#OccupyLekkiTollGate: Sanwo-Olu orders investigation into alleged brutalisation of protesters (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu to institute an investigation into the harassment of some protesters who were arrested during last Saturday botched protest at the Lekki Tollgate.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this on Monday, at a media parley, organised by Management of Lekki Concession Company, LCC, to clear the air on some controversial reports in the media, held in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The botched protest was being organised by some aggrieved groups to protest the order by a judicial panel of inquiry into the #EndSARS protest of October 20, 2020, and other alleged police brutality in the state.
While speaking with newsmen on the alleged harassment of some protesters on Saturday, Omotosho said the Governor has directed CP to begin an investigation into the molestation of some protesters with a view to prosecute and punish any officer found culpable. Read more
Panic as BRT bus bursts into flames in Lagos (Guardian)
Scene of the fire incident involving a BRT bus on Ikorodu Road, Lagos on Monday.
Passengers scampered for safety as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus conveying 45 persons suddenly caught fire on Monday close to Anthony Bus Stop, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, causing panic among road users.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, acting zonal coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Lagos.
Farinloye said the bus was en route TBS Terminal, Lagos Island, when the incident occurred about 11 a.m.
According to him, the bus involved in the incident was drafted to assist in conveying the passengers after the one which took off from Ikorodu terminal broke down. Read more
Police arrest eight suspected traffic robbers in Lagos, recover weapons (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested eight suspected traffic robbers in the Ketu area of the state.
Five of the suspects were arrested on February 11 at 10:30pm by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad led by Olayinka Egbeyemi while the other three suspects were caught in the act by RRS patrol team on February 12 around 6am.
In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, gave the details of the suspects as: Olawuyi Olayinka, m, 27; Mayowa Adeleke, m, 17; Fa’izu Ado, m, 25; Segun Oluwatoyin, m, 27; Haruna Shuaibu, m, 29; Amos Abayomi, m 24; Monday Obayemi, m, 25; and Okunlola Olawale, m, 21.
The statement partly read, “One of the suspects, Amos Abayomi, who was arrested with a machete in between traffic in the morning of Friday, 12th February, 2021, in Ketu, Lagos, disclosed that he use to rob in traffic with a syndicate of other hoodlums especially in the morning and at night. Read more
AKUTH introduces cashless payment system to check financial leakages (Guardian)
The Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital has introduced a cashless payment system for patients and clients to check financial leakages, an official has said.
The Deputy Director, Information in the hospital, Mrs Hauwa Muhammed, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday.
Muhammed said the hospital introduced the policy, following complaints of financial leakages by patients and other hospital clients.
She further said that the policy was part of the management’s strategies to curb the activities of “unscrupulous elements” in the hospital.
According to her, the hospital’s management has deployed money agents in all money points. Read more
Survey progresses at N5.3t Mambilla Hydropower site (DailyTrust)
Demarcation and survey of land, the first sign of physical construction activities, have been observed at the $5.7 billion (about N5.3 trillion) 3,050MW Mambilla hydropower project site in Taraba State, about 35 years after it was conceived.
According to Aaron Artimas, spokesman to the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman, the project was reviewed with the coming of the minister, adding that aside signing the pact with the state government, the land and aerial survey of the project site was renegotiated for N350 million.
The Mambilla hydropower project is expected to increase the national grid by 30 per cent when completed.
The contract cost is worth $5.7bn with 85 per cent funding ($4.85bn) from the Chinese Export-Import Bank (EXIM) while the federal government is providing a counterpart funding of $850 million which is the balance of 15 per cent. Read more
Court nullifies ex-Imo deputy governor Agbaso’s impeachment eight years after (Punch)
An Owerri High Court on Monday gave a judgement nullifying the impeachment of Jude Agbaso as Deputy Governor of Imo State.
The state House of Assembly had on March 28, 2013, impeached Agbaso as the deputy governor of the state on the allegations that he collected N458m and red label drink as bribes from a construction firm, J- pros.
Agbaso, who was as of the time the deputy to a former governor of the State, Rochas Okorocha, had contested his impeachment in courts.
Delivering the judgment on Monday, the trial judge, I. S Opara, said that he was giving the consent judgment since the parties had opted to settle óut of court. Read more
Police deploy surveillance helicopter, mobile force, others to Oyo (Guardian)
Nigeria Police Force boss Mohammed Adamu on Monday deployed “intervention and stabilisation forces” to Oyo State over the ethnic conflicts happening in the state.
Adamu said the deployment is “to reclaim the public space, reinforce security and bolster public confidence in the areas affected by the recent crisis in the State.”
According to the police boss, the deployments, consist of “intelligence and operational assets of the Force, include four Units of the Police Mobile Force, seasoned operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau and one operational/surveillance Police helicopter from the Police Air-wing.” Read more
2020 WASSCE: 39% score 5 credits plus in newly released WAEC results (DailyTrust)
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has released results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, 2020 second series.
Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Patrick E. Areghan who made the announcement at the WAEC national office, Yaba in Lagos noted that 61,509 candidates sat for the examination, out of which 24,491, representing 39.82 percent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects including English language and Mathematics.
Of the 24,491 that obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects including English language and Mathematics, 12,040 representing 49.16% were male candidates, while 12,451, (50.84%) were female.
Areghan pointed out that the percentage of candidates who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, in WASSCE for private candidates, 2018 and 2019, were 35.99 percent and 35.10 percent respectively; thus, showing a marginal increase of 4.72% in performance. Read more
Ranching: US mission shares photos of dairy farm in Ekiti (Punch)
The United States Mission in Nigeria, on Monday, shared photos of its dairy farm at a ranch in Ikun, Ekiti State.
In a tweet, the mission shared photos of cows breeding on the farm and added the caption, “U.S. Dairy Milk Cows in Ekiti State!”.
“Ikun dairy farm plans to reach 10,000 liters of milk daily with cows from the USA. A great collaboration with Consulate Lagos that helps Nigeria grow and diversify its economy,” it added.
The Ikun dairy farm sits on a behemoth over 250 hectares of land with hundreds of cows grazing on it. Most of the cows are impregnated through insemination. Notable milk makers including Promasidor Nigeria Limited have investments in the farm. The farm also has the support of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration. Read more
Monkeys reportedly snatch newborn twins, killing one (NYPost)
A pack of wild monkeys broke into a home in India and snatched newborn twins — killing one of the eight-day-old girls, according to reports.
The mother — identified as R. Buvaneswari, 26 — told police that the monkeys broke into her home in the city of Thanjavur on Saturday by lifting roof tiles, The Times of India reported.
Buvaneswari said she was home alone with the twins and her five-year-old daughter while her husband, Raja, 29, a house painter, went to work, according to the report.
She claimed that the marauding simians stole her babies while she was in the outside toilet.
The mother said she rushed back into the house when she heard screeches from the animals and was shocked to find the babies missing. She ran back outside when she heard one of her infants crying and saw one of the monkeys holding the child. Read more
Egypt uncovers 5,000-year-old brewery (BBC)
Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed what could be the world’s oldest known beer factory, dating back about 5,000 years.
A joint Egyptian-American team discovered the brewery in Abydos, an ancient burial ground in the desert.
They found a number of units containing about 40 pots used to heat a mixture of grain and water to make beer.
The brewery is likely to date back to the era of King Narmer, according to the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Read more
Libya clutches at new hope 10 years after its revolution (DW)
The North African nation of Libya has been split since a revolution unseated dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. But a truce has held, and hopes are high for a new unity government.
Over the past few years, the way that Libyans have celebrated the anniversary of their February 17 revolution has been more of an indication of what went wrong rather than a joyous commemoration of the end of over four decades of dictatorship.
For more than six years, the country has been split between east and west, with the sides controlled by different authorities: the Libyan National Army led by rebel military commander Khalifa Haftar to the east, and, to the west, the internationally recognized Government of National Accord headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.
Though flag-waving anniversary celebrations and parades have been standard in west Libyan cities such as Tripoli, there was often nothing of the sort happening in the east. In 2020, on the ninth anniversary of the popular revolution that would eventually end the 42-year-rule rule of Moammar Gadhafi, there was only a protest outside a courthouse in the eastern city of Benghazi. Read more
Tekashi 6ix9ine, Meek Mill almost come to blows outside Atlanta club (PageSix)
The long-simmering beef between Meek Mill and Tekashi 6ix9ine reached a boiling point Sunday morning, as the two rappers nearly came to blows in the parking lot of an Atlanta nightclub.
The rappers both posted footage they filmed of their vantage points of the altercation, in which the artists, surrounded by maskless entourages, lunged at each other while yelling lewd insults.
In one clip, Mill repeatedly hurled crude curse words at the agitated Bushwick rapper, while 6ix9ine accused the Philadelphia MC of having a cop in his security detail in another. Read more
Nicki Minaj’s father killed by hit-and-run driver in New York (BBC)
Nicki Minaj’s father has been killed by a hit-and-run driver in New York.
In a statement police say Robert Maraj was walking along a road in Long Island on Friday night when he was hit.
After the driver left the scene, the 64-year-old was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead the next day.
Officers from Nassau County Police Department say “the investigation is ongoing”, and the rapper hasn’t said anything publicly yet. Read more
COVID-19: UK begins mandatory hotel quarantines for arrivals from ‘high-risk’ countries (France24)
The UK on Monday began a mandatory hotel quarantine regime for arrivals from dozens of countries deemed “high risk” in a bid to prevent the spread of new coronavirus cases.
The new policy requires all UK citizens and permanent residents entering England from 33 countries on a wider travel ban list to self-isolate in a mandatory quarantine at approved hotels for 10 days and take several Covid-19 tests.
Other visitors from the countries currently on the so-called “red list”, which includes all South American nations, South Africa and Portugal, are currently barred from visiting under lockdown rules.
Arrivals found to have given false information about being in one of the countries 10 days before travel could receive up to 10 years in prison – which has drawn criticism for being excessive. Read more
How a joke ended up before Canada’s top court (BBC)
A decade ago, as part of his stand-up act, a Canadian comedian began telling a joke about a disabled young singer. This is how that joke ended up in front of the country’s top court.
Jeremy Gabriel was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic disorder that can affect facial bone structure and, in his case, caused severe deafness.
Despite this, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a singer, performing for public figures from songstress Celine Dion to Pope Benedict XVI – all before he reached his teens – and achieving minor celebrity status in his home province of Quebec.
In 2010, a popular Quebec comedian, Mike Ward, known for his dark and edgy comedy, put together a 90-minute stand-up act. Read more
Kwara United dismantle Dakkada FC 3-0 to go top (DailyTrust)
High-riding Kwara United continued with their impressive run in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), season with another emphatic 3-0 victory over visiting Dakkada FC of Uyo in one of the week 10 matches played on Sunday at the Ilorin Township stadium.
Wasiu Alade opened scoring for the hosts in the 14th minute before Michael Ohanu and Alao Danbani scored a goal each in the second half to hand the ‘Afonja warriors’ the maximum points.
Kwara United with 21 points same as Enyimba are on top of the table on superior goal difference but all that may change as soon as the postponed fixture between Enyimba and Warri Wolves is decided.
Enyimba’s match with Wolves was postponed due to their continental engagement with Rivers United.
Kano Pillars also ascended to the 3rd position on the table after they squeezed past MFM 1-0 in Kaduna. Read more
Australian Open: Ashleigh Barty into quarter-final; Jessica Pegula shocks Elina Svitolina (BBC)
World number one Ashleigh Barty only needed 71 minutes to defeat American Shelby Rogers and move into the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Barty, who is aiming to become the first Australian to win the women’s singles since 1978, triumphed 6-3 6-4.
American Jessica Pegula produced a shock 6-3 3-6 6-3 win to knock out fifth seed Elina Svitolina.
The world number 61’s win on Rod Laver Arena took her into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time. Read more
How Adam Fox went from lifelong fan to irreplaceable Rangers star (NYPost)
Longtime Long Island Gulls coach Mike Bracco vividly remembers the day he walked into the Ice Works rink in Syosset and laid eyes on a four-year-old Adam Fox for the first time.
“I saw a little kid in a Rangers jersey and the jersey was hanging below his knees,” Bracco told The Post through a belly laugh over the phone Saturday. “I was just watching him out there, my eyes just gravitated to this kid and all he’s doing is moving the puck around at 4 years old, just like the older kids. So I’m like, ‘I got to find out who this kid is or the parents or whatever.’ ”
One conversation led to another with Fox’s mom, Tammy, and his dad, Bruce, and suddenly the Jericho native was enrolled on Bracco’s team — a group of kids that were all a year older than Fox. He played under Bracco for the next 12 years. Read more
Anthony Davis injured as LA Lakers lose to Denver Nuggets (BBC)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis suffered a recurrence of his Achilles injury as his side lost 122-105 to the Denver Nuggets.
Davis, who missed two games last week with the same problem, was forced out late in the second quarter after a foul by Nikola Jokic.
The 27-year-old has some swelling in his right Achilles and will have a MRI scan on Monday.
He left the game after scoring 15 points in 14 minutes. Read more
Martin Odegaard open to Arsenal stay (Metro)
Martin Odegaard has suggested that he would be open to extending his stay at Arsenal beyond the end of this season. The midfielder joined from Real Madrid on a temporary deal for the remainder of the campaign having struggled to secure a regular role under Zinedine Zidane. The 22-year-old has made three appearances for Arsenal so far and was handed his first start on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s side sealed a 4-2 victory over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. After the game, Odegaard was asked about his future and the prospect of returning to Madrid this summer. ‘You never know what is going to happen,’ Odegaard told TV2. Read more
Leipzig boss Nagelsmann wary of Liverpool despite results (Vanguard)
RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann is refusing to read too much into the Liverpool’s poor recent results ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown in Budapest.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have won just three of their last 12 games and fly to Budapest for the last 16, first-leg tie against Leipzig on the back of three straight Premier League defeats.
On Saturday, Klopp admitted he does not think Liverpool can defend their Premier League title by closing the 13-point gap on leaders Manchester City after his side’s 3-1 defeat at Leicester City.In contrast, Leipzig are only second in the Bundesliga behind world champions Bayern Munich after winning their last three league games. Read more