Policeman breaks Lagos trader’s leg for querying nephew’s arrest (Punch)
A trader, Esther Eyo, has demanded justice after suffering multiple fractures in her ankle when men of the Lagos State Police Command allegedly brutalised her at her shop in Oyingbo Market, Ebute Meta.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Eyo and her elder sister’s son, Wasiu Isiaka, were attending to customers when the policemen, who were in mufti, suddenly attempted to whisk her nephew away.
Eyo was said to have demanded explanation for the arrest when one of the policemen allegedly pounced on her.
According to the single mother of three, the policeman kicked her and she lost balance, fell on her left leg and broke her ankle. Read more
Court jails school leaver 7 years for housebreaking (Vanguard)
A Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Monday sentenced a 26-year-old man, Solomon Oweicho, to seven years’ imprisonment for housebreaking.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya convicted and sentenced Onweicho, a Secondary School Certificate holder, following his guilty plea to a count charge of housebreaking.
Onweicho admitted guilt under a plea bargain agreement.
Adesanya found Onweicho guilty as charged and held that the sentence would take effect from the time he was remand by a magistrates’ court. Read more
COVID-19 vaccination mandate for federal workers begins (Leadership)
Amid palpable fear over possible cases of the dreaded Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in the country, the federal government is set to begin the enforcement of compulsory vaccination for federal workers beginning tomorrow, December 1, 2021.
This is as Canada and Hong Kong have announced detecting the new strain in three people who travelled recently to the two countries from Nigeria.
The government of the Canadian city of Ontario confirmed that the two cases are in the capital Ottawa. Both patients are in isolation while public health authorities trace their possible contacts, federal and Ontario provincial officials said.
“I was informed today by the Public Health Agency of Canada that testing and monitoring of COVID-19 cases has confirmed two cases of the Omicron variant of concern in Ontario,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in a statement on Sunday. Read more
Multi-storey building in Onikan unveiled (Nation)
Lagos State Government inched higher to attain her smart city status by inaugurating a multi-storey facility at Onikan, Lagos Island. The unveiling of the massive project with 384 parking lots would end indiscriminate parking of cars and other vehicles on the Island the government said.
The Special Adviser on Works & Infrastructure to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Aramide Adeyoye, said the construction, which began in June, 2013, was an affirmation of the administration’s desire to complete inherited projects that fits into its THEMES Agenda.
She said the completed projects would promote development across Lagos and grow the economy of the state through robust infrastructure.
She said: ” For emphasis, the scope of works for the project include but not limited to the following; five numbers car parking floors with a capacity for 384 vehicles with offices for tickets and rest rooms on each floor. The sixth floor is designated as multi-purpose mixed use consisting of a club house, two banquet rooms with sitting capacity of 1,400 guests, among other facilities.” Read more
Couple sues oil firm for N50b over son’s brain damage (Nation)
Two employees of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Emeka Okoli and wife, Stella have filed a N50 billion suit against the company at a Port-Harcourt High Court in Rivers State for alleged medical negligence concerning their son, Chinazam.
The suit marked PHC/2338/2021 was filed August 30, 2021 by Prof Akin Ibidapo-Obe, counsel to the claimants, Chinazam and his parents. It will come up for hearing before Justice Weli Chechey on December 8, 2021.
Chinazam, Emeka and Stella – 1st , 2nd and 3rd claimants respectively – are jointly and severally seeking N50 billion as general and exemplary damages “for personal injuries, loss and damages caused to the 1st claimant by the negligence and breach of the duty of the care of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants” and 1st claimant’s “consequent brain injury and subsequently the pain, mental agony and suffering of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd claimants and the two sisters Chinazam” among other issues listed for determination of the court.
Those sued alongside Shell as 2nd and 3rd defendants, are two of its doctors, Dr. Alexander Dimoko and Dr. Dafe Akpoduado who performed an appendectomy surgery on Chinazam sometime in September, 2016. Read more
Kaduna civil servants to work four days a week (Nation)
The Kaduna State government has said its public servants will henceforth work for four, instead of the usual five days a week.
It said its workers would work from home for one day per week.
The government said the measure is meant to boost productivity, improve work-life balance and enable workers to have more time for their families, for rest and for agriculture.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, announced this in a statement yesterday in Kaduna. Read more
Suspected cult member arrested while attacking hotel in Ogun (Punch)
Men of Ogun State Police Command have arrested a suspected member of the dreaded Eiye confraternity, Esuruoso Tunde while attacking lodgers in a hotel in Abeokuta.
The suspect was arrested on Monday at LADIS hotel, situated at Ebenezer Junction, Obantoko area of Abeokuta.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Oyeyemi said the suspect was arrested following a distress call received by the policemen attached to Obantoko divisional headquarters. Read more
Business woman excretes 80 pellets of Cocaine at Abuja airport (Vanguard)
A businesswoman heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja for ingesting 80 pellets of cocaine.
The 46-year-old Mrs. Adisa Afusat Olayinka who lives in Ibafo, Ogun state hails from Ilorin, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara state.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy said s he was arrested on Wednesday 24th November at the boarding screening area of the airport during an outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight 1418.
She was subsequently taken into custody where she excreted 80 pellets of the illicit drug between Wednesday and Saturday, 27th Nov. Read more
Jos Jailbreak: 9 persons killed, 262 inmates flees, 10 recaptured (Sun)
No fewer than nine persons were reportedly killed and 262 inmates escaped following the attack on Nigerian Correctional Service, Jos Custodial Centre, by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
Among those killed were the armed guards and a police officer who was not in uniform while others are suspected to be inmates who were fleeing the correctional Centre.
The Controller General of Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa in a statement signed by Francis Enobore confirmed that nine persons were shot dead during the heavy attack.
“One of the gunmen trapped within the Medium Security Custodial Center, Jos after invading the facility has been identified as one of those killed in the gun duel. Read more
No Father Christmas in politics, Ayu tells Nigerian youths (DailyTrust)
The incoming National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has charged youths to rise to the challenge of leadership at various levels, noting that power is never gifted.
He gave the charge at the weekend in Abuja when a delegation of Benue youths, under the auspices of Benue Transition Mentees (BTM), paid him a courtesy call at his Maitama residence.
The former senate president, who advised Nigerian youths to channel their energies into creative pursuits, said the future belongs to youths who prepare themselves.
Ayu said: “We often hear that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but that is not automatic. Read more
It’ll be a mistake to return PDP to power -VON DG (Punch)
Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, has said Nigerians will be making a grave error by returning the opposition Peoples Democratic Party back to power in 2023.
He explained that the PDP cannot be trusted to rescue Nigeria because promoters of the party have an incurable appetite for corruption and a history of mismanaging the economy.
Okechukwu said this in an interview in Abuja, on Sunday.
He was reacting to a rescue plan the PDP said it was putting in place in order to rid Nigeria of the socio-economic woes which it said the All Progressive Congress regime; has plunged the nation into. Read more
Court told Ghislaine Maxwell ‘dangerous predator’ who ‘served up’ girls for sexual abuse (DailyMail)
Ghislaine Maxwell was a ‘dangerous predator’ who ‘served up’ girls for sexual abuse, a court was told yesterday.
The British socialite was billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘second in command’ and lured vulnerable teenagers for him to assault, a jury in New York heard.
The courtroom was packed as Maxwell’s trial on sex trafficking charges got under way, with observers queuing in the freezing cold from 5am to guarantee a seat. They were silent throughout as lurid claims against Epstein’s alleged madam were aired.
She listened intently, occasionally scribbling in a notebook and turning to look at her sister, as Assistant US Attorney Lara Pomerantz accused her of ‘heinous crimes’. Read more
Jack Dorsey’s resignation as Twitter CEO ‘not totally unexpected’ (Examiner)
Jack Dorsey’s resignation as Twitter boss is “surprising, but not totally unexpected”, according to one industry expert.
On Monday, the Twitter co-founder and chief executive confirmed he was stepping down and would leave the company by spring 2022, saying it was “finally time for me to leave”.
It brings to an end a turbulent relationship with the company – he previously left Twitter in 2008, before rejoining in 2011 and then becoming chief executive for the second time in 2015.
Last year, he faced a failed attempt to oust him as CEO from Paul Singer, the billionaire founder of hedge fund Elliott, who urged him to step down again as the company’s chief executive. Read more
Call between Republican Boebert, Democrat Omar ends in rancor after anti-Muslim slur (Metro)
A phone call between Republican U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert and Democratic counterpart Ilhan Omar ended in rancor on Monday after Boebert refused to publicly apologize for suggesting she viewed her colleague as a threat, the two said.
Boebert, a first-term lawmaker who has courted controversy by vowing to ignore Washington gun laws and criticizing fellow Republicans, placed the call after a video emerged showing her calling Omar, who is Muslim, a member of a “jihad squad
Boebert in a statement Friday apologized “to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment.”
But on Monday, Boebert showed no sign of remorse, posting a video that described her call with Omar and doubled down on her comments. Read more
Biden admits Americans may need an ‘updated vaccine or booster’ to protect them from Omicron (DailyMail)
President Joe Biden on Monday warned Americans they may need another shot to protect them from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as he outlined the measures his administration was taking to respond to the latest threat.
With scientists already beginning research on whether new vaccines will be needed, Biden also urged the unvaccinated to get their shots.
‘We do not yet believe that additional measures will be needed,’ he said at the White House.
‘But so that we are prepared if needed, my team is already working with officials at Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson to develop contingency plans for vaccines or boosters if needed.’ Read more
FBI accused of acting as Biden’s Gestapo (RT)
Trump aide Roger Stone said the FBI leadership has turned the agency into “Joe Biden’s personal Gestapo” as he solicited donations to cover his legal expenses. The remark came after he was subpoenaed by the January 6 committee.
Stone was among five individuals who were subpoenaed last week by the Democrat-led select committee investigating the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. He denies any wrongdoing and claims to be a victim of persecution.
Making his case in a fresh interview, Stone accused top officials at the FBI of turning the law enforcement agency into a partisan secret police.
“We have a group of politicized thugs at the top of the FBI, who are using the FBI – and I hate to say it – as Joe Biden’s personal Gestapo,” he said, referring to the notorious Nazi secret police service. Read more
Biden’s blunder could send oil prices to $100 (RT)
While oil prices crashed on Friday due to Covid concerns, there is still a very real possibility of $100 oil due to President Biden’s strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) release.
When President Biden announced last week that the federal government would be releasing 50 million barrels of crude from the strategic petroleum reserve, perhaps those around him expected prices to go down significantly and stay down. Instead, prices rose, and OPEC+ gave a heavy hint it might cut supply. By Friday, oil prices fell sharply, but that was due to a new wave of Covid-19 fears and has little if anything to do with Biden’s announcement that oil would be unleashed from emergency stockpiles.
But what comes next could send oil to $100.
Energy analysts warned that a release of SPR may not have the desired effect. They explained that however many barrels the US or its partners in Asia and the UK release, OPEC could withhold more and for longer. They explained that the SPR crude is sour, and refiners don’t like it because it needs additional processing to reduce the sulfur content—a process that requires natural gas, which is also expensive currently. These explanations fell on deaf but determined ears. Now, analysts are warning about $100 Brent.
Piers Corbyn leads flash mob of Covid deniers chanting ‘wearing a mask is like trying to keep a fart in your trousers’ (DailyMail)
Piers Corbyn and his mob of anti-maskers have a released a song filmed on a Tube train in protest over having to wear face coverings.
The one sentence chant – of which Corbyn appeared to forget the words to at one point – was videoed on the London Underground.
It is hugely embarrassing for Sadiq Khan, who is desperately trying to encourage passengers to start masking up on the Transport for London trains.
The composer behind the song is not fully known, but the video starts with a well-spoken man reading The Light, which is an anti-lockdown publication. Read more
Bonfrere’s reported interest in Eagles job elicits reactions (Punch)
Reports linking Dutch coach Jo Bonfrere with the Super Eagles job as continued to elicit reactions among Nigerians.
Bonfrere led the U-23 men’s team to win the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics before leading the Eagles to win the silver medal at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana, losing the final game to Cameroon via penalty shootout.
A note reportedly written by the Dutch surfaced last week, applying for the Eagles job.
While the 75-year-old was yet to personally come out to confirm the article, ESPN journalist and former Eagles Media Officer, Colin Udoh, confirmed that Bonfrere had sent in his application.
“Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic gold-winning coach Jo Bonfrere has formally put in his paperwork to apply for the Nigeria job.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is currently in the process of paying off current coach Gernot Rohr to terminate his contract while interviewing candidates for the job #SuperEaglesInsider,” Udoh wrote on Twitter. Read more
All set for Zenith Bank/Delta Principals Cup (Guardian)
The final of the 2021 Principals Cup Football competition holds today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, with defending champions, College of Commerce, Warri, out to emerge the first team to win the tournament back-to-back.
The developmental football fiesta organised for all secondary schools in Delta State, is in its fifth edition courtesy of the partnership between Zenith Bank PLC, the sponsors and the state government.
College of Commerce will meet with Osadenis Mixed Secondary School in an encounter that promises fireworks based on the form of both teams in the competition this year.
To get to the final, College Of Commerce were forced into a ‘marathon’ penalty shootout by Ovwor Mixed Secondary School after the full time score stood at 1-1. Read more
Washington hires Fresno State’s Kalen DeBoer as head football coach (USAToday)
Washington has hired Fresno State’s Kalen DeBoer to lead the Huskies, handing a program that has struggled offensively to a coach with a track record of productive and creative offenses.
The 47-year-old DeBoer met with Washington officials in Fresno, California, on Monday and the deal was announced a few hours later.
DeBoer has spent two seasons at Fresno State, going 12-6. The Bulldogs went 9-3 this season, including a victory against UCLA. They lead the Mountain West in yards per play (6.34) and yards per game (463.6) and are second in scoring (33.6 points per game).
“My family and I are so grateful for the opportunity to lead such a storied program and be part of this prestigious institution,” DeBoer said in a statement. “The tough, hard-nosed tradition of Washington football speaks for itself, and it was obvious throughout this process that UW is committed to competing at the highest level.” Read more
Lionel Messi hails ‘incredible’ seventh men’s Ballon d’Or victory ahead of Lewandowski and Jorginho (Sky)
Lionel Messi has won the seventh men’s Ballon d’Or of his illustrious career at a ceremony in Paris.
The Paris St Germain forward saw off competition from Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho.
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas took home the women’s Ballon d’Or after winning a league, cup and Champions League treble with Barcelona.
The 27-year-old’s Barca team-mate Jennifer Hermoso was second, with Chelsea forward Sam Kerr third and Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema fourth. Read more
Jermain Defoe removed from coaching duties at Rangers by Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (DailyMail)
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has removed Jermain Defoe from coaching duties at Rangers – but stressed the veteran striker can still play a vital on-field role this season.
Defoe signed a 12-month player-coach contract during the summer to stay at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard’s management.
However, the 39-year-old had played only eight minutes of first-team action prior to being introduced from the bench by Van Bronckhorst in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Livingston.
The new Ibrox boss has brought in former Holland and Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay as part of his coaching team, which would limit Defoe’s training ground involvement. Read more
Tiger Woods does not expect to return to golf full time following car accident (BBC)
Tiger Woods says he does not expect to return to the tour full time following his car accident in February.
The 15-time major champion had surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg and sustained further injuries to his foot and ankle.
Earlier this month Woods, 45, said he was “making progress” and shared footage of him playing golf for the first time since the accident.
But he said “getting all the way to the top” is not a realistic expectation. Read more
Amir Khan and Kell Brook separated by security during tense stare down ahead of February showdown (Metro)
Amir Khan and Kell Brook had to be separated during a tension-filled press conference to announce their February showdown.
The two British fighters will finally settle their long-running rivalry in Manchester on 19 February and came face-to-face for the first time in a press conference on Monday.
Security stepped in to separate the two within moments of their stare down with the genuine dislike the two have for each other palpable.
With both fighters in the latter stages of their glittering professional careers, former IBF welterweight champion promised to retire Khan and have the last word on their bitter feud. Read more