Lagos hoodlum caught selling phone to robbed victim’s wife (Punch)
A former bartender, Jones Adewoye, has narrated before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos State, how a hoodlum, Felix Ayeye, was arrested while attempting to sell the phone he stole from him to his wife at their residence in the Ajah area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Adewoye was on his way home when Ayeye and his gang members mugged him at a dark spot.
During the attack, Adewoye, who was the first prosecution witness to testify before the court on Thursday, told Justice Modupe Nico-Clay that the hoodlums led by Ayeye allegedly stabbed him with a dagger and robbed him of his phone and other items worth N78,000. Read more
2023: APC lambasts Ayu over comment that PDP will win Lagos, 24 other states (Independent)
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has also lambasted the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu over the comment that the main opposition party will win Lagos State and 24 other states in the 2023 general elections.
Hon. Seye Oladejo, Lagos State APC Spokesman in a press statement on Thursday noted that the PDP at whatever level does not constitute a threat to the ruling party”s retention of power in Lagos state and at the centre, stressing that Nigeria will certainly not go back to the years of the locust.
He said “Our attention has been drawn to the reckless and unrealistic claim of the opposition PDP to win Lagos and 24 other states in the forthcoming elections.
“While we acknowledge the consistency of the opposition party in its permanent day-dreaming and irresponsible permutations, it’s advisable to be more discerning in order to be able to absorb the shock of their impending devastating defeat. It’s also laughable that it came from its national chairman, Senator Iyiocha Ayu who has been declared persona non-grata in his home state. Read more
‘I’m not alright’, says rapper, Ikechukwu (Vanguard)
Nigerian singer, Ikechukwu Onunaku, known professionally as Ikechukwu, has given a hint about his well-being to his colleagues.
Taking to his official Instagram page on Thursday, he made it known that he isn’t in a good place.
Read also: Wizkid entertains fans with Davido’s song in New York concert
He wrote, ” I’m NOT ALRIGHT.
“@donjazzy @johnnydrille @premiercoolng
“Shey u wan know.
“Oya na I don tell you.
“After una go say na joke.
“As @etimeffiong Don ask I don answer. Mbok. Read more
133m Nigerians multidimensionally poor, says NBS (Tribune)
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that over 133 million people representing 63% of the Nigerian population are multidimensionally poor.
This is according to the agency’s 2022 National Multidimensional Poverty Index Report released on Thursday.
The report also states that the country’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) stands at 0.257, showing that poor people in Nigeria experience just over one-quarter of all possible deprivations.
“Over half of the population who are multidimensionally poor cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than clearer energy. High deprivations are also apparent in sanitation, time to healthcare, food, insecurity, and housing,” the report noted. Read more
Lagos undergraduate defrauds company of N900k (Punch)
A 24-year-old undergraduate of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Busayo Ayedun, is undergoing trial before a Yaba Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding a company, CD Care Limited, of goods and cash worth over N900,000 in the state.
The defendant is facing eight-count bordering on deliberate and unlawful conspiracy, felony, defrauding, deceit, pretence, stealing, forgery and false representation.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Oriabure, told the court that the accused committed the crime between July 10, 2021 and October 31, 2021, around Adenike Street, in the Fadeyi area of the state.
The charges read in part, “That you, Busayo Ayedun, and others at large, between July 10, 2021 and October 31, 2022, between 8am to 6pm at Adenike Street, Fadeyi, Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did deliberately and unlawfully conspired among yourselves to deceive and defraud CD Care Limited of goods valued at N911,709, 84.” Read more
11-year-old maid tortured by employer dies in Jos (DailyTrust)
An 11-year-old housemaid, Margaret, has died at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) as a result of wounds she sustained due to torture by her employers, Mr and Mrs Nwachukwu, at Vom, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
City & Crime gathered that Mrs Nwachukwu inflicted wounds on the buttocks of Margaret and left them untreated until they became infected.
It was further gathered that Margaret was eventually helped by a neighbor who took her to a private hospital in Vom but that due to the state of the wounds, the hospital referred her to JUTH.
Mrs Grace Pam, Plateau State Director of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who confirmed the incident to City & Crime said, “The housemaid had been a victim of prolonged violent abuse by the family that took her as maid in Vom. Read more
2 suspected invaders of Justice Odili’s home absconded from Kuje Prison – Police (Channels)
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja that two of the fifteen persons who allegedly invaded the residence of retired Justice Mary Odili, were among inmates who absconded from the Kuje Correctional Centre during the July jailbreak.
At the last adjourned date, counsel to the 6th, 13th and 14th defendants, Usman Jibrin, told Justice Nkeonye Maha, that Aliyu Ibrahim, Shehu Jibo and Abdullahi Adamu who are 6th, 13th and 14th defendants respectively in a suit, were not in court.
He said that the three were victims of the Kuje jailbreak, and the Judge ordered the prosecution to investigate the matter and come back with a report. Read more
IGP meets with leaders of political parties in Abuja, says noticeable trends could jeopardise electoral process (Sun)
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, Thursday met with leaders of political parties in the country to pave the way for a crisis-free poll.
The meeting, which was held at the police force headquarters in Abuja, also had in attendance personnel from the military and security agencies.
The IGP said the meeting had become necessary following a noticeable trend within the national political space which, if not promptly addressed could evolve into a potent threat to not just our national security but the electoral process.
Baba, in his address at the meeting which later went into closed doors, noted that experiences of the past have shown that electoral violence both in the process leading to an election as well as the fall out of elections, has always constituted the most dangerous threat to our democracy. Read more
Amy Adams ‘‘very excited’’ about Henry Cavill’s Superman return, says she hasn’t been approached about Lois Lane (Variety)
Amy Adams is weighing in on Henry Cavill’s surprise return as Superman.
“Isn’t it exciting?” Adams, who played Lois Lane to the British actor’s Man of Steel, said Wednesday at the premiere of “Disenchanted” in Hollywood when I asked about Cavill reprising his superhero role.
Adams said her husband, artist Darren Le Gallo, told her the news that Cavill appeared as Superman at the end of “Black Adam,” Dwayne Johnson’s adaptation of the DC comic.
“I’m thrilled for [Cavill],” Adams said. “He’s such a wonderful Superman so I’m very excited for him.” Read more
Charlize Theron condemned for saying Afrikaans is dying language (BBC)
Hollywood star Charlize Theron has faced a mountain of criticism for calling her mother tongue Afrikaans “a dying language”.
Theron joked it was spoken by “about 44 people” and was “not very helpful”.
She made the comments on the SmartLess podcast, saying she grew up in South Africa speaking only Afrikaans before learning English aged 19, which is why she speaks it with an American accent.
Some of the millions who speak Afrikaans in South Africa were furious. Read more
Ozzy Osbourne ‘overwhelmed’ to be nominated for four Grammy Awards (Metro)
Metal icon Ozzy Osbourne has said he feels ‘overwhelmed’ to be nominated for four Grammy Awards at this year’s ceremony.
The 73-year-old rocker is up for best rock performance as well as best rock song for Patient Number 9 featuring Jeff Beck.
He is also nominated for best rock album for the LP of the same name and best metal performance for Degradation Rules, which features his former Black Sabbath bandmate, Tony Iommi.
It follows a successful year for the iconic Black Sabbath vocalist, who performed during the explosive closing ceremony at this year’s Commonwealth Games in his hometown of Birmingham. Read more
Meta to host Notorious B.I.G VR concert with realistic avatar (NYPost)
Legendary Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G is coming back to life as a “hyperrealistic” avatar in recognition of the 25th anniversary of his death.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, and The Notorious B.I.G. Estate are collaborating on the project titled “Sky’s The Limit: A VR Concert Experience” on Dec. 16.
The avatar of Notorious BIG, whose real name is Christopher Wallace, will perform in a virtual recreation of Brooklyn — called “The Brook” — inside Meta Horizon Worlds.
Facebook’s Meta Horizon Worlds allows users to interact with each other in various worlds that host events, social activities, and games, according to the platform. Read more
After presale mess, Taylor Swift Tour tickets will soon go on sale to general public (NBC)
It’s not been a great week for Taylor Swift fans who had hoped to score presale tickets to stops on Swift’s upcoming 52-date “The Eras Tour.”
“You are now in the queue,” one Ticketmaster message on Tuesday read. “There are 2,000+ people ahead of you.”
Tuesday’s presale event, one of several, left millions — literally — of fans — waiting in queues for hours and without access codes after Ticketmaster said it was experiencing “technical difficulties.”
“Our team is working to resolve this as soon as possible,” one of the many updates on Ticketmaster’s website read Tuesday. “We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.” Read more
Tony Winner Joaquina Kalukango to play the Witch in Into the Woods Broadway revival (People)
Joaquina Kalukango is going Into the Woods.
The actress will take over the role of the Witch in the Broadway revival of the fairy-tale-bending Stephen Sondheim musical starting Dec. 16, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. She’ll join the cast through the rest of the show’s run at the St. James Theatre until Jan. 8.
“I’m so excited to be joining the Into the Woods family for the final weeks of this magical production,” Kalukango says in a statement. “The Witch is so complex. She’s terrifying, hilarious, a little neurotic, passionate and brutally honest.”
“It’s the greatest playground for an actor to get to interpret the lyrical genius that is Sondheim. How fortunate am I that I get to play for a moment in the woods?” adds Kalukango. “It’s a show for the entire family and I look forward to seeing everyone this holiday season at the St. James!” Read more
Dutch court convicts 3 MH17 suspects, acquits one (AlJazeera)
A Dutch court has sentenced three Russia-linked men and acquitted one for their alleged roles in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
Russians Igor Girkin and Sergey Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko “are found guilty” of murder and intentionally causing an aircraft to crash, while Russian Oleg Pulatov was not guilty, head judge Hendrik Steenhuis said on Thursday.
The verdict came eight years after the Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was blown out of the sky over Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board.
At the time, pro-Russian separatist rebels and Ukrainian forces were locked in a tense conflict. Read more
UFC: Adesanya drops to No.5 in rankings (Punch)
Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has dropped in the latest UFC pound-for-pound rankings following his defeat to long-time rival, Alex Pereira at UFC 281 October 13.
Pereira (7-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defeated Adesanya for the third time when he stopped him in the fifth round via TKO.
The loss was Adesanya’s first at middleweight and his first stoppage defeat.
For the first time since unifying the belt in 2019, Adesanya is no longer sitting atop the middleweight division and is now the No.1 contender. Read more
Blame Pinnick for Eagles World Cup absence – Rohr (Punch)
Gernot Rohr says the decision by former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, to sack him denied the Super Eagles qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 69-year-old German was fired as head coach of the three-time African champions by the NFF last December, after a string of poor performances.
NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, replaced Rohr on an interim basis leading the Eagles to a round of 16 finish at the delayed 2022 Africa Cup of Nations last January, but failed to qualify the team for the World Cup.
The Eagles were eliminated by eternal rivals Ghana on the away-goal rule following a 1-1 draw in the second leg in Abuja, after the first leg between both sides ended goalless in Kumasi.
Gianni Infantino unopposed to get 4 more years as FIFA president (CBC)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is getting four more years in charge of soccer’s governing body after no candidate stepped up to challenge him.
FIFA said Thursday the 52-year-old Swiss lawyer was the only person to enter the race by the time the deadline passed overnight — exactly four months before election day on March 16 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Infantino won a five-candidate race in 2016 to replace Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected unopposed in 2019. He’s now set to stay in the job beyond the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Infantino’s upcoming re-election to the $3 million-per-year job may not be his final term in office. FIFA rules allow him to run again to stay in power for another World Cup cycle until 2031.
World Cup 2022: Ghana beat Switzerland in final warm-up game (BBC)
Ghana will head into the World Cup finals on a winning note after beating Switzerland 2-0 in a warm-up match in Abu Dhabi.
Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo scored for the Black Stars, with both players netting their first international goals.
Salisu, 23, opened the scoring with a looping header from a poorly defended corner in the 70th minute and Semenyo fired home from close range four minutes later after a storming run from Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Both players made their debuts for Ghana this year, with Salisu winning his first cap in a 3-0 friendly defeat by Brazil in September while 22-year-old Semenyo first played for the West Africans in the 3-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Madagascar in June. Read more
Sergio Perez says Monaco crash wasn’t discussed after Brazilian GP (ESPN)
Sergio Perez has denied he crashed on purpose during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix and said the accident did not feature in talks to clear the air with his teammate Max Verstappen following last weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Speculation over whether Perez crashed intentionally in Monaco resurfaced last weekend after Dutch media reported it was the reason Verstappen refused a team order to give up a position to Perez in Brazil.
Ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen accused the media of not reporting the “real story”, but refused to confirm the exact reason he ignored the team order.
Some reports stated that Perez later admitted to Red Bull that he crashed on purpose in Monaco to ensure he started ahead of Verstappen on the grid at the tight street circuit, but he denied that was the case on Thursday. Read more
DP World Tour Championship: Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton share early lead in Dubai (Sky)
Matt Fitzpatrick made the dream start to his bid for a third DP World Tour Championship victory by grabbing a share of the lead after a low-scoring opening day in Dubai.
Fitzpatrick, who won the season-ending event in 2016 and 2020, birdied each of his opening five holes on his way to a brilliant bogey-free 65 at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The US Open champion sits on seven under and tied at the top of the leaderboard with compatriot Tyrrell Hatton, who held the outright lead until a final-hole bogey, with Alex Noren a shot off the pace in third spot ahead of Spain’s Adri Arnaus.
Fitzpatrick, entering the week third in the season-long standings and one of seven players still in the running to win the Harry Vardon Trophy, would leapfrog Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox at the of the DP World Rankings if each of the trio ended the week in their current leaderboard positions. Read more
