Man uses renal failure patients’ pictures to defraud Nigerians (Punch)
The police in Abuja have arrested a 40-year-old man, Goodluck Onyewenyi, for allegedly using the pictures and medical reports of renal failure patients to solicit for money from members of the public, which he then pocketed. The suspect was said to have raised over N4.7m by writing to wealthy individuals to seek their financial support for patients needing kidney transplant. Onyewenyi, who was paraded by the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, on Monday, was said to have used the picture of a family friend, who was in dire need of money for kidney transplant, to defraud some people. Read more
Atiku paid his way into the US, says report (Nation)
A temporary suspension of a travel ban linked to decade-old bribery scandals paved the way for former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to make his Washington DC trip last month, a report in Reuters said yesterday. The report quoted diplomats and those with the trip. It (report) said several U.S. diplomats and others familiar with the visit told the news service that Atiku, has been banned from entering the United States (U.S.) after he allegedly featured in two prominent corruption-related investigations. Read more
Police arrest one, hunt for other Lagos hotelier, manager’s killers (Punch)
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested one Vincent Ehizojie for allegedly conspiring with other staff members to kill the owner of the Etashol Hotel and Suites, Abimbola Olusola, and the manager, Tunji Omikunle, in the Ojodu area of the state. PUNCH Metro had reported that the CCTV footage in the toilet of the hotel revealed the killers of Olusola, who had return from London less than a year ago to oversee the affairs of the hotel, and Omikunle. While some workers were reportedly sacked for defrauding the hotel, it was reported that a gang consisting of the sacked workers and some others still in the employ of the hotel allegedly drugged the manager, tied his hands and feet and strangled him. Read more
PDP alleges INEC plans to rig (Nation)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday claimed to have uncovered plots by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the forthcoming general elections in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Its claim came barely hours after the Federal Government accused the opposition party of targeting INEC and the police for attack to prejudge the polls. The elections are scheduled for February 16 (presidential and National Assembly) and March 2 (governorshipm and House of Assembly). Read more
Three sentenced to death for killing UNIOSUN student (Punch)
A 19-year-old trainee Islamic cleric under training, Abdulrofiu Zakariyahu, and two others were, on Monday, sentenced to death by an Osun State High Court for killing Oluwafemi Shonibare, a 400-level Microbiology student of the Osun State University. Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice Kadijat Akano declared that the trio of Zakariyahu, Yusuf Kareem,18, and Ayuba Ibrahim, 20, were guilty of conspiracy, misconduct and murder of the late Shonibare. The convicts perpetrated the crime on June 26, 2017 around 10pm in the Oke-Baale area of Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Read more
Helicopter crash: AIB concludes investigation (Nation)
Seventy-two hours after an Agusta AW 139 helicopter flying Vice President Yemi Osibanjo crashed in Kabba, Kogi State, aviation agencies, led by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have concluded investigations on the accident. The completion of the investigation came on the heels of gathering of evidence – inspection of the chopper wreckage at the crash site; interview of airline crew- pilots, engineers and other technical personnel, eyewitnesses account, laboratory testing of broken rotor and other parts of chopper. A source closed to the AIB said the preliminary report of the accident will be released in two days, but he could not give probable cause(s) of the crash. Read more
DR Congo ministers get salaries for life (BBC)
The government of Democratic Republic of Congo has defended the decrees that grant ministers lifetime salaries and other benefits. In a statement released on Monday, the government said the payments “are not to enrich the officials”. The two decrees, which grant former ministers benefits worth at least $2,000 (£1,530) have been widely criticised. Most of the population in DR Congo lives in poverty. The outgoing government said the state was giving the ministers “a minimum to satisfy their basic needs, notably food, lodging and healthcare”. Read more
Students take over Keshi Stadium as Delta School Sports festival begins (Guardian)
Primary and secondary schools students from across Delta State have converged on the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba to vie for honours in the state’s school sports festival, which begins today. The state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said the three-day festival would feature about 1,500 athletes from public and private primary and secondary, adding that outstanding talents would be selected for further elite training by various coaches at the venue. The students will compete for honours in athletics, basketball, volleyball, handball, badminton, tennis, table tennis, chess and scrabble. Read more
Liverpool lapses in draw with West Ham (BBC)
Premier League leaders Liverpool handed a boost to their title rivals as an uncharacteristic defensive error cost them victory at West Ham. Jurgen Klopp’s side are now three points clear of second-placed Manchester City, but the nine-point advantage they held on 29 December has now been cut to only three following two successive draws and a return to form for Pep Guardiola’s side. City recorded their fifth league victory in on Sunday against Arsenal. They could reclaim top spot for the first time since 5 December if they win at Everton on Wednesday. Tottenham are also in the title hunt following three successive league wins – they have 57 points, five behind the Reds. Read more