#EndSARS: Lekki tollgates reopening is cruel, insensitive, vicious — Bode George (Vanguard)
The Chairman of Omo Eko Pataki, Chief Olabode George, weekend, urged the Lagos State to scrap and dismantle the Lekki Tollgates saying any attempt to reopen the toll will be regarded as cruel, insensitive, vicious and unacceptable.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Chief George threatened to institute a lawsuit to stop the reopening of the Lekki Tollgates.
He said: “It is rather sad and sickening, in this time of grave moral challenges, when the ordinary Lagosian can hardly find three square meals a day; when the commuters cannot afford the fare of transportation; when parents cannot afford the sky-rocketing school fees for their children; when the ordinary tenants can hardly pay their annual rent. Behold, this is the unsavoury time that the government of Lagos State has chosen to impose more burden on the average Lagosian. They want to bring the toll gates back. Read more
Adegoke: Court adjourns hearing of OAU student’s murder case (Punch)
An Osun State High Court in Osogbo has adjourned the murder trial of a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, the presiding Judge and Chief Justice of Osun State High Court, Adepele Ojo, granted the defence counsel’s request to move its no-case submission, and adjourned hearing in the matter till March 25.
Ojo, however, asked the prosecution counsel, M. Amosun, to swiftly respond to all the defence counsel’s written and oral addresses in their no-case submission within four days of receipt of same.
While adjourning the case, the judge ordered all four defence counsel in the case, to file a separate no-case submission each, within the stipulated time.
You would recall the Chairman of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, and six others, have been on trial over the alleged murder of Adegoke.
The six defendants are: Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Florence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola. Read more
Fuel Scarcity: Lagos depot owners wade in as Abuja situation worsens (DailyTrust)
As fuel scarcity rages in Abuja and other areas, the Ijegun-Egba Tankfarm Owners and Operators’ Association in Lagos has promised to deliver 40 trucks of petrol daily to the Federal capital Territory (FCT) from Monday.
The association said it is ready to give out 40 trucks from its 106 million litres in stock.
Fuel crisis: Buhari apologises to Nigerians, orders clampdown on saboteurs
Border communities groan under fuel scarcity
The capital city has continued to witness vehicular queues across retail outlets amidst issues of logistics and other crises.
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, last weekend said many truck owners had stopped loading products over the hike in diesel prices to power trucks. Read more
Security guard jailed 3 months for stealing meat, drinks (Guardian)
A Dei-Dei Grade I Area Court in Abuja on Monday, sentenced a security guard, Okoh Richard to three months imprisonment for stealing meat and drinks from his employer’s kitchen.
Richard, who works in Edimony Hotel Abuja, was charged with theft.
The Area Court judge, Sulyman Ola, however, gave Richard an option to pay a fine of N20,000.
Ola said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigours of a protracted prosecution.
He also warned the convict to be of good behaviour.
Richard had earlier pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency. Read more
Court strikes out Umahi’s motion to stop removal (Punch)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, struck out the motion filed by sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, seeking a stay of execution of the March 8 judgment.
Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the motion after Chukwuma Ma-Chukwu Ume, SAN, counsel for Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, prayed the court for the withdrawal of the motion, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, did not oppose the application.
The motion for stay of execution was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/920/21, between PDP Vs. INEC and three others.
Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on March 8, in a judgment, ordered Umahi; his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, and 16 lawmakers to vacate their office and seats, following their defection from the PDP to All Progressives Congress. Read more
DSS raises the alarm over plot by unknown groups to stoke violence in North (ThisDay)
The Department of State Security (DSS) Saturday raised the alarm over a plot by unnamed sponsors to stoke violence in the North.It said the aim was to ignite ethno-religious violence in some parts of the North in order to heat up the polity.A statement signed by the Spokesman of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, said the planners had mobilised foot soldiers and held several meetings.
It said the ring leaders planned to use striking university students, teachers, labour unions and exploit the global energy situation to create a protest like #ENDSARS, stating that it was on the trail of the planners.DSS, therefore, warned the ring leaders to desist from acts that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts the public of a sinister plan by some elements to stoke violence in parts of the country particularly the North Central. “The aim is to cause ethno-religious crisis, ignite reprisals and heat up the polity.
In a bid to achieve this, the sponsors have mobilised foot soldiers and held several meetings in and outside the target areas”, it said. “The service is also aware of a plot to use students, striking University teachers, labour unions, disgruntled individuals and strategic groups as well as exploit the global energy situation to carry out a mass protest like the #ENDSARS.
Court sacks 20 Cross River lawmakers over defection (Guardian)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, declared the seats of 20 lawmakers from Cross River vacant over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in a judgment, dismissed the defence argument that the PDP (plaintiff) had no locus standi (legal rights) to institute the case.
Justice Taiwo ruled that the argument of the lawmakers that there was rancour in the PDP which necessitated their defection to APC was a ploy to mislead the court.
The judge, who granted all the reliefs sought by the PDP, held that it was disheartening that politicians in the country treat citizens as if they do not matter once they get into office.
According to him, we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound. Read more
FG shuts Ijesha pedestrian bridge damaged by truck (Tribune)
The Director, Federal Highways, South West, Mr Adedamola Kuti on Saturday, announced that the Ijesha bus stop pedestrian bridge on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos State, has been closed over safety concerns.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the bridge was damaged by a truck on Wednesday.
Kuti while inspecting the pedestrian bridge told journalists that it was not structurally safe because some beams and slabs of the infrastructure were damaged by the reckless truck driver and its closure became inevitable.
“Wednesday, early morning of 16th March 2022, a truck was coming from Apapa axis, probably, the truck must have been faulty with its bucket opened and raised and it was coming on top speed and getting here, of course, it could not go because it was already up, it hit the pedestrian bridge. Read more
I want to shatter biases against men with music – rapper, Dotman (Punch)
Nigerian rapper, Oladotun Alade, professionally known as Dotman, is seeking to start a conversion as regards abuse faced by men in society.
The Akube singer stated via his Twitter page on Saturday that asides facing abuse, men were also not allowed to “process the pain and stress” that came with the traumatizing experiences.
In his words, “Abuse against men is really something, even though it’s rarely highlighted. Like even from society POV[Point of View], men are not even allowed the space to process the pain and stress.
“You go dey hear ‘be a man’. As much as this phrase may sound uplifting and encouraging, it is destructive.” Read more
BUA confirms 3 workers dead in factory fire (Independent)
The management of BUA Group has issued a statement confirming the unfortunate death of three of its staff in a fire incident that occurred during a routine service of one of its storage tanks in Sokoto over the weekend.
In the terse statement titled FIRE INCIDENT – SOKOTO DIESEL DEPOT and signed by Sada Suleiman, Assistant Director, Admin Services, BUA management regrets the death of its illustrious and valued staff in the gory incident which cause has yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
The statement reads:
“We wish to use this medium to inform the public of an isolated fire incident that occurred at a diesel storage tank farm situated in the vicinity of one of our factories in Sokoto. This incident occurred whilst routine maintenance work was ongoing on one of the storage tanks by a third-party contractor.
“Immediately the incident occurred, our emergency management and mitigation services were alerted, and a swift response was activated, which prevented any escalation of the incident or damage to our main plant and equipment.
Ukraine war: Holocaust survivor killed by Russian shelling in Kharkiv (BBC)
A Ukrainian man who survived the Nazi Holocaust during World War Two has been killed during a Russian attack on the eastern city of Kharkiv.
Boris Romantschenko, 96, died during Russian shelling of his apartment block on Friday, relatives said.
Russian forces have been relentlessly shelling Kharkiv, which lies just 30 miles (50km) from the border, for over three weeks.
At least 500 civilians have now been killed there, Ukrainian officials say.
Police said one of the victims has been identified as a nine-year old boy.Read more
‘West Side Story’ star Rachel Zegler says she wasn’t invited to Oscars 2022 (PageSix)
‘West Side Story’ Actress Rachel Zegler Says She’s Not Invited to the Oscars
“West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler claims the Academy did not invite her to the 2022 Oscars despite the film receiving seven nominations.
A fan commented on Zegler’s Instagram Saturday expressing their excitement to see her gown at Sunday’s ceremony, to which the breakout actress replied, “i’m not invited so sweatpants and my boyfriend’s flannel.”
Zegler’s followers immediately responded with messages of surprise and disapproval, as her movie is up for awards including Best Picture.
“breaks my heart. You were the best part of that movie. Surely Steven Spielberg could do something about this,” one fan wrote, referencing the film’s legendary director, who is also nominated. Read more
Oti Mabuse apologises after missing charity event after niece’s death (IrishIndependent)
Oti Mabuse dropped out of a charity event after announcing the death of her niece.
The Dancing On Ice judge, 31, was due to appear at a fundraiser for people in Ukraine, organised by her dance studio and the Hospices of Hope charity, on Saturday night.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional announced the death of her niece Tlhogi, 28, on Saturday morning, saying she felt “shattered inside”.
She wrote on Instagram: “The things that happen in life can’t be controlled.
“Tonight @otimabusedancestudio and hospice of hope charity are hosting an event and the proceeds are going to help people and children in Ukraine!
“It’s been a long journey to get to this point and such a shame I can’t attend for this I send my sincerest apologies.
“I wish you all a lovely evening. You are definitely in good hands and please know that all your donations will be helping plenty in this sad time of need.” Read more
Adrien Brody can’t watch The Pianist after ‘starvation diet’ and extreme preparation method left him struggling to recover (Metro)
The Oscar-winner said that he even cries talking about the film (Picture: Getty)
Hollywood actor Adrien Brody has revealed that he can’t watch The Pianist after the gruelling lengths he went to for the role, including a ‘starvation diet’ from which he struggled to recover.
Even speaking about the Roman Polanski movie based on Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman’s autobiography, which was nominated for seven Oscars and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, would reduce the actor to tears, he said.
The 48-year-old, who was most recently seen in a cameo as a beanie hat-wearing billionaire on HBO smash-hit show Succession, not only lost weight and learned to play Chopin on the piano, but he also sold his car, gave up his home and broke up with his girlfriend at the time ahead of the shoot. Read more
Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe addresses Marvel’s Wolverine rumours (DigitalSpy)
Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe won’t be flexing adamantium claws any time soon.
While promoting his new movie The Lost City on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week, the actor was once again probed about possibly playing Wolverine for Marvel Studios, which is a concept dating back to at least 2019.
“This is something that has come up every so often for the last few years and every time it comes up I’m like, ‘That’s not true, there’s nothing behind that’ and everyone’s like, ‘Ah he said it might be true!’ he told the host.
“No I didn’t! I said the opposite of that. And then every so often I’ll get bored answering the question in a sensible way so I’ll make a joke. Every time I make a joke I’m like, ‘Why did you do that?’
“So the other day I was like, ‘Prove me wrong Marvel…’ and then that has ignited a whole thing. But yeah, I think it’s because Wolverine in the comics is fairly short – I think it’s people going, ‘Who’s a short actor? Him! He could maybe play him!'”
Despite a sense of frustration over the rumours, Radcliffe went on to call them “incredibly flattering” due to the mutant character’s synonymousness with Hugh Jackman, who played Logan across nine X-Men movies between 2000 and 2017.
Interestingly, the X-Men universe has finally bled into the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the multiverse’s introduction during both Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Read more
7 charged in France over daylight robbery of Lupin film crew (RFI)
France has charged seven youths over a massive daylight robbery from a film crew shooting the new season of hit Netflix heist series Lupin, French prosecutors said Friday.
The TV unit along with star actor Omar Sy were filming in the Pablo-Picasso district of the Paris suburb Nanterre in late February when they were attacked by around 20 hooded assailants.
Robbers launched fireworks at the crew before making off with equipment worth around €300,000.
The teens and men charged, aged between 13 and 21, are accused of armed robbery as part of an organised gang and receiving stolen goods, prosecutors in Nanterre said.
A source close to the investigation told French news agency AFP the youths were known to the police, adding that some of the stolen equipment had been recovered in searches.
Three of them are being held in custody while four are under judicial supervision.
Police are still searching for other members of the gang who are on the run.
A contemporary take on the early 20th century Arsene Lupin, Gentleman Thief stories by Maurice Leblanc, Lupin notched up millions of views when its first season was released on Netflix last year. Read more
Demi Moore celebrates ex-husband Bruce Willis’ 67th birthday (NYPost)
Demi Moore celebrates ex-husband Bruce Willis’ 67th birthday: ‘Thankful for our blended family’
Demi Moore sent a special birthday message to her ex-husband, Bruce Willis.
On Saturday, the 59-year-old actress posted to her Instagram a picture with Willis. She captioned the image of the former couple, “Happy birthday, Bruce! Thankful for our blended family,” adding a white heart emoji.
fan left a sweet message for the former couple and said, “Blended family goals! Adore you both. Blessings.” Read more
6 players arrive as Super Eagles’ camp for Ghana opens in Abuja (Guardian)
Super Eagles players on Monday started arriving at the team’s Abuja camp to prepare for the crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off against the Black Stars of Ghana.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles will face the Black Stars on Friday in Kumasi in the first leg game.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Babafemi Raji, told NAN that six players have arrived at the Abuja camp as at Monday morning, with more players being expected later in the day.
“I can confirm that we have six players in camp for now. More players are being expected today (Monday) however,” he said.
Raji said the early birds in camp include: Vice-Captain and Watford defender William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion) and Frank Onyeka (Brentford), all based in England.
The rest are Leon Balogun (Rangers, Scotland), Ola Aina (Torino FC, Italy) and Odion Ighalo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia). Read more
World Cup play-off: Ghana to unleash AS Roma teenager on Super Eagles (Vanguard)
The Black Stars of Ghana have invited AS Roma forward, Felix Afena-Gyan for the crucial World Cup play-off against the Super Eagles of Nigeria set to hold this Friday and next Tuesday.
Afena-Gyan accepted to play for the Black Stars after previously turning down invitations. A picture seen on Twitter showed the player on an airplane en route Ghana.
The 19-year-old refused to play for the Black Stars when Milovan Rajevac was still in charge for the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
Nigeria vs Ghana: Black Stars coach, Addo confident of overcoming Super Eagles
At the time, he claimed he was not ready for international football and wanted to focus on helping Roma.
However, a tweet by the teenager on Monday indicates that he has accepted and is part of the Black Stars team for the two-legged World Cup play-off against Nigeria. He tweeted ‘READY’ alongside the Ghanaian flag. Read more
Gary Neville takes dig at ‘tone deaf’ Marcus Rashford and Ralf Rangnick for ‘global tour’ during international break (Metro)
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has taken a dig at the likes of Marcus Rashford and Ralf Rangnick for their ‘tone deaf’ actions since the club’s defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Red Devils were knocked out of the Champions League after Diego Simeone’s side won 1-0 at Old Trafford last Tuesday and the club did not have a game last weekend, as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough in the third round.
United don’t play again for another fortnight due to the international break and the first-team squad have made the most of their break, jetting off to Dubai and the Caribbean for a rest. Read more
Norris ‘excited’ by prospects of Herta, Piastri (PlanetF1)
Lando Norris says he would enjoy seeing how Colton Herta and Oscar Piastri would get on in Formula 1 should they be offered seats in 2023.
Both drivers have been linked with Formula 1 drivers of late, Formula 2 champion Piastri missing out on a place on the grid for 2022 as nothing opened up for him.
The closest he came was a link to a seat at Alfa Romeo, but they ultimately plumped for fellow – and now former – Alpine junior Zhou Guanyu instead, leaving the young Australian on the sidelines for the coming year as Alpine’s reserve driver.
IndyCar star Herta, meanwhile, tested for Alfa in their simulator last year and reportedly went faster than Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi in that session. Read more
Tour rookie Davis Riley rolls to a tournament-best 62 for a 2-shot lead over Matthew NeSmith in Tampa (ESPN)
Davis Riley made three birdies from tough spots to close out the front nine and then kept right on rolling Saturday until he had a 9-under 62, a tournament scoring record and a 2-shot lead in the Valspar Championship.
And just like that, a Masters invitation is in view for Riley, a 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie.
He played before the largest gallery at steamy Innisbrook, most of them there to watch the other Alabama alum in the pairing. Justin Thomas did his part with a third consecutive 66, which any other year would have set a tournament record.
Riley stole the show with a creative chip-and-run from out of the rough and under a tree, and with a 70-foot bunker shot that clanged into the cup on the fly at No. 9. Those were two of his nine birdies on the Copperhead course — he had only 20 putts for the round — that helped him turn a 5-shot deficit into a 2-shot lead. Read more
Bektemir Melikuziev crushes David Zegarra in Two Rounds (BoxingScene)
Bektemir “Bek Bully” Melikuziev might not be as reckless as he once was in the ring, but the Uzbek native showed Saturday night that his eye-catching punching power remains the same.
Melikuziev stopped Peruvian David Zegarra with a hellacious body shot in the second round of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout on the undercard of the Alexis Rocha-Blair Cobb at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles.
It was the second win in a row for Melikuziev, who trains out of nearby Indio, since his upset loss to Gabe Rosado in their 168-pound bout last June. In that fight, Melikuziev lunged forward but got clipped with a counter right hand by the veteran Philadelphian.
Coincidentally, Melikuziev’s finishing blow against Zegarra mirrored the knockout loss to Rosado. Read more
Rafael Nadal experienced ‘worrying’ breathing difficulties during Indian Wells final defeat (Metro)
Rafael Nadal says he suffered from ‘worrying’ breathing difficulties during his straight-sets defeat by Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final.
Nadal, who became the most successful male tennis player in history when he won the Australian Open in January, suffered a 6-3 7-6 (7-5) defeat to American Fritz.
The Spaniard left the court for treatment at 4-0 down in the first set and said afterwards he was experiencing difficulties breathing.
‘It’s tough for me to breathe. When I try to breathe, it’s painful and it’s very uncomfortable,’ Nadal said. Read more