I prefer death to imprisonment – Teenager who set girlfriend ablaze (Punch)
Eighteen-year-old Internet fraudster, Victor Orji, who allegedly killed his girlfriend – 24-year-old Mariam Alabi, tells SIMON UTEBOR what transpired and how he found himself in police net.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Victor Orji, I am 18 years old. I was born on July 9, 2001. I am from Benue State. My mother is from Enugu State while my father is from Benue State Olatagba Abadi Local Government. I attended Al-Barka Primary School and I moved to Oduduwa Junior High School and I moved down to Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Lagos. I completed my secondary education in 2016.
The lady you set ablaze, who is now deceased, was said to be your girlfriend, when did you start dating?
We had been dating since February 28, 2019. I met her through a friend.
What was she doing when both of you met and became friends?
She was a sex worker. I was aware of that. Initially, our intention was not to date each other. I only wanted to have sex with her and pay her off. Read more
Oba Oniru’s vacant stool: cold war continues (Nation)
As predicted, there is a stiff battle going on in a bid to fill the vacant seat of the late Oba Idowu Oniru. Two names in the driving seat are Aremo Adesegun Oniru, the monarch’s son and a police officer, Prince Hakeem Ajasa, who is from Abisogun family, said to be the next in line to the throne.
Ajasa, who was the Chief Security Officer to former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, had earlier been presented by Chief Kashimawo Bello to the heads of Omowunmi, Ewumi, Omisade and Oresanya families, which constitute the Abisogun Ruling House. Plans are also on to present the Chief Security Officer to House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and to the Lagos State Government. Read more
NIS commences e-passport issuance at Alausa, Lagos office (Guardian)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced issuing e-passport at its Alausa, Lagos office. The service also announced that the recent visa on arrival policy would take effect from January 2020.The Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede said visa on an arrival, which is an effort by the Nigerian government to promote African integration, would come into effect from January 2020, and not this year.
In a statement issued by NIS’ Public Relations Officer, Sunday James, Babandede said the policy would further ensure free movement of Nigerians within the African continent. Read more
Lagos thug blinds driver’s eye with broken bottle (Punch)
A motor park thug, popularly known as agbero, Sodiq Adebayo, has been arraigned in a Lagos State magistrates’ court for damaging the left eye of a commercial driver, Rasheed Lazeez.
Adebayo reportedly stabbed the yellow bus (Danfo) driver in the eye with a bottle at AP bus stop, Mushin area of the state.
Sunday PUNCH learnt that Adebayo had told Lazeez to drive away from a spot he had wanted to pick passengers but Lazeez reportedly ignored him. Read more
#Sexforgrades: ‘Lagos govt mustn’t allow offenders go unpunished’ (Punch)
The Chief Executive Officer, WFM 91.7, Mrs Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, has asked the Lagos State Government not to be silent on the expected prosecution of anyone found wanting in the sex for grades documentary.
She said the state government was yet to take action on the case of Dr Boniface Igbeneghu, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, who was captured in the sex-for-grades documentary by the BBC.
Okewale-Sonaiya, who spoke at the inaugural annual lecture series organised in Lagos by the alumni of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, said, “Dr Boniface is a pastor who allegedly committed sexual harassment. Read more
Bankers affirm January 2020 N25b theatre facelift takeoff (Guardian)
The planned facelift of the National Theatre and development of creative industry hub around it, with upgraded financing of about N25 billion, will takeoff in January 2020.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the nation’s banking industry, under the aegis of Bankers Committee, yesterday, affirmed the move at their 2019 retreat in Ogun State.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, while addressing journalists at the end of the retreat, said the bankers have received report from the consultant handling the project and would commence work.The move, which is aimed at lifting the creative industry hitherto challenged by lack of financing opportunities, will focus on fashion, music, IT and movie and will target the development of such facilities in Rivers, Kano and Enugu states. Read more
Modular rice mills, boost to SMEs -NIDO boss (Nation)
The President of Nigerians in the Diaspora (Asia Group), Prof. Emenike Ejiogu has described the introduction of the modular rice milling machine into the nation’s market as “a blessing to the rice value chain and a boost to the small scale sector of the economy.”
Prof. Ejiogu stated this in his opening remarks at the seminar and awareness programme on the rice value chain organised recently by NIDO in collaboration with their Asian partners for stakeholders in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, which major highlight was the introduction of a compact modular rice milling machine into the market and demonstration of its usage to rice farmers, millers, sellers, businessmen and the media, Ejiogu said the Kanryu rice husking and milling machine was specifically made for the African market and targeted at the small scale farmers and rice millers. Read more
Nigerians diss N100K prize for OAU best graduating student Lawal Oluwafemi (Punch)
While the academic achievements of Mr. Lawal Oluwafemi have led to a #CongratulationsSir hashtag on Twitter, his prize of N100,000 has been criticised by Nigerian who see it as ‘paltry.’
Critics of the amount of money weighed the prize against the N30m award for the winner of the Big Brother Naija Season Four.
Oluwafemi, who graduated with B.Sc Accounting from OAU had taken to his Twitter handle @phlawalmoses to announce his award. Read more
Fraud: EFCC Marks Orji Kalu’s Properties (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, marked properties belonging to former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu. This is to ensure that the properties are not dissipated, following the December 5, 2019 order of Justice Muhammed Idris, sitting at the Ikoyi Federal High Court, that Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, be wound up and all assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
Kalu, a Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, was arraigned alongside Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, his former Director of Finance and Accounts in the state, over an amended 39-count charge bordering on conspiring and
diverting the sum of N7.65bn from the state’s coffers.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, thereby leading to their full trial. Meanwhile, the management of the Sun Publishing Limited, yesterday, reacted to a visit by EFCC officials to its corporate headquarters in Kirikiri, Lagos, describing it as unwarranted. Read more
Primate to Presidency: Ensure cordial relationship with media (Nation)
The Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh has advised the presidency to work together with the Nigerian media, if the country must develop. Okoh, who gave the advice at the dedication of Advent Cable Network Nigeria (ACNN), a state of the art studio and unveiling of new logo, in Abuja, prays that the government and the press will work together, because the citizenry is the subject of both the government and the press.
According to the Primate, the press in its crusade is working for the people. Also the government in its crusade is working for the people adding that there should be synergy between the government and the press for ultimate result. Read more
Lauretta Cookey unleashes seven songs for Christmas (Vanguard)
Vocal queen, Lauretta Cookey has great plans to make this Christmas like no other as she is set to release her debut album titled ‘That Time of Year’, comprising of seven tracks, all Christmas songs, undiluted, raw with a twist, unconventional to run-of-the-mill gospel songs.
According to her, the songs are already known to the public, all she did was to give it verve and present it in the most unusual way.
“ They are popular songs, but recorded with a twist, so they sound different, exciting and fun. Read more
Gunmen kill OAU professor of medicine (Punch)
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile Ife, Osun State, Prof. Jerome Elusiyan, was Friday evening attacked and killed by some unknown gunmen in Edo State.
Kemi Fasooto, the Public Relations Officer of OAU Teaching Hospital, confirmed his death in a chat with Sunday PUNCH.
It was learnt that the late professor was in Edo State to supervise an examination.
He was said to be travelling from Ekpoma to Benin, where he had planned to spend the night, when his vehicle came under attack by some yet-to-be identified gunmen. Read more
Railway stories government won’t tell Nigerians (Guardian)
Despite coming on stream since July 2016, the Abuja–Kaduna Standard Gauge – the first operational standard gauge in the country is not yet a profit-making venture, necessitating the need for better monitoring commercialisation of operations to make it sustainable.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) claims that the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Transport Service generates over N100m monthly, which is spent largely on diesel, security and on cleaners, while the Federal Government pays for track maintenance, staff salaries; among others.
However, some experts claim that the corporation may be realising more than N200m monthly from the services considering the number of seats on each coach and the soaring patronage that the route attracts. Over time, the actual figures generated by NRC from its operations have always been shrouded in secrecy. Read more
Thousands of ‘penis fish’ wash onto California beach (Vanguard)
Thousands of “pulsing penis fish” have washed ashore on a California beach, as seen in jarring photos that are raising eyebrows due to the creature’s phallic shape.
The quirky marine life is officially called fat innkeeper worms (Urechis caupo), and an expert writes for Bay Nature that he believes a recent storm in the Drakes Beach area is the reason so many of them mysteriously appeared on the beach.
Ivan Parr, a biologist from the Western Section of the Wildlife Society, spotted them Dec. 6 and explains that the 10-inch fat innkeeper worm typically lives underwater, burrowing in mud or sand, but the storm likely carried them ashore. Read more
I was treated like drug lord in Turin –Aluko (Punch)
To listen to whether Eni Aluko plans to continue her playing career is to dance a curious semantic ballet, like trying to decipher a flurry of crossword clues. “There are things off the pitch going on here that are very exciting,” says the 32-year-old, who last month abruptly announced her departure from Juventus, 18 months into a two-year contract. “I don’t know how much more I can put that on hold. Even if you push something six months back, it can really affect that opportunity.”
Does that mean she has decided between playing and punditry? “Yes.” Will she say which? “No.” Is it playing? “It could not be. I’m at the end of my career. I’m of the mindset of the next five years, as opposed to the next year. At 32, am I going to get a two, three-year contract? Probably not. If I’m doing stuff now in the media or in football, that’s going to help me for the next three years.” Read more
Foreign scouts applaud LEG Lagos challenge (Nation)
Foreign scouts who monitored the 2019 LEG Lagos challenge has applauded future soccer stars and organizers of the annual football trial.
The soccer trial which marked her 2nd edition at Agege stadium Lagos, saw fourteen grassroots football club rolled out 23 players each for the three days talent hunt.
Reacting to the successful event, experienced soccer scouts, Edan Giladi who jet in from USA, Kent Waja from Sweden and Cameroonian Bang Sengue stated they are impressed with the performances of the lads. Read more
Kipchoge to make return at April’s London Marathon (Vanguard)
Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge has chosen April’s London Marathon for his first race since becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, organisers said on Sunday.
Kipchoge, who ran one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds in a special race in October, will be seeking his fifth London title in the April 26 event.
His barrier-breaking run in Vienna did not count as an official world record due to the use of “in and out” pacers and a moving drinks provider. Read more
Ogunbote sure Lobi Stars will beat Abia Warriors (Guardian)
Coach of Lobi Stars of Markudi, Gbenga Ogunbote, has said he was not bothered on the threat the Abia Warriors might pose to his team when they meet today in the Nigeria Football Professional League (NPFL) fixture slated for the Aper Aku Stadium.
The Ortom boys, who are hosting the match day eight fixture of the NPFL, are fifth on the table, having played six matches, won three, drew two and lost one, thereby amassing 11 points. While the Ochendo Babes are 10th on the log after two victories, four draws and a loss out of seven games played and with 10 points.
Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Ogunbote, who confessed that the game would be a tough one, however, waved the threat of the Aba-based team aside, adding that his boys would triumph at the end of the battle. Read more
It’s been an honour, says emotional Tiger Woods after Presidents Cup win (Punch)
Tiger Woods has won 15 majors and a record 82 US PGA Tour events all over the world but the US superstar admitted Sunday there was something extra special in winning the Presidents Cup.
Woods became only the second playing-captain to lift the biennial matchplay trophy after Hale Irwin in the inaugural Presidents Cup in 1994, juggling both roles seamlessly.
The 43-year-old won all three matches he played, skipping only the Saturday fourballs and foursomes to focus solely on his captaincy duties. Read more
Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman knocks out Colby Covington to retain UFC title (Guardian)
Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman, in the early hours of Sunday, defeated Colby Covington courtesy of a fifth-round knockout to retain his UFC welterweight title at UFC 245 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ stopped Covington in the final round after multiple knockdowns, in a contest that saw the two elite wrestlers strike throughout.
The win took Usman’s mixed martial arts record to 16-1-0 (11-0 in the UFC) while Covington, who was previously interim champion of the division, dropped to 15-2-0. Read more
Olympics: PM Abe opens Tokyo 2020 National Stadium (Vanguard)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hailed the completion of the National Stadium built for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Sunday, his speech at the Kengo Kuma-designed venue praising the efforts to finish on schedule after an early setback.
The stadium, built at a cost of 156.9 billion yen ($1.44 billion), will have a capacity of 68,000 when it hosts the Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 24.
It will stage athletics and soccer events at the Games as well as the closing ceremony. Read more
Salah overtakes Suarez on Liverpool’s top-scorer list (Punch)
Mohamed Salah has overtaken Luis Suarez and Albert Stubbins as the 18th highest goalscorer in Liverpool history.
The two-time African Player of the Year has now scored 84 goals for the Reds as they pulled to within 10 points from Leicester City. Read more
Simba partners Ikoyi Club for Nigeria Cup golf tournament (Nation)
Zehi Harald has emerged winner of the 2019 Nigeria Cup Golf tournament to smile home with Luminous Regalia, Nigeria’s first Lithium powered wall mounted back-up system.
Harald was presented the coveted prize at Simba Den, Lekki Lagos, one of the exclusive distributor’s nationwide retail outlets known for being one-stop-shops for inverter and power backup / protection solutions.
The winner edged out 180 other competitors to win the wall-mounted inverter, which has an inbuilt Lithium Ion battery, giving customers at least three times as much more service life and three times as fast charging speed. Read more
Arsenal’s Tierney to undergo shoulder surgery, out for 3 months (Punch)
Arsenal have confirmed that defender Kieran Tierney faces around three months on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated right shoulder in Monday’s English Premier League win at West Ham United.
“Kieran will undergo surgery next week and will rehabilitate for around three months,” the club’s website said on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Scotland left-back was substituted just before the half-hour mark in the 3-1 derby win at West Ham.
This was after he fell badly and used his shirt as a makeshift sling as he left the pitch. Read more
Ismael, Akuso win Maiden Ikogosi Marathon (Guardian)
Cross River State-born Sadjo Ismael and Plateau State’s Rose Akuso, yesterday, emerged winners in the men and women categories at the maiden edition of Ikogosi 10km Marathon race held in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The race flagged off by the state Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi, saw Ismael win the men’s category in an impressive time of 30 mins, 40 seconds, while Plateau-born Adamu Shehu Mu’azu placed second in 31mins 22 seconds, and Oyebode Dada Samuel from Osun State finished third in 31mins 48 seconds.
In the women’s class, Akuso held sway winning in a time of 36 mins 51 seconds, while David Abiye from Ondo State came second in 36 min 59 seconds, and Plateau State’s Oman Sale, who finished third. Read more
Iheanacho reaches milestone (Nation)
Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho made 100th appearances as he started for Leicester against Norwich but was pulled out by for Demarai Gray after just 39 minutes following a tactical move from Brendan Rodgers.
Iheanacho has made one EPL start this season, scoring two goals in two appearances.
He made 53 appearances scoring six goals for the Foxes since joined from Manchester City in 2017. Read more