How Lagos policeman killed my pregnant wife – Lawyer’s husband (Punch)
Gbenga Raheem, the husband of a female lawyer, Omobolanle, who was shot dead by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, has narrated how his wife was killed.
Gbenga spoke on Monday when sympathisers visited his house in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro had exclusively reported that Omobolanle was coming from an eatery with some family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle.
The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Our correspondents gathered that the woman, who had a child, was seven-month pregnant when tragedy struck. Read more
Uproar over police killing of Lagos lawyer (Guardian)
Uproar, yesterday, trailed the tragic killing of a Lagos female lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day.
Raheem was shot dead by a police officer at Ajah in Lagos State while returning from a Christmas church service.
A similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago where an officer shot Gafaru Buraimoh.
The Guardian learnt that Raheem’s husband was driving when police operatives pulled up the car. Her children and sister also witnessed the shooting.
It was gathered that the officer, an unnamed Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was with a team of policemen before the incident tried to flee the scene immediately, but he was caught and detained by the police.
The late Raheem, a real estate consultant, was in the company of members of her family when she was shot dead. Read more
CBN monitors 6,047 BVNs over suspected fraudulent transactions (Punch)
At least 6,047 Bank Verification Numbers of bank customers have been placed under the Central Bank of Nigeria watch list for fraudulent transactions, The PUNCH has learnt.
This was contained in the CBN Financial Stability June 2022 report published in December 2022.
The report also noted that 11,871 BVNs have been watch-listed as deceased persons this year.
The report disclosed that the apex bank conducted an assessment of 28 banks and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System to ascertain compliance with the Regulatory Framework for BVN Operations and Watch-List for the Nigerian Banking Industry in the review period. Read more
Suspected killer of Bolanle Raheem in Police service for 33 years, says NBA (Channels)
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday identified the police officer who killed a lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem in Ajah, Lagos.
Channels Television had earlier reported the shooting incident that occurred on Sunday. The unnamed policeman attached to the Ajah Police Station and his team were said to have tried to stop Raheem and her family members as they drove back home from a Christmas Day church service.
The lawyer was shot when the car she was in tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge. While the incident has sparked widespread criticism, the Lagos State Police Command has said an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) and two other officers are currently in custody over the incident.
However, in a statement, NBA’s National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb, said the officer has been identified as “Drambi Vandi”, an assistant superintendent of police. Read more
Ex-envoy’s death: Buhari condoles Malami’s family (Vanguard)
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of the former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Shehu Malami, Sarkin Sudan of Wurno, who passed away last week.
In the President’s condolence message, delivered to the bereaved family, by the Minister of Police Affairs, Alh. Muhammadu Dingyadi, the President, described the news of the death of the Sokoto Prince and businessman, as “great shock and sad development”
President Buhari said the late Sarkin Sudan was a business leader, respected globally, who believed in this country’s economic prowess.
President Buhari added that, the late former Sarkin Sudan of Wurno, was a business icon, industrialist and a graceful traditionalist, whose passing away, is a big loss to the entire nation.
Fun seeker electrocuted, Lagos shuts event venue (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has ordered the closure and suspension of activities at the children’s section of Wonderland Lagos, on Monday, after a guest was electrocuted at the event venue.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Monday.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, in a joint inspection with the Lagos State Task Force team, stated that the move would prevent fatalities to children who visit the event.
He said, “The closure was imperative to prevent further exposure of attendees at the venue to prevent accidents that could lead to injuries and fatalities. Read more
Nigerian organisation emerges first to win Okayama award in W’Africa (Guardian)
A Nigerian owned pan-African non-profit organisation, Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network (GreenGrowthAfrica), has emerged winner of Okayama award for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the Pratt & Whitney E-STEM award.
The development makes the organisation the first in Nigeria and West Africa and the third in Africa to win the award, which is given to a maximum of two organisations from across the globe, yearly.
The organisation won the awards in the same month for its giant strides in promoting environmental education across the African continent and in extension the global community.
Bestowed based on global competition and evaluations by globally-reputed organisations, the awards came on the backdrop of the organisation’s initiatives, which educate and empower youth with hands-on and practice-oriented environmental education in African secondary schools. Read more
Socialite made us sleep with five men daily – Students (Punch)
A socialite, identified simply as Madam Success, has been remanded in prison for allegedly luring four female students into prostitution in Delta State.
The defendant was arraigned on Friday before a magistrates’ court, where she was denied bail and remanded.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the victims were lured by the suspect from Akwa Ibom State to Agbor, Delta State, on the pretext of making them sales girls.
The students, aged between 13 and 15 years, were said to have been put in a brothel and made to sleep with at least five men daily. Read more
US supports NDLEA with forensic, intelligence-gathering, prosecution tools (Guardian)
The United States government has announced a project to strengthen the forensic and chemical analysis capacity of the NDLEA as well as its intelligence gathering and prosecution capabilities.
NDLEA’s spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated this on Monday in Abuja.
He added that the support was from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
It came on the heels of an award of N500 million grant received by the agency from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative to fund selected projects.
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares sweet Christmas throwback snap of his mom from ”many years ago” (People)
Arnold Schwarzenegger is remembering his mom during the holidays.
On Monday, The Terminator star, 75, shared a sweet throwback snap of his mom standing next to a Christmas tree filled with colorful ornaments and hanging candles. The custom tradition originated among Germans in the early 17th century and is still celebrated throughout many parts of Germany and surrounding territories.
“I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! Here is a shot of my mother by the Christmas tree many years ago that I shared in my new newsletter,” wrote Schwarzenegger in the caption of the heartfelt tribute.
“Those are real candles hanging on the tree!” he explained. Read more
The Crown actor Stephen Greif dies aged 78 (Standard)
Stephen Greif, who appeared in Blake’s 7 and The Crown, has died aged 78, his representatives said.
The actor had an extensive career on stage and screen and appeared in other series including Doctors, Coronation Street and EastEnders.
His death was announced on Monday in an online statement from Michelle Braidman Associates.
“With great sadness we announce the death of our wonderful client Stephen Greif,” the statement read. Read more
NBA Youngboy names French Montana among his top 5 Rappers (HipHopDX)
NBA YoungBoy just shared a list of his top five favorite rappers, and French Montana surprisingly landed a spot amongst a group of other heavy hitters.
Last Friday (December 23), NBA YoungBoy shared another episode of his Never Broke Again Radio show on Amazon’s Amp platform, and he let fans know which top five artists are in his rotation.
Yeat joined forces with YoungBoy on “I Don’t Text Back” off his Hey Ma’ I Got A Family album. With Shy Glizzy, YB called on him for a guest feature on “Hard” on his 3800 Degrees project. With Young Thug, multiple records between the two have leaked, but none of them have been officially released to the public.
On another episode of his new show on Amp, YoungBoy also showed love to his artist Quando Rondo whom he said is a much better rapper than he is. Read more
Spice Girls’ Mel C praised by LGBTQ+ community after pulling out of Poland gig (DailyStar)
Spice Girls star Melanie C has pulled out of her New Year’s gig in Poland due to the country’s LGBT issues.
The singer took to social media to reveal why she came to this decision – and was in turn flooded with support from her fans.She wrote on Facebook: “In light of some issues that have been brought to my attention, that do not align with the communities I support, I’m afraid I will no longer be able to perform in Poland as planned on New Year’s Eve.
“I hope to be back there very soon. Hope you’re all having a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for 2023. Melanie xxx” Read more
Rohingya refugees reach Indonesia after spending month at sea (France24)
A second group in two days of weak and exhausted Rohingya Muslims landed on a beach in Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh on Monday after weeks at sea, officials said.
At least 185 men, women and children disembarked from a rickety wooden boat at dusk on Ujong Pie beach at Muara Tiga, a coastal village in Aceh’s Pidie district, said local police chief Fauzi, who goes by a single name.
“They are very weak because of dehydration and exhaustion after weeks at sea,” Fauzi said.
A distressing video circulated widely in social media showed the 185 dehydrated and exhausted Rohingya, crumpled weakly and emaciated, many crying for help. Read more
3 dead in Niger military helicopter crash (DailyTrust)
Three people died on Monday when a Nigerien military helicopter crashed on return from a routine training flight, the defence ministry said.
The accident happened when the Russian-built Mi-17 crashed as it was landing at a military base at Niamey airport.
“Unfortunately, all three crewmembers – a Nigerien officer and NCO and an expatriate instructor – died immediately despite efforts by rescue services to put out the fire,” it said in a statement.
Niger, the world’s poorest country by the benchmark of the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI), has vowed to boost its military in the face of jihadist insurgencies in the southwest and southeast of the country. Read more
”Terrorists” threaten Brazil’s presidential inauguration – incoming justice minister (France24)
Election-denying protesters camping outside Brazilian army bases have become “incubators of terrorism,” Brazil’s incoming justice minister said on Sunday, a day after police detonated an explosive device and arrested a suspect they accused of links to the Brasilia camp.
Supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro have been camped outside army bases in Brazil for weeks, urging the military to overturn the victory of leftist President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who takes office on January 1st.
“Yesterday’s serious events in Brasilia prove that the so-called ‘patriotic’ camps have become incubators for terrorists,” tweeted Flavio Dino, the incoming minister. “There will be no amnesty for terrorists, their supporters and financiers.”
Dino said arrangements for Lula’s inauguration would be “re-evaluated, with a view to tightening security.” Read more
Nigeria Shitoryo Karate Union holds end of year seminar, training (Guardian)
Nigeria Shitoryu Karate Union (NSKU), has unveiled plans to ensure its activities reach all the corners of the country in 2023.
Speaking at the Union’s end of the year party and seminar held at Vicamen Karate, Music and Fitness Centre, Okota, Lagos, NKSU President, Victor Akhimien, said the Union is dedicated to ensure people learn how to protect themselves from form of attack and also encourage athletes to improve on their Shitoryo karate skills to excel in local and international championships.
Akhimien said the end of year seminar, training and party was organised to teach athletes and their coaches the latest trends in Shitoryu Karate.
“Shitoryu karate is affiliated to Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) of which I am also a member. We also have the World Shitoryu Karate Federation. Read more
NPFL winners to receive N100m – Elegbeleye (Punch)
Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Nigeria Professional Football League, Gbenga Elegebeleye, has disclosed that the next NPFL champions will pocket a cash prize of N100m, while also giving details of how the abridged season will play out.
“We promised to give support to the clubs through our sponsors, and we will do that. Remember we had a four-team pre-season tournament, each of the clubs were given N10m as participation and the winner got N100m. So, what we say, we do and the winner of this season again, will get N100m.
“Mind you, N50m was promised to Rivers United that won the league last season and it has not been paid, so we will not promise what we will not do and we are ready to give Nigerians the best gift,” Elegbeleye said during a radio interview. Read more
Liverpool gazump United in move for £37m Cody Gakpo (IrishIndependent)
Liverpool are on the verge of gazumping Manchester United and completing a £37 million (€42m) deal for Holland international Cody Gakpo in the January transfer window.
The surprise Anfield move is advancing with Liverpool in the process of finalising talks with PSV Eindhoven for the 23-year-old and pencilling in a medical within the next 48 hours. The fee could rise to a £50m (€57m) package.
In securing a deal, Jurgen Klopp is inflicting a major setback to United and their coach Erik ten Hag, who had made Gakpo a prime target and seemed confident of agreeing terms.
Although Liverpool have been linked with several central midfielders, Klopp has shifted attention to his forward line, too, because of injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. Read more
Premier League: Arsenal extend lead, Harry Kane lifts Tottenham to 2-2 draw at Brentford (SCMP)
Arsenal opened up a seven-point lead with a 3-1 win over West Ham as the Premier League returned on Monday, while Newcastle climbed up to second thanks to an impressive 3-0 victory at Leicester.
Liverpool also made a winning return from the World Cup break by beating Aston Villa 3-1 and Harry Kane bounced back from his heartbreak in Qatar by scoring in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw at Brentford.
Arsenal’s momentum towards a first league title since 2004 could have been disturbed by the six-week midseason break.
But Mikel Arteta’s men passed another test of their resolve after going in 1-0 behind at half-time to Said Benrahma’s penalty. Read more
Tennis legend Sam Stosur backs Nick Kyrgios to thrive for Australia in new United Cup tournament (DailyMail)
Aussie tennis great Sam Stosur believes Nick Kyrgios will thrive in the team environment of the United Cup, despite the controversial star admitting he’s exhausted after 2022.
Kyrgios, 27, soon arrives back Down Under to lead the local contingent at the inaugural mixed gender United Cup, despite not playing in his nation’s recent appearance in the Davis Cup.
‘I think it’s no secret Nick loves being in a team and a team competition,’ Stosur told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I’m sure this is going to be right up his alley, being an Australian team in Australia at the start of the year. He’ll be keen and ready to go. Read more
Mbappe, Neymar return for PSG as league restarts (Punch)
Normal service is set to resume in France on Wednesday with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar both set to feature for leaders Paris Saint-German as they restart their Ligue 1 season, 45 days after it was popped on ice for the World Cup, with a home game against struggling Strasbourg.
Lionel Messi, however, will not be on show in round 16 as he is still at home, celebrating Argentina’s success in the World Cup final in Qatar.
The club, though, has been buoyed by reports last week that the 35-year-old Messi is set to sign a one-year extension to his contract which expires in the summer.
Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final but still ended up on the losing side as France flunked the penalty shoot-out, reported back to training on Wednesday with Achraf Hakimi, one of the stand-outs in Morocco’s run to the semi-finals. Read more