Lagos robbers shoot bizwoman, hospital demands police report, victim dies (Punch)
A businesswoman, Uduak Oluyede, has been shot dead by gunmen who robbed her bakery on Adetola Street, Aguda, in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that 37-year-old Uduak was alone at her shop when the robbers invaded the premises and shot her in the stomach while trying to dispossess her of her valuables.
After perpetrating the crime, the robbers, numbering about three, were said to have escaped on a motorcycle.
The injured baker, while bleeding profusely, reportedly rushed to a co-tenant’s shop, identified as Ify, who volunteered her vehicle to rush her to a nearby hospital. Read more
Ataga’s hands, legs were tied, witness tells Court (Guardian)
A Co-founder of Super Network Limited, Mr. Raman Obiorah Saliu yesterday, informed a Lagos High Court sitting at the TBS that the late Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, had seven multiple stabs on his neck.
Saliu spoke as a prosecution witness, in an ongoing trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged murderer of Ataga before Justice Yetunde Adesanya.
Ojukwu, a 300-level, Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, is facing trial alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri, for Ataga’s murder.
In his Evidence-in-Chief led by the state Deputy Director of Public Prosecution (DDPP), Mrs A. O. Oluwafemi, the witness, a network engineer, told the court that he met the late Ataga, 10 years ago, in the course of building the Super TV App. Read more
Man allegedly defiles own 3 daughters in Lagos (Vanguard)
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday, ordered the remand of a 43-year-old Ademola Oladimeji in Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling his three daughters and assaulting their mother.
The Magistrate, A.O. Ajibade, who did not take Oladimeji’s plea, directed the police to send the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
She adjourned the case until March 2 for DPP’s advice.
The police arraigned Oladimeji, who resides at Fadeyi, Lagos State, on a two-count charge of defilement and assault.
The Prosecution Counsel, DSP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that Oladimeji committed the offence sometime in 2021, in his residence at Fadeyi. Read more
Lagos CP visits Caleb, promises partnership (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Alabi, has said his office will support Caleb University, Imota, Lagos in terms of security.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Caleb University, Alabi promised to assist the institution in whatever level required in the area of security, saying he would ensure no human rights were breached in the state.
“On security issues, police can’t do it alone, we need the public to partner with us so we can share information together.”
Alabi also said there was the need to enforce the law against land trespassers in Lagos, saying the issue of land trespassers was a major problem in Lagos. Read more
Death of 19-month-old pupil: My son was flogged like a goat — Mother weeps (Vanguard)
Mother of the 19-month-old pupil of Arise and Shine Nursery and Primary School, Asaba, Delta State, who was reportedly flogged to death, Gift Ohanezeze, yesterday, alleged that his son, Obinna, was flogged to death like a goat by his teacher, Emeka.
Gift, who is a single mother, alleged that her late son was flogged 31 strokes by Emeka, son of the proprietress of the school, situated at Camp 74, Asaba.
The 28-year-old lady, while narrating how her deceased son was reportedly tortured, said she registered Obinna at the school three weeks ago, only to be visited with the tragedy.
Speaking to newsmen amidst tears, she alleged that she met the school proprietress on Monday, February 7, the same day her son was flogged, who told her that her son committed a grievous offence, adding that the proprietress asked that she should come the following day. Read more
Fuel Scarcity: Transporters increase fares in Lokoja (DailyTrust)
Commuters in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State have started groaning over the sudden scarcity of premium spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, that has struck the capital city.
Daily Trust gathered on Monday in Lokoja that most petrol stations have closed their gates to their customers, on the pretext that their storage tanks have gone dry of stock.
The survey showed that except skeletal services by a few petrol stations in Lokoja in the early morning of Monday, gates of most filling stations were under locks and keys.
The few motorists that shuttle within Lokoja metropolis and across the state were forced to source their fuel from a parallel market, popularly known as Black Market, resulting in the increase in transport fares within and across the state instantly. Read more
Fuel sells for N400/litre in Abuja, others, scarcity persists in Lagos (Punch)
Residents of Abuja and neighbouring states of Niger and Nasarawa are still facing tough times sourcing for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, with the commodity selling for as high as N400/litre by black marketers.
The development came almost one week after the import of millions of dirty PMS from Europe into Nigeria disrupted the fuel supply system of the country, leading to long queues nationwide.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has ordered the recall of the contaminated fuel but oil marketers have been battling various challenges, ranging from PMS supply shortage to complaints by consumers who claimed the bad product has damaged their vehicles.
However, findings show on Sunday that black marketers who sell petrol in jerry-cans are now the easily accessible suppliers of PMS in Abuja and neighbouring states. Read more
Hanifa: Prime suspect recants as Kano re-arraigns him, 2 others (Vanguard)
The Kano State Government yesterday re-arraigned the proprietor of Nobel Kids Comprehensive College, Kano, Abdulmalik Tanko, 34, before a Kano High Court for the alleged murder of his five-year-old pupil, Hanifa Abubakar.
The Proprietor, alongside Hashimu Isyaku, 37 and Fatima Musa, 26, who lives at Tudun Murtala Quarters, Kano, is facing a five-count charge along with the other two accused persons, of criminal conspiracy, attempt to kidnap, abetment, kidnapping and concealing a dead body.
This came as the prime suspect recanted his earlier statement of killing Hanifa.
Tanko and Isyaku pleaded guilty on the first count charge of criminal conspiracy and pleaded not guilty to the other four count charges, while the third defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Read more
CaCovid to support fight against insecurity with N100b (Nation)
The Coalition Against COVID-19 (CaCovid), a private-sector coalition, has put together N100 billion to support security agencies.
Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu made this disclosure in Abuja at the biannual UBA Group Chairman’s Forum 2022.
According to Elumelu, the fund shows how passionate and patriotic members of the coalition are to see Nigeria develop.
“The N100 billion was gathered for the security agencies because we believe that if they are well-armed and protected it will go a long way in helping to assure security in Nigeria,” Elumelu said. Read more
NGO fetes adult literacy students at Valentine (Guardian)
In the spirit of St. Valentine’s Day, Care and Action Research (CAR), yesterday, organised a tea party for students of its adult literacy class to promote the expression of love among people.
The Executive Director, Mrs. Joy Dogo, said the party was a yearly event to demonstrate love and to strengthen the bond between the students, teachers and officials of the organisation.
Some of the activities at the event that took place in Kaduna include drama, singing and experience sharing. He explained that the non-governmental organisation began the adult literacy class in 1999 to give adults, who desire to learn how to read and write in English language and acquire numeracy skills, a second chance. Read more
Trump accountants say financial reports unreliable (BBC)
Donald Trump’s accounting firm has cut ties with the former president and said a decade of financial reports should “no longer be relied upon”.
The firm, Mazars, said in a letter to the Trump Organization that it could not stand behind statements it had prepared for Mr Trump from 2011-20.
But Mazars said it had not concluded they contained material discrepancies.
The letter was revealed in a court filing as part of a fraud investigation into the Trump Organization. Read more
Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes in talks to host Oscars (Metro)
Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes are reportedly lined up to host the 94th Oscars.
According to Variety, the three comedians are ‘finalising details’ to present the Academy Awards, making 2022 the first time the prestigious event has had a host in four years.
The outlet reports that producer Will Packer has ‘been in meetings for weeks,’ trying to figure out a plan for the big night.
The three stars themselves are yet to comment on the rumours, but Amy did tease that she has ‘Big fun news comin’ on Sunday evening. Read more
Aspiring rapper arrested after jumping Diddy’s fence to play him a demo (NME)
An aspiring rapper named Isaiah Smalls was reportedly arrested on Saturday (February 12) for trespassing on Diddy‘s property to play him a demo tape.
According to TMZ, the 23-year-old showed up at Diddy’s (real name Sean Combs) Los Angeles home and began pounding on the security gate to strike up a conversation with the Bad Boy Records founder and business mogul.
After being refused entry, he then successfully hopped the fence and was met by Diddy’s security, who apprehended him until police arrived.
In a video clip obtained by TMZ, Smalls can be seen pacing in front of the security gate and yelling obscenities, getting increasingly frustrated at being unable to make contact.
Diddy was not home at the time and Smalls was arrested for trespassing but released from custody an hour later.
This is not the first time that Diddy has had to deal with intruders. In early 2021, Diddy‘s home in Los Angeles was reportedly targeted by burglars. According to TMZ, an invader reportedly opened a side door to forcibly enter the house, the same property where his late ex-girlfriend Kim Porter was tragically found dead in November 2018, which triggered its security system. Read more
Egypt’s new talent show El-Dom kicks-off with celebrities’ attendance (Ahram)
Egypt’s mega production company United Media Service (UMS) kicked off their big talent show program – El-Dom – on its ONTV network on Friday, which was attended by dozens of renowned media makers and artists.
Under guidance of the culture and sports ministries, 200 participants were selected from 27 governorates to compete in three categories: singing, acting and TV presenting.
Through three stages of competitions, participants will showcase their talents to the juries and the crowd. Two winners in each category will be granted the opportunity to take part in the various UMS productions that have come to dominate in the country in recent years.
Over 12 weekly episodes, El-Dom juries, comprising renowned artists from various disciplines, will judge the talents of the participants selected from over 200,000 applicants. Read more
Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson tapped to host ‘American Song Contest’ (TheWrap)
Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson will host the upcoming musical competition series “American Song Contest” from the producers of “Eurovision Song Contest” and “The Voice,” NBC announced on Sunday.
The live series, which was inspired by Europe’s 65-year-old Eurovision contest, will run for eight weeks on Monday nights starting March 11 with the winner being crowned on May 9.
Snoop Dogg, who performed Sunday in the Super Bowl halftime show with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar, said in a statement, “I am honored to host ‘American Song Contest’ alongside my lil sis Kelly Clarkson, aka Miss Texas.”
Clarkson added, “I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I’m so excited to work with Snoop and can’t wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs.” Read more
Trudeau vows to freeze anti-mandate protesters’ bank accounts (BBC)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken the unprecedented step of invoking the Emergencies Act to crack down on anti-vaccine mandate protests.
Mr Trudeau said the scope of the measures would be “time-limited”, “reasonable and proportionate” and would not see the military deployed.
With no need for a court order, banks will be able freeze personal accounts of anyone linked with the protests.
Hundreds of demonstrators remain in Canada’s capital city. Read more
Oscars 2022: Academy will recognise most popular film of the year, as voted for on Twitter (Metro)
The 2022 Oscars will give recognition to fans’ favourite film of the year, allowing them to cast votes for their chosen movie before announcing the winner during the awards broadcast on March 27.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Twitter users will be able to vote for their favourite films released in 2021 – regardless of if they have already been nominated for any Academy Awards – from today, February 14.
To cast votes, fans must use the hashtag #OscarsFanFavorite, and the film that tots up the most votes by March 3 will be recognised during the 94th Annual Academy Awards ceremony later that month.
There’s some additional film magic in play too as three Twitter users who cast their votes this year will be selected at random to attend 2023’s ceremony, along with guests, and present an actual Oscar award. Read more
Coach Eguavoen’s attitude to NPFL players excites Akuneto (Guardian)
Rivers United attacking midfielder, Chijioke Akuneto, believes Super Eagles Interim Coach, Augustine Eguavoen’s presence at local league venues will bode well for home-based players.
The Super Eagles manager has been moving round Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) during match days since he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun.
Akuneto, a former Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club (MFM FC) star, has been one of the shinning lights in the domestic league this season.
Speaking with The Guardian, he said the target of every NPFL player is to play for the Eagles and have the breakthrough to also feature for clubs in Europe. Read more
Trippier ruled out of Newcastle’s fixtures after foot injury (Punch)
Kieran Trippier has been ruled out of Newcastle’s “upcoming fixtures” after fracturing a bone in his foot during a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend, the club said on Monday.
The England full-back has been impressive for Eddie Howe’s side since joining the Magpies from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, scoring twice in a three-match winning run that has lifted them out of the relegation zone.
The 31-year-old, who struck from a free-kick in the first half at St James’ Park on Sunday, was substituted shortly after half time.
“Trippier underwent an X-ray immediately after the game and scans have shown a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot,” Newcastle said in a statement.
The club’s recent good run has lifted them one place clear of the drop zone, four points ahead of 18th-placed Norwich. Read more
Eriksen returns to action in friendly (BBC)
Christian Eriksen played an hour in a closed-doors friendly against a Southend United XI on Monday, his first match since suffering cardiac arrest.
Ex-Spurs midfielder Eriksen created a goal in Brentford’s 3-2 victory.
The Denmark international, who turned 30 today, joined Brentford last month after being released by Inter Milan.
Last week, Eriksen told BBC Sport it feels like a miracle to be able to resume his career after collapsing while playing at Euro 2020 last summer.
Eriksen is building up his match fitness and the outing against the Southend side is seen by Brentford manager Thomas Frank as a crucial part of that. Read more
Lagos ready tor national judo trials, says Hammed (Guardian)
Chairman, Lagos State Judo Association (LSJA), Sheriff Hammed, has assured Nigerians that the state is prepared to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games national judo trials, which was earlier moved from January to this month.
The tournament, which serves as athletes’ selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham, England, was earlier scheduled to hold from January 26 to 29 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
But it was rescheduled to hold from February 22 to 25 at the same venue as the earlier date clashed with zonal eliminations for the 2022 NUGA Games to be hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Over 300 judokas from across the country are expected to participate in the three-day tournament.
The LSJA chairman said the event would give the state opportunity to showcase its facilities and the support the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has been receiving from the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government. Read more
‘Best feeling in the world’ – Los Angeles Rams stars react to Super Bowl win (Metro)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive lineman Aaron Donald described the team’s Super Bowl triumph as the ‘best feeling in the world’.
The Rams scored a late touchdown to complete a comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56.
The Bengals looked on course to win their first Super Bowl but the Rams, playing in their home stadium, rallied to snatch a maiden title courtesy of a 23-20 win.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said: ‘It feels outstanding. I am so proud of this team. Read more
No medal ceremony for Kamila Valieva at Winter Olympics as WADA slam reinstatement (Metro)
Kamila Valieva has been cleared to compete again at the Winter Olympics but the International Olympic Committee say there will be no medal ceremony if she finishes on the podium.
The 15-year-old Russian figure skater was provisionally suspended last week after failing a drugs test, but on Monday the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that she should be allowed to compete.
Sport’s highest court adjudged that ‘exceptional circumstances’ – namely that Valieva is under 16 years old – meant she is a protected person, while they also cited issues around the timing of the test result.
The ruling criticised the length of time it took for the positive test to be revealed – with the teenager testing positive for angina-prevention drug trimetazidine on December 25 last year – and said ‘such late notification was not her fault’. Read more
Champions League returns: What to look out for in 2021-22 knockout stages (BBC)
Last updated on14 February 202214 February 2022.
From the sectionEuropean Football
A clean sweep of English teams but no Barcelona. No away goals either.
The Champions League last 16 starts this week with Paris St-Germain v Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon v Manchester City on Tuesday.
Let’s jog your memory on who is still in it and what to look out for.
No Barcelona
Barcelona lost three of their group games by a 3-0 scoreline
This is the first time in 18 years that Barcelona are not in the Champions League knockout stages.
Spanish newspaper AS called it Barcelona’s “resignation from the football elite” as they lost 3-0 to Bayern Munich to finish third (Barca’s third 3-0 defeat in their six games). Read more