LASG shuts Quilox club over persistent traffic gridlock, noise pollution (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government on Monday shut down the popular Quilox night club, situated at number 873, Ozumba Mbadwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos for environmental pollution.
Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, sealed off the premises of the luxurious hangout, owned by the son of the late popular magician, Professor Peller, Mr Shina Peller, who is also a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing the Iseyin/Kajola Constituency in Oyo State.
The popular bar which is, according to General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, was shut down at exactly 1:30 pm on Monday afternoon for incessant noise, violation of rights of residents to the peaceful ambience without recourse to the extant law guiding its operations of maintaining standard permissible noise level. Read more
Why Shina Peller was arrested – Police (Nation)
The Lagos State Police Command has explained that House of Representatives member, Shina Peller was detained and arrested for allegedly mobilising thugs to invade a police station.
The Punch reports that the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana accused Peller’s club, Quilox, of being fond of obstructing free flow of traffic in the state.
He said after some of his customers’ vehicles caused gridlock on Monday, the police intervened by towing three of the vehicles. Read more
Suspected cybercriminals arrested with hard drugs in Lagos (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspected Internet fraudsters, Olaide Salami, Olamide Adeyemi and a yet-to-be-identified female accomplice, for alleged possession of illegal substances suspected to be hard drugs in the Ikeja area of the state.
The suspects were said to be driving a Toyota Corolla car with number plate KSF 462 FT when a police patrol team from the Area ‘F’ Command intercepted them on the Opebi Link Bridge.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Sunday that when the vehicle was searched, some substances suspected to be hard drugs were recovered from it. Read more
Nigeria leads Africa in pollution-related deaths (Guardian)
Nigeria leads Africa in the total annual number of premature pollution-linked deaths, the 2019 Global Pollution and Health Metrics published earlier in December showed.
The West African country is ranked third in the world behind leader India and China. Nigeria also leads Africa in air pollution-related deaths during the same period but ranked 12th in Africa in terms of combined pollution risk factors.
The report published by Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) measured the global impacts of pollution in air, water and workplace. Read more
Man bags life imprisonment for abducting Ondo monarch’s wife (Punch)
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced a man, Ekpemu John, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of kidnapping the wife of the traditional ruler of Ikoya town in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, Mrs Grace Faduyile.
The convict, a member of a kidnapping gang that abducted the monarch’s wife, was arrested by the men of the state police command in 2017.
A member of the gang was also killed by the police while rescuing the victim.
John was later arraigned by the police on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping. Read more
Ekiosa Market Inferno: Edo releases N100m compensation to victims (Nation)
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has approved the release of N100 million to compensate traders whose goods were burnt in the Ekiosa market inferno that happened on Sunday.
Obaseki gave the directive on Monday when he led members of the state executive council to inspect the extent of damage at the market and the Edo Development Property Agency.
The governor said it was unfortunate that fire gutted different markets in the state within a short time, which he described as handiwork of enemies. Read more
Missing child: Court remands Ondo pastor in prison (Nation)
The founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Oshinle Quarters in Akure, the state capital, Prophet Alfa Babatunde was on Monday remanded at the olokuta correctional centre over two- count of conspiracy to kidnap and aiding kidnapping.
The cleric was arraigned before Magistrate Charity Adeyanju, sitting at Oke-Eda, Akure alongside six persons who were said to have committed the offence on November 10 at about 11:45 am at Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Oshinle quarters Akure, Ondo state.
The charge sheet reads, “That you Prophet Alfa Babatunde, Omodara Olayinka, Margret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo, Esther Kayode, Peter Anjorin, and others now at large on the 10th November 2019 at about 11:45 am at Sotitobire Praising Chapel, No 48, Solagbade street Oshinle quarters Akure, Ondo state did conspire together to commit felony to wit, kidnapping and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of criminal code cap 37 vol 1 laws of Ondo state. Read more
Ijaw youths seize Disco’s office in Bayelsa (Nation)
Angry Ijaw youths have seized the office of an electricity distribution company (Disco) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, sacking all the employees.
The youths described the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), which is in charge of the state, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, as an irresponsible firm.
The youths led by the Chairman, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone, Kennedy Olorogun, called on the Federal Government to revoke the license issued to PHEDC insisting that the firm was incompetent. Read more
Two migrants dead after boat capsizes near Croatian border (Punch)
At least two migrants drowned early Monday after their boat capsized on the Danube river while they were trying to cross from Serbia to Croatia, police said, adding that the search for others was ongoing.
The Danube river is a common crossing point for migrants who are trying to enter EU member state Croatia from northwest Serbia on their path through the Balkans towards Western Europe.
“A boat carrying a group of migrants capsized at 6:00 am on Monday (04:00 GMT),” Serbia’s Interior Ministry told AFP in an email. Read more
Secretary stole £84,000 from her school causing a staff shortage (Metro)
A secretary stole more than £84,000 from her primary school to splash out on a new bathroom and holidays, causing a staff shortage in the process. Michelle Pidcock, 47, created a false trail of invoices to cover her dishonest takings from Ashby Hill Top Primary School, in Ashby, Leicestershire. She abused her position of trust to steal from the school fund for five years, which had a detrimental effect on the children’s education due to the rapidly decreasing budget. Read more
Saudi Arabia sentences five to death for Jamal Khashoggi killing (NYPost)
A court in Saudi Arabia on Monday sentenced five people to death for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and royal family critic who was strangled and mutilated inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year, while three others received prison terms totaling 24 years.
Deputy public prosecutor Shalaan al-Shalaan also announced that the court dismissed charges against the remaining three of the 11 people who had been on trial, finding them not guilty.
“We found that Khashoggi’s murder was not premeditated,” al-Shalaan said during a press conference. Read more
Germany: Passengers halt speeding tram after driver passes out (BBC)
Passengers who managed to bring a speeding tram to a halt in Germany after the driver suffered a medical emergency have been hailed as heroes.
Panic spread through the tram on Sunday as it sped through stations towards the western city of Bonn.
Two men smashed their way into the cabin of the driver, who was unresponsive.
A woman called the transport company for instructions and the passengers brought the tram to a stop. Read more
Eight die in Philippines after drinking coconut wine (Punch)
Eight people died and hundreds were taken to hospitals in the Philippines after drinking coconut wine believed to contain high levels of methanol, authorities said Monday.
The victims all attended gatherings over the weekend in the town of Rizal, southeast of Manila, and complained of stomach pains after drinking the wine, known locally as “lambanog”.
Nine victims are in a critical condition, Jose Jonas Del Rosario, spokesman for the capital’s Philippine General Hospital, told AFP.
“We asked many of our doctors on holiday leave to report to work just to attend to the patients,” he said, adding that the need to treat large numbers who arrived with symptoms of alcohol poisoning meant other people were turned away. Read more
Omeruo, Awaziem win with Leganes (Nation)
Nigeria defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem helped Leganes keep a clean sheet while Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri was on target in their 2-0 win over Espanyol.
He was later replaced on the stroke of full-time as Leganes bolstered their chances of getting out of the relegation zone with 13 points after 17 league outings – two points adrift of safety. Read more
Makinde donates cash to 3SC after Ekiti United win (Punch)
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, donated cash gifts to players and officials of Shooting Stars of Ibadan after their 1-0 victory over Ekiti United in a Nigeria National League match played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasigba, Ibadan on Sunday.
Shooting stars kept their 100 percent record at home in the tightly contested fixture, as Chinedu Enuademu scored in the 90th minute after a goalmouth scramble.
While speaking with our correspondent, Shooting Stars coach, Edith Agoye, praised the resilience of his team and the governor of Oyo State for his cash gifts. Read more
Mbappe adds Olympic appearance to packed 2020 wish list (Guardian)
Kylian Mbappe is putting himself forward for the French team at next summer’s Tokyo Olympics, while adding that he would not want to fight his club Paris Saint-Germain over participation.
“Playing in the Olympics, I don’t control everything,” he told France Football magazine in an interview to be published on Tuesday. “Of course I want to go, but if my club, which is my employer, doesn’t want me to go, I won’t force a clash.
“We’ll soon talk about it,” said the 21-year-old, who already has a World Cup winner’s medal. Read more
Lampard floors Mourinho (Nation)
Chelsea’s victory over Tottenham yesterday saw Frank Lampard completely outshine counterpart Jose Mourinho, when it mattered most.
The capital rivals went head-to-head at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium a short time ago, in a crunch matchup in the Premier League’s top-4 race.
Chelsea headed into proceedings occupying the final of the English top-flight’s Champions League berths. Read more
Terry’s raging rows inspired us at Chelsea – Mikel (Punch)
Mikel Obi has recalled how teacups and tables were launched across the Chelsea changing room each time they lost a game, Sports Extra reports.
The 32-year-old who spent 11 gilded years at Stamford Bridge, saw ten head coaches come and go but there was no doubting the club’s true leader.
“If we lost a game, we may not speak to each other for a day to show this was not good and tomorrow had to be better,” Mikel revealed to SunSport about his days at Stamford Bridge. Read more
Kids thrill fans at Itua Moses Boxing (Guardian)
Many boxing fans left the Jankara Market in IJaiye Ojokoro Area of Lagos at the weekend wondering if Nigeria was on the verge of discovering its next boxing superstars.
The event was the Itua Moses Kids Boxing Championship, where drew budding boxers from across the state to the arena. There were also many boxing enthusiasts on hand to cheer the children to success.
The boxing championship, which featured 28 children, both boys, and girls, was highly entertaining, as the boxers thrilled the spectators with their beautiful boxing moves, which elicited intermittent cheers from the audience. Read more
Saka undecided about Nigeria (Nation)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who is eligible to play for both Nigeria and England, says he is weighing up his international options but will not rush his decision.
“I am always thinking about it but I haven’t made a decision yet,” the 18-year-old told BBC Sport.
Saka, born to Nigerian parents, has so far represented England at youth level.
The Arsenal youth academy graduate said neither England nor Nigeria had so far approached him about his senior international future. Read more
Guardiola ready to back players in racism walk off (Punch)
Pep Guardiola has said he would back his players if they ever found themselves compelled to walk off during a game in protest against racist abuse.
The Manchester City manager was talking following the scenes that marred Chelsea’s 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby on Sunday.
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger reported he was subjected to racist abuse by home supporters which resulted in the Premier League’s anti-racist protocol being initiated for the first time. Read more
Ministry’s adopt-an-athlete programme thrills Falode (Guardian)
Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, has commended the great initiatives of the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, which she said would help the country’s sports development.
According to Falode, the minister, who was the special guest of honour at the final of the Nigeria Women Premier League Super 4, promised to help the women’s league develop further by ensuring quality sponsorships that would take the gender game to the next level.
She added that the ‘Adopt Campaign’ initiative, which the minister brought to fore last week, has started yielding positive results, with the adoption of some elite Nigerian athletes, who have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Read more
Leclerc extends Ferrari contract until 2024 (Vanguard)
Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc has extended his contract with Ferrari by two years until 2024, the Italian team and driver announced on Monday.
“Extremely happy to announce that I will be staying with Scuderia Ferrari for five more years,” the 22-year-old said on Twitter.
Leclerc impressed in his first season alongside four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, finishing fourth in the 2019 world championship. Read more