Police nab suspected robber on motorcycle (Punch)
Personnel of the New Oko-Oba Police Division in the Agege area of Lagos State have arrested one Afeez Mohammed, 22, of No. 1 Church Street, off Olowu Street, Ikeja, for armed robbery.
Mohammed, a security guard and an apprentice aluminium fabricator, was said to have been apprehended under the bridge at Abule Egba around 1.45am on Sunday by the police, who were trying to remove a truck that was involved in a crash.
A source told our correspondent that the policemen intercepted an Opay motorcyclist with two passengers.
He added that while searching them, a locally-made revolver pistol with one round of ammunition and stolen phones were recovered from them.
According to him, the police were able to arrest Mohammed, while the other suspects, one Friday, and the Opay motorcyclist escaped. Read more
Security man arraigned (Nation)
A 32-year-old security man, Jerry Garuba, was on Monday arraigned at a Lagos Magistrates’ Court, Igbosere for allegedly impersonating a Nigeria Police Force (NPF) officer and for wearing a police uniform.
Garuba, who lives at 14, Oke Awori Ajah, is facing a three-count charge bordering on impersonation, unlawful possession of police camouflage and stealing of phones, preferred against him by the police before Magistrate Mrs. M. O. Ope-Agbe.
Prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 15, 2019 at General Paint, Ajah, Lagos.
He said the defendant presented himself and impersonated as a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Elemoro Police Station, by wearing a Nigeria Police Force uniform. Read more
Lagos estate residents prevent church from holding service (Punch)
Members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Agape Assembly, were on Sunday, thrown into confusion after the executive of the M.K.O. Abiola Gardens Estate in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos State, allegedly used chains and padlocks to lock the gate and the main entrance to the church to prevent members from gaining entry.
Not done, members of the executive were said to have deposited truck loads of sand and granite in strategic locations on the premises of the church’s land to prevent vehicles from gaining entry.
Our correspondent learnt that the development followed efforts by the executive to get the church to relocate from the estate hall.
Footage and pictures of the incident, which were made available to our correspondent, showed as the gate and entrance to the hall were locked with chains and padlocks. Read more
Police arraign ‘fake UNILAG lecturer’ (Nation)
The police in Lagos have arraigned a 39-year-old fake lecturer, Mr. Isaac Obi, at an Ojo Magistrates’ Court.
He is charged with three counts of false pretence, fraud and stealing.
Prosecuting Inspector Simon Uche told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on November 1, 2019 in Lagos.
He alleged that the defendant presented himself as a lecturer from the University of Lagos to Lucky Ikeduba. Read more
Teenager arraigned for weapons possession (Punch)
An 18-year-old boy, Sodiq Shehu, has been arraigned before the Magistrates’ Court 8, Ogba, Lagos State, for having in his possession one cast chief revolver pistol, a long cutlass and Automated Teller Machine cards of the United Bank for Africa Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Shehu was arrested by the police at the Shibiri bus stop, Ajangbadi, on February 10, 2019, around 10.30pm.
The police said Shehu and others now at large conspired to commit felony to wit; possession of a cast chief revolver pistol, long cutlass, UBA and Union Bank ATM cards.
According to the two charges, the first offence is punishable under section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Read more
Archbishop Kaigama urges Nigerians to remain hopeful (DailyTrust)
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has called on Nigerians not to despair in 2020, saying that the year holds better prospect than last year. He made the admonition in Jos the Plateau state capital while felicitating with children from all denominations and different religions during his yearly beginning of the year celebration with the less privileged children.
The Archbishop admonished that everyone should play his part so that the nation can emerge stronger and one of the best in the world. Read more
Shi’ites protest Soleimani killing in Abuja (Nation)
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’tes on Monday protested the United States killing of Qasem Soleimani.
They marched in a procession through Banex, Wuse Area to Burger roundabout in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The members also demanded the unconditional release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, who are detained by security agents in Kaduna State.
The angry protesters burnt a flag of the United States of America and carried placards condemning the killing of the top Iranian general. Read more
How N146m solar grid powers Torankawa village (DailyTrust)
One year since a N146m 60 kilowatts (kw) grid-connected solar power plant in Torankawa community of Sokoto State was commissioned, residents say they have had sustained power supply. Torankawa, with a population of about 9,000 was thrown into darkness for almost seven years until 2019 which came with a sunny side for them.
The pilot project, commissioned February 12 last year, was to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to 350 homes with 1,750 people benefitting, as well as 20 small businesses, five mosques, community irrigating farms, and 50 streetlights. Read more
Family of woman stabbed to death by soldier seeks justice (Punch)
The children of a vegetable seller in Ede, Osun State, Iyabo Olukunle, who was stabbed to death by a soldier on January 2, 2020, have demanded compensation.
Since the incident happened, the children said they had not been contacted by the military authorities on the plans for her burial or compensation for the family.
Iyabo was reportedly stabbed to death at the Barrack junction, Ede, on Thursday, the day she clocked 39.
Information on the deceased’s voter card indicated that she was born on January 2, 1981. Read more
Iran-U.S. tensions push oil price above $70/barrel (DailyTrust)
Crude oil prices rose by a further two per cent yesterday, pushing Brent above $70 a barrel, as rhetoric from the U.S., Iran and Iraq fanned tensions in the Middle East after the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian military general Qaseem Soleimani. General Soleimani and Iraq’s Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes were killed on Jan. 3 in an attack launched by the U.S. forces near Baghdad airport.
Some international relations experts yesterday said the biggest impact of Soleimani’s death so far, which is the surge in oil prices, is beneficial to Nigeria. Read more
Nchout salutes Oshoala ahead of CAF awards (Nation)
Cameroon’s Valerenga striker Ajara Nchout has described Asisat Oshoala as a shining example for African women’s players ahead of tomorrow’s CAF Awards Gala in the Egyptian city of Hurghada, reports goal.com.
The Cameroon’s international is in the race to clinch her first African Women’s Player of the Year but faces stiff challenge from Nigeria’s Oshoala and South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana.
Oshoala helped Nigeria to the Women’s World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 20 years and inspired Barcelona to a runners-up spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last season.
And Nchout, who had the year 2019 to remember as her brace, including the injury-time winner against New Zealand, powered Cameroon into the Women’s World Cup Round of 16 in France. Read more
How African players performed in Europe (Punch)
The European leagues in Spain, where Zouhair Feddal helped Real Betis in their quest for a European qualification place, and Italy resumed after the festive break and there was cup action in England and France.
Here is a look at some of the key performances from Africans playing in Europe:
JORDAN AYEW (Crystal Palace)
The Ghana striker was unable to stop his Premier League side crashing to a shock 1-0 FA Cup third-round defeat against second-tier Derby on Sunday. Read more
Ogoke-Ejiogu denies retirement from D’Tigress (Nation)
’Tigress point and shooting guard, Sarah Ogoke-Ejiogu, has denied retiring from basketball, adding she was still available for national team selection.
Ogoke-Ejiogu led Mozambican side Ferroviario de Maputo to a successful defence of their title at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women (ACCW) in Egypt in December as they beat Inter Clubbe of Luanda 91-90 after overtime.
She scored 22 points and picked seven rebounds to inspire the back-to-back champions in front of a fully-packed Cairo Indoor Stadium and she wondered where rumours of her retirement from basketball emanated from.
She said: “Show me where I wrote that I was retiring from professional basketball. I don’t know where this rumour came from. Please it’s not true. Read more
Lukaku brace keeps Inter top after Ronaldo’s first Serie A hat-trick (Punch)
Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Inter Milan held on to top spot in Serie A on Monday with a 3-1 win over Napoli to keep the pressure on Juventus who earlier swept past Cagliari with Cristiano Ronaldo netting his first hat-trick in the Italian top flight.
Antonio Conte’s Inter ended their 23-year wait for a league win in Naples to stay in pole position, level on points with Juventus after 18 games, but ahead on goal difference.
Lazio are third, six points adrift but with a game in hand, after stretching their winning run in the league to nine matches on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Brescia.
Former Manchester United striker Lukaku broke through the Napoli defence on 14 minutes with a powerful solo run to beat goalkeeper Alex Meret. Read more
FIFA ban: CAS’ panel sits March 19 as Siasia appeals for funding (DailyTrust)
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has now set up a Panel of jurists that would hear the appeal filed by former Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Samson Siasia against world football governing body FIFA following the life ban slammed on him on allegations of bribery and match fixing. According to FIFA statement on August 16, 2019, “The Ethics Committee has found Mr Siasia, a former official of the Nigeria Football Federation, guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the Fifa Code of Ethics,” said a FIFA statement.
It was however gathered that the CAS hearing of the appeal will now take place at the CAS Court Office, Avenue de Beaumont 2, 1012, Lausanne, Switzerland on March 19, 2020. Read more
Chukwueze shines in Villarreal’s comeback win over Sociedad (Nation)
Super Eagles attacker Samuel Chukwueze played a key role in Villarreal’s 2-1 comeback win over Real Sociedad in Sunday’s La Liga outing.
The Nigeria international made his 18th appearance in the Spanish top-flight this term and was on parade at the Reale Arena for 82nd minutes.
Chukwueze could not add to his tally of three league goals this campaign but he won a penalty that inspired Villarreal’s fight-back in the second half.
Goals from Manu Trigueros and Santi Cazorla, in the 58th and 72nd minutes, respectively, sealed the visitors’ eighth league win of the season. Read more
FA Cup: Arsenal beat wasteful Leeds 1-0 to reach fourth round (Punch)
Arsenal made Leeds pay for their profligacy with a host of wasted first-half chances to reach the FA Cup fourth round with a 1-0 victory on Monday thanks to Reiss Nelson’s winner.
Leeds will hope more regular visits to the Emirates are in store as they top the Championship and showed why by dominating the first 45 minutes.
However, Patrick Bamford struck the bar, while Arsenal stand-in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made smart saves to deny Jack Harrison and Ezgjan Alioski. Read more
Why Abd’allah was sacked as Enyimba coach – Anyansi Agwu (DailyTrust)
Enyimba Football have sacked Usman Abd’allah as the Technical Adviser of the club following a string of unimpressive results from the Nigeria Professional Football League defending champions. In a statement from the club chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu, it said in the interim, coach Fatai Osho will take over the head coach duties as all other announcements on this subject will be made later.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, nor in haste. Read more
De Rossi retires from football (Punch)
Former Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36, just six months after signing a one-year deal with Boca Juniors.
The midfielder says the decision is not due to injury, but a desire to be closer to his family back home in Italy.
“I don’t have any health-related issues, I have the need to be with my daughter. They miss me, and I miss them,” De Rossi said at a news conference. Read more
Spanish Super Cup jets off to Saudi Arabia (DailyTrust)
Super Cup competition begins on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, a move that will significantly boost the national federation’s coffers but has angered human rights groups and local supporters. Real Madrid and Valencia meet in the first semifinal in Jeddah on Wednesday before Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid 24 hours later for a place in Sunday’s final.
The Super Cup was a two-legged tie between the league champions and Copa del Rey holders but federation chief Luis Rubiales oversaw a dramatic shake-up last November, striking a three-year deal to play the tournament in Saudi Arabia. Read more