People dropping charms in my courtroom, Lagos Judge raises alarm (DailyTrust)
A judge at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, has warned the people of the state to stop leaving charms in his courtroom.
Justice Oshodi gave the warning after the commencement of the trial of five men charged with the murder of one Ifeanyi Etunmuse on Monday, November 20, 2023.
“No one should leave charms in my courtroom. It should not be repeated. A talisman was found after the last adjourned date in the murder case,” the judge said. Read more
LIRS upgrades consumption tax collection process (Punch)
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service has deployed an upgraded process for the collection of Hotel Occupancy and Restaurants Consumption Tax in the state.
In a statement signed by Executive Chairman, LIRS, Ayodele Subair, on Monday, the LIRS said that the new collection process called the Eco Fiscal System is an automated invoicing solution, designed to revolutionise the collection of consumption taxes in Lagos State.
The new EFS will affect the operations of the public, operators and owners of hotels, event centres, restaurants, bars, and other related facilities in Lagos State. Read more
I’m in my 50s, still hearing ‘Nigeria will get better’ – Comedian AY laments (Vanguard)
Popular comedian, AY Makun has bemoaned the state of the economy in Nigeria, wondering when the country will be better again.
Taking to his Instagram page, the thespian recounted how grew up hearing that Nigeria would be better, and even though he is now in his fifties, such hope is still being nursed as things keep getting worse in the country.
AY then went on to ask how many Nigerians make enough money to meet their daily basic needs. Read more
Telecom firms worry over N200b USSD debt, 52 taxes (Leadership)
Telecom companies in Nigeria have decried the N200 billion debt owed by the banks for the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) provided by telecom operators.
According to them, the debt, coupled with the 52 taxes, could cripple their operation in the country if the federal government does not intervene.
The companies under the aegis of the Association of Licenced Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) disclosed that the ICT sector was not immune to harsh operating environment, yet, they pay more taxes than any sector of the Nigerian economy. Read more
Yusuf Ali for inaugural lecture of FUOYE’s law faculty (Guardian)
Inaugural Public Lecture of the Faculty of Law, Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) would be held tomorrow at the Faculty of Science Auditorium in the Oye main campus.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, who dropped the hint yesterday, added that eminent lawyer and Pro-Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo, Olaolu Yusuf Ali (SAN) is Guest Lecturer. Read more
Tinubu meets Chancellor Scholz on German investments in Nigeria
(Channels)
President Bola Tinubu, on the sidelines of the G20 Compact with Africa Economic Conference on Monday, met with German Federal Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, where he noted that Nigeria is determined to pursue German investment in targeted sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Recognizing the success of Siemens AG in positively transforming the quantity and quality of Egyptian electric power supply, the President noted that under his leadership, the staggered and unsteady implementation of the Siemens-supported Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) would take on new urgency with a more deliberate process of project execution, even as he recognized the need to embrace Siemens technology in all aspects of the project for project sustainability. Read more
Tension as police alert on imminent violence in Kano (Guardian)
APC absolves self, calls out NNPP. Barely 72 hours after the Court of Appeal judgement that upheld the removal of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State by the governorship election tribunal, the police have uncovered plans by some political elements to disrupt the relative peace and order in the state.
According to security operatives, the political elements have resorted to using unconventional media platforms to mobilise their supporters to occupy the streets of Kano to cause disorder.
Addressing journalists, yesterday, at the Bompia Command headquarters, the Commissioner of police, Muhammad Gumel, after an emergency meeting with political parties, said intelligence brief revealed that political gangs were already positioned in strategic locations to kick against the verdict of the appellate court that sacked Yusuf as Kano governor. Read more
Developers hail Wike on issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (Nation)
The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on his decision to set up a Task Force to facilitate the Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy in the FCT.
President of REDAN, Aliyu Wamakko, said the minister’s action will give economic value to Home Owners in the Mass Housing Estates in the FCT.
He also said the approach will ensure compliance with the FCT master plan. Read more
Stop stampeding judiciary, Appeal Court president begs politicians (Guardian)
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has pleaded with politicians to stop putting the judiciary under undue pressure while determining political matters.
She made the appeal in her goodwill message at the fifth criminal law review conference, organised by the Rule of law Development Foundation (ROLDF), in Abuja, yesterday.
Dongban-Mensem, while rationalising relocation of highly sensitive political cases to Abuja, stated that the decision was to ensure a safe environment where justices could decide cases without fear or favour. Read more
Boakai declared winner of Liberia presidential election: electoral commission (AfricaNews)
Political veteran Joseph Boakai was on Monday declared winner of Liberia’s presidential election, beating incumbent George Weah, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) said after completing the ballot count.
Boakai won with 50.64 percent of the vote, against 49.36 percent of the vote for former international football star Weah, Davidetta Browne Lansanah, president of the commission, told reporters.
Boakai won with only a 20,567-vote margin. Read more
Banksy reveals real name in unearthed 2003 interview with BBC (NME)
Esteemed graffiti artist Banksy has seemingly revealed his real name in a newly unearthed interview from 2003.
The interview – which was recorded on radio twenty years ago but was never released – is finally being shared for the first time as part of a special episode being broadcast for BBC Radio 4’s “The Banksy Story.”
The famous Bristol-based artist – who has for decades remained anonymous – spoke to former BBC arts correspondent Nigel Wrench while the artist’s 2003 Turf War exhibition was being installed for Radio 4’s programme. Read more
Rapper A$AP Rocky must stand trial as on charges he fired gun at former friend (Mirror)
Rapper A$AP Rocky now must stand trial on two felony counts of assault with a firearm after he was accused of pointing a handgun at his former friend A$AP Relli and firing multiple times.
On Monday, judges determined that there is now sufficient evidence for rapper A$AP Rocky – legally Rakim Athelaston Mayers – to stand trial for the allegations, which relate to an incident outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021. Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar made the ruling during a preliminary hearing following a day and a half of testimony. During the hearing, the father of two pleaded not guilty with his attorney Joe Tacopina attempting to cast the evidence against him as vague and inconclusive.
During the first day of the court hearing, A$AP’s former friend A$AP Relli – legally Terell Ephron – said that he and the rapper were close friends since they were children and were a part of the same collective of artists from their New York high school. He said that their friendship had gone south and later turned physical and led to the standoff in November during which the rapper reportedly first pulled out the gun on him and allegedly fired gunshots that grazed Ephron’s hands.
Nicholas Hoult in talks to play Lex Luthor in ‘‘Superman: Legacy’’ (THR)
In one of the most significant new castings post-SAG-AFTRA strike, “Superman: Legacy” has found its Lex Luthor, with Nicholas Hoult in talks to star as the classic villain. No deal is done, but talks have been in the works since before the strike.
Warner Bros. had no comment.
James Gunn is writing and directing “Superman: Legacy”, the first feature from his and Peter Safran’s new DC Studios universe. David Corenswet will star as Clark Kent/Superman, while Rachel Brosnahan is playing Lois Lane, with the duo landing the roles in June after a lengthy casting search. Read more
Ariana DeBose says “Wish” heroine is ‘‘departure’’ from historic Disney princess (BelfastTelegraph)
US actress Ariana DeBose said the heroine in Disney’s upcoming animated film “Wish” is about trying to make the world a better place rather than “trying to find her prince”.
The Academy Award winner, 32, led stars at the UK premiere of the musical-comedy at the Odeon Luxe in London’s Leicester Square on Monday, ahead of the film’s release on November 24.
The film follows “sharp-witted idealist” Asha (DeBose) who must save her kingdom from King Magnifico (Chris Pine) after making a wish so powerful it is answered by a cosmic force called Star. Read more
OpenAI investors considering suing board after CEO Altman’s firing (AlJazeera)
Some investors in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, are exploring legal recourse against the company’s board, sources familiar with the matter have told the Reuters news agency, after the directors removed CEO Sam Altman and sparked a potential mass exodus of employees.
Sources said investors are working with legal advisers to study their options. It was not immediately clear if these investors will sue OpenAI.
Investors worry they could lose hundreds of millions of dollars they invested in OpenAI, a crown jewel in some of their portfolios, with the potential collapse of the hottest startup in the rapidly growing generative AI sector. Read more
South Korean President Yoon kicks off 3-day UK state visit (RFI)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee begin a three-day trip to the UK on Tuesday, with King Charles III hosting his first state visitors since his coronation.
Yoon will receive the full red carpet treatment, attending a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and lunching with the king and his wife, Queen Camilla.
But it will also be about business, with Yoon and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set to agree on deepening cooperation and launching negotiations on an upgraded free-trade deal. Read more
Morocco 2024: Madugu invites Ajibade, Nnadozie, Oshoala, 18 others for Cape Verde (DailyTrust)
Coach Justin Madugu has invited 21 players to the Super Falcons’ training camp ahead of next week’s final qualifying round, first leg game with the Senior Women National Team of Cape Verde.
The nine-time African champions will welcome the Cape Verdians at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday, November 30th, before trading tackles in the return leg in Praia on Tuesday, December 5th.
The Super Falcons defeated their Ethiopian opponents 5-1 overall to qualify for this round of play. The first game in Addis Ababa ended in a 1-1 draw, while the second leg in Abuja saw a 4-0 thrashing of the “Lucy.” Read more
Saints keen on Onuachu return (Punch)
English Championship side Southampton have reportedly made a decision about Nigerian International Paul Onuachu, currently excelling in Turkey.
Reports from Italian media outlets suggest that Trabzonpor are eager to secure the Super Eagles forward’s signature on a permanent basis. However, Southampton are not keen on selling him, potentially hindering the move. Read more
Euro 2024: Defending champions Italy qualify for tournament after goalless draw against Ukraine (Sky)
Defending European champions Italy qualified for Euro 2024 after a goalless draw against Ukraine in Germany.
The point ensured Italy finished second in Group C, level on 14 points with third-placed Ukraine but with a better head-to-head record after a tense affair that could have gone either way.
Ukraine, who have never beaten Italy, had strong claims for a stoppage-time penalty after Bryan Cristante’s clumsy challenge on Mykhailo Mudryk but nothing was given. Read more
Benjamin Mendy is suing Man City for millions over unpaid wages (MEN)
Benjamin Mendy is taking former club Manchester City to an employment tribunal under claims of unpaid wages.
Former City left-back Mendy was suspended by the club in August 2021 when he was charged by the police over multiple counts of rape and one alleged sexual assault. The Frenchman was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault earlier this year, and subsequently cleared over a further count of rape and one attempted rape in a retrial in July 2023.
By this time, the footballer was a free agent after his contract with City came to an end in June 2023. However, after being found not guilty of any of the charges against him Mendy is now seeking money back in unpaid wages that he did not get while he was suspended by City for a period of nearly two years. Read more
Davis Cup Finals 2023: Great Britain face Serbia in Malaga (BBC)
Great Britain’s bid for Davis Cup glory continues against a Serbia team led by Novak Djokovic, who says lifting the trophy is “important” for his nation.
Without injured pair Dan Evans and Andy Murray, Great Britain face Serbia in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
The tie in Malaga, Spain will be shown live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app from 15:00 GMT.
“I really would like to win the Davis Cup with Serbia. That’s a goal,” Djokovic, 36, said. Read more
Max Verstappen blasted for “embarrassing” U-turn as ex-F1 star takes aim at Las Vegas GP (Mirror)
Jolyon Palmer has criticised Max Verstappen for changing his “embarrassing” opinion on the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Verstappen won his 18th race of the season in Las Vegas on Saturday and praised the historic event, insisting he had “a lot of fun”. Yet the world champion was critical of the race beforehand, describing it as “99 percent show and one percent sport”.
Verstappen also compared the Nevada track to the “National League” in his scathing review but was then heard singing “Viva Las Vegas” after the race. Palmer, who competed in Formula 1 between 2016 and 2017, was not impressed with Verstappen’s behaviour. Read more