Evans denies kidnapping businessman, collecting $420,000 ransom (Channels)
Suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, has denied kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu, and collecting a $420,000 ransom from his family.
He made the denial on Friday while answering questions under cross-examination by the Lagos State government’s prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule.
Evans is standing trial at the Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja alongside an ex-soldier, Victor Aduba, on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
At the proceedings on Friday, Evans, a native of Nnewi in Anambra State, told the court that he was born on April 22, 1980. He vehemently denied knowing Ahamonu before his arrest. Read more
2023: Lagos APC, PDP in war of words over Sanwo-Olu (Guardian)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) offer of its 2023 governorship ticket to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a ‘greek gift,’ saying it was laughable.
However, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Dr. Wahab Dosunmu, yesterday, said a former state Publicity Secretary of the party, Ganiyu Taofeek, who announced the party’s readiness to welcome Sanwo-Olu into its fold and hand him the governorship ticket spoke in his personal capacity and not for party.
Spokesman of the APC in the state, Seye Oladejo, who acknowledged Sanwo-Olu’s performance, stated that the platform under which he was elected as governor was available to him to seek another term in office.
He, therefore, advised the PDP to desist from its alleged perennial tactics targeted at promoting falsehood, blackmail and arms-twisting strategies to destabilise the ruling APC in the state.
“While the thought of desperately offering its worthless electoral tickets to every passerby is laughable, the extent of the level of degradation, degeneration and comatose state of Lagos State PDP shouldn’t be lost on all and sundry. Read more
Apapa LG boss tasks firms on CSR (ThisDay)
The Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, has called on firms within the council area not to neglect their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and support her vision in rebuilding the local government.
A statement by the council’s Public Affairs Unit said the local government boss made the appeal while on a courtesy/familiarization visit to the Flour Mills Nigeria (FMN), Wharf Road, Apapa recently.
According to the statement, the council boss, in company with her aides and the management team, intimated the flour and pastry giant of her administration’s vision to transform the local government area into a modern port city, safer, cleaner and conducive for business.
She advocated partnership with the council as part of FMN CSR functions to help in the environmental aesthetics. Read more
Women groups demand passage of ‘reserved seats bills’, storm venue of constitution review in Abuja (Independent)
A group under the umbrella of 100 Women Lobby Group on Friday in Abuja stormed Transcorp Hilton, the venue of the retreat on electoral reforms and constitution review for the members of National Assembly to demand immediate passage of ‘Reserved Seats Bills ‘ and inclusion of women- focused issues in the constitution.
The placards carrying women said Nigeria was rated the worst performer in the West African Region when looking at the representation of women in parliament and the second-worst after Eritrea in the whole of the African continent.
The National Coordinator of the group, Felicia Onibon, said Nigeria women have paid their dues in all sectors and human endeavours including politics adding that women were still being excluded in mainstream politics and governance.
She stated that the presence of few women in the National Assembly led to the proposition of critical action of promoting affirmative and opportunities for women. Read more
Military to pay 90,000 ex-servicemen 25% of owed minimum wage arrears after protest (Punch)
The Military Pension Board said it had commenced the payment of the 24 months minimum wage arrears to retired personnel.
The PUNCH had reported that retired military personnel had on January 5 protested at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters and Ministry of Defence to demand the payment of the minimum wage allowance among others.
Addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja, the Chairman, Military Pensions Board, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, stated that the payment of 25 per cent of the allowance had commenced and over 90,000 retirees would be paid.
He said the board would ensure complete payment of the arrears before the end of the year subject to the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.
Lawal said, “The Military Pensions Board wishes to inform military retirees that the Board started paying 25 per cent of the arrears of minimum wage increments to eligible military retirees on MPB payroll Thursday, February 3, 2022. Read more
Med-View denies diverting $900,000 Hajj funds (DailyTrust)
Med-View Airlines PLC has said there is no scam in the airline’s Hajj operations of 2019.
The Airline made the clarification in response to the recent invitation of its Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Muneer Bankole.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Business Development, Mr. Isiaq Na’Allah, the airline said the invitation of the Managing Director by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to shed light on the 2019 operations and the contract with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The airline emphasised that there was no scam or diversion of funds meant for the 2019 Hajj airlift, and said the funds were utilised for necessary preparations, including aircraft maintenance and payment to service providers.
Specifically, the airline explained that the much touted $900,000 was paid directly by NAHCON to two service providers in Saudi Arabia namely General Authority of Aviation ($400,000 and Taibah Airports Development Company ($500,000) on July 5, 2019.
The statement said, “In spite of deft moves by some highly placed persons to frustrate the airline from the operations with late release of funds, Medview Airline airlifted 4,387 pilgrims from Kaduna, Yobe and Ogun States. The Pilgrims Boards in those states are living witnesses of the operation”. Read more
Aspira hosts Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Miss Nigeria (Punch)
Personal healthcare and laundry company, Aspira Nigeria, recently hosted actress, Adesua Etomi-Wellington; Miss Nigeria 2021, Shatu Garko; members of the press and other stakeholders to an event where Etomi-Wellington and Garko were formally unveiled as brand ambassadors of the firm.
Speaking during the event held on Victoria Island, Lagos, Etomi-Wellington revealed that the company’s Siri beauty and perfumed soap was the first beauty product she would be representing.
She said, “I have always been into skincare and I have been looking to work with a company whose core values align with mine. Aspira’s core values are in line with mine. I am really happy working with them.
“The working relationship has been amazing. They have been very helpful and understanding. We work together; not like they tell me what to do. We come up with ideas together and I think it’s wonderful that they care about my opinion. It’s a collaborative process and I think it speaks to the kind of people that they are. I am more than a face to them.” Read more
ASUU to embark on indefinite strike – UNIJOS chairman (Nation)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to embark on an indefinite strike action due to the failure of the Federal Government to implement the existing agreements with the body.
In a statement signed by the ASUU Chairman, University of Jos (UNIJOS) chapter, Lazarus Maigoro, the body said that the decision is intended to make stakeholders aware of the present predicament in the citadel of learning.
According to him, “We are resolved to proceed on an indefinite and comprehensive strike until fidelity returns to our relationship with the government and our demands are met.
Maigoro, who described the federal government as an “unfaithful spouse”, said the union would not relent until the standard of education is uplifted in the country. Read more
Environmental Degradation: UNN community files locus in quo interlocutory application (Vanguard)
One of the University of Nigeria host communities, Obukpa, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Thursday, filed locus in quo interlocutory application, which would compel an Enugu State High Court sitting in Nsukka to visit the scene of alleged environmental degradation by the university on the community.
The counsel to the plaintiff, C.I Odo, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the court sitting, said that the application has equally asked the court to stop the defendants, UNN and Viagem Property and Investment Limited from further construction work on the 11,900-room hostel allegedly degrading the host’s environment.
Odo argued that visiting the scene of the alleged environmental degradation would validate the claims made by the plaintiff against the defendants.
“Today was the continuation of the suit no N/86/2020, filed by Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, on behalf of the Obukpa community against the University of Nigeria, challenging the nuisance created by the University of Nigeria in the community. Prior to now, the activities of the university in the indiscriminate building of structures is threatening the existence of the Obukpa community. The new structure that has just been awarded is being sited into an erosion direction thereby blocking free flow of erosion in the community. Read more
UK player wins £109.9m EuroMillions jackpot (BBC)
A UK ticket-holder has won a £109.9m EuroMillions jackpot.
The winning numbers were 3, 25, 38, 43, 49 and the lucky star numbers were 3 and 7.
A UK player matched all seven numbers to scoop the top prize and lottery firm Camelot is urging players to check their tickets to see if they have won.
While it is a huge sum of money, the win is not in the top five highest UK winners, with a British record of £170m claimed in October 2019.
‘We sat in the garden giggling like children’
Andy Carter, senior winners’ adviser at The National Lottery, said: “What an amazing night for a single UK ticket-holder who has scooped tonight’s whopping £109.9 million special EuroMillions Super Jackpot.
“Players are urged to check their tickets and give us a call if they think they are tonight’s lucky winner.”
The winner has 180 days to claim their prize. Read more
Criminal Minds revival set to bring back original cast members (DigitalSpy)
Since news dropped that the Criminal Minds revival on Paramount+ is “alive and well”, viewers have now been treated to another exciting update.
According to Deadline, six fan-favourite cast members are in final talks to return for the 10-episode revival.
This includes:
Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez
AJ Cook as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau
Aisha Tyler as Dr Tara Lewis
Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
Reportedly, final negotiations have been delayed as ABC Signature makes a deal with longtime showrunner Erica Messer. Once the cast, ABC Signature, Paramount+ and Messer all come on board, the pieces will be in place for the series to go ahead. Read more
Uma Thurman, 51, had ‘anxiety’ when wearing skintight Kill Bill outfit after giving birth (DailyStar)
Uma Thurman has revealed she had “a lot of anxiety” when wearing the skintight Kill Bill outfit just after giving birth.
The 51-year-old actress had to wear the famous yellow tracksuit as she played the assassin called The Bride in Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 two-part martial arts film.
When the first feature was filmed, the Hollywood star had only just given birth to her son Levon and had to wear the iconic yellow outfit.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, she said: “I really didn’t want to wear the yellow tracksuit. Read more
Sara Haines shows support for Whoopi Goldberg amid The View suspension: ‘To learn’ is ‘all we can ask’ (People)
Sara Haines is showing her support for Whoopi Goldberg during her co-worker’s brief absence from The View.
After the EGOT winner, 66, received a two-week suspension this week from the daytime talk show over her misinformed Holocaust comments, for which she’s since apologized, Goldberg’s co-host shared a throwback snapshot of the two of them taking a selfie.
“This just popped up and warmed my heart. That’s my Whoops!!!!” Haines, 44, wrote, sharing the photo Friday on Instagram.
However, Haines didn’t receive all positive feedback from her followers — and called out the haters in the comments section of her post. Read more
Guy Ritchie’s new movie adds Antony Starr, Dar Salim and Emily Beecham as production begins in Spain (Collider)
Filming has begun for the upcoming Guy Ritchie film. Currently untitled, the action film stars Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role. In an exclusive with Deadline, it was reported that filming was taking place in Alicante, Spain. When Gyllenhaal’s casting was announced in October, the film was reportedly dubbed The Interpreter, however, this title has since been rescinded.
With a reported budget of $55 million, the untitled war film will see Gyllenhaal as Sergeant John Kinley, a former soldier who must return to the Afghanistan war zone to save the life of interpreter and friend Ahmed (played by Dar Salim), whose family was denied safe passage into the US. With enemy combatants also looking for Ahmed, it’s a race against time as Kinley attempts to repay Ahmed for saving his life on a previous tour.
Joining Gyllenhaal and Salim in undisclosed roles are Alexander Ludwig (Hunger Games), Antony Star (The Boys), Jason Wong (Strangers), Bobby Schofield (Anne), Sean Sagar (The Gentleman), and Emily Beecham (Cruella). Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, and Marn Davies are credited as scriptwriters, with Atkinson set to produce alongside Ritchie, Josh Berger, and John Friedberg from STXfilms. Olga Filipuk and Samantha Waite act as executive producers.
“This will be our third collaboration with Guy,” Stated Friedberg, “STX is proud to be in a position to support extraordinary filmmakers like him, especially when working with such strong material – I’m thrilled that we were able to put this film together alongside Ivan and Josh.” Ritchie added, “Jake Gyllenhaal is a fantastic talent. At last I have found a perfect project on which we can collaborate.” Read more
PJ Harvey appears to be back in the studio working on new music (NME)
PJ Harvey looks like she might be back in the studio working on new music, if her latest social media post is any indication.
Earlier today (February 4), the iconic singer-songwriter shared a series of black and white photos of herself in the studio, taken by Steve Gullick, seemingly teasing the arrival of new music.
Dated 2022, the three pics show Harvey playing a guitar, fiddling with some guitar pedals, and sitting in front of a mic stand. No further information or context has been shared.
Harvey’s last solo full-length was 2016’s ‘The Hope Six Demolition Project’, which featured the tracks ‘The Wheel’, ‘The Community Of Hope’ and ‘The Orange Monkey’. Read more
Deaf rappers to perform with Eminem, Dre, Snoop at Super Bowl halftime: ‘I want to open the door’ (USAToday)
Sean Forbes had expected to experience this year’s Super Bowl like usual — in front of a television.
Then the deaf Detroit rapper got the electrifying phone call that promised a career milestone: The NFL wanted him for its upcoming Super Bowl LVI halftime show, performing alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige in the 56-year-old game’s first-ever hip-hop extravaganza.
And so Forbes will be there on Feb. 13 at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium, where he and fellow deaf rapper Warren (WaWa) Snipe will perform sign-language interpretations of the headliners’ music.
It’s the first time the NFL has incorporated sign-language performances as part of the halftime program. Their American Sign Language (ASL) renditions, what the NFL describes as an elevated accessibility experience, will be viewable at NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Read more
Qatar 2022 World Cup: Omokaro, Okosieme, Eboigbe call for continuity in Eagles (NewTelegraph)
Former Nigerian Internationals Bright Omokaro, Ndubuisi Okosieme and Sunday Ebiogbe have called for continuity in the Super Eagles technical crew. In separate interviews with our reporter, the trio called on the Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick and his team to forget the idea of hiring a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles, adding that the team needs continuity to be able to do well at the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Omokaro believes the Eagles were unlucky to have crashed out of the tournament in the round of 16 and enjoined the NFF to keep the technical crew for the World Cup qualifiers and the tournament proper, “Despite our exit from the Nations Cup in the second stage, it is good to give credits to the Austin Eguavoen- led squad.
In football, you win some and lose some. The fact that we were eliminated by Tunisia does not mean that Super Eagles did not play ball, they were unlucky not to have made use of the opportunity they had in the first 45 minutes of the encounter. I would say that this team needs continuity, they are young and dynamic, they are very disciplined; they have high respect for the coaches and managers, so I feel if they continue they will do very well at the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar.”
Okosieme insisted the erstwhile manager Gernot Rohr left the side in a bad shape and the revival was evident in the way the team played in Cameroon and the NFF must not puncture the rhythm with another change of guard. “I think Eguavoen should be allowed to continue with the team. You will agree with me that the former manager Gernot Rohr, left the team in tattered and within a short period Eguavoen was able to gather the boys and went to the Nations Cup and played three matches winning all. “The fact they lost 1-0 to Tunisia in the Round of 16 does not mean they are bad; things like that happen in the game. Read more
Cameroun to face Burkina Faso in 3rd place match (Guardian)
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts, Cameroun will hope to end their tournament on a high when taking on Burkina Faso for the bronze medal today.
A gruelling penalty shootout defeat against seven-time champions Egypt ended their hopes of a title on home soil and they will be back in action just 48 hours later in Yaounde.
That is because CAF moved this game forward a day, having originally scheduled it for tomorrow afternoon. Burkina Faso’s wait for an AFCON crown goes on after losing to Senegal in the semis, but they can replicate their third-place finish in 2017 by defeating Cameroun.
Several changes are expected for both teams, particularly with Cameroun playing only 48 hours after their semi-final that went the distance against Egypt. Read more
CAS upholds Issa Hayatou’s appeal over one-year ban by FIFA (DailyMail)
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld an appeal filed by former Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou after FIFA banned Hayatou for alleged wrongdoing in a commercial deal for African soccer.
Hayatou, who was Confederation of African Football president for 29 years until 2017 and was also FIFA’s former interim president, was banned for one year last August for a breach of “duty of loyalty” rules, FIFA said in announcing the ruling of its ethics committee.
He was also fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,000).
Hayatou launched an appeal soon after. Read more
Old flaw comes back to bite Man Utd as Red Devils crash out of FA Cup (Mirror)
Gary Neville came up with a solution to one of the problems encountered at Old Trafford as Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup as they lost to Middlesbrough on penalties.
It was a frustrating evening for Ralf Rangnick’s side as they twice hit the woodwork, missed a penalty and failed to make the most of their dominance.
United did take the lead after Bruno Fernandes fired over to Jadon Sancho on the left, with the summer signing showing nice footwork before hitting a drive that went in via an Isaiah Jones deflection.
But Middlesbrough equalised in the second half when Matt Crooks slid in to finish after Duncan Watmore handled before crossing for the midfielder to score. Read more
Ireland’s Power seizes Pebble Beach lead (France24)
Ireland’s Seamus Power fired 10 birdies in an eight-under-par 64 on Thursday to grab the second-round lead in the US PGA Tour Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Power birdied eight holes in an 11-hole stretch on the iconic par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links — one of three courses in use for the tournament along with par-72 Spyglass Hill and the par-71 Monterey Peninsula Shore Course.
At 16-under, he was five shots clear, in relation to par, of Andrew Putnam, Canada’s Adam Svensson and first-round leader Tom Hoge.
Putnam posted six birdies in a five-under 67 at Spyglass Hill, Svensson rocketed up the leaderboard with an eight-under 63 at Monterey Peninsula and Hoge carded a two-under par 69 at Monterey Peninsula to share second on 11-under. Read more
Roy Jones Jr. praises Chris Eubank Jr.: “He has the talent to be more than what I was in Boxing” (BoxingInsider)
Roy Jones Jr. has thoroughly enjoyed his time as the head trainer of middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr.
Throughout much of the British star’s young career, he’s gone the solo route, training himself for each of his fights and going without someone in his corner during breaks in-between rounds. While his unconventional method has gotten to where he is today, the now 32-year-old decided that it was time for a change.
With Jones Jr. in his corner, the pair have gone undefeated, scoring two wins in a row, including a fifth-round stoppage win over Wanik Awdijan. This Saturday night, at the Newcastle Arena in the United Kingdom, Eubank Jr. will attempt to end his rivalry with highly ranked middleweight contender Liam Williams.
Having closed the door on his legendary boxing career in 2018, Jones Jr. is widely considered by most as arguably the greatest fighter that’s ever laced em up. Still, despite his lofty standings in the pugilistic sport, Jones Jr. believes that after watching Eubank Jr. up close and personal, he has the chance to usurp him in the boxing hierarchy. Read more
Siakam matches season high with 33 points, Raptors top Hawks (BellinghamHerald)
Pascal Siakam matched his season high with 33 points, Fred VanVleet had 26 points and 11 assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat the Atlanta Hawks 125-114 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory.
The Raptors also beat the Hawks 106-100 in Atlanta on Monday night.
Siakam scored 21 points in the first quarter. Gary Trent Jr. added 19 points, Scottie Barnies had 16, Chris Boucher 11 and Precious Achiuwa 10.
De’Andre Hunter and John Collins each scored 23 points for Atlanta, Trae Young had 22 points and 13 assists, and Bodan Bogdanovic had 18 points. Atlanta is 8-2 in its last 10, losing only to Toronto. Read more
