Farotimi told me he didn’t send Obi to beg Babalola – Lawyer (Channels)
Tope Temokun, one of the lawyers representing human rights activist and legal practitioner, Dele Farotimi, said his client did not send Peter Obi to beg octogenarian legal icon, Afe Babalola, in the alleged defamation suit involving Farotimi and Babalola.
Temokun was a guest on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
Earlier in December, the police in Ekiti State arrested Farotimi at his Lagos office and bundled him to Ekiti State for prosecution. Read more
Police arrest herbalist, 3 others for murder of sister in Niger (Tribune)
A young male suspect, identified as Habibu Umaru, alongside his two accomplices, has been arrested by Police Operatives attached to the Niger State Police Command over the alleged killing of his immediate elder sister in the Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police for Niger State, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, disclosed this over the weekend in Minna while parading no fewer than 24 suspects at the Command Headquarters in Dutshen Kura Hausa, Minna.
This parade was held as part of the Command’s year-end achievements and specifically related to the suspects arrested on Thursday, December 12, 2024, for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. Read more
Troops arrest 29 suspected oil thieves, destroy 42 illegal refineries (Nation)
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have continued their onslaughts against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta arresting 29 suspected oil thieves and destroying 42 illegal refineries.
The troops also recovered 197,009 litres of stolen products and demobilized 32 boats and 12 vehicles used by economic saboteurs in the region.
The acting deputy director of Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed that the troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Read more
Petrol-laden tanker spills content in Osun community (Punch)
A tanker carrying petroleum product spilled its contents after involving in an accident in the Adeeke area of Iwo, Osun State on Sunday.
The tanker, coming from Ibadan-end along Iwo/Ibadan Road, was said to be avoiding a commercial motorcyclist that suddenly veered towards its path, making the driver to momentarily lose control of the vehicle, and spill its contents.
A resident of the Adeeke area, identified simply as Rasaq, said police operatives, Fire Service men and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, drafted to the scene after the incident, immediately cordoned off the area. Read more
Lagos partners private investors to tackle brain drain, medical tourism with world-class hospital in Ikoyi (ThisDay)
As Nigeria continues to suffer the effects of brain drain and medical tourism due to a lack of medical facilities and equipment, the Lagos State Government is partnering with private investors to build the best and most modern medical facility in Ikoyi to stem the tide.
Speaking yesterday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the world-class medical facility at Lagos Medipark in Ikoyi, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the Chairman of Iwosan Investments Limited, Mr. Fola Adeola, and the Co-Founder and CEO of the company, Mrs. Fola Laoye for their vision.
The initiative, which is a Private-Public Partnership (PPP), is to build a befitting hospital that addresses the medical challenges plaguing the country. Read more
Tinubu pays ECOWAS N85b, $54m community levy (DailyTrust)
Nigeria has paid 85 billion and $54 million as community levy to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, disclosed this at the at the State House, Abuja, during his opening remarks at the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS.
Touray said the funds represents 100 percent of the 2023 levy and the level of 2024 up to July 2024. Read more
Sanwo-Olu commission 5 Alimosho roads, bridge (NewTelegraph)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu will on Monday, December 16, 2024, commission some rehabilitated and newly constructed roads and a bridge in the Alimosho Local Government Area.
The roads, Babafemi Dada with Bridge, Yinka Folarin-Jamiu Lawal-Shalom Academy Road Network in Alimosho Local Government Area are part of 36 completed roads earmarked for inauguration.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso disclosed this while speaking to the press on Saturday at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Read more
Road accident claims 3 lives in Lagos (Vanguard)
Three people have been confirmed dead, one injured, and another reported missing in a tragic accident involving an articulated truck on Sunday afternoon at PZ Junction, Odogunyan, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the accident occurred around 1:55 p.m. and was caused by the recklessness of a truck driver transporting twin 20-foot containers loaded with goods.
The truck reportedly lost control, veered off the road, and crashed into a parked containerized truck. The impact caused the parked truck to smash into several roadside shops, resulting in destruction and casualties. Read more
Mariah Carey makes chart history (MusicNews)
Mariah Carey has made chart history with ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’.
The 55-year-old singer’s 1994 festive classic has returned to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, extending her record for the highest number of years she has reached number one on the chart to 20.
According to figures from Billboard, Mariah’s appearance in 20 distinct years – as per chart dates – came from 1990 to 2000, as well as 2005, 2006, and 2008, and then, thanks to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’, annually every December from 2019 to now. Read more
Thousands feared dead after Cyclone Chido hits Mayotte in SE Africa (UPI)
Tropical Cyclone Chido struck southeast Africa, killing “perhaps a few thousand” in France’s islands territory of Mayotte on Saturday and then hitting independent Mozambique on Sunday, officials said.
Sustained winds were 124 mph in Mayotte and 115 mph in Mozambique. That would be the equivalent of a Category 3 storm if in the Atlantic Ocean instead of the Indian Ocean.
Originally 14 were reported dead in Mayotte but the island’s prefect, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, feared it is many times more. Read more
Billie Eilish gets hit in the face with object while singing ‘‘What Was I Made For?’’ during Arizona concert (People)
Billie Eilish had an object thrown at her while performing this week.
The singer, 22, was sitting cross-legged on stage at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday, Dec. 13, when what appeared to be a bracelet struck her in the face as she performed her song “What Was I Made For?”
In fan footage shared on TikTok, Eilish can be seen flinching and turning her head away from the crowd, before they gasped and booed at the action in outrage. Read more
Jamie Foxx injured in physical altercation at his birthday dinner (Independent)
Jamie Foxx’s 57th birthday party was cut short on Friday night (13 December) after he was left injured in a physical altercation.
The Django Unchained actor, who recently revealed he suffered a stroke last year, had been celebrating his birthday at Mr Chow in Beverly Hills when someone from another table threw a glass at him, according to a statement shared by his publicist.
“Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth,” the representative said. “He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called and the matter is now in law enforcement’s hands.” Read more
Palestinian journalist, Gaza Civil Defence workers killed in Israeli strike (AlJazeera)
An Israeli air strike has killed Palestinian journalist Ahmed Al-Louh and five Palestinian Civil Defence workers in central Gaza’s Nuseirat camp.
Al-Louh, who worked as a cameraman for Al Jazeera alongside other media outlets, was killed on Sunday in the strike on the Civil Defence post in the central Gaza camp, according to medics and local journalists.
The attack occurred as Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 Palestinians on Sunday, medics said. Allouh is the third journalist killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours. Read more
Singer in Iran arrested after performing on YouTube without a hijab (NBC)
A woman was arrested in Iran after she posted a video of herself singing without a hijab on YouTube, despite the Iranian parliament passage of a new, stricter law on women’s modesty that has been criticized by rights groups.
Parastoo Ahmady posted a 27-minute long video of her concert performance on Wednesday, in which she sang in a sleeveless dress with her hair down accompanied by four male musicians. In the caption, she described it as an “imaginary concert” and invited the audience to “imagine this beautiful homeland” in Iran.
The performance was filmed in a caravanserai, the name for the roadside inns historically built along the Silk Road to provide merchants and travelers with places to rest as they trekked the ancient trade route spanning North Africa to Central Asia. Ahmady wrote that it was “where history and our myths intertwine.” Read more
4 men arrested in North Macedonia during anti-terror operation, interior minister says (ABC)
Four men suspected of planning terrorist attacks were arrested Sunday in western North Macedonia, authorities said.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said the arrests were made during raids on several locations in the western towns of Struga and Gostivar. The four men are suspected of being “part of terrorist organizations (and) have been under surveillance for a long time.”
All are Macedonian nationals and were expected to face an investigating magistrate Sunday. Read more
Osimhen: I’m fit enough to face Trabzonspor (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen says he is fit enough to start against Trabzonspor in Monday’s Süper Lig clash.
The Nigerian international stated this in an interview with Beyaz TV via Ajansspor, where he confirmed that he has fully recovered from his injury.
He also appealed to the fans to come out in their numbers and cheer the team to victory. Read more
NFF backs Lookman, Nnadozie for CAF awards (Punch)
Ahead of Monday’s (today’s) CAF awards ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation has thrown its weight behind Nigerian stars, Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who are in the run for CAF Player of The Year awards in the men’s and women’s categories respectively, The PUNCH reports.
Lookman and Super Falcons goalkeeper Nnadozie lead Nigeria’s contest for honours at this year’s CAF event, as the country is in line for seven awards.
The men’s category is locked in a tight race between Lookman and four other contenders. The 27-year-old will vie for the men’s Player of The Year Award where with Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Read more
Kano Pillars crumble under Shooting Stars (ThisDay)
Shooting Stars defeated Kano Pillars 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Saturday.
The Sai Masu Gida who are ravaged by injuries could not fight back to earn a point.
However, Joshua Akpan fired the Oluyole Warriors into the lead one minute after the return from first half break.
Shooting Stars doubled their advantage through Adams Mustapha 12 minutes from time. Read more
Oscar Pistorius ‘finds love again’ with stunning blonde after Reeva Steenkamp murder release (Mirror)
Oscar Pistorius, who served nine years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in South Africa, is said to be dating business management consultant Rita Greyling
Convicted killer Oscar Pistorius is said to have found love again with a stunning blonde woman just months after being released from a tough prison on parole.
The disgraced Paralympian, 38, served nine years behind bars for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria, South Africa. The double amputee, dubbed “Blade Runner” for the prosthetics he used to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics, murdered her in his bathroom. Read more
Giannis, Bucks top Hawks 110-102, earn spot in NBA Cup championship game vs. Thunder (ABC)
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and was an assist away from a triple-double, Damian Lillard added 25 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 on Saturday to earn a spot in the NBA Cup championship game.
The Bucks will meet Oklahoma City, which beat Houston in the other semifinal, for the title on Tuesday night.
Antetokounmpo finished with 14 rebounds, nine assists and four blocks for the Bucks, who improved to 11-1 all-time in NBA Cup games — the only loss coming in last year’s semifinals. Read more
Nick Kyrgios comeback dream put into stark perspective by former Wimbledon champion (Tennis365)
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has cast doubts over Nick Kyrgios’ ability to compete at the top of the men’s game as he prepares to make his return to competitive tennis.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has only played one match on the ATP Tour in the last two years, but he has confirmed he will make his return to action in Brisbane next month.He then plans to compete at the Australian Open and will play doubles in that tournament with his close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis for what he has suggested will be ‘one last time’. Read more
