Court slams N1m bail on estate agent over alleged fraudulent property sale (Vanguard)
A 59-year-old man, Agbomabini Kolawole, who conspired with others and obtained N8 million under false pretences from a woman to sell a building to her was on Monday granted N1 million bail by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Y.O. Aje-Afunwa granted the bail application and ordered that the defendant should produce two sureties as a condition for the bail.
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Aje-Afunwa said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kolawole, who resides at Agege area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing. Read more
Jos warm clothes dealers hike prices as harmattan bites (DailyTrust)
Dealers of second hand warm clothing in Jos have increased prices of their wares, taking advantage of the high demand for the goods occasioned by the onset of the harmattan cold. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from markets in the city on Monday that the prices of most ‘second hand’ clothing have doubled.
NAN reports that temperature in the city has fallen to as low as 11 to 12 degrees Celsius in the night, and rises to between 19 and 20 degrees Celsius in the morning. Read more
Nigeria Army says using phone while approaching checkpoints not allowed (Guardian)
Making phone calls close to military checkpoints is not advisable, a senior Nigerian military official said on Monday.
“It is a security measure for when you are approaching a checkpoint,” he said, “you don’t make phone calls,” said Major-General Usman Mohammed, Nigerian Army’s head of Civil-Military Affairs said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday.
“The tendency is that if you are making a phone call, you might be communicating with some bad guys. Or you may use that particular device to set up some certain devices. Read more
Kalu, Dariye’s convictions prove Buhari’s anti-corruption fight not selective – CSO (Vanguard)
A coalition of civil society organisations has said the convictions of former governors of Plateau and Abia states, senators Joshua Dariye and Orji Uzor Kalu, were indications that President Buhari’s Buhari’s anti-corruption fight was not selective.
Also, the group said contrary to claims in some quarters that the president was using the anti-graft fight to pursue perceived political opponents, more members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, had been convicted than people from the opposition political folds.
Addressing a media conference, Monday, in Abuja, on her annual review of the fight against corruption in the country, the coalition under the aegis of Accountability and Good Governance initiative, AGGI, while noting that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had since “secured 313 convictions in 2018 and 160 by first quarter of 2019″, called for the resubmission of the name of the EFCC’s acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to the Senate for confirmation in substantive capacity. Read more
Ganduje appoints Sanusi as new Emirate Council chair for two years (Punch)
Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday appointed Emir Mohammed Sanusi, as the pioneer Chairman of the new State Council of Emirs for a period of two years.
The announcement, which came as a surprise has finally put to rest speculations as to who Governor Ganduje will appoint as the Chairman of the Emirate Council.
Ganduje had in a recent TV interview said that he would soon appoint a chairman for the State Council of Emirs. Read more
Catholic Congress recommends dialogical approach for church reformation in Africa (Vanguard)
The Pan African Catholic Congress has resolved to use dialogical approach for the renewal and reform of the church and her institutions in Africa by identifying with the downtrodden.
The conference made the resolution in a communiqué issued in Enugu on Monday at the end of the first ever Pan African Catholic Congress held in the state by the church.
The principal convener of the conference, Rev. Fr. Stan Ilo signed the communiqué which was read by the Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee, Rev. Fr. Ifeanyi Enwerem. Read more
Breaking: Buhari appoints Nami to replace Fowler, FIRS boss (Vanguard)
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mohammad Nami to replace the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler.
Fowler according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu has been directed to hand over to the most senior director on the board. Read more
Kanye West covers self in silver paint for opera (Punch)
Kanye West covered in silver paint for his opera performance on Sunday. Source: E!News
American rapper, Kanye West, on Sunday covered himself in silver paint for his opera performance, Mary, which he showed in Miami.
The 42-year-old rapper was spotted wearing a baggy silver outfit with silver face paint covering his entire head and hands, reports Daily Mail.
The Mary opera was performed on a large barge outside of the Miami Marine Stadium.
West took to Twitter on Thursday for a rare tweet where he promoted the opera, which was directed by Nicole Beecroft with music by the Sunday Service choir. Read more
Florida teacher accused of having sex with teen ‘several hundred times’ (Vanguard)
A Florida special education teacher was arrested Monday after allegedly having sex with her son’s 15-year-old friend “several hundred times” beginning last year, a report said.
Susan Weddle, 40, and the teen allegedly kicked off their relationship at the woman’s Cantonment home after the two attended her son’s football game and started drinking, according to the Pensacola News Journal, citing an arrest report.
The teen said once he was drunk, he convinced Weddle to have sex with him — even though she told him she knew it was wrong, the report said. Read more
Five dead, many injured after New Zealand volcano eruption (Punch)
Five people were killed, 18 were injured and several more were left stranded after an island volcano popular with tourists erupted unexpectedly in New Zealand on Monday.
Police said some 50 people were visiting White Island when it exploded suddenly in the early afternoon — hurling ash and rock high into the air.
Two dozen people made it off the island, five of whom have since died. The rest are being treated for injuries, including severe burns. Read more
Golden Globes 2020: “Marriage Story” Leads With Six Nominations (Guardian)
The 77th Golden Globes set to hold in 2020 has rolled out its nominations list.
Leading with six nominations is Netflix’s heart-wrenching divorce saga by Noah Baumbach “Marriage Story” which includes best motion picture, drama.
Netflix dominated Monday’s nominations with four films vying for best film in the drama and comedy or musical categories: “The Irishman,” “Marriage Story,” “ The Two Popes” and “Dolemite Is My Name.” The streaming service led all companies with 17 total nominations. Read more
Abraham emerges as Chelsea’s talisman (Guardian)
Tammy Abraham has emerged as Chelsea’s talisman thanks to a breakthrough season that has taken his side to the brink of the Champions League last 16.
Just 18 months ago, Abraham was one of a host of Chelsea players packed off for yet another loan spell that seemed to indicate his chances of ever shining with the Blues were slim to non-existent.
But Abraham’s time in the Championship with Aston Villa proved the making of the young striker and Chelsea are reaping the rewards.
Now Abraham stands as the undisputed leader of Chelsea’s attack, with his powerful presence and predatory instincts making him an essential part of Frank Lampard’s precocious team. Read more
Rejuvenated Pillars crush Delta Force 6-1 in Kano (DailyTrust)
It rained goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League yesterday as rejuvenated Kano Pillars and other top clubs in the league recorded massive victories in week 7 matches played across the country.
Kano Pillars who suffered agonizing moments at the start of the 2019 season recorded back to back wins as they crushed visiting Delta Force 6-1 at the Sani Abacha stadium.
Youngster Ebuka David opened the way for Pillars with a tap in three minutes into the match watched by a capacity crowd before Home-based Super Eagles defender, Musa Abdullahi made it two when he scored his first goal in the colours of Pillars in the 20th minute. Read more
Klopp ‘never doubted’ Keita as Liverpool boss predicts big impact from midfield star (Vanguard)
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool could be about to see the best of Naby Keita after the Guinean’s star performance at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Keita provided a goal and an assist as the Reds won 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium, marking his first Premier League start since April in style.
It has been a frustrating season so far for the former RB Leipzig midfielder, who has managed just five starts and four substitute appearances for the league leaders. Read more
‘I wasn’t happy at Arsenal’ ― Koscielny reveals his reasons for leaving the Gunners (Vanguard)
Laurent Koscielny has spoken about his reasons for leaving Arsenal in the summer; a decision which surprised many at the club including the fans he believes did not expect him to go.
The former Gunners captain revealed that he wasn’t happy at Arsenal and that he felt he needed to go back home with his family for a different challenge.
His final game for the club came in the Europa League final against Chelsea at the end of the 2018-19 season, a game that Arsenal lost 4-1.
The Frenchman then refused to travel on the club’s tour of the U.S. ahead of the current season, signaling his intent to leave. Read more
England to host Italy in Euro 2020 warm-up (Punch)
England will step up their preparations for the Euro 2020 finals with a friendly against Italy at Wembley in March, the Football Association announced on Monday.
Gareth Southgate’s men will face the four-time world champions on Friday, March 27 before a match four days later against Denmark, also at Wembley.
England will then travel to play Austria in Vienna on June 2 before hosting Romania on June 7 at a venue in England that has yet to be confirmed. Read more
Maguire says top four in sight for improving Manchester United (Vanguard)
Harry Maguire has the top four in his crosshairs after Manchester United’s thrilling derby triumph at Manchester City lifted them to fifth in the Premier League table.
A week that started with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under pressure after a below-par performance in a home draw against promoted Aston Villa ended with a second memorable victory in a matter of days.
Fresh from deservedly seeing off Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham 2-1 on Wednesday, United won by the same scoreline at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday thanks to a breathtaking start and impressive gameplan. Read more
Sadiq Umar scores 11th league goal of the season in Partizan win (Vanguard)
Sadiq Umar scored his 11th goal in the Serbian Super Liga as Partizan defeated Rad Beograd 2-1.
Umar who is currently on a season-long loan from Roma opened the scoring for Partizan with his effort just after the half hour-mark on Sunday.
The strike made the Nigerian forward the joint-highest goalscorer in the Serbian top-flight with 11 goals after 16 matches. Read more
AC Milan fan stabbed in fight over players’ shorts – reports (Guardian)
An AC Milan supporter was stabbed outside Bologna stadium Sunday in a fight over who had caught a players’ shorts, according to media reports in Italy.
The dispute broke out between the two visiting fans after Milan players threw shirts and shorts into the stands after the final whistle following their 3-2 away win.
It continued outside the Stadio Dall’Ara with one fan being stabbed in the abdomen and taken to hospital in a serious condition.
The argument was over who had caught one of the players’ shorts, Gazzetto Dello Sport said, quoting local reports. Read more
Resilient Wolves hold Brighton to thrilling draw (DailyTrust)
Wolverhampton Wanderers stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to 11 games after they led and then came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion in a pulsating encounter on Sunday. Diogo Jota fired Wolves ahead and then hauled them level in a frantic first half after Neal Maupay and Davy Propper had cancelled out the Portuguese forward’s opener. The result left Wolves sixth in the standings on 24 points from 16 games, behind fifth-placed Manchester United on goal difference and one point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in seventh. Read more
Lionel Messi to miss Inter clash (Independent)
Lionel Messi has been rested for Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday after scoring a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Mallorca at the weekend.
The 32-year-old helped the Spanish champions go back to the top of La Liga on Saturday, as he celebrated winning a record sixth Ballon d’Or at the start of the week with another superb display.
Messi’s 35th La Liga hat-trick saw him snatch Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-held record for trebles in the division, with Antoine Griezmann and Luiz Suarez also getting in on the act for Barca. Read more