a statement Monday in Nnewi, said the State Governor, Willie Obiano could no longer deceive the people of the state. Nwangwu urged the people of the state to use the March 9 Assembly election to prove to the governor they were not fools by voting the PDP candidates so they could check the governor’s excesses. Read more
Court sacks Kano PDP governorship candidate (Guardian)
A federal high court sitting in Kano Monday sacked Abba Yusuf, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the state. The judge, Lewis Allagoa, ruled that the PDP did not conduct governorship primary election in Kano, and declared the candidature of Yusuf null and void. Read more
Kebbi Government advises against hunting of wild animals (Guardian)
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, has urged hunters in the state to refrain from killing wild animals designated as protected species. The governor gave the advice on Monday in Birnin Kebbi while addressing hunters drawn from the 21 local government area of the state. “Government is always ready to continue providing the necessary material and financial support to associations and groups towards uplifting the living condition of their members. “I urge you to refrain from hunting down wild animals designated as protected species,” he said. Read more
China accuses held Canadians of spying (BBC)
China has accused two Canadians of spying, as tensions between the nations grow over the possible extradition of a Huawei executive to the US. Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a businessman, were detained in December after Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on suspicion of fraud and breaching sanctions on Iran. Ms Meng is suing Canada over her arrest, which was made at the request of the US. China has condemned Ms Meng’s arrest. The diplomatic spat has hurt Canada-China relations, and the arrest of the two Canadians had been seen as Beijing’s retaliation for its detention of Ms Meng. Read more
Arms purchase: It’s none of your business, Qatar tells Saudi Arabia (Punch)
Qatar on Monday told rival Saudi Arabia not to meddle in its potential arms purchases from Russia, as the Gulf state weighs the controversial purchase of an air defence system. “Regarding the arms sales that Qatar has with Russia, we believe that Saudi Arabia, or any other countries, it is none of their business,” Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said at a news conference in Doha with his visiting Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. “It’s a sovereign decision that should be taken by the state of Qatar,” said Sheikh Mohammed when asked about a possible purchase of the S-400, a sophisticated Russian-made anti-aircraft weapon system. Read more
Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaidó ‘on way back home’ (BBC)
Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó says he is on his way back to Venezuela despite the risk of being arrested upon arrival. In a recording posted on his Twitter account, he said: “Venezuelan brothers and sisters, the moment you hear this message I will be on my way back home.” He also called on Venezuelans to join anti-government protests planned for Monday and Tuesday. Mr Guaidó has called on President Nicolás Maduro to resign. The two men have been at loggerheads for more than a month. While Mr Guaidó has been recognised by more than 50 countries, Mr Maduro, who is backed by China, Russia and Cuba, insists he is the only legitimate president. Read more
AFCON qualifiers: 23 players for Super Eagles’ matches against Seychelles, Egypt (Punch)
Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited stand-in team captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for Super Eagles’ matches slated for this month, the Nigeria Football Federation said on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian senior male football team are billed to play two matches at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. They host the Pirates of Seychelles in their final match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on March 22 and Egypt’s Pharaohs in a friendly on March 26. Read more
Tottenham must step up when pressure is on, says Kane (Guardian)
Harry Kane says Tottenham Hotspur need to start delivering when the pressure is at its most intense if they are to take the final step and become trophy winners. Mauricio Pochettino has led Spurs towards the top of the English game, challenging for league titles and domestic cups during his spell of nearly five years at the helm, but they have so far failed to land silverware. The club has a tendency to fall short when it really matters and Kane knows that has been holding them back. Read more
Zinedine Zidane should replace Maurizio Sarri to solve ‘player power’ problem at Chelsea – Robert Pires (Metro)
Robert Pires believes Maurizio Sarri won’t be in charge of Chelsea next season and believes the Italian should be replaced by Zinedine Zidane. Chelsea face a battle to qualify for the 2019/20 Champions League, with Sarri clinging on to his job at Stamford Bridge. Zidane – who has been out of work since guiding Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles – has been tipped to replace Sarri in some quarters and Arsenal legend Pires believes he would be a great addition to English football. Read more
Ryan Giggs backs Solskjaer to stay on at United (Guardian)
Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs backed acting boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Monday to permanently take the Old Trafford top job but called their upcoming Champions League fixture against PSG a “big ask”. “I can’t see anyone past Ole at the moment. The record they’ve had in the league has been phenomenal,” Giggs said at a Champions League trophy tour event in Johannesburg. “It’s a tough league and to put together the run that he’s done, it’s impressive. The Liverpool game, OK it wasn’t one of the best performances but they dug out a result.” Read more
Morata double keeps up Atletico Madrid’s Barca chase (Guardian)
Atletico Madrid kept up their pursuit of La Liga leaders FC Barcelona with an Alvaro Morata double in a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad on Sunday. But it was done in grim fashion, as they had to play the final half hour of the match with 10 men after Koke was sent off. Morata, who had scored his first goal for the club in last week’s 2-0 win over Villarreal, rose to head home from close range on the half hour mark. This was after a corner kick which had been flicked on by Atletico Madrid captain Diego Godin. Read more
Ask Julia Roberts who should coach Real, says Solari (Guardian)
Real Madrid “has always been more courted than Julia Roberts”, said coach Santiago Solari on Monday about rumours of a possible return of Jose Mourinho. Solari took over earlier this season and has a contract until 2021, but has just lost two Clasicos at home. He was speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Ajax at the Bernabeu in the Champions League, a competition Real have won the last three years and is the club’s only hope of a trophy this season. Mourinho managed Real for three stormy seasons from 2010 to 2013. Over the weekend he was a guest pundit on Qatar-based beIN Sport where he analysed Real’s latest loss to Barcelona. Read more
Babes Wodumo: SA outrage as singer hit on Instagram live (BBC)
South Africans have reacted angrily to a live video of a singer being beaten by what appears to be her boyfriend. Bongekile Simelane, known by the stage name Babes Wodumo, was talking to fans on Instagram Live in a bedroom when she was slapped repeatedly. Babes Wodumo is trending on Twitter in South Africa, as is the hashtag #StopWomenAbuse. Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said he was “horrified” and called on the singer to press charges. “1. We’re absolutley [sic] horrified by the actions of Musician Mapmpintsha @MampintshaNuz caught on video where he brutally abuses Internationally celebrated Artist @BABESWODUMO,” he tweeted, naming her boyfriend Mandla Maphumulo, also known as Mampintsha. Read more
The Prodigy’s Keith Flint dies aged 49 (BBC)
The Prodigy singer Keith Flint has died aged 49. Instantly recognisable by his fluorescent spiked hair and known for high-octane performances, Flint sang lead vocals on both the band’s number one singles, Breathe and Firestarter. He was found dead at his home in Dunmow, Essex, on Monday morning. The band, who were due to tour the US in May, confirmed his death in a statement, remembering Flint as a “true pioneer, innovator and legend”. In a post on The Prodigy’s official Instagram account, bandmate Liam Howlett added: “I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend. Read more