Jigawa court sentences 4 to death for culpable homicide (Channels)
A Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu, has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging over charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The convicts include a husband, wife, the wife’s brother, and her sister, all found guilty of murdering Salamatu Musa, a 30-year-old woman accused of witchcraft.
The judgment, delivered on December 4, 2024, followed an extensive legal process that began in 2019, when the convicts were arrested and prosecuted. Read more
Actress Binta Ayo Mogaji celebrates only child’s graduation from varsity (Tribune)
Veteran Nollywood actress, Binta Ayo Mogaji, has celebrated her only child, Fareed Mogaji, on his graduation from Lead City University, Ibadan, during the institution’s 2024 convocation ceremony.
In a heartfelt message shared on her verified Instagram account on Wednesday, the actress expressed gratitude to God for witnessing the significant milestone.
She also thanked friends, family, and colleagues for their unwavering support throughout her son’s university journey, with a special mention of veteran actor Jibola Dabo, her child’s father. Read more
Google, Meta, X, others paid N2.55t taxes to FG in H1 2024 – NITDA (DailyTrust)
Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Microsoft and social media platforms operating in Nigeria have paid N2.55trn ($1.5billion) in taxes to FG in the first six month of 2024, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said.
NITDA in a statement on Wednesday said data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that foreign digital companies, including interactive computer service platforms and internet intermediaries operating in Nigeria were now paying their taxes and this had led to significant increase in revenue for the government.
“Furthermore, data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveal that foreign digital companies, including interactive computer service platforms and internet intermediaries (such as social media platforms) operating in Nigeria contributed over N2.55 trillion (approximately $1.5 billion) in taxes in H1 2024. This significant increase in revenue underscores the role of robust regulatory frameworks in shaping compliance and driving revenue growth in digital economy,” the NITDA statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Hadiza Umar, said. Read more
C’River: Mother of 3 petitions IGP over husband’s murder in farm (Vanguard)
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has been petitioned by Christiana Monday, a widow, over the alleged gruesome murder of her husband, Raphael Monday, in a cocoa farm.
She has also accused the police of complicity in the case.
In a petition dated November 29, 2024, and shared with journalists in Calabar, Christiana alleged that a man (name withheld) masterminded her husband’s killing. She appealed to the IGP and the wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, to ensure justice is served, describing the incident as a source of immense agony for her and her three children. Read more
Reps to probe FCT social protection programmes (Punch)
The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to investigate the Abuja Rehabilitation Centre located in Bwari Area Council and the Social Protection Programmes of the Federal Capital Territory. administration.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the “Need to investigate the Abuja rehabilitation centre and the Social Protection Programmes of the FCT,” sponsored by the member representing Oshodi-Isolo 1 Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Mr. Bashiru Dawodu.
Speaking about the motion, the Lagos lawmaker noted that on October 22, 2024, the FCT administration declared war on the street begging to restore Abuja’s image and enhance security. Read more
Kebbi’s First Lady flags off ₦100m grant for persons with disabilities (Channels)
The wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris, has launched the disbursement of ₦100 million in grants to support people with disabilities in the state.
The support, organised by the Ministry for Special Duties, is part of activities marking this year’s International Day of People with Disabilities held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi.
Flagging off the disbursement, Hajiya Zainab urged beneficiaries to use the grants judiciously by investing in businesses to improve their livelihoods. Read more
Farotimi’s arrest, a reminder of dark days of military dictatorship — Atiku (Leadership)
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the arrest and detention of a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissents.
The former presidential candidate of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a press statement on Farotmi’s arrest, also reminded the Bola Tinubu administration that the repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy.
He said freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally enshrined rights, adding that if anyone feels wronged by defamatory words, they are free to seek redress in the courts, not at the hands of the state’s enforcers. Read more
Pay our pension arrears, ex-servicemen urge FG (Vanguard)
Mr Anthony Agbas, the president of the Ex-service Men and Family Welfare Association of Nigeria, has urged the government to pay all their pension arrears and other entitlements.
Agbas made the call during a peaceful rally by the ex-service men at the Federal Ministry of Finance, in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that military pensioners in the country had endured financial hardship and pain over the years. Read more
Beyoncé named the Greatest Pop Star of the Century by Billboard (HipHopDx)
Beyoncé has been crowned the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard as the first quarter of it comes to a close.
The publication debuted their staff-chosen top pick this week after counting down from 25, putting Taylor Swift at No. 2 despite noting she’s “the century’s biggest pop star by the numbers.”
“Few artistes this period can match her in any of the most critical basic categories of pop stardom – commercial success, performance abilities, critical acclaim and accolades, industry influence, iconic cultural moments – and absolutely no one can equal her in all of them,” Billboard said of Bey. “Even Taylor Swift, the lone artiste who really challenged Beyoncé for the top spot on these rankings – and who does have a clear statistical lead on Bey in many key categories… – simply hasn’t been around for long enough to be able to match the expansiveness of her quarter-century of dominance.” Read more
Extremist rebels linked to IS kill at least 9 and kidnap 3 in eastern Congo (AfricaNews)
Extremist rebels linked to the Islamic State group killed at least 9 people, including an 8-month-old baby and a 14-year-old girl in eastern Congo and kidnapped several others, authorities said on Wednesday.
Rebels with the Allied Democratic Forces attacked civilians in Tenambo village in the North Kivu province on Tuesday evening, Colonel Mak Hazukay, spokesperson for the Congolese army said in a statement, calling on residents to remain vigilant and temporarily avoid isolated places.
The militants also set fire to houses in the village and kidnapped three people, the deputy mayor of Oicha, Jean De Die Kambale Kibwana, told local media. Read more
FBI’s ‘most wanted terrorist’ found hiding in tiny Welsh village appears in court (Metro)
A suspected eco-terrorist has appeared in court after he was tracked down to a remote Welsh village after more than 20 years on the run.
Daniel Andreas San Diego, 46, was found in a house in Maenan, north Wales – a settlement so small it doesn’t have a pub or shop.
He is charged with planting two bombs that were set to detonate an hour apart at a biotech company in Emeryville, California, in 2003. Read more
John Huston’s grandson Jack turns director with Day of the Fight (RTE)
Actor and director Jack Huston’s rich family history in Hollywood did not guarantee him an effortless process when directing and writing his first feature film, “Day of the Fight”.
“I can, without question, say this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Huston, grandson of late director John Huston and son of actor and assistant director Tony Huston.
“It’s also still happening. The film hasn’t come out yet. I mean, every day is still a fight. It’s fight of the day not day of the fight. Every day is a new fight, a new hurdle,” he continued. Read more
Relic of the Buddha loaned by China gets a warm welcome in Thailand (ABC)
More than 2,000 people took part Wednesday in a procession to escort a relic of the Buddha lent by China to a shrine in the Thai capital Bangkok to honor the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and to celebrate half a century of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.
The tooth relic, considered sacred by Buddhists, was flown in earlier in the day from the Lingguang Temple in Beijing, which normally houses it. Loans of the tooth as a show of friendship have been an effective form of soft diplomacy by China, even though competing claims from various countries on possessing the Buddha’s tooth raise questions about its provenance.
The tooth was put in an ornate, golden container and placed on a flower-bedecked float as it was paraded through one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city. Read more
South Korea’s Yoon faces impeachment motion after martial law attempt (UPI)
South Korea’s opposition parties submitted an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday afternoon, just hours after his short-lived attempt at imposing martial law was overturned by lawmakers.
The main opposition Democratic Party and five other minor parties submitted the motion as pressure mounts on Yoon to leave office in the wake of his shocking declaration of martial law late Tuesday night.
Lawmaker Kim Youngmin said at a news conference that the motion could be voted on as early as Friday. Read more
Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip had ‘affairs all his life,’ claims actor who played royal (Mirror)
Actor Michael Sheen, who portrayed Prince Andrew in the Amazon show A Very Royal Scandal, has made a shocking claim about the late Queen’s husband, Prince Philip
The Queen and Prince Philip’s enduring love story is quite remarkable – but some are sceptical about Philip’s fidelity.
The couple met when the young princess was just 13 – and their relationship eventually evolved into a 73-year marriage that lasted until his dying day. But now actor Michael Sheen has made the surprising claim that the Prince ”had affairs all his life”. Read more
No one will force Osimhen to leave Galatasaray — Ozbek (CompleteSports)
Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has declared Victor Osimhen won’t be forced to leave the club when the transfer window reopens in January.
Osimhen is on loan at the Turkish Super Lig champions from Serie A club Napoli.
There is a breakup clause in the agreement which allow the forward to quit the Turkish Super Lig champions next month. Read more
Abuja to host World Football Exhibition in January 2025 (Nation)
Nigeria is to play host to a world football exhibition, aimed at showcasing the rich history, stars, and legends of football from around the globe.
The exhibition scheduled for Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, from January 18-25, 2025, is organised by Nigeria 1914 Exhibitions, in partnership with the National Lottery Trust Fund and Transcorp Hilton.
The 8-day exhibition promises to be a nostalgic, inspiring, and educational experience, featuring paintings, artifacts, photos, and portraits of past and present football legends and stars. Great football moments from around the world and appearances by invited football legends and stars. Read more
Manchester United scrapped plans to wear pride-themed jackets after player refused (Independent)
Manchester United scrapped plans to wear pride-themed warm-up jackets as part of the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign after defender Noussair Mazraoui refused to participate, citing his religious beliefs, according to The Athletic.
Rainbow Devils, Manchester United’s official LGBTQ+ supporters club, expressed their “great disappointment” after plans to wear the specially designed Adidas jackets before the match against Everton on Sunday were abandoned at the last moment.
The Rainbow Devils had worked with United on a number of projects around inclusivity and the support of the LGBTQ+ community in the lead up to the club’s official Rainbow Laces game at Old Trafford, but the group said they were informed that the jackets would not be worn because “one of the squad refused”. Read more
Djokovic to begin bid for 25th Grand Slam crown in Brisbane (JapanToday)
Novak Djokovic will begin his 2025 season and bid for an 11th Australian Open title at the Brisbane International, it was announced Wednesday, with the Serbian superstar now coached by Andy Murray.
The 37-year-old is targeting a record 25th Grand Slam crown after failing to add to the total during a frustrating 2024, although he did win Olympic singles gold in Paris.
The ATP-WTA event runs December 29-January 5, with the Australian Open to begin on January 12. Read more
Bangladesh beat West Indies by 101 runs to level Test series (AlJazeera)
Bangladesh have completed an impressive comeback to beat West Indies in the second Test match by 101 runs and record their first win in the Caribbean since 2009.
Taijul Islam snared five wickets for the 15th time in a Test innings to lead Bangladesh’s series-levelling win on the fourth evening of the final Test of the series at Sabina Park on Tuesday.
After Jaker Ali’s Test-best innings of 91 lifted the tourists to 268 all out in their second innings and left the home team with a victory target of 287, left-arm spinner Islam broke the back of the Caribbean side’s effort with 5-50 as they were dismissed for 185 in the day’s final session. Read more
Knicks and Bucks advance to NBA Cup knockout stage (BBC)
The Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks eased to victories to advance to the knockout stage of the NBA Cup with clean sweeps of their groups, but reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics were eliminated.
The Knicks recorded an emphatic 121-106 win against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden to finish East Group A unbeaten and secure home-field advantage in the quarter-finals.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Josh Hart contributed a triple-double of 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Read more