Lagos police arrest syndicate for allegedly gang-raping teenager (Guardian)
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command attached to Ejigbo Division have arrested a syndicate for allegedly gang-raping a teenager in the area.
The four suspects were nabbed on February 16, around 10 pm.
The mother of the victim, Tawa Abbey, living around Mafo bus stop on Idimu Road, Ejigbo, who reported the incident to the detectives, explained that her daughter (name withheld) went to buy food at Lafenwa Street in Ejigbo when a group of boys attacked her with a dangerous weapon, threatened to kill her and forcefully raped her in a room at 33, Alhaji Obe Street, Ejigbo.
According to the spokesman of the Command, Muyiwa Adejobi: “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ejigbo Division, mobilised his officers to the scene, where four of the boys- Jimoh Kamoru, 16; Lukman Basit, 16; Aleshinloye Sunday, 16 and Ifeoluwa Alabi, 16- were arrested. Read more
LASU sacks 2 staff for admission racketeering, forgery (Sun)
Two non-academic staff of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, have been sacked for misconduct by the highest decision making organ of the university. Also, two workers escaped the sack hammer, but were issued warning letters while a lecturer was ordered to refund over N9 million or get sacked.
Saturday Sun learnt that one of the sacked staff in the Registry was involved in admission racketeering. The other dismissed staff in the Exams and Record was involved in forgery of transcript.
A senior staff in the Registry Unit told Saturday Sun that the workers affected appeared before the staff disciplinary committee, which forwarded its recommendations to the Governing Council for approval. The Governing Council of LASU under the chairmanship of Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo approved the dismissal, issuance of warning to two staff and the order to refund over N9 million by the academic staff.
The staff in Exams and Record office was alleged to have collected money from a former student to process transcript but he forged one and gave it to the graduate. The senior registry staff told Saturday Sun that when the transcript was sent to the Postgraduate office for verification, it was discovered he had procured a fake document. Read more
Lagos tasks residents on infrastructure protection, commissions Lagos-Ogun boundary roads (Guardian)
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday urged residents to refrain from acts that undermine the durability of critical infrastructure in the state.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Lagos-Ogun State boundary roads Phase II in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, he asked them to remain steadfast and take ownership of the delivered road project and join him in the journey towards a greater Lagos.
The new roads, parallel to the Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, is a functional alternative as motorists can now connect Ota from Abule Egba-Ekoro through this network of roads. The residents as beneficiaries, he said, must note that functional maintenance of the road is the responsibility of not only the Government but also theirs. Read more
EFCC: Lawyer sues Senate, asks court to stop Bawa’s confirmation (Punch)
The new Chairman-designate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who is expected to face Senate screening soon, is beset by a legal hurdle following a controversy surrounding his rank, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.
It was learnt that a lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, has filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Senate confirmation of the chairman-designate.
The court document marked FHC/ABJ/CS/196/2021 was received at the Office of the Senate President on Thursday, according to an acknowledgment copy obtained by our correspondent on Friday. Read more
Nobody can equal Jakande’s record of service, Tinubu says (Guardian)
National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, said the former governor of Lagos State, late Lateef Jakande was very honest and progressive to the core, committed to serving the people and was evident in all the programmes and projects he executed.
Speaking at the 8-days Fidau prayer held at Jakande’s residence in Ilupeju, Tinubu added that nobody could beat the record of service of Jakande, as an attempt would only end in a try. On his part, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu has revealed that as part of activities to honour Jakande, a special day of tributes would be held by the state government. He added that the day would be another opportunity to celebrate Jakande for all he did for the state.
National Missioner, Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahaman Ahmad, in his sermon, said the late Jakande was a library in public leadership whose entire life was a testimony of service. He therefore implored present leaders to work for the people and create legacy for which they would be remembered after leaving office. Read more
COVID-19: Ondo restricts attendance at Akeredolu’s Inauguration ceremony (ThisDay)
The Ondo State Government yesterday said attendance at programmes for the inauguration ceremony of Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s second term in office would be restricted to maximum of 500 guests.
The Chairman of the 25-man Inauguration Committee and Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, stated this while briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the ceremony that would commence on Tuesday, February 22,2021.
The Deputy Governor-elect, said the restriction for the events was due to the ravaging COVID-19 Pandemic.
Ayedatiwa, who was flanked by the former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo who is the Chairman of the Media Sub Committee of the ceremony, said all the programmes, would be indoor. Read more
We got victims on dating sites, dispossess them of money, belongings – Suspected kidnappers (Punch)
Three members of a kidnap gang that picked on their targets through dating sites have been arrested by men of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team in Rivers State.
The suspects – Michael Eneji aka General, 30; Nwachukwu Emeka, 22; and Success Okeke, 27 – were rounded up following the killing of one of their victims, Michael Victor, who reportedly went missing on January 6.
City Round learnt that the IRT operatives led by DCP Abba Kyari began to track the gang after Victor’s family lodged a complaint at the police unit on January 12, leading to the arrest of the suspects. Read more
Obaseki accuses APC of taking advantage of farmers/herders crisis (ThisDay)
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accused members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) of trying to take advantage of the ongoing farmers/herders crisis through media sponsored messages to scare the citizenry and cause trouble.
Obaseki who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja warned that people who had aspired to leadership, should not inflame an already tensed situation.
He said, ”If you will just go through some blogs and some of the narratives and messages sent around online and on social media, you can see a correlation. For instance, the people who are pushing the message that I haven’t given grazing land in Edo, if you see them, they are the same blogs, the same people who were sponsoring opposition messages throughout election, so clearly if you were in my position, what will be your conclusion?” Read more
Anambra 2021: APGA N’Assembly Caucus backs Soludo for governor (ThisDay)
Members of the National Assembly from Anambra State on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have resolved to support former Central Bank Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to clinch the ticket of the party for the November governorship poll.
This was revealed yesterday during a meeting of the caucus with the state executive committee of the party, when the former Central Bank chief visited the state party secretariat in Awka, the state capital to notify them of his intention to run for the governorship position.
Representatives of the APGA National Assembly Caucus, Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe and Hon. Dozie Nwankwo who both represent Anambra East/ Anambra West and Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituencies respectively revealed this while addressing the state executive of the party.
Obidigwe said, “In 2013, Soludo was disqualified by the party as an aspirant of APGA, and he took it in good faith. He was not among the aggrieved aspirants who decided to play a spoiler game for the party. Read more
Mars landing: Photo shows Perseverance about to touch down (BBC)
The American space agency has released an astonishing image sent back from Mars by its Perseverance rover.
It shows the robot heading down to the ground on Thursday to make its landing. It was acquired by the rocket cradle that placed the vehicle on the surface.
Perseverance has a large amount of data in its memory banks which it is gradually offloading to Earth.
Among other pictures is a view from a satellite that captures the rover in the parachute phase of its descent. Read more
Columbia Professor: I do heroin regularly for ‘work-life balance’ (NYPost)
Carl Hart, a professor at Columbia University, is open about his drug use, saying substances such as heroin help him in his daily life.
Carl Hart, a professor at Columbia University, is open about his drug use, saying substances such as heroin help him in his daily life.Getty Images for The New Yorker
Carl Hart is a Columbia University professor of psychology and neuroscience. He chairs the psych department and has a fondness for heroin – not only as a subject of scholarly pursuit but also as a substance for personal use.
At 54, the married father of three has snorted small amounts of heroin for as many as 10 days in a row and enjoyed it mightily – even if, as he recalls in his new book “Drug Use for Grown-ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear” (Penguin Press), he’s experienced mild withdrawal symptoms “12 to 16 hours after the last dose.”
“There aren’t many things in life that I enjoy more than a few lines by the fireplace at the end of the day,” he writes, pointing out that the experience leaves him “refreshed” and “prepared to face another day.” Read more
Anya Taylor-Joy and Rami Malek dress up to the nines as they film for secretive star-studded movie (Metro)
Anya Taylor-Joy has been spotted dressed up to the nines as she prepares to film scenes for her new movie with Rami Malek. The Queen’s Gambit star was spotted in full glam as she donned a red gown and lipstick with intricately styled blonde hair. Her co-star Rami also looked suave as he rocked a tuxedo on set, also donning sunglasses and staying safe by masking up amid the pandemic. The duo are starring together on David O Russell’s currently untitled film, which features a completely star-studded cast. Read more
Kim Kardashian ‘files to divorce Kanye West’ (BBC)
Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from rapper Kanye West, according to reports in the US media.
The couple have been married for almost seven years and have four children together.
The news was broken by celebrity news website TMZ after months of rumours of marital difficulties.
Reports in US media suggest the reality star, 40, has requested joint legal and physical custody of their children. Neither has publicly commented. Read more
Why Andorra is the new ‘Silicon Valley for YouTubers’ (NYPost)
Influencer Victor Dominguez of Wall Street Wolverine moved to Andorra last year.
Influencer Victor Dominguez of Wall Street Wolverine moved to Andorra last year.YouTube
A tiny, isolated nation in the mountains of Europe is the hottest new destination for social media stars, it was revealed on Friday.
Andorra, a principality of 77,000 that’s sandwiched between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountain range, is typically thought of as a ski destination and tax haven for the wealthy but it’s turning into a creative hub filled with YouTube stars and other influencers from across Europe.
“This is like the Silicon Valley of YouTubers — everyone is here,” Victor Dominguez, the host of the Wall Street Wolverine business and innovation channel on YouTube, told Bloomberg.
He chose Andorra last year as a means to escape the pandemic and because of how easy it is to produce content when “there’s another YouTuber five minutes away,” he told the outlet. Read more
Man ‘drove for six miles with cyclist’s body on his roof after he hit him’ (Metro)
A driver has been accused of hitting a cyclist then travelling with his body on the roof of the car for six miles. Nirmal Singh has been arrested for allegedly crashing into the rider, who later died, in the hit-and-run. CCTV footage appears to show cyclist Dhruinder Mandal, 35, on top of the car. It is said after driving off from the scene, Singh realised the man had remained on top of the vehicle. Read more
RB Salzburg’s Mali duo Mohamed Camara and Sekou Koita handed doping bans (BBC)
Two Mali footballers Mohamed Camara and Sekou Koita were handed three-month doping suspensions on Thursday.
The ban means they will not be available for the already-qualified Mali’s final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Chad next month.
According to their Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg the pair had taken altitude sickness medicine while on international duty.
Salzburg said the pair were positive for a banned substance in a Uefa drugs test carried out on 22 November last year. Read more
Football stakeholders divided over Pinnick’s FIFA Executive Council ambition (DailyTrust)
It is no longer news that the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick is gunning for a seat in the next Executive Council of FIFA, the world’s football governing body.
What is news, however, is as the Elective Congress of the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, scheduled for March 21, 2021 in Rabat, Morocco approaches, the Delta State football administrator is also intensifying his efforts to ensure he achieves his ambition.
While declaring his ambition, Pinnick said “I have decided to be a candidate for the FIFA Council at the next Elective Congress of the Confederation of African Football scheduled for March 21, 2021 in Rabat, Morocco.
“For me, it has never been a matter of personal ambition. Always, it has been the passion for service and desire to change the old ways of things and embrace wholeheartedly the new and exciting, and more innovative and impactful ways.” Read more
Rodgers unhappy with ref after Iheanacho suspension (Punch)
Leicester City boss, Brendan Rodgers, is unhappy with Italian referee Marco Guida following what he perceived to be a poor officiating which earned Nigeria international, Kelechi Iheanacho, a suspension for the return leg of their Europa League clash with Slavia Prague.
The Leicester striker will miss the second leg of the round-of-32 tie after he was shown a yellow card seconds after coming on, for an apparent use of the elbow.
The 64th minute booking in Prague on Thursday was the striker’s third yellow card in the competition and he will now have to serve a one-game suspension.
“I thought the officials were really poor, I’ve got to say,” Rodgers was quoted as saying by Leicestershire Live.
“I don’t comment so much on them because I know it’s a very difficult job. But some of the decisions… I think we had Wilf (Ndidi) booked and Kelechi (Iheanacho) for the use of the elbow and it was clear it wasn’t. They were challenging for the ball, especially Wilf. Read more
I fell in love with Super Falcons at USA’99, says Waldrum (Guardian)
Newly appointed Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, says his desire to coach the Nigeria Female national team had been in his mind since 1999 when the team took part in the FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted in USA.
At the third edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup held in USA, the Super Falcons, led by coach Ismaila Mabo, made history by hitting the quarterfinal and narrowly missed the semifinal ticket to Brazil. The record still stands today.
Waldrum stated that the caliber of talented players in the Nigeria squad then till this moment was the driving force behind his quest to coach the Super Falcons. He declared that getting the chance to handle the Super Falcons would give him the opportunity to groom and discover more talented female footballers in Nigeria. He stated that the target to make Nigeria among the top nations at the World Cup is achievable if relevant structures and programmes are put in place to revamp the female team. Read more
D’Tigers end 2021 AfroBasket qualifiers in style (Punch)
D’Tigers rounded off the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Championship qualifiers with a 76-56 points win over Mali, who struggled to cope with the offensive firepower of the Nigerians.
The win, which saw the team finish top of Group B on a 6-0 run, was spearheaded by captain Ike Diogu, who posted a double-double performance with 20pts and 11 assists.
With a 42.9 field goal percentage and three made treys from seven attempted shots, Diogu ensured a smooth victory for the team, whose immediate focus will be the 2020 Olympics and AfroBasket preparations. Read more
Liverpool, Everton derby takes centre stage again (Nation)
Champions Liverpool have plummeted to sixth place following a dramatic dip in form over the past two months, giving their neighbours from across Stanley Park , Everton, the chance to move level on points with them this weekend if they can end their long Anfield hoodoo. The scale of Liverpool’s demise over recent weeks is beginning to be laid bare in the Premier League table, where the champions currently sit in sixth place and now a whopping 16 points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.
It was less than two months ago that Jurgen Klopp’s side sat top of the pile themselves, so to now be in a position where the manager has publicly conceded the title is in indication of just how bad their domestic form has been of late.The Reds have won just two of their eight top-flight outings so far this calendar year and have lost five of those – incredibly already suffering as many league defeats in 2021 as they did from 72 matches in both 2019 and 2020 combined. Read more