Lawyer sues Dana Airlines over 11-hour flight delay (Punch)
A legal practitioner, Babajide Idowu, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against Dana Airlines Limited for allegedly delaying his flight for over 11 hours without adequate notification.
Idowu, in a writ of summons dated November 28, 2019, accused the defendant of breaching the contract of carriage between it and the plaintiff “when it failed to convey the plaintiff on the time scheduled for Flight No. 9J-356 on the 5th July, 2018 and delayed the flight for about 12 hours.”
Idowu is urging the court to compel the airline to pay him $4,150, “being the amount stipulated by the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, signed at Montreal on 28th May, 1999, and domesticated by Section 48(2) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act 2006 and Schedule III of the NCAA, for the unjustified delay of the plaintiff’s flight.” Read more
Court sentences man for smoking aboard Air Peace flight (Guardian)
An Ogba Magistrate Court has sentenced a passenger caught smoking onboard an Air Peace flight to two weeks in prison. The passenger had boarded Air Peace Flight P4 7558 from Sharjah to Lagos on December 11. The defendant was accosted by the airline’s flight attendant, Adewale Oyebade after being spotted smoking onboard the flight.
Stanley Olisa, the Corporate Communications Executive of Air Peace, confirmed the incident and also disclosed that the act contravened a standing global aviation regulation of non-smoking in-flight. The culprit was however given an option of N200k fine after being found guilty of the act.
Meanwhile, Arik Air has donated food items to both the SOS Children’s Village, in Isolo, Lagos, and Malkohi Internally Displaced Peoples’ (IDP) camp in Yola, Adamawa State. Read more
FG declares Dec. 25, 26, Jan.1, 2020 public holidays (Nation)
The Federal Government has declared Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 as well as Jan. 1, 2020 as public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, announced this on Thursday in Abuja through a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah.
Aregbesola felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on the 2019 Christmas and New Year celebrations. Read more
Missing child: Ondo pastor sues DSS over arrest, detention (Punch)
The founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Akure, Alfa Babatunde, has sued the Department of State Services at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, over his arrest and detention.
Babatunde’s church was razed down by some angry youths on Wednesday, following the abduction of a one-year old boy, Gold Kolawole, during the church’s Sunday service in November.
Three people, including a Police officer, were killed, while properties worth millions of naira belonging to the church were destroyed, during the mob action. Read more
Landlord sues APC over two years’ unpaid rent (Guardian)
A landlord, Victor Kanaychukwu Ani, has dragged the Udi local government chapter of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to court over two years rent arrears owed him by the party.
Ani, who filed the case with suit No. MUD\85\2019 at the Magistrate court (2) Udi, presided over by Ngozi Oruraa, through his lawyer, Emeka Okologbu-Njoku, claimed that the party was owing to him two years arrears of rent.
He said the debt was incurred by the party for a one office space apartment for the purposes of running its Udi local government area secretariat situated at old Nsukka road, 9th mile Corner, Ngwo area of the state. Read more
Ekiti community protests herdsmen’s invasion (ThisDay)
Tension rose in Orin Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State wednesday as residents protested an alleged attempt by suspected herdsmen to forcefully take over their lands.
The protesters that comprised of old people as well as young men and women of the community, regretted that the suspected herdsmen had destroyed crops that belonged to 70 farmers, which was estimated to worth more than N50 million.
They alleged that one person, Mr. Emmanuel Ilori, was allegedly killed by suspected herders while Benue farmers in the town were chased away. Read more
Senate suspends plenary for Imo Senator, Uwajumogu (Punch)
The Senate on Thursday suspended plenary in honour of the late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, who died on Thursday.
The Leader of the Senate, coming under order 43, had drawn the attention of the Senate to the death of the Senator.
He called for a minute silence while the Senate rule was amended to enable the Senate to sit on Friday. Read more
Adoke regains freedom from Interpol custody in Dubai, leaves for Nigeria (ThisDay)
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN finally regained freedom from the Interpol after one month and a week in their custody in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Adoke was arrested on November 11 in Dubai, by the Interpol immediately he entered the country to seek medical attention.
The Interpol said their action was based on an international bench warrant for Adoke’s arrest issued on April 17, 2019 by Justice Danlami Senchi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
But Adoke had insisted his arrest in Dubai was illegal since the purported bench warrant had been vacated by the same court. Read more
EFCC picks up Adoke on arrival from Dubai (Nation)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has picked up a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN) upon arrival from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Adoke is being probed alongside others over $1.06billion Malabu Oil Block ( OPL 245) deal.
The ex-AGF was arrested in Abu Dhabi on November 11 after being watch-listed by the EFCC.
But after a month in the custody of the International Police( INTERPOL) in the UAE, Adoke voluntarily offered to return to the country for interrogation by the EFCC and trial. Read more
JAMB plans drones to check malpractices (Nation)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday said it will deploy drone cameras to all the identified 700 examination centres to check any activity that can jeopardise the efforts of the Board from being a transparent agency of government it is known for.
It also announced it generated N20 billion from University and Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) between 2016 to 2019.
The board’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed these in Zaria, Kaduna State, during the second day of meeting with Computer Based Test (CBT) centres operators with the States coordinators of the Board, financial institutions and internet service providers. Read more
PwC Empowers Five NGOs (ThisDay)
Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC) as part of its corporate social responsibility, has donated N5 million to five non-profit, non-governmental organisation.
The donation has been ongoing since the last three years, according to the Country Senior Partner, PwC West Africa, Uyi Akpata.
Akpata, disclosed this at the PwC 5-for-5 Charity Walk which simultaneously took place in Lagos and for the first time in Abuja, recently. Read more
FIFA ranking: Super Eagles end 2019 as world’s 31st, Falcons first in Africa (Punch)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles retained their spot as the world’s 31st team in the World Football Ranking for the month of December.
In the ranking table on the website of world football governing body FIFA on Thursday, Nigeria have garnered 1,493 points, same as they had in the November ranking.
The ranking still helped the team retained the third spot on the continent, behind Senegal and Tunisia. Read more
Everton targets Ibrahimovic after Milan bid failed (ThisDay)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be joining AC Milan as had been expected as a result of failing to agree personal terms with his former club. It comes as speculation of potential move to Everton, where he could reunite with Carlo Ancelotti, is starting to now ramp up instead.
Ibrahimovic has been weighing up his next move since confirming his departure from LA Galaxy at the end of the 2019 MLS season. He has been linked with a host of clubs, but Milan seemed to be the most likely destination, especially after premature reports earlier this month of a deal.
But the chances of rejoining the Rossoneri appear to have now been scuppered by the parties being unable to find a satisfactory compromise over wages. Read more
Sports ministry signs MoU with NESG (Nation)
The Ministry of Youths and Sports has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) with a view to breaching the magnitude of the funding gap that has held back sports in the country.
Speaking at the signing in Lagos on Tuesday, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare said with the reality of government’s dwindling resources as a problem, it equally presents an opportunity for private sector participation and ownership of the business associated with sports.
He said, “It is an opportunity that is demanding attention in the face of shrinking resources. It demands a review of the current situation where government views and treats sports as a social service when in reality it is a multi-billion-naira industry”. Read more
Nadal not focused on Federer’s Grand Slam record (Punch)
Rafael Nadal insists he is not focused on chasing Roger Federer’s record Grand Slam haul but admits it would be “amazing” if he manages to eclipse the Swiss star’s tally of 20 majors won.
Nadal’s heroics in 2019 saw him capture a 12th Roland Garros and fourth US Open and the Spaniard is now just one Slam shy of Federer’s men’s all-time record.
At 33, Nadal became the oldest year-end No.1 when he secured that position last month, following a tremendous season that saw him scoop four titles on tour, along with the Davis Cup crown for Spain. Read more
Chelsea monitoring Chukwueze (Nation)
Following the suspension of their transfer ban, Villarreal star Samuel Chukwueze has emerged as a target for Chelsea ahead of the January transfer window.
Spanish tabloid Marca reports that the Blues are closely monitoring the progress of the Nigeria forward who has contributed three goals and an assist in La Liga this season.
Chukwueze joins Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha in the list of options and his buyout clause of 60 million Euros would not be a challenge for Frank Lampard, who reportedly has more than 175m Euros the winter. Read more
AFN hails sports minister’s ‘Adopt an Athlete’ initiate (ThisDay)
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is delighted that the Youth and Sports Development Minister,Sunday Dare is at the front seat of Nigeria’s preparations for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Acting president of the federation, Olamide George praised the Minister for his foresight in coming up with the adopt-an-athlete programme which was formally launched in Lagos on Monday.
“The Minister for Youth and Sports Development,Honourable Sunday Dare deserves all the accolades Nigerians have been pouring on him since the adopt-an-athlete programme was launched in Lagos on Monday. Read more
Anthony Joshua regrets public offering of spar Tyson Fury (ThisDay)
Anthony Joshua regrets publicly offering to spar Tyson Fury but believes he has much to gain from sharing the ring with his heavyweight rival.
Josuha reclaimed his unified belts by beating Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia this month and wants to help Gypsy King ahead of his rematch with Deontay Wildernext year.
The 30-year-old believes that he has a better chance of fighting Fury next ahead of Wilder.
Joshua told iFL TV: ‘You know when I look back at some of the s**t I say I think, “Why did I say that?”. Read more
Japanese star Minamino signs for Liverpool (Punch)
Japanese international Takumi Minamino signed for Champions League holders Liverpool on Thursday for a reported fee of £7.25 million ($9.5 million) from Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg, the Premier League leaders announced.
The 24-year-old forward — who impressed Liverpool in their two Champions League group matches this season with the Austrian side — is believed to have signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Red Bull Salzburg for the transfer of Takumi Minamino,” the club said in a statement on their website. Read more
Ndidi gets plaudits as Foxes generalissimo (Nation)
Commendation has come the way of Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi for his contribution to Leicester City’s beautiful run in the English Premier League this season.
The Foxes nine game winning streak came to an end last Saturday when they played a 1-1 with Norwich City at the King power Stadium with Ndidi was again putting a super shift in the game.
Ndidi’s role in Leicester’s success has been described as important, while tackles and interceptions is key to Leicester’s pressing game under Brendan Rodgers. Read more