EndSARS: Lekki shooting victims storm Lagos panel (Punch)
Some persons with injuries on Friday stormed the Lagos Court of Arbitration in Lekki, the hearing venue of the Lagos State Panel of Judicial Inquiry probing the alleged shooting of protesters by soldiers on the night of October 20 at the Lekki tollgate.
The injured persons, who came to the LCA in a white bus, claimed they were victims of the alleged tollgate shootings soldiers.
They were accompanied by a banner-carrying group, New Nigeria Network.
The spokesperson for the group, a lady, said, “We have people with amputated legs; we have people with brain surgery in this van; we have dozens of them that are yet to be discharged. This is from Lekki tollgate massacre 2020. We want justice. We don’t want to be silenced; we don’t want to be marginalised even in our own country.” Read more
Lagos-Ibadan train tickets will cost N3,000 to N6,000 – FG (Punch)
The federal government has approved charges on the new Lagos-Ibadan rail standard gauge which would begin operations by January 2021.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made the disclosure during the inauguration of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
He said the train ticket would cost between N3,000 to N6,000.
Amaechi said, “I have received the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the Lagos/Ibadan rail project by January 2021 which will make Nigerians see the way the standard gauge railway looked like.
“Today I approved the charges on passengers from Lagos to Ibadan, we just transfer how we charged from Abuja to Kaduna.
“We charge N3,000 per Economy seat, N5,000 for Business class, and N6,000 for First class, the same is applicable to Lagos to Ibadan.
“It should have started running by now before Mr. President inaugurates it by January.” Read more
Police neutralise 2 bandits in Sokoto, recover rifles (Guardian)
The Police Command in Sokoto State says it has neutralised two bandits in the vicinity of Yabo Sanyinna forest while preparing to carry out an operation.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ibrahim Kaoje, made the disclosure on Friday while briefing newsmen in Sokoto.
Kaoje said that the bandits were preparing for their usual operation when the police received a distress call on their preparations. Read more
Appeal Court affirms Maryam Sanda’s death sentence for killing husband (Punch)
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday affirmed the death penalty imposed on Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in November 2017.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, had in his judgment delivered on January 27, 2017, held that circumstantial evidence proved that Maryam “fatally” stabbed her husband to death in Abuja on November 19, 2017.
Maryam, a mother of two, had on February 19, 2020, filed 20-ground notice of appeal, praying for an order discharging, and acquitting her. Read more
Buhari declares 2020 Lagos trade fair open (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday declared the 2020 edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair open, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trade fair, which is being promoted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), will be on till Dec. 13.
The fair, the 34th edition, is holding both physically at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos, and virtually.
The president, represented by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo, said the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic had made it imperative to accelerate the growth of the industrial sector. Read more
Arik Air sacks 300 workers (Punch)
The management of Arik Air has relieved 300 members of staff of their appointments.
This was announced in a statement by the airline on Friday.
It blamed the sacking on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
The press statement was titled, “Arik Air management declares 300 staff redundant”.
The company explained that a redundancy package would be provided for the affected workers with the help of the aviation unions. Read more
Ghana election: I will accept the people’s verdict, says Akufo-Addo (Punch)
President Nana Akufo-Addo says he will accept the decision of Ghanaians as they go to the polls on December 7, 2020, to elect a new president to lead the West African nation for another four years.
Akufo-Addo, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the New Patriotic Party, also pledged to ensure violence-free general elections.
“I have said that we believe in elections, and I am happy to give my word that we shall accept the verdict of the people of Ghana.
“Above all, I pledge that the peace, unity and safety of Ghana will be our primary consideration,” he wrote on his verified Twitter handle on Friday. Read more
Time Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao aims to ‘solve world’s problems’ (BBC)
A teenage scientist and inventor named Time magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year has said she hopes to inspire others to come up with ideas to “solve the world’s problems”.
Gitanjali Rao, 15, has invented technologies including a device that can identify lead in drinking water, and an app that detects cyberbullying.
She was chosen from more than 5,000 US nominees for the landmark title.
“If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it,” she said. Read more
‘Drug kingpin’ Howard Farley hid for 35 years using dead baby’s ID: feds (NYPost)
An accused drug kingpin from Nebraska evaded authorities for more than three decades — by assuming a dead baby’s identity, federal prosecutors revealed on Thursday.
Howard Farley was finally nabbed on Wednesday, while trying to board his private plane in the hangar at his home in Florida, US attorney Maria Chapa Lopez said in a statement.
The 72-year-old fugitive was indicted back in 1985 for allegedly running the Southern Line, a railroad line used to move narcotics throughout the US.
Out of 73 people busted in the case, Farley was the only one who was never caught.
For 35 years, Farley allegedly lived on the lam — using the name of a Florida infant who died in 1955. Read more
Biden says he will join former presidents in publicly getting COVID vaccine (USAToday)
President-elect Joe Biden said he would publicly take a vaccine when it’s available to encourage the public to get vaccinated, joining three former presidents who recently pledged to do the same.
Biden said he’d “be happy” to join former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in getting the vaccine in public to prove it is safe.
“When Dr. Fauci says we have a vaccine that is safe, that’s the moment in which I will stand before the public,” Biden said during an interview on CNN Thursday night.
“People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work,” Biden told CNN, pointing to the high number of cases. “It matters what a president and vice president do. I think my three predecessors have set the model on what should be done.” Read more
Denmark set to end all new oil and gas exploration (BBC)
Denmark will end all new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, as part of a wider plan to stop extracting fossil fuels by 2050.
Its government also agreed to cancel its latest licensing round on Thursday, which gives firms permission to search for and produce oil and gas.
“We are now putting a final end to the fossil era,” said Denmark’s climate minister.
Greenpeace Denmark described the announcement as a “watershed moment”. Read more
Microsoft patents new software that can detect when employees are lazy (NYPost)
As if workers weren’t self-conscious enough during a video conference.
United States Patent and Trademark Office records indicate that Microsoft is staking claim over novel software that allows employers to monitor staffers’ body language and facial expressions during virtual and in-person meetings, and delivers a numeric “productivity score,” topping out at 800, for companies overall.
The technology garnered little buzz during Microsoft’s Ignite conference in October, Forbes reported last week. Since then, security experts have had a chance to take a deeper look at Productivity Score.
“It’s horrendous,” said right-to-privacy researcher J.S. Nelson, associate professor of law at Villanova University. “Why are they monitoring people this way and what is that telling people about the relationship they should have with their employers in the workplace? What message are you sending?” he told Forbes. Read more
‘Massive fireball fills skies over Durban following explosion at oil refinery, seven injured (RT)
At least seven people were injured in a massive explosion at a crude oil refinery in Durban South Africa, though there have been no reports of fatalities despite the scale of the blast.
Emergency services swarmed the scene, with large contingents of police, fire, and ambulance personnel on scene establishing a security cordon and urging the public to stay away.
The explosion took place shortly after 7am local time, following a large fire on Friday morning.
“I saw a massive fireball at the centre of the refinery, with thick black smoke billowing from it. A few minutes later, many vehicles passed by my home,” Durban resident Shane Lloyd Pretorius said. Read more
Facebook to remove false claims about new Covid-19 vaccines (Metro)
Facebook has said it will start removing false claims about new coronavirus vaccines after it was revealed jabs could be rolled out as soon as next week. The social media site will remove disinformation – including claims vaccines contain microchips or anything else not on the official ingredient list – but warned it will ‘not be able to start enforcing these policies overnight’. In October, the company announced it would ban ads that discourage people from getting vaccines. This will now also apply to new Covid-19 vaccines. Read more
Violent street gang founded fraudulent nonprofit to solicit grants (NYPost)
A vicious street gang responsible for murders and brutal assaults allegedly founded a fraudulent nonprofit to solicit grants and donations to fuel the members’ lifestyles, according to federal prosecutors.
Shanay Outlaw, aka Easy, with the help of other gang members, launched the charity D.A.E.M.P.I.R.E — Determined Adults Exceedingly Motivating Peers Into Responsible Entrepreneurs.
Outlaw and rapper Casanova, whose real name is Caswell Senior, are among 18 Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang members charged Tuesday with crimes ranging from murder and assault to cocaine trafficking and gun possession. Read more
Patrick Vieira: Nice sack manager after two and a half years in charge (BBC)
Patrick Vieira won the World Cup as a player with France in 1998
Nice have sacked ex-France and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira as their manager after two and a half years.
The French club have lost five games in a row, including Thursday’s 3-2 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen that confirmed their exit from the Europa League, and are 11th in Ligue 1.
Vieira, who also played for Manchester City, Inter Milan and Juventus, was New York City boss before joining Nice.
Adrian Ursea, who was assistant to Vieira, has taken over as head coach. Read more
Senegal World Cup hero Papa Diop gets post-humous national award (Punch)
Former Senegalese soccer international, Papa Bouba Diop, who died last Sunday in Arras, northern France, will receive a post-humous national award on Friday, after his body arrived in Dakar, before his burial on Saturday in Rufisque, his hometown.
Papa Bouba Diop made history in Senegalese football and sport by scoring the goal that won Senegal the opening match of the 2002 World Cup at the World Cup stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on 31 May 2002, against France, then reigning world and European champions.
He had also been the top scorer for the ‘Lions’ in what was their first participation in the World Cup with 3 goals and during which they made it to the quarter-finals.
Trained at Jaraaf in Dakar, this powerful midfielder who is 1.94 metres tall, went on to make a great professional career in Switzerland (Neufchâtel and Grasshoppers), France (RC Lens), Turkey (AEK Athens) and England (Portsmouth, West Ham, Birmingham).
Having been bedridden for several years by Charcot’s disease, Papa Bouba Diop finally passed away on Sunday, aged 42 years. Read more
Man United to install seats for ‘safe standing’ at Old Trafford (Guardian)
A Manchester United supporter wears an ‘anti-Glazer’ protest scarf before their English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England March 21, 2010./Files
Manchester United are to install 1,500 barrier seats early next year as they prepare to trial “safe standing” at Old Trafford.
Fans can finally return to Premier League matches in some parts of England this weekend after coronavirus restrictions were eased.
But United have been pressing ahead with plans to create a section of seating that allows fans to stand against barriers. Read more
Lionel Messi ‘to be a Paris Saint-Germain player next year’ according to French football reporter (RT)
Lionel Messi is looking one step closer to the Barcelona exit door after reports emerged from France that the Argentine ace is the target of a summer move for the deep pockets of cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi came as close as he ever has to leaving Barcelona prior to the start of this current season as he attempted to take advantage of language in his contract which suggested he would be able to depart the club after repeated humiliations on the pitch, capped by the ignominy of an 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola were reportedly interested, with Messi also said to have pushed for a move to the blue half of Manchester, but the Argentine skipper ultimately withdrew his request to leave when it appeared that the internal rancor would lead him to the courtroom sooner than it would Manchester.
But according to French football reporter Daniel Riolo, another contender has emerged for Messi’s signature if, as looks likely, he once again attempts to engineer a move at the end of this season. Read more
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo Raul Jimenez striker ‘means a lot to this city’ (BBC)
Raul Jimenez joined Wolves from Benfica in 2019 on a four-year contract, having previously been on loan at Molineux
Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo has not been surprised by the support for Raul Jimenez since he fractured his skull against Arsenal because he “means a lot to this city”.
Jimenez, 29, will not be released from hospital until next week.
Nuno admitted he was “worried” and “everything goes through your mind” when Jimenez was hurt on Sunday.
Wolves fans raised £7,500 in two hours for a giant flag for the Mexican in the Steve Bull Stand at Molineux.
In addition, thousands of messages of support for the player have been received by the club. Read more
Solskjaer banking on away form to lift ‘bruised’ Man Utd (Guardian)
Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said breaking into the Premier League’s top four would be a boost for his “bruised” side as they prepare to travel to West Ham on Saturday.
United, whose 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain this week left their Champions League hopes in the balance, are looking to extend their club record of eight successive away wins in the league.
Victory over an in-form West Ham side managed by former United boss David Moyes could lift Solskjaer’s team into the top four, at least temporarily, after a shaky start to the season. Read more
Former MMA fighter jailed for life for vicious knife murder of ex-girlfriend (RT)
Andrew Wadsworth, a UK-based former MMA fighter, will spend at leasBBC2 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend in a jealous cocaine and alcohol-fuelled rage.
Wadsworth, 37, will be close to 70-years-old when he is eligible for release after being sentenced to life behind bars following the murder conviction earlier this week where he was found to have knifed to death his ex-girlfriend Melissa Belshaw, 32.
The judge presiding over the sentencing, Mrs Justice Yip, described Wadsworth as being a “violent and dangerous” offender who had sought to demean Belshaw’s character throughout the trial by making a series of accusations about the deceased’s personal life, with Justice Yip remarking that his comments “went beyond anything that was justified.” Read more