EFCC investigators taking bribes, comprising fight against corruption – Chairman (Guardian)
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that some investigators of the commission take bribes and compromise the fight against corruption.
In his New Year address to the staff of the EFCC, Olukoyede said he would not hesitate to punish any officer who tarnishes the image of the EFCC.
“At this point, I need to strongly reiterate the issue of discipline, integrity and sense of responsibility in the way we do our work. Public opinions about the conduct of some of our investigators are adverse. Read more
Ibadan Blast: 58 houses affected – NEMA (Sun)
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Mustapha Ahmed, said on Thursday that at least 58 houses are confirmed to have been affected by Tuesday’s explosion at Dejo Oyelese Street, Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He made the disclosure during his assessment visit to the scene of the incident.
Ahmed stated that President Bola Tinubu and NEMA hav been wortied since they got report on the blast. He added that tbe actual number of the injured persons, houses affected and some other necessary things would be made public when the assessment, search and rescue efforts are completed.
According to him, “About 58 houses are damaged, about three lives have been lost. We currently don’t know the number of people that are in hospital. We are working hand-in-hand with the state government to ascertain the whole situation. This is the EOC centre. So, reports are still coming in and people are still on site working. But most importantly, we cannot condone people going in there, it’s not acceptable. Read more
Police launch manhunt for killers of Rivers CDC chairman (Vanguard)
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, has directed a nationwide manhunt for the killers of Ndidi Livingstone, Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mgbuoshimini community in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of Rivers.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olatunji Disu, said this during a visit to the family of the deceased at their residence in Port Harcourt on Thursday
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Livingstone was shot dead on Saturday by unidentified assailants after a church service at the Rumueme Waterfront area in Port Harcourt. Read more
Varsity student arrested for alleged possession of firearms in Bauchi (Channels)
A 400-level student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi has been arrested for alleged possession of illegal firearms.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ahmed Wakil. in a statement on Wednesday said the suspect was arrested on Saturday following a tip-off by a vigilante group, saying the student illegally acquired one locally-made gun, one locally-made pistol, and 9mm live ammunition.
The suspect had already admitted to the offence and claimed that the weapons belonged to another person previously arrested for possession of a locally made pistol in 2021. Read more
351 die in Ogun road crashes – FRSC (Punch)
About 351 persons were killed in 839 auto crashes in Ogun State in 2023.
The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Anthony Uga, disclosed this on Thursday at Ota when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said 2,092 persons also sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crashes. Read more
NJC suspends appointment of judges, Kadis for Kogi (Channels)
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has put a hold on the process of appointment of judges and kadis into the Kogi State judiciary.
The council said this was done to maintain a fair and just judicial system.
Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, namely Jibrin Okutepa, Yunus Usman, and four others instituted a suit before a Federal High Court Abuja, stating that the list of appointed judges and kadis into the Kogi State Judiciary, by Governor Yahaya Bello, was done with ethnic and political interference. Read more
Revealed: Foreigners listed as owners of company responsible for Ibadan explosion (DailyTrust)
Fresh facts have emerged on the explosion which shook parts of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, on Tuesday night.
Daily Trust had reported how some persons, including a UK returnee, lost their lives, while houses were reduced to rubble and vehicles destroyed in the tragic incident.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who ordered hospitals to treat people and hotels to accommodate the displaced, had earlier attributed the incident to illegal miners. Read more
Subsidy removal eliminated cross-border smuggling of oil products — Kyari (Tribune)
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, has stated that despite the attendant economic challenges, the removal of fuel subsidy has thus far liberated the Nigerian oil markets, preventing significant disruption and eliminating cross-border smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
The NNPCL boss made these remarks while delivering the 2024 annual lecture of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Faculty of Science at the Oduduwa Hall on Wednesday.
He said, “The passage of the long-awaited PIA in 2021, the subsequent NNPC transition to a fully commercial limited liability energy company, and the removal of fuel subsidy, which freed the market and eliminated cross-border smuggling of petroleum products from Nigeria, have created greater opportunities for NNPC to play an active commercial role, sustain profitability, and deliver greater value to our fast-growing population.” Read more
Mary J. Blige’s “Still Believe in Love” logs 4th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart RatedRnB)
Mary J. Blige’s reign at radio won’t let up. Her latest single “Still Believe in Love,” featuring rapper Vado, is now in its fourth week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.
“Still Believe in Love” now joins 1995’s “Not Gon’ Cry” and 2021’s “Good Morning Gorgeous,” which both spent four weeks atop the chart.
Blige’s best run on this chart was in 2016 with “Thick of It,” written and produced by Camper and Jazmine Sullivan, which claimed the No. 1 spot for 16 weeks. Read more
Uganda opposition leader Bobi Wine says under house arrest (AfricanNews)
Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate Bobi Wine said on Thursday that police had surrounded his residence and put him “under house arrest” ahead of a planned protest.
Opposition politicians had planned demonstrations on Thursday against the poor condition of roads in Uganda, which is hosting two global summits this month.
Wine, a popstar-turned-politician, said police and soldiers had barred him from leaving his home in Magere, north of the capital Kampala. Read more
Hotel guest punched and gouged cleaner’s eyes in racist attack (Metro)
A racist hotel guest who gouged a cleaner’s eyes before repeatedly punching him has been jailed.
Christian Jopling rushed out of his room on the fifth floor of the Leonardo Hotel in Gateshead and called the cleaner a slur in January last year.
When the victim questioned if he had used the word, Jopling, a dad-of-two, punched him in the face and tried to drag him into a lift. Read more
Kanye West & Kim Kardashian’s daughter Chicago celebrates her 6th birthday (HipHopDx)
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s youngest daughter Chicago turned six this week, and she celebrated with a Bratz-themed party with her family and friends.
Little Chi’s birthday was on Monday (January 15), and with everyone off from school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the family had her party that same day. At one point, Kim’s mini-me even made her model debut as she hit the runway with her cousin Dream (whose parents are Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna) — but she was seemingly over it as she quickly scurried away after her catwalk.
In a post to commemorate the day, Kim wrote: “Happy 6th Birthday Chicago! I honestly didn’t know too much about what raising a Capricorn girl would be like but you make it so easy and fun and silly!!! I can already see the determination and ambition you have within you. You are so smart, sweet, silly and so lovable to everyone around you especially your cousins!” Read more
Russia’s Lavrov rejects US proposal to resume nuclear arms talks (AlJazeera)
Russia’s top diplomat has rejected a United States proposal to resume a dialogue on nuclear arms control, saying that it is impossible while Washington offers military support to Ukraine.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Sergey Lavrov accused the West of fuelling global security risks by encouraging Ukraine to ramp up strikes on Russian territory and warned that Moscow will achieve its goals in the conflict regardless of Western support for Kyiv.
Commenting on a US proposal to resume contacts in the sphere of nuclear arms control, Lavrov said that Moscow has rejected the offer. He said that for such talks to be held, Washington first needs to revise its current policy towards Russia. Read more
Arnold Schwarzenegger facing criminal proceedings in Germany over luxury watch (NBC)
Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained and could face a criminal charge after being stopped by customs officials at Munich Airport, officials in Germany said Wednesday.
The “Terminator” actor and former California governor was stopped for a routine check on arrival Wednesday and questioned for 2½ hours before being allowed to leave, an airport customs spokesperson told NBC News.
“Criminal proceedings were launched” against him, the spokesperson said, but they would not confirm the nature of those proceedings, citing Germany’s strict privacy laws. Read more
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are ‘really happy together’ but ‘still seeing where it goes’: Source (People)
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are going strong.
As the pop superstar, 34, continues to support the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, also 34, at his games, a source tells PEOPLE exclusively the couple remain “really happy” together.
“They’re having a lot of fun, but they’re still seeing where it goes,” adds the source of the stars, who began dating shortly after Kelce revealed in late July on his New Heights podcast that he had tried to shoot his shot with Swift after her concert. Read more
Handball: Nigeria loses 26-24 to Angola in African Championship opener (Leadership)
Nigeria’s men’s handball team, the Golden Arrows, fell short in their opening match of the 26th African Men’s Handball Cup, losing 26-24 to Angola in a thrilling encounter. Despite a strong performance throughout the match, Nigeria succumbed to their opponents’ experience and composure in the closing minutes.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading goals back and forth. Nigeria matched Angola’s firepower, keeping the score close until the final whistle blew with Angola leading 14-13.
Determined to bounce back, Nigeria entered the second half with renewed energy and took the lead at the 15-minute mark, holding a 21-20 advantage. However, Angola’s experienced goalkeeper proved to be a crucial factor, making several key saves and helping their team level the score at 22-22. Read more
Low attendance, upsets… AFCON Week 1 wrap (Dailytrust)
The African Cup of Nations AFCON 2023 is well underway with upsets by less-fancied nations while Senegal and Morocco strolled to wins to confirm their favourites status.
The technical level of play has also improved drastically, especially by the fearless lowly-ranked nations, and big names are still trying to find their feet.
Daily Trust looks at three things that have stood out in the five days old tournament that has delivered 27 goals. Read more
Reawake spirit of AFCON 2013, Minister charges Eagles (Leadership)
Sports development minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has charged the Super Eagles to reawaken the spirit of 2013 by beating Cote d’Ivoire when they meet on Thursday.
This was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Kola Daniel on Wednesday in Abuja.
Enoh charged the team to make amends for their Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, by securing a victory against their hosts. Read more
“No way” Raducanu was going to quit in Slam exit (BBC)
Emma Raducanu says there was “no way” she was going to quit in her Grand Slam comeback as she battled valiantly before losing at the Australian Open.
Britain’s Raducanu, 21, was beaten 6-4 4-6 6-4 by China’s Wang Yafan in a second-round match where she was “throwing up” in her mouth.
Raducanu was playing only her fourth match after wrist and ankle surgeries which kept her out for eight months. Read more
Henderson agrees Ajax move as Arsenal rival Chelsea for striker (HitC)
A round-up of the latest transfer gossip from around Europe with Jordan Henderson now set to join AFC Ajax as Arsenal consider rivalling Chelsea for a striker’s transfer.
The Gunners and Blues are in the market for attacking reinforcements this month having not hit great heights this term. Arsenal only rank seventh in the Premier League for goals scored with 37 in 20 games. While Chelsea rank in eighth place with 35 so far but from 21 matches.
January is also now set to see Henderson return to Europe just six months after the England midfielder left Liverpool for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The 33-year-old signed for the Pro League team last July. He also featured 19 times for the club which Steven Gerrard manages. Read more
Man Utd documents show how close Sheikh Jassim was to buying club from Glazers outright (Mirror)
Sheikh Jassim went up against Sir Jim Ratcliffe to try and buy Manchester United from the Glazer family, but the Qatari banker came up short and withdrew from the process
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani was heavily involved in the protracted Manchester United takeover – but the Qatari banker never came close to winning the race.
Alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim was the main protagonist of the process, which began in November 2022 when the Glazer family announced their intentions to explore “strategic alternatives” for the club. The mysterious chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank had a vociferous backing among fans on social media, who desperately wanted to be rid of the Glazers, and a strong PR campaign behind him, but his bid lacked in other, more important, departments. Read more