Man docked for allegedly stealing from girlfriend’s piggy bank (Guardian)
A 33-year-old man, Azubuike Omenehu, who allegedly stole N120, 000 from his girlfriend’s piggy bank, on Wednesday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Omenehu, of No 45, Makanjuola St., Orile Iganmu, Lagos, is being tried for stealing and escaping from lawful custody.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Nov. 3, at the same address.
He said that the girlfriend and complainant, Mercy Nwaoga, insisted that the defendant was the only person who knew where her wooden safe was.
Ekhueorohan submitted that Omenehu was detained at the police station where he escaped, but was later re-arrested.
He said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 106 (b) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Read more
Comedian Cute Abiola spends 10 days in detention, Navy says administrative procedure ongoing (Punch)
Naval personnel and online comedian, Abdulgafar Ahmad, aka Cute Abiola, has spent 10 days in the custody of the Nigerian Navy for posting a video of himself in military uniform on social media, The PUNCH reports.
This is as the Naval spokesperson, Commodore Saluman Dahun, said Ahmad’s case is an administrative matter which is being treated administratively.
Dahun, who stated this in an exclusive chat with The PUNCH on Wednesday, however, declined further comments on the matter as he did not state when the comedian would be release to his family.
His colleague in the comedy industry, Debo Adedayo aka Mr Macaroni, had raised the alarm that Cute Abiola might be missing. He said he went missing after reporting at his office in Navy Town, Lagos on Monday, November 15, 2021. Read more
Capital expenditure gets N823.5b, as Sanwo-Olu presents N1.4t 2022 budget (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, presented 2022 Appropriation Bill of over N1.388 trillion before members of the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
Governor Sanwo-Olu presented the proposed budget size of N1.388,375,930,585, and tagged it “Consolidation”.
The 2022 budget proposal has N564.9 billion for recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure of N823.5 billion, at a well-attended event in Alausa, Ikeja.
The budget presentation was initially scheduled for November 17, but was rescheduled.
The 2022 budget estimates is a bit higher than that of the outgoing year, 2021 of N1.163 trillion. Read more
Magodo Estate residents to govt: save us from land grabbers (Nation)
Land grabbers are on the prowl in Magodo Government Reservation Area (GRA) Phase I damaging a portion Gateway Estate and harassing landlords and residents.
The landlords, mostly eminent Nigerians from diverse fields of endeavour, said the land grabbers have compromised the security of the estate, urging the police to arrest and prosecute them to serve as deterrence to other elements harbouring criminal tendencies.
They also sought police protection to enable them rebuild their demolished wall and live in safety.
Magodo GRA Phase 1 is located along Lagos -Ibadan expressway, close to the border between Lagos State and Ogun State; and bordered by Ikosi-Ketu and Ojodu Berger occupied by petty and major traders, civil servants and other elites. Read more
Where is our father, family of arrested man asks Operation Burst (Independent)
Members of Akintunde Family in Oyo town on Tuesday cried out over the whereabouts of their breadwinner, Alhaji Azeez Maruf Akintunde.
Daily Independent gathered that Alhaji Azeez Akintunde was arrested by Operation Burst personnel on Thursday in his residence at Alhaja Sara Street, Cele, in Oyo town at about 6.00 a.m. and taking to unknown destination.
The Operation Burst is a security outfit setup by Oyo State Government consisting of personnel of Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to tackle crimes in the state.
Briefing journalists on Tuesday in Ibadan, one of Akintunde’s sons, Mr. Akbar Azeez, said his father was taking away on Thursday by Operation Burst personnel in Army uniform and in mufti. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Yakassai harp on benefits of Pakistan-Nigeria bilateral relations (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ahmed Yakasai have enumerated the long-lasting benefits inherent in the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Nigeria, especially with regards to the pharmaceutical sector.
Speaking on Tuesday at the commencement of the 2nd Pakistan-Nigeria Trade Development Conference, held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the duo insisted that both countries stand to ripe immense benefit from trade relations.
Declaring the event open, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the conference as an avenue for both Pakistan and Nigeria to explore important trade and manufacturing opportunities for the development of their respective industries.
Stating the city of Lagos as one of the biggest hubs for business on the African continent, Sanwo-Olu added that the city offers a lot of advantages, in terms of its pivotal position in the West African sub-region. Read more
Rampaging students ‘break’ DPO’s head in Ogun (DailyTrust)
Some Secondary school students in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have reportedly stoned the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Obantoko Division, Alimeke Ignatius, in the head, during a clash in the metropolis.
Our correspondent gathered that the students of Egba Comprehensive High School and Asero High School in Asero, both in Abeokuta, had engaged one another in a bloody clash.
It was further gathered that the students, who hauled stones and other missiles at one another, blocked the main road, causing tension among the residents of the area.
To douse the tension, operatives of the Obantoko police station were called to arrest the situation. Read more
ALGON Crisis: IMC raises alarm over alleged moves by Alabi to flag off NAMTAXS (Leadership)
As crisis continues to rock the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), its Interim Management Committee (IMC) led by Hon. Abdulahi Maje, on Wednesday, raised the alarm over alleged moves by Hon. Alabi Kolade David-led faction to the flag off of National Anti-Multiple Taxation Scheme (NAMTAXS) postponed till Friday in Lagos State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary of the IMC, Hon. Ashonibaire Jide, where it alleged that there were plans by Alabi and his supporters in conjunction with ATD Global Security Services inviting President Muhammadu Buhari, other highly placed officials and the general public to the official flag-off ceremony of the NAMTAXS in support of the National Transit Insurance Scheme (NATIS).
It will be recalled that Alabi and his faction were restrained by Justice Inyang E. Ekwo on March 29, 2021, from parading themselves as leaders of ALGON.
The statement reads in part, “Again it has come to our notice that the restrained Hon. Alabi Kolade David led faction unmoved by a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction, has continued to impersonate and pass themselves off as leadership of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, taking hold of the association with the intent to mislead and defraud unsuspecting general public. Read more
Lagos, Ogun residents cry out as prices of charcoal, firewood jump by 68%, LPG 200% (Tribune)
This is not the best time for the urban poor, especially residents of Lagos and Ogun states as the prices of charcoal and firewood have gone up by 100 per cent.
The development, Nigerian Tribune gathered, was triggered by the astronomical increase in the price of 12.5kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, by 200 per cent, from N3,000 to N9,000 between January and November.
The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari, at a forum on Tuesday, had blamed the hike in prices of cooking gas global crunch on gas supply of gas, adding that many countries are now threatened by lack of supply.
He, however, assured that the company was working on increasing local production to meet the needs of consumers. Read more
The lavish home in the House of Gucci movie is now available for fans to stay in (Metro)
This Friday, the long-awaited House of Gucci movie hits our screens.
Featuring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, and Jared Leto (in prosthetics), the film documents Patrizia Reggiani’s induction into the fashion family after marrying Maurizio Gucci – with murderous consequences.
It’s been many years in the making, but finally fans of both haute couture and true crime are getting to see the story on screen, directed by Ridley Scott.
And it doesn’t need to stop at going to watch the film.
The actual house House of Gucci was film is available to rent, so you can live like the glamorous life of a fashion dynasty (albeit without the betrayals and crime). Read more
ECDC urges action to control coronavirus ahead of year-end holidays (Politico)
Governments must tighten health measures to prevent a further winter surge in coronavirus cases driven by social mingling over the year-end holidays, the EU’s infectious disease agency said Wednesday.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that, if no action is taken, December and January could see a jump in the load on health systems due to the coronavirus. Europe has seen growth in both cases and hospitalizations in the past two months, with the increase most marked in Eastern Europe as well as Germany and Austria.
“The current average level of vaccine uptake in the EU/EEA will be insufficient to limit the burden of COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations over the winter months,” the ECDC said in a report.
If public health measures succeed in achieving a “high contact reduction,” then the burden created by the virus would be manageable by the end of December and beginning of January. Read more
Brother pays tribute to Bobbi-Anne McLeod after body found (Guardian)
The brother of an 18-year-old woman whose body was found three days after she went missing near her home in Devon has led the tributes to her, describing her as “beautiful and talented”.
Police in Plymouth launched a murder inquiry after finding a body believed to be of Bobbi-Anne McLeod. Two men, aged 26, and 26, have been arrested.
A local MP said on Wednesday the death was another disturbing example of the “cultural problem of violence against women”.
McLeod’s brother, Lee, 20, posted a picture on Facebook of himself and his sister together as children and wrote: “Until we meet again sis. I love you. Read more
Sweden’s parliament picks Magdalena Andersson as first female PM (France24)
Sweden’s parliament on Wednesday approved Magdalena Andersson as the country’s first female prime minister, tapping the finance minister who recently became the new leader of the Social Democratic party.
Andersson was tapped to replace Stefan Lofven as party leader and prime minister, roles he relinquished earlier this year.
The development marked a milestone for Sweden, viewed for decades as one of Europe’s most progressive countries when it comes to gender relations, but which had yet to have a woman in the top political post. Lofven’s government has describes itself as “feminist,” putting equality between women and men at the heart of national and international work.
In a speech to parliament, Amineh Kakabaveh, an independent lawmaker who supported Andersson, noted that Sweden is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of a decision to introduce universal and equal suffrage in the Scandinavian country. Read more
On the road again: Travellers emerge in time for Thanksgiving (ABC)
Determined to reclaim Thanksgiving traditions that were put on pause last year by the pandemic, millions of Americans will be loading up their cars or piling onto planes to gather again with friends and family.
The number of air travelers this week is expected to approach or even exceed pre-pandemic levels, and auto club AAA predicts that 48.3 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday period, an increase of nearly 4 million over last year despite sharply higher gasoline prices.
Many feel emboldened by the fact that nearly 200 million Americans are now fully vaccinated. But it also means brushing aside concerns about a resurgent virus at a time when the U.S. is now averaging nearly 100,000 new infections a day and hospitals in Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona are seeing alarming increases in patients.
The seven-day daily average of new reported cases up nearly 30% in the last two weeks through Tuesday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says unvaccinated people should not travel, although it is unclear whether that recommendation is having any effect. Read more
Huawei, banned from the US, teases consumers with Black Friday 100 per cent discount offer (SCMP)
Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co has teased American consumers with a “100 per cent off” Black Friday discount on its phones in the US, a market it is banned from selling into.
“Black Friday special! 100% OFF all phones we currently sell in the US,” the US branch of the Shenzhen-based company said in a post on Twitter, the social media platform banned in China.
After the “offer” won thousands of likes, Huawei USA said on its account, which has nearly 142,000 followers, that the offer was “just a joke” because “we can’t sell anything in the USA”, adding three Loudly Crying Face emoji.
In May 2019, the US added Huawei to a trade blacklist over the company’s alleged ties to Beijing, which were seen as a national security threat. Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegations. Read more
Realness Institute, Netflix, call for entries for film traineeship (VON)
Global streaming platform, Netflix, and the Realness Institute, are calling for entries for screenwriters, and filmmakers to join the 2022 Episodic Lab and development executive traineeship programme.
The Episodic Lab is a development programme that gives screenwriters from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria an opportunity to develop their original story ideas, in any genre.
The participants have the opportunity of pitching their stories to Netflix executives at the end of the programme.
The programme, targets filmmakers seeking opportunities to develop their original story ideas, in any genre and are also interested in being story consultants. Read more
Karim Benzema: French footballer guilty in sex tape blackmail case (BBC)
France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been found guilty of conspiring to blackmail a fellow French footballer with a sex tape.
A judge handed Benzema a one-year suspended jail term and ordered him to pay a €75,000 (£63,000; $84,000) fine.
Benzema, 33, was one of five people put on trial last month over an attempt to extort Frenchman Mathieu Valbuena.
The scandal has stunned the football community in France and both players lost their national team places.
The case dates back to June 2015, when the two footballers were at a French training camp.
At the camp, Benzema put pressure on Valbuena to pay off the blackmailers, whom he had conspired with to act as an intermediary, prosecutors said. Read more
Shaun Wright-Phillips makes Pep Guardiola Man City legacy claim ahead of PSG clash (MEN)
Pep Guardiola does not need to win the Champions League with Man City to cement his legacy.
That is the verdict of former City star Shaun Wright-Phillips, who believes the Catalan will prove to be very difficult to replace when he decides to leave the Blues.
Guardiola has amassed a haul of 10 major trophies since taking over as City boss in 2016 but the Champions League crown has so far eluded him.
City were beaten in last season’s final by Chelsea, though remain one of the favourites to lift the trophy again this term. Read more
Christian Pulisic backs Reece James to finish the season as Chelsea top scorer (DailyStar)
Christian Pulisic says he wouldn’t be surprised if Reece James finishes the season as Chelsea’s top scorer.
The red-hot England right back made it five for the campaign so far in Tuesday night’s 4-0 rout of Juventus in the Champions League.
So he already has more goals than anyone else at Stamford Bridge, and when asked whether he can keep it up, team-mate Pulisic gave an emphatic answer.
The USA star said: “Honestly, the way he is playing right now and the way he strikes the ball, I wouldn’t be surprised! Read more
Fleetwood Town explain Simon Grayson decision as ex-Leeds United boss departs (LeedsLive)
Former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has been relieved of his duties at Fleetwood Town after less than 10 months in charge.
He was appointed manager at Highbury Stadium at the end of January to replace Joey Barton but has not lasted the year with the Cod Army sat 22nd in League One.
The threat of relegation clearly became too real for the board which left them with no choice but to remove Grayson.
The decision comes following their 3-1 defeat to Oxford United on Tuesday evening which extended their winless run to eight matches in all competitions. Read more
ITTF World Championships: Aruna, Abiodun in good start (Nation)
Quadri Aruna and his compatriot Bode Abiodun yesterday showed their class against Belarus’ Aleksandr Khanin and India’s Anthony Amalraj as the Nigerians defeated their opponents to advance to the second round of the Men’s Singles at the on-going at the 2021 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships.
Listed among the top 32 seeds, Aruna did not start well against his Belarusian opponent but raised his game from the first set to put the entire match beyond the European to progress to the second round.
“I am so happy that I won today, but it was not an easy match because the first match of every competition is always very tough. However, I think I raised my game from the first game to ensure I dominated the match. I am here to give my best as usual, and I want to be a good ambassador of my country here in Houston,” Aruna said after the match.
Meanwhile, Abiodun was on the brink of defeat but recovered to defeat his Indian opponent 4-3 in an entertaining encounter. Read more
Lewis Hamilton explains why he no longergives Max Verstappen the ‘benefit of the doubt’ (Express)
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton admits this season he has had to be “very, very wary” in his title battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, adding he no longer gives the Dutchman the “benefit of the doubt” on track. The Red Bull driver has pushed Hamilton to the limit this season, in what the seven-time world champion has described as “too aggressive” driving as the pair battle it out to become the 2021 world champion.
Despite seven titles under his belt, most coming in the dominating Mercedes turbo-hybrid era, Hamilton has had to change tactics this season to defend hard against the current championship leader.
Speaking to the BBC about the title fight with Verstappen, Hamilton said: “You just have to be very, very wary – more wary than ever before.
“Rather than giving someone the benefit of the doubt, you have to know that’s what’s going to happen. So you always have to be ready to avoid a collision at all costs, [even] if it means going wide, because you want to see the end of the race, right? Read more
Canada Curling uniforms for 2022 events to feature indigenous pattern (InsidetheGames)
Canada’s curling teams will have a nod to indigenous communities on their uniforms during international events in 2022, following the launch of the nation’s latest apparel.
Created by Curling Canada and its official uniform partner and indigenous-owned company Dynasty Curling, these uniforms are to debut at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in February and March respectively.
Uniforms will continue to be worn at the World Junior Curling Championships in Sweden as well as at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Prince George in Canada and the World Men’s Curling Championship in Las Vegas.
It is in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, which laid out recommendations to find reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Read more