#EndSARS: Lagos panel summons IGP (Punch)
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Restitution and Inquiry set up to investigate cases of police brutality, especially involving officers of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammad Adamu.
The IGP was summoned over a case involving one Adewale Adewuyi, a petitioner whose 26 acres of farmland was allegedly seized by police since 2013.
Debo Adeleke, the petitioner’s lawyer, alleged that the police invaded the farmland located at Age-Mowo near Badagry on December 17, 2013, and destroyed it.
The development, the counsel said, affected the health status of his client. Read more
Agomo Set to Retire From UNILAG, unveils biography (ThisDay)
The first female Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Chioma Kanu Agomo, will on March 1, 2021 bow out of the University as she clocks 70 years.
Already, several events have been lined up to herald her celebrated exit from the ivory tower, after over 40 years of unblemished service as a foremost law teacher and expert.
Aside from a Special Board of Studies session and Exaugural Lecture being organised by the Faculty of Law, a Thanksgiving Service will hold on March 1, 2021 at 10 am at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos, Akoka. The Thanksgiving Service will also be streamed live at bit.ly/agomothanksgiving. Also, an autobiography titled “My Story, My Song” will be unveiled the same day at 1 pm at the Church’s Global Christian Centre (GCC) Auditorium. Read more
How former Lagos scholarship board secretary stole N127m- Witness (Punch)
An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Monday Moley, has narrated to a Lagos State Special Offences Court how a former Secretary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Stephen Oshinowo, diverted the sum of N127m.
Oshinowo was arraigned on an amended eight counts bordering on criminal conversion.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Moley, while being led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Usman Buhari, told the court that Oshinowo used his account domiciled in the United Bank of Africa to perpetrate each of the alleged fraud on the charge sheet.
According to Moley, the defendant received the sum of N30 million in tranches of N10 million from the account of the Board domiciled with the FCMB for the use of staff welfarism and office renovation but later converted same to personal use. Read more
Senate confirms Buratai, others as ambassadors (Guardian)
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday confirm the nomination of four former service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.
General Abayomi G. Olonisakin, Lt. General Tukur Y. Buratai, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete E. Ibas and Air Marshal Sadique B. Abubakar were removed as service chiefs on February and were subsequently nominated as non-career ambassadors by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The nomination of another retired military chief Air Vice Marshal Muhammad S. Usman was also confirmed. Read more
Fraudsters pay with paper for N497,000 goods (Nation)
A businessman, David Maduka, who sells doors, has narrated how three customers paid him with paper cut to the size of naira notes after purchasing goods worth N497,000 in Agbarho, Ughelli North council area of Delta State.
Maduka told The Nation on Monday that the incident happened last Wednesday at his shop located in Agbarho.
He said the three suspects came in a new white Toyota Sienna and bought four doors totaling N497,000.
“I was on my way to Onitsha. My brother and sales rep were here, but I was the one who transacted the business on the phone. Read more
Ortom orders implementation of N30,000 minimum wage for workers (DailyTrust)
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Tuesday, directed the State’s Head of Service, Veronica Onyeke, to immediately commence the implementation of the interim agreement his administration reached with labour leaders on the payment of N30,000 minimum wage to civil servants on grade levels one to six.
Ortom handed the directive during his meeting with the labour union leaders at the Government House in Makurdi.
Drama in Senate as Smart Adeyemi describes Abia gov as a ‘drunkard‘
Ortom: Hold Bauchi gov responsible if I’m assassinated
The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Terver Akase, thanked the labour leaders for their understanding and reaffirmed his commitment to the implementation of the agreement.
He further assured Benue workers that the present administration will continue to give priority to their welfare while addressing other challenges of development. Read more
Hoodlums set ablaze Abia police station, kill policeman, free suspects (Punch)
The Abayi police station in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State was burnt down by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
The hoodlums also burnt all the operational vehicles parked within the premises of the police station.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH. Read more
NNPC extends crude oil swap contracts to June (Guardian)
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it will continue to swap crude oil for refined petroleum products till June.
“The DSDP was extended till June 2021 to enable us to conclude the ongoing process of putting new contact in place,” NNPC spokesman Kennie Obateru said on Monday.
Nigeria exchanges more than 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) with 15 company pairings.
The swap deal with these companies supplies a huge portion of Nigeria’s petroleum products which include fuel, diesel and jet fuel, as it has not been profitable for private oil companies to import fuel into the country. Read more
Insecurity: Redeemed Christian Church of God holds prayer walk (ThisDay)
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) hosted a prayer-walk in which it sought God’s intervention in the security challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic disease ravaging Nigeria.
The procession was organised for members to pray for Nigeria, spiritual revival and personal breakthroughs.
Participants in the prayer walk in the Federal Capital Territory, which was organised by the Throne Parish of the RCCG, Abuja, walked from the Transcorp Hotel to the Federal Secretariat.
Addressing journalists during the procession, the Pastor-in-Charge of the Parish, Pastor Tunde Benjamins-Laniyi, said that prayers and intercessions were mandates from God.
Benjamins-Laniyi noted that Nigeria was in dire need of divine intervention to overcome the present challenges. Read more
Hutu rebels accuse DRC, Rwanda after Italian ambassador killed (AlJazeera)
Rwandan Hutu rebels denied allegations they were behind the killing of the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and instead accused the armies of the DRC and Rwanda of responsibility.
An Italian Carabinieri unit, meanwhile, was expected in DRC on Tuesday to investigate.
Luca Attanasio died of his wounds on Monday after a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy came under fire near the eastern city of Goma while he was on a field trip. The Italian government said an Italian policeman, Vittorio Iacovacci, and a driver it did not identify also died.
DRC’s interior ministry blamed the killings on “members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda [FDLR]”, a Rwandan Hutu rebel group that has plagued the region for more than a quarter of a century. Read more
Facebook to lift ban on Australia news and pay local media companies (France24)
Facebook said Tuesday it will lift a contentious ban on Australian news and pay local media companies for content, after a last-gasp deal on pending landmark legislation.
Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced a face-saving compromise that will see Google and Facebook plunge tens of millions of dollars into the struggling local news sector.
In return the US digital firms will, for now, avoid being subjected to mandatory payments that could cost them vastly more and create what they see as an alarming global precedent.
Just hours after the compromise was unveiled, Facebook announced its first proposed deal with an Australian media company, Seven West, and was said to be pursuing commercial deals with other local news organisations. Read more
Hong Kong Leader Backs Call by Key Chinese Officials for Electoral Changes (VOA)
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam is supporting a call made by a key Chinese official for electoral reforms that would ensure the city’s legislature is filled with pro-Beijing loyalists.
Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said Monday that the city could only be ruled by “patriots” which he said excludes people he described as “troublemakers.”
Lam told reporters Tuesday that she understands why officials in the central government are concerned, as “they do not want the situation to deteriorate further in such a way that ‘one country, two systems’ cannot be implemented.”
China’s national legislature is expected to issue a number of changes to Hong Kong’s electoral process during its annual session next month. Among the expected changes are granting more voting power to pro-Beijing members of Hong Kong’s 1,200-member electoral commission that selects Hong Kong’s chief executive. The changes would strip the voting rights of several lower level district councilors, many of whom are pro-democracy supporters. Read more
Coronavirus anxiety now has its own name (Metro)
For the past 12 months, we’ve been more cautious about hygiene than ever before. Those with health anxiety have found it particularly challenging – with fears around catching the virus or loved ones getting ill dominating headlines and all aspects of everyday life. It’s been pretty hard to escape it. Of course, it’s only natural to be slightly anxious around getting sick, but researchers have identified a new kind of phobia directly related to coronavirus. Read more
Malaysia deports 1,086 Myanmar nationals despite court order (AlJazeera)
Malaysia has deported 1,086 Myanmar nationals, despite a court order temporarily halting the repatriation amid concerns the group could be at risk if they are returned to military-ruled Myanmar.
Kairul Dzaimee Daud, director-general of Malaysia’s immigration department, said on Tuesday the group had agreed to return voluntarily and were sent back on three ships belonging to Myanmar’s navy.
The move came hours after the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted an interim stay barring the removal of some 1,200 people until 10am (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
The order was issued in response to a request for a judicial review from Amnesty International and Asylum Access, who said the lives of the people in the group would be at risk and that more than a dozen of the detainees were children with at least one parent in Malaysia. Read more
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine announces withdrawal of election challenge (France24)
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine said on Monday he was withdrawing a court case challenging presidential election results that handed victory to incumbent Yoweri Museveni, alleging bias by Supreme Court justices hearing the case.
“We have decided to withdraw from their court,” Bobi Wine told a news conference in the capital Kampala.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has rejected the results of the January election and said he believed victory was stolen from him. A popstar and lawmaker, Wine, 39, was asking the court to overturn the results on several grounds including widespread use of violence.
Museveni, a former guerrilla leader who has led the East African country since 1986, was declared winner of the Jan. 14 election with 59% of the vote, while Wine was given 35%. Read more
Mexico Receives First Shipment of Russian Vaccine to Fight COVID-19 (VOA)
Mexico received its first batch of Russia’s COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine, with 200 thousand doses arriving late Monday night.
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin after accepting the shipment at Mexico International Airport, alongside the Russian ambassador to Mexico, Viktor Koronelli, who praised the partnership between the two countries.
Arrival of the first batch of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Mexico City
Arrival of the first batch of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Mexico City, Feb. 23, 2021.
Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador struck a deal with the Russian leader a few weeks ago to purchase 24 million doses of the Sputnik vaccine to immunize 12 million people.
Mexico joins other Latin American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia and Venezuela, in approving the use of the Russian vaccine. Read more
Nigeria’s Super Falcons thrash Equatorial Guinea 9-0, wins Turkish cup (Guardian)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Tuesday made history to be the first African winners of the invitational Turkish Women’s Cup in Antalya.
Super Falcons’ triumph was a historic one after thrashing Equatorial Guinea 9-0 to claim a third successive victory in the competition.
The African champions won all three games at the competition. Super Falcons defeated CSKA Moscow female team and Uzbekistan women national 1-0 each and before pummeling the Nzalang of Equatorial Guinea 9-0 in the final game.
Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala was the star of the final game as she scored four goals – a first-half hattrick – to bury the hopes of their African counterparts. Read more
Enyimba draw Orlando Pirates, Setif for Confed Cup group stage (DailyTrust)
Enyimba International will renew their rivalry with South Africa’s Orlando Pirates after being drawn in the Confederation Cup Group A alongside Algeria’s Entente Setif and Libya’s Ahli Benghazi.
It will be recalled that Enyimba secured qualification by defeating Rivers United at the Adokie Amiesimeka Stadium in Port Harcourt after a penalty shootout.
The group-stage matches are due to begin next month with the top two in each group progressing to the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has sent a message of congratulations to the players and management of Enyimba following their qualification. Read more
Bobby Copping: Former Peterborough defender on retiring at 19 after heading a ball (BBC)
Bobby Copping went up for a routine header in a training game last July. He ended up in hospital for four days after suffering a mini seizure, losing his sight and going numb down one side of his body.
The Peterborough United defender hoped it was a one-off “freak accident”.
But in his comeback game the same thing happened. The injury has ended his career at just 19, having just started to make his breakthrough to the first team.
“That’s what makes it scary is how quick things can change because I was absolutely flying, playing really well, doing everything I could to be the best I can and then I headed a ball and my career is finished,” he told BBC Sport. Read more
West Indies star Nicholas Pooran and South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada signed by Manchester Originals for The Hundred (Metro)
West Indies star Nicholas Pooran was the first signing of The Hundred draft and will join Manchester Originals along with South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada. The Originals had ten spaces to fill in the men’s squad ahead of the draft and also picked up England seamer Jamie Overton, T20 gun Harry Gurney and Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan. Tom Lammonby, Steven Finn, Colin Ackermann, Richard Gleeson and Tom Hartley are also heading to Manchester, who will be coached by the former Australia batsman Simon Katich. Read more
Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock stadium given council approval (BBC)
Everton FC’s plans for a new 52,000-seater stadium have been unanimously approved by city councillors.
The club said the Bramley-Moore Dock site will be a “world-class addition” to the city’s waterfront and hopes to host games there in 2024.
The £500m scheme which it’s claimed will create 15,000 jobs will now go to the government for the final say.
Everton’s £82m plans for a series of community-led developments at its Goodison Park site were also approved. Read more
Gundogan central to Man City’s latest Champions League pursuit (Guardian)
Ilkay Gundogan’s free-scoring form has played a major role in Manchester City surging 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League as they close in on a third title in four seasons.
However, City’s latest quest for the trophy they most desire restarts this week with the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Borussia Moenchengladbach.
As Pep Guardiola’s first signing after arriving in Manchester, Gundogan joined a project determined to make a mark on Europe’s premier club competition.Despite six major trophies in the past five years and the likelihood of more to come this season with City also going strong in both domestic cup competitions, the Champions League has been a constant source of frustration for Guardiola. Read more