Lagos CP warns police against extortion, others (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned police officers in the state against extortion and the violation of human rights, among others
Odumosu said this on Friday while presenting commendation certificates to 17 inspectors and other police officers of the command for their exemplary service at their various duty posts. He urged them to be more responsive to their duties and promote good standards in the police.
At the event which held at the POWA Hall, Oduduwa, Ikeja, the commissioner admonished the police officers to be consistent as good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force whose encouraging values are worthy of emulation for better policing of Lagos State. Read more
N3.1m fraud: Fashola impersonator’s trial adjourned till Feb 25 (Nation)
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday fixed February 25 to resume the trial of Mr. Malik Wakili, charged with impersonating and defrauding Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN.
Proceedings in the matter stalled due to the absence of trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.
Justice Aneke did not sit following the demise of his colleague of the court’s Abeokuta division, Justice Ibrahim Watila, who passed away on Monday after a brief illness.
Mr Wakili was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in December 2019 on charges of impersonating and defrauding Fashola of N3,106, 216.
The EFCC alleged that he committed the offence in March 2019. Read more
Lekki shootings: Panel gives forensic experts four days to submit report (Punch)
The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the alleged killing of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate said on Friday it is expecting the forensic experts hired to examine the incident scene to submit their report by Tuesday.
The panel chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi (retd.), disclosed this while turning down the application by the Lekki Concession Company, operator of the tollgate, to repossess the facility, which had since been shut down.
Justice Okuwobi said until the report of the forensic examination, which cost a “huge amount”, was received, the LCC could not be given access to the facility.
The forensic experts had been expected to submit their report on Friday, after the 21 days given to them to conclude the job elapsed on Wednesday.
Ruling to the application by the LCC counsel, Rotimi Seriki, for the firm to be given access to the facility, the panel chairman said, “It behoves the panel to await the (forensic) report before taking further steps with regard to the application of the LCC for repossession of the Lekki Toll Plaza.” Read more
Photographer posing as Customs officer defrauded me of N1.9m – Woman tells court (Vanguard)
A civil servant, Joy Okafor on Friday told a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Gwagwalada, FCT, that a photographer, Ayodeji Festus, who paraded himself as a Nigeria Customs Service officer, swindled her of N1.9 million.
Okafor made the allegation while testifying during the resumed trial of the defendant on charges of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, obtaining decree not due and impersonation.
Led in evidence by the Prosecution Counsel, Dabo Yakubu, Okafor alleged that on May 21, 2020, while browsing her Facebook account she saw a post by one Grace Adebayo posing to be a customs officer, advertising cars for auction at affordable prices.
“I called her number and she told me that she was stationed in Seme border. I told her that I was interested in buying a Toyota Corolla and Mercedes, we bargained and agreed on N1.1millon and N1.2 million respectively. Read more
10 Yahoo Yahoo students in training land in EFCC net in Abuja (Tribune)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arrested 10 young men who were said to be undergoing training on internet crimes in an ‘Academy’ in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the anti-graft commission in a statement, they were arrested at their ‘Academy’ in Bwari axis of Abuja where they were said to be learning the trade of cybercrimes.
The ‘students’, who were said to be aged between 20 and 30 years, are Sixtus Jude, Moses Samuel, Isalan Johnny, Dapet Nimshak, Samuel Ogboche, Victor Samuel, Victor Asuquo, Ibrahim Yunusa, Yahaya Usman and Chijoke Ikwuoha. Read more
COVID-19 regulations: Most Nigerians unaware of existing law (Guardian)
Despite rising cases of infection and deaths from COVID-19, and renewed efforts by the government to curb its spread, many Nigerians seem not to be aware of Coronavirus Health Protection Regulations (2021). Recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the law stipulates punishment for disobedience of the stipulated non-medical protocols.
As a result, compliance with the protocols remains very low across the country, with many claiming ignorance of the law and its provisions, a development that might land many in jail when full implementation commences.
In many public places, residents were seen disregarding the guidelines, with some believing that government is weaponising the virus to delude Nigerians. For others, the economic situation of the country makes them disregard the protocols, even as the country still awaits the arrival of vaccines.
John Odeh, a resident of Anthony Village, Lagos, said: “I am not aware, but since it has been signed into law, I will surely comply as I have always done.” Read more
Human trafficking ‘industry’ worth over $150b – NAPTIP (DailyTrust)
The crime of human trafficking is a big industry worth over $150 billion, the Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said.
The DG, who said fighting the crime needs collaboration, also said going forward, the agency would focus on growth and preventive measures so that they can solve the problems from its roots.
Mrs. Suleiman-Ibrahim was speaking at a joint stakeholders dialogue on Trafficking In Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) head office in Abuja yesterday. Read more
Buhari arrives Daura on official visit (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday arrived Daura, his hometown, at the start of a four-day official visit to Katsina state. He was welcomed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge.
Also, the Emir, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk led district heads and traditional titleholders to receive the President at the helipad. In the course of his stay in Daura, he is expected to, among other engagements, participate in the All Progressives Party (APC) membership registration and revalidation exercise.
In a broadcast last week, President Buhari urged all good people to not only speak up but to also rise up and “get involved in the task of improving their society,” adding that, “for most citizens, their greatest weapon is their vote. Register now for your party and register when the time comes.” Read more
Controversy trails death of Kano housemaid (DailyTrust)
Controversies have continued to trail the death of a 16-year-old housemaid in Kano with different accounts emanating as to the cause of her death.
While a co-housemaid to the deceased told Daily Trust Saturday that their boss, a housewife (whose name the police are still withholding) beat the deceased to death, the police are saying the preliminary report says she died from bites from a cat, a similar narration given by the suspect.
The incident reportedly happened at Sharada Salanta area of Kano Municipal last Friday when the woman came back at night and noticed that the deceased Khadija Rabi’u did not do the house chores she was instructed to do. Read more
Poland abortion ban: Thousands protest for third day (BBC)
Protests have been taking place in Polish cities for the third night in a row following the introduction of a near-total ban on abortion.
Abortion is now allowed only in cases of rape or incest or when the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother.
Demonstrators have defied coronavirus restrictions and freezing temperatures to protest after the judgement was enforced on Wednesday.
The majority of Poles opposed a stricter ban on abortion. Read more
Xiaomi reveals ‘Air Charge’ tech to power your phone from across the room (Metro)
Xiaomi is not a name many of us our familiar with – but the Chinese company is actually the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world. And since wireless charging has become a real selling point for modern smartphones, the natural inclination is to take it a step further. Or several steps further in the case of ‘Air Charge’, which is a new type of technology that’ll juice up your phone from across the room. The charging is limited to 5W, but the fact you can do it at a distance is next-level sorcery in our opinion. Read more
Capitol Hill rioter ‘QAnon Shaman’ wants to testify against Trump, says lawyer (CBC)
The conspiracy theorist who stormed the US Capitol sporting a fur hat and horns is willing to testify against former US president Donald Trump at his Senate impeachment trial, says his lawyer.
Jacob Chansley, a longtime Trump supporter from Arizona known as the “QAnon Shaman,” is one of at least four people facing federal charges related to the Jan. 6 riot who claim the former president incited them to action that day.
“My client was, just like tens of thousands of others, just like the high school students being jazzed up by their coach before a big game on a Friday night,” Chansley’s lawyer, Albert Watkins, told As It Happens host Carol Off. Read more
COVID-19: France closes borders to most non-EU travel (BBC)
French PM Jean Castex has announced tough new Covid-19 border restrictions, but has again resisted imposing a new nationwide lockdown.
From Sunday all but essential travel from outside of the EU will be banned. Testing requirements from inside the EU will also be tightened.
Mr Castex said police would increase their enforcement of an evening curfew and other rules already in place.
Infections remain high in France, despite recent rule tightening. Read more
David Duchovny’s new book is about a family in isolation who rejoin society (CBC)
David Duchovny’s new book is about a family in isolation who rejoin the world
Before David Duchovny became known as Agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files, the actor had planned to be an academic who studied literature.
“I’ve been in conversation with books my entire life and I always wanted to be in written conversation with them as well, novel to novel,” Duchovny told q host Tom Power in an interview. “I do believe there’s a conversation — a historical conversation — that goes on between novels and I wanted to get involved in them.”
While Duchovny is best known for his work in film and TV, he’s also a New York Times bestselling author who has written four novels. His latest, titled Truly Like Lightning, is about a fundamentalist Mormon family that returns to society after living in isolation in the desert. Read more
Justin Timberlake’s 8-year-old co-star reveals valuable advice singer gave him (Metro)
Justin Timberlake’s new movie Palmer has seen the actor and musician take on a hard-hitting role, joined by incredible child actor Ryder Allen. The Cry Me A River hitmaker plays newly released convict Eddie Palmer, who looks after Ryder’s character, Sam, when his mother (Juno Temple) disappears. Sam, a young boy who enjoys playing with dolls and dressing up as a princess, isn’t afraid to be himself, but not everyone agrees. While filming the movie, Justin and Ryder formed a close bond, with the eight-year-old revealing the best piece of advice he was given came from the singer. Read more
Ndidi out of Leeds United clash (Punch)
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out Wilfred Ndidi from Sunday’s Premier League clash with Leeds United, Saturday PUNCH reports.
Ndidi suffered a slight tear in his thigh in Leicester City’s 1-1 draw against Everton in a Premier League game on Wednesday.
He is expected to be out of action for at least eight to 10 days, according to Rodgers.
The 24-year-old was handed his 11th league appearance of the season but only played for 42 minutes before suffering the injury and was replaced by Papy Mendy. Read more
Edo Athletes in dilemma over camping for sports festival (Guardian)
Edo State athletes and their officials are said to be in dilemma over the commencement date of their camping ahead of the February 14 flag-off date of the 20th National Sports Festival.
The festival, tagged Edo 2020, had suffered a series of postponements since it was moved from its initial date of March 2020, due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. It was shifted to December 2020, and later, the sports ministry picked January 3, 2021, before settling for a new date of February 14 to 28.
However, what appears a dark cloud now surrounds the new date of February 14 to 28. Read more
Australian Open to allow up to 30,000 fans to attend per day (BBC)
Up to 30,000 fans a day will be allowed to attend the Australian Open, Victoria’s minister for sport has announced.
A daily crowd capacity of 30,000 will be permitted for the first eight days of the tournament, split equally between day and night sessions.
It will then be reduced to 25,000 from the quarter-finals – half the average attendance of previous years.
The Australian Open runs from 8-21 February in Melbourne. Read more
Arsenal receive triple injury boost ahead of Manchester United clash (Metro)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta looks set to have a near fully fit squad to choose from for Saturday’s clash with Manchester United after three injury doubts took part in full training on Friday. The Gunners are enjoying a strong return to form, winning five of their last six Premier League matches – though they were dealt a double injury blow last time out against Southampton. Both Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe had to be subbed off in the second half of Tuesday’s 3-1 victory on the south coast and were considered big doubts to face United. Read more
West Ham sign Man Utd midfielder Jesse Lingard on loan after Said Benrahma deal made permanent (BBC)
West Ham have signed Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard on loan until the end of the season, after completing the permanent signing of Said Benrahma.
England international Lingard, who has scored 33 goals in 210 appearances for United, had played just three times for the club this season.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he wanted the 28-year-old to return to Old Trafford “revitalised”.
“I’m excited,” said Lingard. “It’s another new chapter in my life.” Read more
Jurgen Klopp issues fresh injury updates on Joel Matip and Fabinho (Metro) Jurgen Klopp is optimistic that Joel Matip’s ankle injury is not as serious as first feared, but has ruled Fabinho out of this weekend’s Premier League match against West Ham. The champions returned to goalscoring and winning form in last night’s impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham, but their seemingly never-ending injury jinx reared its head again. Joel Matip, who has struggled to maintain his fitness over the course of his Liverpool career, was forced off at half-time last night with what Klopp initially feared would be a long-term injury. Read more