Osinbajo survives helicopter crash (Nation)
A Presidential Fleet helicopter has crashed near Kabba in Kogi state. An impeccable Presidency source told The Nation that the helicopter was conveying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. “The Vice President and his brother were among the occupants of the helicopter. “It is a six seater helicopter and there was no casualty; everyone aboard survived. “There is no indication of sabotage or anything extra-ordinary this far. Read more
Onnoghen’s trial, proof of deeper rot in judiciary – SANs (Punch)
Twenty Senior Advocates of Nigeria, under the aegis of The Justice Reform Project, have described the corruption allegations against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as “a manifestation of deeper malaise” in the nation’s judiciary. The SANs, who said they were deeply embarrassed by the Onnoghen saga, said it pointed to the need for urgent reforms in the judiciary. They admitted that there were cases of litigants and lawyers procuring court judgements and orders, saying the spate of conflicting judgements being churned by judges is one proof of the corruption and incompetence in the system. Read more
Soldiers arrest IPOB members, rescue kidnapped lawyers (Nation)
Soldiers attached to Goodluck Jonathan Army Barracks, 14Brigade Ohafia, Abia State have reportedly arrested five members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state. Information gathered by our reporter has it that the IPOB members were said to be part of the pro-Biafra group that disrupted church service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abayi, Ariaria in Osisioma Local Government Area on Sunday, January 27. Investigation by our reporter has it that the atmosphere in the church got charged when some of the IPOB members who were also at the church prevented a politician from the ruling PDP in the state from addressing the church. Read more
Boko Haram didn’t attack Borno, group says (Vanguard)
A civil society group, Save Humanity Advocacy Centre has accused Amnesty International of spawning fake news. It said this in reaction to the report that 60 persons were killed in Rann, Borno state during a Boko Haram attack. The group said this in a statement issued on Friday. “We all have Amnesty International to thank for alerting the world to the reported killing of 60 persons in Boko Haram’s attack on Rann, Borno state,” the statement read. “You may wish to note that Boko Haram’s propaganda infrastructure suffered some measure of decline as the media in Nigeria has increasingly become aware of the dangers of helping the terrorists to promote instances in which they carry out attacks. Read more
Fashola, FCT Minister lead campaign for Buhari re-election (Nation)
The Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, along with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, led a campaign to further President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection bid. The campaign, themed FCT Next Level Task Force, took place in Abuja on Friday. Fashola advised Nigerians to make an informed choice in the upcoming general elections in order to avoid regression in the economy and security of the country. “We are putting our record on the line, and our government, our party, our President, Buhari, and our candidates deserve another term,” he said in an interview. Read more
Apapa gridlock: NARTO to go against erring truck drivers (Vanguard)
The Nationally Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) said that it would henceforth picket truck drivers involved in bribing their ways to loading point at the Apapa Port. Chief Remi Ogungbemi, NARTO President gave the warning in a chat with newsmen in Lagos on Saturday. Ogungbemi said with the completion and return of trucks to the Apapa Wharf Road and the continued traffic gridlock on the road, it was time the association looked elsewhere for solutions. “With the completion and use of the Apapa Wharf Road, expectation was high that gridlock would disappear, instead the problems remain. Read more
My first wife got me three other wives – Muhammad, Emir of Kanam (Punch)
How would you describe your experience on the throne as the Emir of Kanam? As you already know, my name is Muhammad Mua’zu Muhammad; I’m the seventh Emir of Kanam. I was given the name of my grandfather, who was the sixth Emir of Kanam. I succeeded my grandfather, not my father. I came to this world about 46 years ago, on January 28, 1973 as the first child of the late Emir, Muhammadu Ciroma Kanam. My mother is also from the royal house. She is the village head of this community and she is named Saadatu Muazu. She is alive and strong; she is guiding us; this is one of the secrets of our success. Read more
Just in: ‘Belgium to take in Ivory Coast ex-president Gbagbo’ (Vanguard)
Belgium will take in former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo following a request from the International Criminal Court which freed him from detention earlier, Belgian News Agency Belga said on Saturday. The International Criminal Court contacted Belgium because of Gbagbo’s family ties in the country, Belga quoted a Belgian foreign ministry spokesman Karl Lagatie. Gbagbo, who ruled Ivory Coast from 2000 to 2011, has spent seven years in custody in The Hague. Gbagbo and co-defendant Charles Blé Goudé were acquitted of atrocities charges on Jan. 15. Read more
Russia suspends role in nuclear pact (BBC)
Russia has suspended its involvement in the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) following a similar decision by the US. President Vladimir Putin said Russia would start developing new missiles. On Friday, the US, which has long accused Russia of violating the treaty, formally announced it was suspending its obligations under the agreement. Signed in 1987 by the US and USSR, it banned the use of short and medium-range missiles by both countries. “Our American partners announced that they are suspending their participation in the treaty, and we are suspending it too,” Mr Putin said on Saturday. Read more
Venezuela crisis: Opposition supporters host nationwide rallies (BBC)
Supporters of Venezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó are gathering for nationwide demonstrations. Saturday’s protests are intended to ramp up pressure on President Nicolás Maduro to step down and call a snap presidential election. Mr Guaidó declared himself president last month and was immediately recognised by the US and several Latin American countries. Russia and China back President Maduro. Later on Saturday Mr Maduro is expected to attend a rally in honour of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Read more
Late Son strike sends Spurs second in Premier League (BBC)
Tottenham moved into second in the Premier League as Son Heung-min struck late to deny a gallant Newcastle a point at Wembley Stadium. The South Korean forward benefitted from a Martin Dubravka error with seven minutes left as his powerful 20-yard shot went under the Newcastle goalkeeper’s body. The away side were well organised and gritty throughout, with Fabian Schar’s acrobatic goalline clearance to deny Christian Eriksen in the second half epitomising their spirit. Read more
Idris Elba reveals insecurities and pays moving tribute to late father after shaving off his iconic beard (Metro)
Idris Elba has stripped himself of his beard while revealing his insecurities behind being shaven. The 46-year-old, who was voted People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2018, hasdebuted his new bare face on social media. The Thor actor honoured his late father Winston and his mother Eve as he pointed out that he isn’t always so confident about the ‘massive’ space between his top lip and nose. The father-of-two – who is engaged to Sabrina Dhowre, 30, – is filming for musical fantasy Cats playing the role of Macavity, the Mystery Cat. Read more
Police arrest couple for killing first wife (Punch)
Amokofia community in Ukehe, Igboetiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been thrown into mourning as a 56- year-old man, Simon Nwodo, was said to have conspired with his second wife Edith Nwodo, and allegedly killed his first wife, Kate Nwodo, over a family dispute. The state police command confirmed the incident in a statement the police public relations officer, Ebere Amaraizu, issued on Friday. Amaraizu, said the state command, through the operatives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, had commenced full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of the woman. Read more
Father and son accused of keeping man as slave for two years (Metro)
A father and son have appeared in court accused of keeping a man as a slave for two years. Anthony Howard Baker, 48, and Harvey Baker, 19, were also charged with six counts of causing actual bodily harm to their alleged victim, 20. Both men plead not guilty to the accusations. Prosecutor Abul Hussain told Swansea Magistrates’ Court that the Bakers had kept their alleged victim as a slave for two years. He said that the pair also used him as a worker. Read more