Customs begin probe of officer demanding bribe at Lagos airport (Punch)
A female officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been caught on camera demanding N5,000 bribe from a passenger at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
PUNCH Online reports that the officer had insisted that she would collect N5,000 from the man, who said he would only give her N1,000.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the agency is diligently investigating the incident at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, “where an officer was observed soliciting N5,000 bribe from a passenger.” Read more
5 die in Anambra club shooting- Police (Sun)
The police command in Anambra, has confirmed the killing of five persons after Sunday’s shooting at a nightclub in Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adeoye, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka.
Adeoye said that the victims included two members of a local vigilance, a bouncer and two fun seekers.
He said that the owner of the club was also abducted by the attackers.
Adeoye described the incident as unfortunate and vowed to hunt down the perpetrators. Read more
Nigerian, Udalla bags St Antony’s-Ladipo Adamolekun Postdoctoral Fellowship (Vanguard)
A talented Nigerian postdoctoral researcher, Ernest Udalla has been named a fellow of St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, for the inaugural Ladipo Adamolekun postdoctoral fellowship.
According to a statement made available to Vanguard by the management of the college, Udalla will take up his fellowship in January 2024.
He was appointed from a strong field of over 40 eligible applicants by a committee chaired by three St Antony’s Fellows who work on Africa and social policy, Professors Miles Larmer, David Pratten and Thomas Hale. Read more
Osun Assembly passes bill extending judges’ retirement age to 70 (Nation)
Osun State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a bill extending the retirement age of judges and other judicial officers from 65 to 70 years.
The bill is entitled: “Osun State High Court and Customary Court of Appeal Registrars, Secretary to the State Judicial Council, State Counsels in the Ministry of Justice, State Magistrates and District Customary Courts’ Presidents Retirement Age Bill, 2023.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill was passed during the plenary session, held at the assembly complex in Osogbo, after passing the third reading. Read more
11 transformers vandalised in Eket – PHEDC Official (Vanguard)
The Regional Manager, Eket/Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Anthony Etim, said that 11 transformers were vandalised in different locations in Eket Local Government Area of the state from July to date.
Etim said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Tuesday.
He regretted that the rate of vandalism was so rampant in Eket and its environs, especially in the second quarter of this year. Read more
Akeredolu transmits power to deputy governor Aiyedatiwa, begins medical leave (Guardian)
Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has transmitted power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to pilot the affairs of the state in an acting capacity.
The development was not unconnected with the resolution of the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, where President Bola Tinubu met with Aiyedatiwa and some stakeholders in the state on Tuesday over the political crisis in the state.
Akeredolu, who has been absent from the state for over six months due to ill health, notified the State House of Assembly that he will be embarking on medical leave as a follow-up to his treatment. Read more
Customs busts 4 factories evading taxes, generates N4.627b (Leadership)
The Ogun II Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered four manufacturing companies operating in Ogun State without paying the statutory Excise Duties to the government.
The command also announced that it generated a total sum of N4.627 billion as revenue from Excise Duties between September and October 2023.
Comptroller Olusola Alade, the Area Controller, revealed this during a press conference at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, the state capital, where he briefed journalists about activities of his command for the last quarter of the 2023 fiscal year. Read more
Funke Akindele premieres new movie (DailyTrust)
It was glitz and glamour in Lagos when popular Nigerian Actress, Funke Akindele premiered her latest movie,
A Tribe Called Judah.
The Filmhouse Cinema IMAX, Lekki Phase 1 area was the place to be last Sunday as a galaxy of stars converged to celebrate the work of art and the exceptional display of talent and class.
Her entry into the arena in a gorgeous golden Tinkerbell costume set the tone for the elegant night to celebrate the movie set to hit the screen on December 15, 2023. Read more
First reactions land for Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s rom-com (DigitalSpy)
The first reactions have landed for Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell’s new rom-com Anyone But You.
Directed by Will Gluck, the film stars Sweeney and Powell as Bea and Ben, whose initial spark fizzles into frostiness despite an amazing first date.
However, they’re soon thrust into each other’s lives again at a mutual friend’s destination wedding in Australia, where they pretend to be a couple to keep up appearances. Read more
Denzel Washington’s ‘‘Hannibal’’ sparks race controversy in Tunisia (NME)
Denzel Washington’s casting as ancient Carthaginian general “Hannibal” in a new Netflix movie has sparked a race controversy in Tunisia, the home country of the military commander.
Washington’s casting in Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming Netflix movie was announced recently. Washington has worked with Fuqua previously on The Equalizer and Training Day.
It was also confirmed the film will be written by John Logan, the three-time Academy Award winner who has written films including Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Read more
George Clooney says he’s “embarrassed” when Amal shows him her red carpet looks (ET)
George Clooney is used to playing second fiddle to his dazzling wife, Amal Clooney. On Monday night, the 62-year-old Oscar winner spoke with ET’s Nischelle Turner at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film, “The Boys in the Boat”, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, where the topic of his glamorous wife came up.
Amal walked the red carpet with George, wearing a neon yellow gown and a big smile.
“She cleans up,” the film’s director and producer tells ET of Amal. “I’m always embarrassed because I’m wearing something that I’ve worn, like, 1,000 times.” Read more
Bernie Madoff victims get $159 million from Ponzi recovery fund in latest payout (NBC)
The fund for victims of Bernie Madoff’s historic Ponzi scheme has begun its ninth payout, distributing about $159 million in government-seized funds to nearly 25,000 people worldwide, the Department of Justice said Monday.
The announcement, made 15 years after Madoff’s arrest — and more than two years after his death in prison — underscored the continuing impact of Madoff’s nearly $65 billion securities fraud scam.
The collapse of the world’s largest fraud scheme “devastated thousands of lives,” said Nicole Argentieri, acting assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s criminal division, in a press release. Read more
Mthuli Ncube: Zimbabwe shock as finance minister named Africa’s best (AfricaNews)
Zimbabweans have expressed disbelief following the accolade bestowed upon Mthuli Ncube, who was declared “Best African Finance Minister of the Year” amid the country’s economic challenges.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, one user equated the award to “applauding a captain for steering a ship straight into an iceberg,” while another labelled it “the greatest joke of the decade.”
Zimbabwe’s staggering unemployment rate, reaching 85% as indicated by economists, coupled with a reliance on US dollars for 80% of transactions due to dwindling confidence in the local currency, underscores the economic difficulties faced by the nation. Read more
WHO calls for immediate passage of humanitarian relief into Gaza (Aljazeera)
The World Health Organization has agreed on a resolution, the first by any United Nations agency, calling for immediate access to vital humanitarian aid and an end to the fighting in Gaza.
The resolution – calling for the “immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, including the access of medical personnel” – was adopted by consensus at the end of a special session of the WHO’s Executive Board on Sunday.
It also called on “all parties to fulfil their obligations under international law” and reaffirmed “that all parties to armed conflict must comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and medical personnel.” Read more
Kanye West wears black KKK mask, debuts new song with daughter North West (HipHopdx)
Kanye West has sparked more controversy by donning a black KKK mask at the listening event for his joint album with Ty Dolla $ign.
The Chicago rap icon and California crooner debuted their collaborative project Vultures at an outdoor “rave” at Miami’s Wynwood Marketplace in the early hours of Tuesday morning (December 12), which was also live streamed online.
Towards the end of the performance, Ye appeared on stage wearing a black version of the hood famously worn by members of the white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan. Read more
NPFL to re-introduce Friday’s night games (Leadership)
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is planning to re-introduce Friday’s night matches to its calendar.
Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, Davidson Owumi stated that Friday night fixtures would be introduced under cited sections of the NPFL Framework and Rules.
Owumi told NPFL media that the introduction of Friday night matches is to expand the league’s value chain by creating a platform to stimulate local businesses in areas where matches will be held. Read more
‘Well-deserved honour,’ Tinubu hails Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie on CAF awards (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who were honoured with the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said the trio did Nigeria proud.
At the event held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, Osimhen was named African Footballer of the Year in the male category, while Oshoala clinched the title of African Player of the Year in the female category. Read more
Erling Haaland misses training due to foot injury as doubt grows over Premier League return (Independent)
Erling Haaland was not involved as Manchester City trained in front of media cameras prior to their Champions League trip to Red Star Belgrade.
The prolific Norway striker had already seemed likely to miss Wednesday’s final Group G game in Serbia after sitting out the Premier League win at Luton on Sunday with a foot injury.
Manager Pep Guardiola was unsure how long Haaland would be out when asked over the weekend, but expressed hope he would be fit for their opening Club World Cup match in Saudi Arabia next week. Read more
Turkey referee punched: Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca arrested after attack (BBC)
A Turkish football club president has been arrested after punching a referee following a top-flight game on Monday.
MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch and struck match official Halil Umut Meler after his team conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Koca and two others were formally arrested for “injuring a public official”. Read more
Richard Arnold officially leaves Man Utd as new Old Trafford era immediately starts (Mirror)
Richard Arnold has officially left Manchester United after 16 years as the club prepares to announce Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘s investment deal.
Ratcliffe is close to completing his £1.3billion deal for 25 per cent of United, which will also see him take control of the sporting side of the business from the Glazers. The INEOS chief is expected to implement some major changes, having previously criticised the club for spending “dumb money” on transfers.
A number of United chiefs could lose their jobs as a result and Arnold, who replaced Ed Woodward as CEO in February 2022, is the first casualty. It was announced last month that he would be leaving the club and his departure is now official. Read more
Paul Merson thinks Arsenal ‘might need’ to sign £100M star in January now (HitC)
Paul Merson feels Arsenal ‘might need’ Ivan Toney if they are to compete for the Premier League title with the Brentford striker a more sensible addition than Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
As far as the Gunners icon is concerned, Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa was all the proof Arsenal needed.
Mustering five shots on target and 12 in total without finding a way past an inspired Emiliano Martinez at Villa Park, Mikel Arteta cannot afford a repeat of such wastefulness if they are to go one step further than their near-miss in 2022/23. Read more