Mompha concealed wealth in wristwatches, says EFCC (Vanguard)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said that Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, hid his wealth in wristwatches.
The anti-graft agency said this at Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja, on Wednesday.
EFCC had arraigned the internet celebrity and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited for alleged money laundering to the tune of over N6 billion.
The court later remanded Mompha in custody of the Commission, pending the hearing of his bail application in the N6billion fraud charge filed against him.
The defendants were accused of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of such funds, transfer of funds for a suspect, Olayinka Jimoh a.k.a Nappy Boy, and unlawful transfer of funds for a record label, among others. Read more
NDLEA confirms presence at skit maker De General’s house, says drugs were recovered (Punch)
Popular skit maker, De General, has alleged that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency burst into his house, and arrested him, on Tuesday night.
De General, whose real name is Sunday Martins, went live on his official Instagram page during the visit.
The incident was confirmed by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a text message to
our correspondent.
Babafemi wrote “He’s a skit maker. Drugs were recovered from his house. We will issue a detailed statement on the arrest shortly.” read more
Shippers Council not protecting us enough – Lagos Shippers (Leadership)
The Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) yesterday raised the alarm that they are not protected enough by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).
Speaking at a press briefing with journalists yesterday, the association’s national publicity secretary, Kayode Farinto, said, the association’s members are vulnerable to extortion, trade malpractices and surcharges by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the seaports.
He said: “Maybe it’s too early to start rating the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Emmanuel Jime but, shippers have been treated with disdain since he came onboard. Shippers have not been given the right recognition and cooperation that is expected from an economic regulator.
“Whether anybody likes it or not, the man that receives the highest blow in the import value chain is the shipper. When there are barriers in trade, the man that suffers most is the shipper. It is unfortunate that the federal government is paying lip service to trade facilitation. Last year, Nigeria nearly entered into recession because we don’t produce anything and as an import dependent economy, we need to have trade facilitation at our ports. Read more
In Lagos, rousing reception for footprints of David Arts Festival (NewTelegraph)
The spirit of community festival came alive at the highly anticipated 16th edition of Footprints of David Arts Festival (FODAF) held in Bariga area of Lagos.
The festival, organized under the auspices of the Footprints of David Arts Foundation, and held on the longest street in the community (a custom symbolic with the festival), has become a major cultural fiesta for holiday revelers during the yuletide season.
There is no doubt that the primordial times are far gone with reminders evident in folktales, fables, dance and fashion in the 21st century. The festival in its ample creative expressions thrilled the mammoth crowd that witnessed the memorable six days of the Arts with a dose of what many consider the best gathering of the year.
This was evident from the expressions on the faces of the attendants (both young and old) as they clamoured for more entertainment, that the days and night of the festival should go on, unabated. Read more
Kano student bags gold medal award in India (DailyTrust)
A student from Kano State studying in India, Abdulrazaq Nafiu Abubakar, 27, has bagged the Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award in India after graduating as the best student in Masters of Technology in Engineering at Sharda University, India.
Abubakar from Nasarawa Local Government Area, who graduated with CGPA 9.89 out of 10.00 in India, had studied Mechatronics Engineering at Bayero University, Kano during his undergraduate studies where he received the 2019 Ahmadu Adamu Muazu prize for the best student with CGPA 4.9 in the Faculty of Engineering.
Upon graduation in 2019, the young graduate won a foreign scholarship for 370 First Class Kano Graduates to India for his Master’s Degree courtesy of Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation.
When asked how he was able to achieve this feat, he said all credits go to his mentors who motivated and guided him to reach the summit. Read more
I’ll match anybody grit for grit for APC presidential ticket – Orji Kalu (Nation)
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, says he is ready to contest the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket with anybody if the party zones it to the South.
This is contained in a statement issued by the former Abia governor and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
Kalu stated that while he has nothing against the aspiration of anybody, he believed that the South-East was ripe for the presidency.
He stressed that should it be the turn of the South-East to produce the next president, that person should be him. Read more
No Vaccination No Entry: FCTA staff flood vaccination centres (Independent)
A few days to the commencement of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) enforcement of no COVID-19 -vaccination-no – entry order, the members of the administration were seen in their large numbers to get vaccinated at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Our correspondent gathered that as early as 8 am staff were seen queuing to take the vaccine.
It would be recalled that on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant, Media to Minister of FCT, Abubakar Sani, issued a statement that all unvaccinated staff and visitors would be barred from accessing FCTA premises with effect from Monday, 17th January, 2022.
This warning was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, and issued on Monday 10th January, 2022.
The circular was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) , all Mandate Secretaries, Coordinators of AMMC, STDD as well as Heads of all Departments and FCTA Agencies. Read more
Fayemi warns Ekiti civil servants against participating in political activities (Channels)
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has warned civil servants against participating in political activities, saying that it runs contrary to the rules governing the service.
Speaking during a meeting with senior civil servants on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, Fayemi condemned those who abandoned their duties to play politics, warning that such workers will face the consequences.
While noting that his administration would elapse by October 15, the governor said he would continue working for the benefits of Ekiti people till 10 months’ time.
Although the governor noted that there can’t be complete neutrality in the civil service, he warned that civil servants should desist from politics. Read more
Seun Kuti worthy of celebration- Yvonne Jegede (Nation)
Actress Yvonne Jegede believes Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti is worthy of being celebrated.
The mother of one expressed her sincere wishes for the son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, as he turned 39.
Jegede says Kuti is not just a friend to her but a personality, who is always worth celebrating.
“Happy birthday to this genius of a friend, Seun Kuti. I celebrate you not just because it’s your birthday, but you are worthy of celebrating. I love you, my dear friend,” she wrote. Read more
Oscars 2022 to return with host after 3 years (Metro)
The 2022 Oscars are already set to return with a bang, as they’ll feature a host for the first time in three years.
The awards show has gone host-less since Jimmy Kimmel presented in 2018. Kevin Hart was due to present in 2019 but was later dropped.
However, Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, has revealed things are going to be different this year, but refused to give any names.
Sources have claimed to Deadline that Will Packer, who’s directing the ceremony, and the Academy have started to reach out to Hollywood stars, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on the wish list (now that, we’d love to see).
However, it’s said to be proving difficult to secure someone due to the pandemic. Read more
Berlin shortens film festival, requires vaccination and testing (THR)
The Berlin International Film Festival has cut three days off its official screening schedule for 2022 and introduced new coronavirus measures, requiring attendees to be both fully vaccinated or recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection, plus show a recent negative COVID test.
Berlin 2022 will now run Feb. 10-16, with the festival’s Gold and Silver Bear honors handed out on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The final four days of the festival, Feb. 17-20, will feature repeat screenings of festival titles in cinemas around the German capital. Traditionally, Berlin sets aside one day for these “public screenings.”
In addition, Berlin will reduce seating capacity in festival cinemas by 50 percent to allow for social distancing. All parties, receptions and other public events have been cancelled. The festival, however, said film teams will still be able to walk the red carpet and talk to the press in front of the Berlinale Palast, the festival’s main venue.
The new safety regulations — known in Germany as “2G-plus” — are required under stricter rules introduced by the German government, as well as Berlin state legislators to stem the rapid spread of omicron, the new, highly-contagious variant of the coronavirus. Germany on Wednesday recorded more than 80,000 new coronavirus infections, an all-time record. Read more
Steve Coogan films his first scenes of the year as sexual predator Jimmy Savile (DailyMail)
Steve Coogan returned to work on Wednesday morning as work resumed on a controversial new drama documenting the life and death of posthumously disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile.
The actor takes a starring role as Savile, who died aged 84 in 2011 before his decades of sexual abuse against women and children was exposed, in forthcoming BBC series The Reckoning.
And he was back in character while filming his first scenes of the year outside Leeds General Infirmary in West Yorkshire, where Savile’s victims ranged in age from five to 75 and included adults and children of both sexes.
Coogan will play Savile at key points throughout his life, starting from his humble beginnings as a pirate radio DJ in his native Leeds. Read more
Diane Kruger claims Quentin Tarantino didn’t want her to audition for Inglourious Basterds (FilmNews)
Diane Kruger has claimed Quentin Tarantino didn’t want her to audition for Inglourious Basterds.
In an interview for the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, the 45-year-old actress recalled how she had to fight to be considered for her role as Bridget von Hammersmark in the 2009 film.
“He auditioned everyone. He didn’t want to audition me because he saw a movie that I was in that he didn’t like,” she said of the director. “So, he didn’t believe in me from the get-go.”
Kruger stated that the only reason she got the try-out was because “there was no one left to audition”, and alleged she had to pay her own way to get to see Tarantino. Read more
Teenage mother caught dumping baby in skip by CCTV (Metro)
A teenage mother is facing charges after being caught on video throwing her newborn baby into a rubbish skip.
Alexis Avila, 18, told US authorities she was not even aware she was pregnant until the day before she gave birth and ‘panicked’ when the child was born.
People scavenging in the bin in Hobbs, New Mexico, heard what they thought was a ‘dog or kitten’ behind a bag of rubbish and found the baby, wrapped in a towel in a plastic rubbish bag with its umbilical cord still attached.
They kept the boy warm until police and paramedics arrived. He had been in the skip for about six hours before he was discovered.
‘Their collective quick response was absolutely pivotal in saving his life,’ Hobbs police chief August Fons said. Read more
Fontaines D.C. announce new album, tour and show for BRITs Week 2022 (OfficialCharts)
Irish quintet Fontaines D.C. have announced details of their upcoming album.
Entitled Skinty Fia, it arrives on April 22, and a first taster of it came in the form of the song Jackie Down The Line.
Skinty Fia follows 2020’s A Hero’s Death which reached Number 2 on the Official Album Chart that August.
The band have also announced a huge US and EU tour, with these as the UK dates, including
Reading/ Leeds and support on Sam Fender’s big day out on July 15th. Read more
Canada’s Navy returns to Arctic after long absence (VOA)
Amid growing competition for control of the Arctic seaways, Canada’s navy has re-entered the region after a decades-long absence with a versatile new class of vessel that is equally at home in the frozen North or in tropical seas.
The HMCS Harry DeWolf recently became the first Royal Canadian Navy ship to sail through the Northwest Passage in 60 years, part of a rare circumnavigation of North America that later took it through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean Sea to participate in anti-narcotics operations.
Canada’s Coast Guard has long been active in the high Arctic, reinforcing the nation’s claim to sovereignty over the fabled waterway that became a graveyard for at least one 19th century explorer. But with climate change prompting new interest in potential Arctic trade routes, the Canadian navy is expanding its role.
“Canada has long paid lip service to the importance of Canadian Arctic sovereignty, but the defense of the Arctic has long been a low priority for Canadian military expenditures,” said Charles Burton, an expert with the MacDonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa.
AFCON 2021: Cameroonians celebrate with Nigerians in Garoua over Eagles defeat of Egypt
(Guardian)
Nigerian fans and supporters as well as their Cameroonian counterparts were in a jubilation mood after Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Egypt in opening Group ‘D’ match against Egypt on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the streets of Garoua were thrown into wild celebration as Iheanacho’s superb first-half goal handed Nigeria a well deserved 1-0 victory over Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group ‘D’ opener.
Iheanacho hammered in a half-volley from the edge of the box into the top corner in the 30th minute to settle the contest at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua, Cameroon.
A cross section of fans who spoke to NAN said by this win against the seven-time champions, Nigeria had indeed sent a strong signal to the rest of Africa. Read more
Mikel Arteta suggests Arsenal have ‘big advantage’ in race to sign Dusan Vlahovic (Metro)
Mikel Arteta has rejected suggestions Dusan Vlahovic is not a realistic target for Arsenal amid claims the Fiorentina frontman is reluctant to join the Gunners.
Arsenal have made signing a new striker this month their top priority after banishing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract in the summer.
Serie A top scorer Vlahovic – who has netted 16 times in the league this season – has emerged as their top target, though Arsenal may need to fork out in excess of £70million to land the Serb.
Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina celebrates after scoring
Vlahovic enjoyed a remarkable 2021 in front of goal (Picture: Getty)
There have also been suggestions that the 21-year-old’s preference is to remain in Italy and he would rather join Juventus or Inter Milan over the Gunners, while some reports even claimed his agent was refusing to answer Arsenal’s calls. Read more
2 European clubs congratulate Super Eagles star after Egypt win (Soccernet)
There were fine performances all over the park for the Eagles as the three-time Afcon kings earned a memorable win over the most successful team in the competition
English Premier League club Watford and Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam have sent congratulatory messages to Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye following his impressive performance in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Egypt on Tuesday.
Okoye kept a clean sheet as the Super Eagles secured a dominant win over their illustrious foes in their opening Group D match of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian attack, led by Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, and Taiwo Awoniyi, was impressive as they ran the Pharaohs ragged. Read more
Jurgen Klopp offers encouraging update on Mohamed Salah’s new Liverpool contract (Mirror)
Jurgen Klopp is feeling “very positive” about Mohamed Salah’s contract situation at Liverpool but has admitted that the relevant parties are still locked in negotiations.
Salah’s current deal expires in 18 months’ time, with the Reds spending much of the season attempting to tie their star man down to fresh terms ahead of the summer transfer window.
Klopp has repeatedly kept positive about the predicament Anfield chiefs and the 29-year-old find themselves in, and his latest comments revealed where those involved stand.
Following Salah’s latest declaration that he wants to sign a new contract – on his “not crazy” terms – the Liverpool manager was asked for his verdict ahead of the Reds’ Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Arsenal on Thursday. Read more
Mauricio Pochettino in ‘secret’ Man Utd talks as Argentine looks to replace Ralf Rangnick (Express)
Mauricio Pochettino remains in ‘secret contact’ with Manchester United over replacing Ralf Rangnick in the summer. Rangnick was appointed as the Red Devils’ interim head coach until the end of the Premier League campaign but it seems unlikely that he will be kept on.
The German is instead expected to take on an consultancy role within the Old Trafford hierarchy, making way for a different permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Rangnick has endured a tough start since replacing Solskjaer at the end of November.
There was then the worrying 1-1 draw with relegation threatened Newcastle before a much more promising display in a 3-1 win against Burnley. Read more
Tim Rosaforte, one of America’s top golf journalists, dies of Alzheimer’s at 66 (USAToday)
Tim Rosaforte, who rose from a newspaper reporter to become one of the top American golf journalists, died Tuesday of Alzheimer’s disease. The Jupiter, Florida, resident was 66.
Rosaforte was only the second person in his family to go to college, using that determination to become a sportswriter and eventually one of the most popular announcers on Golf Channel and NBC Sports as golf’s first true insider.
He didn’t have outrageous opinions or wasn’t a former player. Rosie, as he was known, simply told you what was happening behind the scenes, and he had the perspective to make sense of it. With his recognizable bald pate, he became almost as famous as the stars he covered.
Rosaforte rubbed shoulders with presidents, literally, and he had phone numbers to other heads of state. More importantly, he had access to the game’s superstars such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and anyone else who mattered. Rosaforte had so many contacts, he walked around with two phones. Legendary announcer Jim Nantz said Rosaforte once had Woods on one line and Palmer on the other. Read more
Novak Djokovic admits to meeting L’Equipe journalist despite positive Covid test in December (GiveMeSport)
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is usually at the forefront of the tennis world for his exceptional performances, but recently he’s found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The world number one said he made an “error of judgement” after leaving his isolation to attend an interview with a French journalist.
In a statement posted on the Serbian’s Instagram, he also admitted to attending a children’s tennis event the day before he was tested for the virus.
“I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event. Read more