Lagos couple ram car into shops, pay for 9 coffins (Punch)
A yet-to-be-identified man and a woman suspected to be his wife, on Monday, escaped death by a whisker after ramming into two coffin shops around the Ikorodu General Hospital, in the Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the man was driving along the T.O.S Benson Road, when a tricycle operator reportedly rode in his direction.
In a bid to avoid the impending collision, the man, who drove a blue KIA car, suddenly swerved and in the process veered off the road and rammed into the coffin shops around 7 am.
An eyewitness, who gave her name only as Ife, said there was no casualty. Read more
Ataga: Lagos Court told how Chidinma sold late super TV boss’ Laptop (Guardian)
A prosecution witness, Mr. Ifeoluwa Oluwo, yesterday, told a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) how Chidinma Ojukwu, the prime suspect in the murder trial of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, sold the deceased Apple MacBook Laptop to him.
Oluwo, a businessman, in his evidence before Justice Yetunde Adesanya, told the court that he bought the Laptop from the first defendant (Chidinma Ojukwu) for the sum of N495,000.00, after negotiations, on June 18 (two days after the body of Ataga was found at the short service apartment in Lekki).
Ojukwu is standing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri for the alleged murder of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga on June 15.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi, had told the court that the defendants conspired amongst themselves and allegedly murdered the deceased at 19, Adewale Oshin Street, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Read more
Lagos CP assures Lagosians of crime-free Yuletide (Nation)
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, on Thursday assured residents of the state of a crime-free Yuletide celebration.
Speaking during the 2021 public lecture of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Odumosu said that reduction in crime rate in the state was achieved through the synergy amongst all security agencies.
The CP also commended the people of the state, the media and sister security agencies for their cooperation with the police in combating crime.
“Traffic robbery was about to increase, but after we clamped on the hoodlums and arrested the culprits, it was drastically reduced. Read more
CSOs seek protection of #EndSARS victims from further harassment, intimidation (Guardian)
Civil society organisations (CSOs), yesterday, charged the Federal Government and security agencies to desist forthwith from harassing and intimidating victims of #EndSARS protests, especially those who testified at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, under the aegis of Civil Society Voices for #EndSARS Victims, they lamented that Lagos State, which has been the epicentre of the struggle against structural injustice in the country and centre of the repression of dissent from the tragedy of the #EndSARS protests, failed to live up to expectations this time.
In her speech, Zikora Ibeh of Space4Change berated the government and its agencies for attacking and threatening Kamson Ibeh, Dabira Oluwa, Olu Adegboruwa and Wiseman Kunle, among others, on November 21 and November 22, 2021, respectively, describing the development as an affront on Nigerians in a democratic setting.
She said: “A prominent Nigerian elder statesman and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, once said that the Federal Government was harbouring a nest of killers. We hope the same will not be said of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the Lagos State Government. Read more
Suspected herdsmen abduct 10 passengers, rape, stab woman to death in Abia (Sun)
Passengers numbering over 10 were abducted by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, along the Isuikwuato-Uturu Road in Abia State, yesterday.
This is even as a woman from Amagu, Mbaugwu, Uturu, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the State was raped and stabbed to death by hoodlums also suspected to be Fulani herders.
Reports claimed that the passengers, some of whom were believed to be lecturers and students of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, were forced out of their vehicles by the hoodlums who had stopped them. It was gathered that despite soldiers on duty at a nearby checkpoint engaging the hoodlums in gun duel, the gunmen succeeded in taking their victims into the nearby bush.
A source said: “The hoodlums, who we suspect to be Fulani herdsmen, used one of the vehicles to block the road and then had the opportunity to force passengers in the vehicle and others coming from behind out and marched them inside a nearby bush. Read more
Trafficker caught with N2.7b cocaine claims N1m reward for mother’s eye problem (Punch)
A 32-year-old suspected drug trafficker based in Liberia, Maduabuchi Chinedu, has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with 9.30 kilogrammes of cocaine estimated at over N2.7bn.
The suspect, who hails from Obaha Okigwe village, in the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, lives in Liberia, where he works as a miner.
A spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday, said he was arrested during an inward search of an Ethiopian Airline flight 911 at the Abuja airport on Wednesday.
He noted that the 9.30kg cocaine was in candy wraps and concealed in his luggage. Read more
Don’t succumb easily to rape, NGO urges female students (Vanguard)
Executive Director, Family and Youth Support Initiative, FYSI, a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Mrs. Bukoladeremi Ladigbolu, has urged young girls and ladies to use everything in their power to fight off a potential rapist and speak up against it.
Ladigbolu stated this while speaking with female students of Igando Senior Community High School, Igando, Lagos State, on Thursday, at an event organised by FYSI to commemorate this year’s International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.
She urged the students to read and follow all the tips in her book on rape prevention, ‘Don’t Mess with Their Flowers’, to avoid situations and places that could make them vulnerable to being raped or sexually abused.
“However, when you find yourself in danger of being raped, don’t give up easily. Rather, fight a potential rapist as if your life depends on it. Kick, scratch, struggle, shout for help and make sure you don’t panic. Don’t make it easy for a rapist to have his way,” she told the students. Read more
Don describes Nigerian governors as land grabbers (DailyTrust)
A Professor of Estate Management at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Bioye Tajudeen Aluko, has labelled Nigerian governors as “land grabbers”.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, during the 2021 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Seminar (MCPD) of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), with the theme, “Effective Land Administration System toward Elegant Formal Land Market in Nigeria”, Aluko said they hide under the Land Use Act to acquire and allocate land to their cronies.
The don, who was the guest speaker at the seminar, said governors were in the habit of enriching themselves and their political associates through acquiring other people’s land and allocating same to those in their good books.
According to him, the governors put land administration under their care, wondering how a governor would have enough time to administer lands when he should be busy with other developmental projects. Read more
‘Stopped dollar sales to BDCs pushed spread to N130/$’ (Nation)
The premium between official and parallel market rates of the foreign exchange market widened to N130 per dollar after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stopped dollar sales to Bureaux de Change (BDCs), a report by Afrinvest West Africa has shown.
In the 2021 Nigerian Banking Sector Report titled: ‘Resilience Amidst Endemic and Pandemic Constraints’, the investment and research firm said the the CBN removed the official spot rate of N379/$1 from its website in May 2021 replacing it with the NAFEX rate of N410.50/$1, effectively devaluing the currency.
Deputy Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa, Victor Ndukauba, explained that while this move temporarily brought the exchange rate unification closer by reducing the spread between the parallel and official market rates to N91.25/$1 in June 2021 from N116/$1, that was not sufficient to calm the pressure on the market. Read more
Man wrongly convicted of murder finally free after 40 years (Metro)
A prisoner found guilty in 1979 of three murders has finally been freed after the verdicts were overturned.
Kevin Strickland, 62, had always said he was at home watching TV on the night of the shootings in April 1978, when he was 18.
Now Missouri judge James Welsh has ruled there is ‘clear and convincing evidence’ to undermine his conviction after he spent more than 40 years in jail.
No physical evidence linked him to the murder scene, a house in Kansas City. Read more
Solomon Islands leader blames violent anti-government protests on foreign interference (Guardian)
Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has blamed foreign interference over his government’s decision to switch alliances from Taiwan to Beijing for anti-government protests, arson and looting that have ravaged the capital Honiara in recent days.
However, critics have also blamed the unrest on complaints of a lack of government services and accountability, corruption and foreign workers taking local job. In 2019, Sogavare also angered many, particularly leaders of Solomon Islands’ most populous province, Malaita, when he cut the country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Late on Thursday, a plane carrying Australian police, military personnel and diplomats arrived in Honiara, where they will help local police efforts to restore order after a second day of violent anti-government protests. Australia is to deploy more than 100 police and defence force personnel to support “riot control” and security at critical infrastructure.
Sogavare said on Friday he stood by his government’s decision to embrace Beijing, which he described as the “only issue” in the violence, which was “unfortunately influenced and encouraged by other powers”. Read more
Johnson wants beach patrols to stop migrants getting from France to UK (Independent)
Boris Johnson has written to Emmanuel Macron formally proposing joint patrols on French beaches as early as next week to stop small boats carrying migrants heading for the UK.
In a letter spelling out UK plans after 27 people drowned in the Channel, the prime minister also calls for a new “returns agreement” between the two countries.
The deal, if agreed by Paris, would see migrants who illegally arrive on UK shores sent back to France, with London taking in more child migrants with British family links in return.
Downing Street sees the pact as the best long-term solution to the escalating problem of boat crossings, as it would undercut smugglers promising a route into the UK. Read more
Fundraiser for Christmas parade massacre suspect cancelled (RT)
Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has torpedoed an effort to raise $5 million to bail out Darrell Brooks, the suspect in last weekend’s car-ramming attack on a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
The fund-raising page for Brooks was taken down because it violated the platform’s terms of service, GoFundMe reportedly said on Wednesday. A spokesman for the company told Fox Business that the organizer who was trying to raise money for Brooks had been banned from using GoFundMe for future campaigns.
Brooks faces six murder charges after allegedly plowing his sport-utility vehicle into parade participants and spectators. According to a police affidavit, he weaved from side to side to inflict maximum carnage as he mowed people down. In addition to the six people who were killed, 61 were injured, including multiple children.
News of the Brooks fund-raiser was first reported on Tuesday by Law Enforcement Today. The organizer was identified as James Norton of Waukesha, who referred to the convicted sex offender as “our dear friend.” The page went on to say that Brooks was innocent and that he was “another black man behind bars in a purely political and racist trial.” It also listed several hashtags, including “#BLM,” “#NoJusticeNoPeace” and “#RacismIsReal.” Read more
How Australia is preparing for the ‘worst-ever’ super-mutant Covid variant (DailyMail)
The federal health minister insists Australia is well prepared should a new COVID-19 variant, which has experts alarmed, arrive in Australia.
South African scientists have detected a new variant in the country, dubbed the Nu strain, which has double the number of mutations of the Delta variant.
Overseas health officials have warned the Nu variant is likely to evade the immune response from vaccinations.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has held meetings on the variant with chief medical officer Paul Kelly and health department secretary Brendan Murphy. Read more
Russian military buildup puts Washington on edge (Hill)
Washington is on edge as Russia’s military buildup threatens a confrontation, with fears escalating following reports that U.S. intelligence shows Russian forces preparing to push into Ukraine.
Even as the nation’s capital goes quiet for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Biden administration must contend with reports that nearly 100,000 Russian troops are stationed at various locations on the country’s western border, with no sign of those numbers waning.
Tensions have grown so high that the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday warned of “unusual Russian military activity” near Ukraine’s eastern border and in the annexed peninsula of Crimea, telling U.S. citizens not to travel there.
“U.S. citizens are reminded the security conditions along the border may change with little or no notice,” the embassy said. Read more
Xbox and Sony team up for special new freebie (GamingBible)
The unthinkable has happened. Sony (of PlayStation fame) has teamed up with Xbox (of Xbox fame) to offer a special freebie for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
As I’m sure you know because you’re a super cool and completely up-to-the-minute individual, Xbox Game Pass is split into two tiers. Your standard Xbox Game Pass is £7.99 a month. The shiner Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is £10.99 a month, and grants you access to things like cloud gaming, EA Play, and other fun little extras.
In a weird twist of fate, a Sony-owned service has now made its way into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Subscribers to this higher tier can now get a free 75-day subscription to the popular anime streaming service Crunchyroll. If you’re interested, you have until February 28, 2022 to make use of the promotion.
For those that aren’t aware, Sony actually purchased Crunchyroll for just over $1 billion earlier this year amid rumours that the company is looking to make a PlayStation Plus subscription a little sweeter with new incentives. Read more
Sir Alex Ferguson’s blunt reply to Michael Carrick’s “misjudged” Chelsea comment (Mirror)
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick takes charge of his first Premier League fixture on Sunday, as his team travel to league leaders Chelsea.
Ironically, the ex-midfielder’s Old Trafford career began with a reference to the current European champions – and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t impressed.
Carrick, who came through the ranks at West Ham, joined the Red Devils from Tottenham in August 2006 for a reported £18million – a substantial amount 15 years ago.
The England international was signed as Roy Keane’s successor, with Ferguson handing him the Irishman’s famous No16 shirt. Read more
Champions Akwa Utd to battle Kano Pillars as NPFL gets kick off date (Leadership)
The League Management Company (LMC) has announced that the 2021/22 Nigeria Football Professional League (NPFL) season will kick off Friday, December 17th 2021 with reigning champions Akwa United welcome Kano Pillars, while United welcome Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan to the Patanmi stadium in Gombe.
Makurdi giants Lobi Stars will host Rivers United which will see Lobi Stars Manager Eddy Dombraye lead his side against his state for the first time in many years.
The first oriental derby match of the new season will Enyimba FC played host to their arch-rivals Abia Warriors in Aba, while Enugu Rangers (Rangers international) travel to Katsina to face the “Changi boys” Katsina United.
Niger Tornadoes will welcome Plateau United at their temporary home ground in Kaduna, Sunshine Stars will face their former manager Kabiru Dogo and Fuad Ekelojuoti in the Akure Township Stadium. Read more
CAF expected to signal support for biennial World Cups at Extraordinary General Assembly (InsidetheGames)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to confirm its support of FIFA’s proposed plans for biennial World Cups at an Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.
The CAF called for an Extraordinary General Assembly at the start of October, with the organisation revealing the meeting would “discuss various topics on the agenda of Africa’s football governing bodies.
The scheduling of the meeting came at the height of debate over FIFA’s controversial plans for biennial World Cups.
FIFA had approved undertaking a study at its Congress in May, following a proposal from Saudi Arabia. Read more
Antonio Conte wishes friend and potential Manchester United boss ‘the best’ (MEN)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has wished Mauricio Pochettino all the best as the speculation surrounding a potential move to Manchester United intensifies.
Following United parting ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday morning, the MEN were told that PSG boss Pochettino would be willing to leave PSG mid-season and replace the Norwegian.
However, the French club have since rebuffed United’s offer for the former Spurs boss which has led the Premier League side switching their attention to a host of other candidates on an interim basis including Ralf Rangnick.
Conte has only recently been hired by Spurs, getting the job after Solskjaer’s United beat Tottenham 3-0 which cost Nuno Espirito Santo his job. Read more
Australia’s leading contenders to replace Paine at the Ashes… and all are flawed (Fox)
Australia is looking for a new Test wicketkeeper just days out from the first Ashes Test after Tim Paine took an indefinite leave of absence.
Paine quit his role as Test captain last Friday after details of an explicit image and a string of lewd messages sent to a colleague in November 2017 became public.
He intended to still play the first Test on December 8 but, after a week of intense scrutiny, the 36-year-old opted to pull the pin on his Ashes plans and step away from cricket.
The decision has left selectors scrambling for a Plan B with Alex Carey, Josh Inglis and Matthew Wade the leading contenders to take Paine’s spot. Read more
Antonio Conte stresses he is not a ‘magician’ after Totteham’s embarrassing defeat to Mura (DailyMail)
Antonio Conte says he is not a ‘magician’ and now understands the size of the job on his hands at Tottenham after they suffered one of the most embarrassing nights in their history.
Conte watched on as his 10-man side were beaten 2-1 by Slovenian minnows NS Mura – the lowest-ranked team in the Europa Conference League who had lost all four of their previous games.
Spurs went down to Amadej Marosa’s stoppage-time goal after Harry Kane had earlier cancelled out Tomi Horvat’s shock opener.
Conte, who was appointed to replace Nuno Espirito Santo three weeks ago, has been tasked with taking Tottenham back to the top table of English football. Read more
Davis Cup 2021: Sweden, France and Croatia all win opening ties as tournament gets underway (Eurosport)
Sweden won their first Davis Cup match of the tournament with a 3-0 win over Canada.
In the first match, Elias Ymer defeated Steven Diez 6-4 6-2, and Vasek Pospisil lost 6-4 6-4 to Mikael Ymer.
In the doubles, Andre Goransson and Robert Lindstedt defeated Pospisil and Brayden Schnur 7-6(7-5) 6-4.
The Croatians beat Australia 3-0 in their match-up, as Borna Gojo helped his team hit the ground running with a 7-6(7-5) 7-5 win against Alexei Popyrin. Read more