How Lagos DPO died mysteriously (Vanguard)
Mojeed Salami, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Seme Police Division, Lagos State Police command is dead.
SP Salami reportedly collapsed in his office on Tuesday, January 10 and was confirmed dead at the hospital where he was rushed to.
Vanguard learned that the deceased had complained of headache on the said day and had visited the hospital.
He returned but was still feeling unwell. He asked his orderly to tell the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) to come to his office, as he wanted to leave, but not without handing over official proceedings to the DCO. It was reported that the orderly returned to meet the deceased on the floor gasping for breath. He was rushed to the Badagry General Hospital where he was confirmed dead. Read more
Lagos couple arrested for brutalising children (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a couple, Busola Oyediran and her partner, Akebiara Emmanuel, for allegedly torturing her two children in the Egbeda/Idimu area of the state.
The PUNCH gathered that neighbours of the couple who saw them subjecting the minors to torture resulting in the victims sustaining injuries on various parts of their bodies, alerted the police.
The police, upon getting the information, stormed the couple’s residence and arrested them on Friday, January 13, 2023.
A picture showing injuries on the victims’ bodies was sighted by our correspondent. Read more
Gunmen invade CUPP spokesperson’s residence, kill uncle, 2 others (Sun)
Gunmen at the weekend invaded the residence of the spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere, at Akokwa in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to a source from the area, the gunmen who came in large numbers were confronted in a fierce gun duel with Ugochinyeren’s police orderlies, preventing them from getting at him.
But, his uncle living close to him was said to have been killed during the melee and two others yet to be identified butchered to death.
Also, the gunmen were said to have set some houses around his residence on fire including vehicles. Read more
Release Nnamdi Kanu to me, Soludo tells Buhari (DailyTrust)
Governor of Anambra state Prof Charles Soludo has appealed to the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to him. He said that he will provide him anytime he is needed by the government or court.
Soludo made the appeal at the flag off of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) presidential candidate Prof Peter Umeadi campaign rally in Awka Anambra state.
He noted that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be in prison custody while the issues of insecurity are being discussed in the entire South East.
Soludo said, “We need him around the discussion table, we need him to discuss the future of South East. If the federal government cannot release him unconditionally, I now offer myself to ask the federal government to release him to me. Read more
Advocacy Group bemoans the destruction of TBS iconic gate (ThisDay)
Legacy 1995, an historical and environmental interest group of Nigeria, has condemned the unlawful destruction of the iconic gates at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island.
The gates are essentially historical monuments and emblems of Nigeria’s independence.
Prior to the demolition, the previous entrance structure had gigantic sculptures of four white horses hovering above the gate and seven red eagles, which are symbols from the national emblem signifying Strength and Dignity respectively.
Other monuments in the square include the Remembrance Arcade (with memorials to World War I, World War II and Nigerian civil war victims) and the 26-storey Independence House, built in 1963 which was for a long time, the tallest building in Nigeria. Read more
Man, 50, razes father’s house, sets self ablaze in Ondo (Guardian)
A fifty-years-old man, Ojo Ogundeji, allegedly committed suicide, yesterday, after setting himself ablaze in his father’s house in Ondo West Local Council of the state.
The deceased, who lived in Lagos, was said to have returned to his hometown for the Yuletide.
The Guardian learnt that Ogundeji had deliberately locked himself in a room within his father’s house, situated along the Odojomu axis of the town before setting it on fire.
According to eyewitnesses, he was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
The witness said the entire building was razed before the arrival of the men of the State Fire Service. Read more
Supreme Court dismisses Abacha family’s bid to stop criminal forfeiture proceedings (Nation)
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the family of Sani Abacha seeking to stop the Federal Government from reopening criminal forfeiture proceedings against the former head of state.
Delivering judgment on Friday, the apex court, led by Emmanuel Agim, upheld the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Both courts had earlier endorsed the power of the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family.
The court dismissed the suit for lack of merit and substance. Read more
NDLEA arrests 137 in Niger (Guardian)
The Niger Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 137 drug suspects.
The agency also stated on Saturday in Minna that it would destroy 21 tonnes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the state in 2022.
Mr Haruna Kwetishe, the State Commander, NDLEA, announced this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.
“In our scorecard for the year 2022, NDLEA Niger Command made a total arrest of 137 suspects, among them 135 males and two females.Read more
Fire guts auto spare parts market in Ibadan (DailyTrust)
No fewer than 25 shops were gutted by fire at Araromi Spare parts market, Agodi Gate, Ibadan in the early hours of Saturday.
General Manager, Oyo State Fire Service, Rev. Canon Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ibadan.
Akinyinka said the service got a call about the incident around 2:30 am and immediately deployed personnel to the place to stop the fire.
“The incident was caused by a careless burning of refuse, they refused to put off the burning refuse before leaving the shop and it escalated. Read more
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen welcome new child (TMZ)
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen just added a new bundle of joy to their growing family.
The Grammy Award-winning singer announced he and his model wife had welcomed their fourth child on Friday morning … and John delivered the happy news during a private performance that night, according to People.
“What a blessed day,” John gushed to the audience. He then said he “didn’t get a lot of sleep,” but he “feels energized” despite long hours at the hospital.
The crowd went wild … and some fans promptly took to social media to break the big news to the world. Read more
Spike Lee launches fellowship program for HBCU film students (Ebony)
Oscar-winning filmmaker and EBONY Power 100 Icon honoree Spike Lee has announced the creation of the Spike Lee Fellows Program to support HBCU film students.
In partnership with the Gersh Agency, a premiere talent and literary agency, the program will serve aspiring filmmakers at the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), that’s made up of Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University, according to the press release.
Lee, a proud graduate of Morehouse, shared his excitement about establishing the fellowship in a statement.
“It is with great honor, privilege, and excitement to announce the Spike Fellows in association with my partners The Gersh Agency and the AUCC,” Lee’s statement read. “From the jump, from the get-go, I knew when (not if) I opened a crack in the door, I was bringing as many Black and Brown folks with me in front and behind the camera.” Read more
Single-day tickets announced for Metallica’s ‘‘M72’’ world tour (NME)
Metallica fans will soon be able to buy tickets for individual dates of the band’s upcoming ‘M72’ tour, on which they’ll perform two shows – each with unique setlists – in every city.
Announced in support of Metallica’s 11th album, ‘72 Seasons’ (due out on April 14), the tour will comprise a total of 46 shows, split evenly between 23 cities. The idea is that both nights in each city will feature completely different setlists and unique opening acts, with Metallica also performing “in the round”.
Until now, prospective concertgoers only had the option to purchase tickets for both nights in each city. This will only be the case for another few days, though, as single-day tickets are set to go on sale at 10am local time next Friday (January 20). Read more
Lisa Marie Presley to be buried with son Benjamin at Elvis’s Graceland estate (LBC)
Lisa Marie Presley will be buried at Graceland with her late son Benjamin.
Elvis’s only daughter died on Thursday aged 54 after suffering cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California.
She is due to be laid to rest at the famous Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis and his parents Gladys and Vernon are also buried.
A representative for Ms Presley’s daughter Riley Keough told The Hollywood Reporter: “Lisa Marie’s final resting place will be at Graceland, next to her beloved son Ben.” Read more
Prince Harry: Family would never forgive me if I told all (BBC)
Prince Harry claims he had enough material for “two books”, and did not include some things in his memoir because his father and brother would never forgive him.
He told the Daily Telegraph there were some things “I just don’t want the world to know”.
He also said he wanted an apology to Meghan from his family members.
Spare, published this week, has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever in the UK.
The book outlines a long list of grievances against the Royal Family, as well as unresolved trauma over the death of his mother, his struggles with mental health, the isolated life he led before meeting Meghan, and the breakdown of relations with family members.
Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have both said they will not comment on its contents. Read more
Virginie Efira claims French Cinema Award from France’s Minister of Culture (Variety)
Studio executives, renowned directors, and a crop of rising young talent huddled below crystal chandeliers in Paris’ Palais Royal on Thursday, turning out to fête “Benedetta” star Virginie Efira as she received the Unifrance French Cinema Award – a prize honoring those who carry the banner for Gallic cinema across the globe – from the country’s Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak.
Organized as part of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris, the ceremony drew a fittingly international crowd, with filmmakers Emily Atef, Juho Kuosmanen, Sergei Loznitsa and Albert Serra joining “Athena” star Dali Benssalah, “Forever Young” lead Nadia Tereszkiewicz, “Mother and Son” breakout Annabelle Lengronne and “Everybody Loves Jeanne” director Céline Devaux for an intimate reception held in opulent surroundings.
Abdul Malak kicked off the Efira tribute with a victory lap of sorts, boasting about local theatrical attendance rates – which, with only 29% lost compared with 2019, marks the most successful post-pandemic rebound worldwide – while touting the 27 million international admissions Gallic films banked in 2022.
Unifrance president Serge Toubiana then toasted Efira, praising the star for her range, likening her abilities to those of a “Swiss-army knife” for her agility carrying drama, comedy, tragedy and farce with equal aplomb. “The audience will follow wherever you take them,” said Toubiana. “You create intimacy with your characters, while maintaining their mysteries. This, without a doubt, is your signature.” Read more
UK to provide tanks to Ukraine as Russia targets Kyiv (RTE)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to provide heavy tanks to Ukraine to help Kyiv’s forces “push Russian troops back”.
Mr Sunak made the pledge to supply the tanks and additional artillery systems as a sign of the UK’s “ambition to intensify our support to Ukraine”, according to a readout of a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The move makes the UK the first Western power to supply the Ukrainians with main battle tanks.
Ukraine’s European allies have sent Kyiv more than 300 modernised Soviet tanks since Russia invaded in February 2022. Read more
Oshoala mocks Chelsea (Sun)
Super Falcons and Barcelona Femeni star Asisat Oshoala has thrown shades at Chelsea and its fans following their defeat against Fulham.
The Blues were expected to have a smooth visit at the Craven Cottage Stadium, but the host was the best as they grabbed all points with a 2-1 victory against Chelsea.
Graham Potter has been faced with a lot of criticism from his side following their poor run since they resumed their post-World Cup fixtures.
The fans, however, have not been given something to cheer for so far in the 2022-23 season campaign, having suffered more embarrassment being shown the exit door by Manchester City. Read more
6 nations bid to replace Guinea as 2025 Africa Cup hosts (DailyMail)
Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and Benin-Nigeria want to replace Guinea as hosts of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed on Saturday.
Guinea, chosen in 2014 to stage the premier African national team tournament, withdrew last year after little progress had been made in preparing for the biennial event.
CAF officials will do inspection tours of all the candidates this month with the winners to be announced on February 10.
South African billionaire businessman Motsepe said the successful country or countries would offer the best “transport, logistics, hotels and beautiful stadiums”. Read more
Manchester United blow Premier League title race wide open with stunning victory over Man City (IrishIndependent)
Manchester United struck twice in the space of four minutes late on to snatch a dramatic and controversial 2-1 derby win over Manchester City on Saturday.
Jack Grealish looked to have headed City to a crucial victory in their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League when he came off the bench to head home on the hour at Old Trafford.
But United responded to claim a hotly-contested equaliser through Bruno Fernandes after Marcus Rashford was deemed by VAR not to be interfering with play despite racing towards the ball from an offside position.
City reacted furiously and failed to regroup after play restarted, allowing Rashford to poke home a winner from an Alejandro Garnacho cross eight minutes from time. Read more
Hero Cup: Continental Europe stretch lead over GB and Ireland to 2 points after Saturday foursomes (Sky)
Continental Europe will take a two-point lead into the final day of the Hero Cup after shading the Saturday afternoon foursomes.
Francesco Molinari’s men were a point ahead of Great Britain and Ireland overnight and held on to that slender advantage when the teams took 2.5 points each from the five foursomes matches on Saturday morning.
The afternoon session then finished 3-2 to Continental Europe to give them an 8.5-6.5 cushion ahead of the Sunday singles at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, although Molinari is not getting ahead of himself.
“We’ve done a great job winning two sessions out of three and halving the other one,” Molinari said. “So, we need to go out and win the session. Read more
Former top 10 player backs Emma Raducanu to defy her critics (Tennis365)
Emma Raducanu looks set to play at the Australian Open after overcoming an ankle injury and she has been backed to defy her critics after a challenging first full year on the WTA Tour.
Raduanu shot to international fame after her remarkable win at the US Open, winning 10 matches and coming through qualifying to create one of the greatest stories in tennis history.
Backing that up with a successful first year on the WTA Tour was always likely to be a challenge, with inflated expectations and injuries adding to the challenges faced by the young Brit.
Now she is preparing to kick-start her 2023 campaign, after overcoming an ankle injury sustained in her first tournament of the year in Adelaide. Read more
Kenya suspends 16 players and coaches for match-fixing (Guardian)
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has suspended 14 players and two coaches for match-fixing after receiving a tip-off about cheating in the national league.
Among those suspended Friday were six players from Zoo Kericho FC, which was found guilty of match-fixing by FIFA’s integrity unit in 2021 and expelled from the Kenyan Premier League.
The federation said it had suspended those accused, including one player from reigning Kenyan premiership side Tusker, until the matter was formally investigated.“Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has received confidential reports alleging the involvement of various players and officials in match fixing activities,” it said in a statement. Read more