Police presence at Emefiele’s Abuja home stirs controversy (Punch)
Controversy has surrounded the presence of a team of policemen at the Federal Capital Territory home of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The armed police officers, numbering over 10, were seen by our correspondent around 8.40pm, Tuesday, at the Maitama, Abuja home of the embattled governor of the apex bank.
A credible source in the Nigeria Police Force told our correspondent that the presence of the policemen was in furtherance to Emefiele’s expected appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday (today) over a $53m judgment debt arising from the Paris Club refund.
The source said, “The police officers are not there to arrest, but to ensure that he doesn’t run away again as he did weeks ago.” Read more
Chaos as policeman shoots trader in Lagos (Vanguard)
There was pandemonium at Alaba Rago Market in the Ojo area of Lagos on Tuesday morning when policemen attached to Okokomaiko Division who had gone to effect the arrest of a suspect opened fire on a trader.
Trouble as gathered started when the police officers came under heavy attack from a large number of traders who pounced on them
Vanguard learned that when the attack on the officers became excessive, one of the policemen opened fire on their attackers in a bid to wade off the irate mob, fatally injuring one of the attackers in the process.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson Lagos State Police Command SP Benjamin Hundeyin said the incident happened when the officers when to arrest a suspect at Alaba Rago market.
According to Hundeyin, the officers came under heavy attack from a large number of traders.”
“In a bid to tactically retreat from the armed mob attack, one of the officers fired his weapon, resulting in a fatal injury to one of the attackers.” Read more
Delta police confirm rescue of female student who attempted suicide (Guardian)
The Delta State Police Command have confirmed the rescue of a female student of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara, Delta State, who tried jumped from Oghara/Benin Bridge into a river.
According to a video shared on social media by an activist, Isreal Ojo, the young woman was rescued after jumping into the river by a team of police and local hunters, who rushed her to a hospital.
Ojo recounted that he was on his way from Benin when they saw the young woman jumped from the high bridge and they immediately parked their vehicle and raised an alarm.
He said: “I was in company of my friend while we were returning from Benin when we saw someone jumped from that high bridge. We had to park and raise the alarm.
There were some locals under the bridge that ran into the river, heading straight down to the point where she fell. We also called the Divisional Police Officer in Oghara, CSP Hassan, who mobilised officers to the scene. We do not know the reasons for her actions but gathered that she is a student of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara. The DPO and his team along with some hunters rushed her to the hospital.” Read more
Nigeria to raise N400b per month through bond sales (DailyTrust)
The plan by the Nigerian government to raise an average of between N320b and N400b per month in bond sales has been described as too ambitious, which the debt market may find it difficult to absorb.
A schedule of the bond auction for the first quarter of 2023 seen by Daily Trust shows that the bonds are being re-opened, with each of them having a different term to their original maturities.
For instance, for January, the government will on the 30th re-open the 13.98% FGN FEB 2028, which has an original tenor of 10 years and currently has five years, one month to maturity.
The second bond for January is the 12.50%FGN APR 2032, with an original tenor of 15 years and now nine years and three months to maturity. The schedule says that the range of amount on offer for each of the bonds is between N80b and N100 b for each month. Read more
Lagos thrilled over fiesta success after 2-year break (Punch)
Following a two-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lagos State Government renewed its mission to use entertainment to foster unity among residents with the return of the Greater Lagos Fiesta.
The event was spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Femi Martins, and ably assisted by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mobilaji Ogunlende, an Honourable Member of the state House of Assembly and popular Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, among other key stakeholders in the state.
Speaking on the event which was staged during the festive period in 2022 in the five divisions in the state, Martins said the fiesta was in line with the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu’s aim of using entertainment to unite Lagosians, adding that youths had a fun-filled experience during the Greater Lagos Fiesta.
Martins said, “It was all about the E (entertainment) in the THEMES agenda to foster unity amongst citizens of the country staying or visiting Lagos at the period and also to whittle down criminal activities. Read more
2023 Election: Customs intercepts military hardware, hard drugs at Lagos Airport (Sun)
Ahead of next month’s general elections, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said it has intercepted hard drugs, military and police hardwares at the cargo section of the domestic wing of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
This is coming as the Muritala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC) of NCS also said it generated N69.77billion between January and December, 2022 as against the N55.67 billion recorded in 2021, while it arrested two suspects in connection with some seized items.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Muritala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC), Compt. Sambo Dangaladima, said the drugs consist 162 cartons of Tramadol hydrochloride 225 and 250mg, military and police hardwares which were intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO). He said the hard drugs which originated from India and Pakistan and were routed through Addis-Ababa, had an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N13.8 billion and include 92,387 packs, 929,970 sachets and 9,299,700 tablets. Read more
Man, 20, defiles 2-year-old girl in Edo (DailyTrust)
A 20-year-old man, identified only as Amafè, has allegedly defiled a 2-year-old girl in Edo State.
It was gathered that the incident happened in Oza community, Orhionmwon LGA of the state.
The suspect, who is said to be a relative of the victim, allegedly lured the minor into the bush while her grandmother was working on the farm and defiled her.
It was learnt that some passersby who heard the child’s cries reported the incident to the victim’s grandmother, who was not aware that the minor was taken into the bush. Read more
Osun Tribunal: PDP, APC trade words over alleged move to compromise panel judgment (Tribune)
Osun state chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) are now at loggerheads over accusations of Plotting to compromise tribunal judgment of July 16, governorship election in the state.
As the state PDP chairman, Dr. Adekunle Akindele alleged that the former governor of the state, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola is planning to influence the outcome of the governorship tribunal in his favour and warned against anti-democratic actions that may threaten the peace of Osun state, the APC chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, said, “we hope they are not trying to accuse us of what they did only because the project failed?.
The PDP in a statement in Osogbo pointed out that, credible information revealed that, the former Governor is struggling to schedule a secret meeting with the members of the Tribunal for this Friday at a closely guarded location.
According to the chairman, “The goal of the meeting is to convince the panel members to sway their ruling in favour of the petitioners. The plan is however meeting a brick wall as the judges are reported to have shut the doors against any such meeting, being incorruptible officers of law with hard-earned reputations and years of unblemished service.” Read more
Surprise! Meryl Streep joins Only Murders in the Building season 3 as Steve Martin reveals filming has begun (People)
There’s only legends walking around this building!
On Wednesday, Steve Martin revealed that Oscar winner Meryl Streep, 73, has joined the cast of the hit Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building, as filming for season 3 has officially begun.
“The filming of Season 3 of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ has begun! A cast to dream of,” Martin, 77, wrote on Twitter beside a black and white photo of Streep and Martin smiling alongside Martin Short, Selena Gomez and new costar Paul Rudd.
The show’s Twitter account commented on Martin’s tweet, writing, “It is an HONOR to have Meryl in our building!” Read more
Church of England bishops refuse to back gay marriage (BBC)
Church of England bishops have refused to back a change in teaching to allow priests to marry same-sex couples, sources have told BBC News.
The Church of England’s bishops met on Tuesday to finalise their recommendations after five years of consultation and debate on the Church’s position on sexuality.
Their proposal will be debated at the Church’s equivalent of a parliament – the General Synod – next month.
BBC News spoke to several bishops present at the meeting who said the Church’s teaching that Holy Matrimony is only between one man and one woman would not change and would not be put to a vote.
It comes after years of debate over the issue. Read more
Victim of serial rapist cop says he ‘starved her and spied on her for months’ (Metro)
One of the victims of former Met Police officer David Carrick has opened up about the months of emotional and sexual abuse she suffered.
The victim told Sky News how Carrick, 48, used his former job as a firearms officer to charm her and gain her trust before raping and assaulting her.
Carrick has admitted to 49 charges concerning more than 70 instances of serious sexual offending against 12 women covering a 17-year period beginning in 2003.
Among them was a woman who claims Carrick controlled her by starving her and her daughter and planting cameras around their home to track her as he worked. Read more
Channing Tatum reveals he has rights to Patrick Swayze classic Ghost, plans to produce and star in remake (THR)
Channing Tatum has revealed that he has the rights to the classic 1990 romance Ghost from Paramount Pictures and plans to remake it.
His disclosure that his production company Free Association has “the rights to Ghost” came during an interview with Vanity Fair, conducted while the actor-producer was making pottery. “Now I know why they put [pottery-making] in Ghost,” he joked. “This whole process is very, very sexual.”
Tatum told Vanity Fair that he’ll play Patrick Swayze’s role in the new Ghost. “But we’re going to do something different,” he said, alluding to certain problematic elements in the storytelling of the original film. Tatum added, “I think it needs to change a little bit and have our…” but never got around to finishing his sentence after being distracted by the aforementioned pottery. Further specifics as to his plans for Ghost haven’t been disclosed. Read more
MC Lyte keeps music catalogue as divorce settlement honours prenup (HipHopDX)
MC Lyte‘s divorce from John Wyche has officially been finalized, and the rapper will keep her music catalogue thanks to a prenup.
On Monday (January 16), The Blast got hold of the official divorce documents. Along with her catalog and “other creative property, including royalties in connection to her creative works,” Lyte will keep everything she went into the marriage with.
“MC Lyte keeps her clothing, jewelry, watches, and personal effects in her possession, custody, or control, and earnings and accumulations before the date of marriage, during the marriage, and post-separation, her Subaru, financial accounts in her name, all furniture, furnishings, and other personal property in her possession, custody, or control,” the docs read. “She also gets to keep her term life insurance policy.”
Each party is also waiving their right to spousal support. Read more
MGMT tease “fancy new album” set to be released in 2023 (NME)
MGMT are teasing a “fancy new album” that they say will be finished and released in 2023.
The New York-based duo last released an album with 2018’s ‘Little Dark Age’, and frontman Andrew VanWyngarden promised last summer that they would return with new music in 2022.
That music didn’t materialise last year, but as the band were announced for the Just Like Heaven festival today (January 17), where they will perform debut album ‘Oracular Spectacular’ in full, they gave an update on new music.
“We will be returning to the stage for the first time in nearly four years on May 13th at Just Like Heaven Festival in Pasadena, and we’ll be doing a unique MGMT performance, featuring our entire first album, Oracular Spectacular,” the band wrote on Instagram. Read more
Donald Trump to hold 1st 2024 campaign event in South Carolina (France24)
Republican former President Donald Trump on Jan. 28 will make the first public appearance of his 2024 presidential run in the early voting state of South Carolina since announcing his candidacy in November, his campaign announced on Tuesday.
Two well-known South Carolina Republicans – US Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s most loyal backers, and Governor Henry McMaster – will join Trump at the State House in Columbia as he unveils his campaign’s state leadership team, according to the announcement.
South Carolina holds outsize influence as one of the first states to hold presidential nominating contests during election years.
In 2016, when South Carolina was the third state after Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump’s statewide victory helped solidify his status as the Republican front-runner. Read more
Waldrum: Super Falcons can emulate class of 1999 Down Under (ThisDay)
Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, has reiterated the confidence he has in the present Super Falcons as they gear up for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Super Falcons got a spot in the mundial after defeating Cameroon’s Lionesses in the quarter finals of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco last summer, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the crucial goal to earn a semi-final spot and the ticket to Australia/New Zealand.
It meant the Falcons have made through to all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup – a record shared with only six other teams globally.
Speaking on the NFF website yesterday, Waldrum said he believes that the present crop of Super Falcons are capable of emulating the 1999 set, and match their predecessors’ feat of a quarter-final place at the global finals. Read more
Man, 35, charged with assault after kicking Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following Tottenham defeat (Metro)
A 35-year-old man has been charged with assault after kicking Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat in the north London derby on Sunday.
Ramsdale, who had celebrated Arsenal’s victory in front of Tottenham’s supporters behind his goal, was kicked in the back by the Spurs fan as he went to retrieve his gloves after the match had ended.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘A 35-year-old man has been charged with assaulting an Arsenal player after a match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.’
In their statement after the incident, Tottenham confirmed the supporter, once identified, would be given an ‘immediate ban’ from their stadium. Read more
Jurgen Klopp rewarded after going back on his word for Liverpool FA Cup win (Mirror)
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp did not stick to his word when it came to who would line up between the sticks for the Reds in the FA Cup.
Klopp’s men made the trip to Molineux to take on Wolves in what was a hard fought FA Cup third round replay that saw Liverpool run out 1-0 winners courtesy of a first-half Harvey Elliot wonder-strike. In goal for the Reds was the usual number two Caoimhín Kelleher in place of the usual first-choice shot-stopper Alisson.
This came as quite the surprise to the Liverpool travelling faithful and those Reds fans watching on from home considering just under a fortnight ago Klopp declared Alisson would remain between the sticks for FA Cup games.
Speaking before the 2-2 draw that forced this tie to a replay, Klopp was asked who would be in goal and he replied: “It was always Alisson. Last year, I forgot the exact reason, Caoimhin played one game – I think Ali only came back the day before the game. It is clear we have Caoimhin, [but] it’s Alisson.” Read more
Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirms interest in buying Manchester United (Sky)
Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed his interest in buying Manchester United.
The 70-year-old’s chemical firm Ineos announced it had formally lodged interest with the club’s current owners, the Glazer family.
“We have formally put ourselves into the process,” an Ineos spokesperson said.
There have been other expressions of interest, with Saudi and other money from the Middle East understood to be focused on the club. Read more
Mick Schumacher posts new Twitter snap with dad Michael as he continues health battle (DailyStar)
Mick Schumacher has updated his Twitter profile picture to a snap of himself as a youngster with his father Michael as the F1 legend’s health battle continues.
The seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion has been kept out of the public eye since a 2013 skiing accident – and has continued to be celebrated by his family and fans.
With aspiring F1 star Mick sharing an Instagram snap of himself with his father back in January, which picked up 1.6million likes, he has now changed his Twitter profile picture.
The 23-year-old posted the photo, of himself as a toddler being held by his father with the hashtag #NeuesProfilbild which translates to a new profile picture. Read more
De La Hoya receives contract for Davis-Garcia (BoxingScene)
Two months after all parties declared a done deal was in place, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia are nearly set to fight.
A contract has been sent to Golden Boy Promotions containing details of the proposed super fight, company founder and chairman Oscar De La Hoya confirmed on Tuesday. The Hall of Fame former six-division champion was prepared to review in full with Garcia shortly after a press conference in Los Angeles to promote Golden Boy’s upcoming January 28 DAZN show in Inglewood, California.
“Devil is in the details,” De La Hoya stated on his verified Instagram account in captioning a picture of Garcia and himself with contract in hand. “April 15 let’s go!”
The development comes less than three days after De La Hoya took to social media over the weekend to insist that his side was prepared to walk away from the fight if he had not received a contract by Monday. The public threat was taken with a grain of salt, though it was since confirmed that representatives within Davis and Garcia’s immediate teams were already in touch to finalize terms for their targeted springtime affair. Read more