Raheem: IGP orders probe into Lagos lawyer killing (Punch)
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has condemned and ordered an investigation into the Christmas Day homicide of a lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, who was allegedly shot dead by a trigger-happy policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.
This was as he ordered the prosecution of all police officers involved.
The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed in a Monday statement obtained by our correspondent.
Adejobi said, “The IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values. Read more
Insecurity: Bandits gang-rape pregnant woman to death in Niger (Sun)
A pregnant woman (name withheld) has been confirmed dead in Dnakundna village in Shiroro local government area of Niger state after she was gang raped by Bandits.
The diseased woman was among the numerous villagers that were fleeing the village following threat of an attack by the bandits as a result of their (villagers) inability to pay N2million levy imposed on them by the bandits to allow them Harvest their farm produce.
According to the deceased family source who spoke to Daily Sun in Minna on Monday, the latest incident occurred on Thursday morning, 24 hours to the expiration of an ultimatum said to have been given to the villagers by the bandits to pay the N2million levy or risk a possible attack.
The villagers, especially women and children in their numbers decided to leave the village when they could not raise the N2million levy unknown to them that the bandits had already being informed of their mass exodus and decided to lay ambush.
The deceased mother of three was not lucky as she and her three children ran into the ambush, and was matched into the bush, gang raped by seven of the bandits before abandoning her. Read more
You’re leaving Nigeria more vulnerable than you met it, Kukah tells Buhari (DailyTrust)
The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari is leaving Nigeria more vulnerable than when he came into the office in 2015.
“It is sad that despite your lofty promises, you are leaving us far more vulnerable than when you came; (it is sad) that the corruption we thought would be fought has become a leviathan and sadly, a consequence of a government marked by nepotism,” he said.
The fiery Bishop made the allegations in his Christmas message delivered on Sunday.
Although, he commended the President for the effort he made in the area of infrastructure and in seeking to end malfeasance in the electoral processes, Kukah accused Buhari’s government of looking away on “the dubious Jihadists” holding the nation to ransom.
“In Nigeria today we bear scars, we bear trauma, we bear deep sorrow. Our children are still in the forests, in the hands of evil men. But most of them have no names. They are only numbers. Read more
Lagos pegs initial deposit for 2023 Hajj at N2.640m (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board pegged the initial deposit for the 2023 holy pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a sum of N2,640,000.00.
The Hon. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, disclosed this in a statement, directed all the intending pilgrims that couldn’t perform the Y2022 holy pilgrimage but left their money with the State Government and defer their intentions for Y2023, to endeavor to pay the sum of N1,340,000.00 in addition to the initial deposit of N1.3 million paid between 2019 and 2022.
The statement stressed further that those that had already completed the N2,640,000.00 charged for last spiritual exercise but couldn’t perform the pilgrimage due to circumstances beyond their control are not affected by the statement.
According to the Commissioner, each of the intending pilgrims is expected to raise a ‘Bank Draft’ in favour of ‘Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board’ from any of the Commercial banks in the country and submit the same to the Accounts department of the Board for further necessary action. Read more
Saraki, Kwara gov trade words over alleged embezzlement of UBEC funds (Tribune)
Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has described a reported claim by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State that he embezzled the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund and also used his position as Senate President to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating the case as an outright lie which the governor should retract.
It is reported that Governor Abdulrazaq on Saturday made the allegations at the launch of the 60-member campaign council and 1,200 canvassers for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara Central senatorial candidate, Mallam Saliu Mustapha.
Saraki, in a statement on Monday, gave the governor seven days to retract the statement or prove his claims in court.
“I have ignored all his lies all this while as I believe he was resorting to that cheap escape measure to mask his failure in governance. Now, I will have to take strong measures by challenging him in court since he will not desist from fabricating lies against me. Read more
Centre set to mop up Boko Haram arms (Punch)
As Boko Haram terrorists surrender in droves in the terror-troubled North-East, the National Centre for the Coordination of Small and Light Weapons is set to mop up all small arms and light weapons from them.
The North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Centre, Rear Admiral S A Mohammed, told the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Al-Kanemi, in Maiduguri, that the Centre was fine-tuning strategies to achieve this feat.
Speaking when he led officials of the North-East Zonal Office of the Centre to a courtesy call on the Borno Monarch, Mohammed said the Centre was mandated to mop up every small arms and light weapons from non-state actors and terrorists.
While appreciating the support rendered by the royal father and Borno Emirate in the fight against terrorism, he appealed to the Shehu and the entire Emirate Council to always be accessible to the Centre for periodic advocacy to facilitate the successful discharge of its mandate. Read more
It’s national shame to have ungoverned spaces in Nigeria – Bishop (Leadership)
Bishop Timothy Yahaya of Anglican Communion, Kaduna Diocese, has described as a national shame for security experts in the country to declare some spaces ungoverned without finding solutions to such a situation.
Speaking in his Christmas message, Bishop Yahaya called for State, Local Government and Ward Police, to secure every space and the people in the country.
This was even as he advised that the nation’s military should go back to the barracks, saying they have outlived their usefulness in tackling internal security challenges.
He, however, said that there was hope that things will soon turn around for good in the country, adding that the nation is favoured by God to attain greatness among nations of the world. Read more
Suspected jihadists kill 17 herders in North-East Nigeria (Channels)
Boko Haram jihadists killed 17 herders and stole their cattle following clashes in the troubled northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, self-defence militia told AFP Monday.
The militants on Saturday attacked herders guarding their cattle in a pasture near Airamne village in Mafa district, the militiamen said.
“Seventeen herders were killed in the fight and all their cattle taken away,” militia leader Babakura Kolo said.
“The herders put (up) resistance but were outgunned and outnumbered by the attackers, who had better weapons,” said Kolo. Read more
Nicki Minaj buys an 8-bedroom home with a saltwater pool for $19.5m in LA (DailyMail)
Nicki Minaj has purchased a sprawling property in Hidden Hills, California, located in the same gated community as Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian and more A-list stars.
After years of renting mansions across the greater Los Angeles area, from Beverly Hills to Malibu, the rapper finally bought a place of her own to settle in with her two-year-old son, whose name has not been publicly revealed, and husband Kenny Petty.
The estate definitely was worth the wait for the 40-year-old Super Bass hitmaker as it boasts eight bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and two powder rooms.
Other amenities included a detached guesthouse, cabana, salt water pool and 12,000 square feet. Read more
Missy pays tribute to Aaliyah and 2Pac with Christmas tree vinyl ornaments (HipHopDX)
Missy Elliott has brought in the holidays with a unique take on the traditional Christmas tree paying homage to Aaliyah, 2Pac and other music greats.
The singer proudly showcased her trio of white Christmas trees in a Reel posted on Saturday (December 24). The opening shots saw Missy approaching the trees, which are guarded by a matching pair of life-sized, all-black nutcrackers.
As she got closer, Missy began explaining why these particular holiday decorations were special. “This tree is a different kind of tree,” she said. “This tree has vinyl and CDs on it. You got Aretha Franklin, you got Aaliyah, you got 2Pac. You got a Chaka Khan CD right there. You got Luther Vandross over there. You got Stevie Wonder up there.”
A collaborative effort between décor firms Opulence by Chavien Shy and Immaculate Events, the trio of trees were also adorned with tributes to Michael and Janet Jackson, Prince, Diana Ross, TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, TLC and Biggie Smalls. Read more
Date revealed for Chris Rock’s live Netflix special (RTE)
Netflix has announced Chris Rock’s ground-breaking next TV special will air live on Saturday 4 March 2023 – almost a year after the comedian was slapped by actor Will Smith at the Oscars.
The comedy special, Selective Outrage, will be the first Netflix production to stream live globally.
A 30-second teaser clip showed 57-year-old Rock sitting in a dressing room staring at the camera, sporting a diamond earring, before a knock at the door and a voice says: “Chris, they’re ready for you.”
Set to The Best Is Back by Bun B, the clip follows an emotionless Rock as he walks through the backstage area and onto the stage where he is met with a screaming audience and bright lights. Read more
David Jason admits he never thought he would land top TV show after screen debut (Mirror)
David Jason admits he never thought he’d land a top TV show after his screen debut in 1965.
The Only Fools and Horses star, 82, made his first TV appearance as King Goose in a pantomime production of Mother Goose.
However, while the actor may not have fancied his chances at fame, 31 years later David went onto star in the Only Fools and Horses. One of the sitcom’s Christmas specials was watched by 23million people.
According to the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board, the programme had one of the biggest audiences ever recorded for a single show in the UK. Read more
Community movie won’t have paintball or Dungeons & Dragons, says creator (People)
The Community movie will be without two of the show’s recurring themes: paintball and Dungeons & Dragons.
In the original series, multiple episodes are centered on the aforementioned games, which Community creator Dan Harmon described on Friday’s episode of Six Seasons and a Podcast as “special episodes that … were kind of like genre homages” rather than something that was constructed to move the plot along in a “traditional” way.
“We did a lot of episodes where … you are joyfully locked in a construct that isn’t a traditional sitcom narrative, but is rather through the lens of David Fincher or [Martin] Scorsese,” said Harmon, 49.
As the creator explained of the upcoming film, “It’s a lot easier for me to rule stuff out than tell you what we’re pursuing. … For instance, we go, ‘Do we really think it’d be a good idea for the Community movie to be a paintball episode?'” Read more
Sia slammed for wearing box braids in North West Christmas duet (Newsweek)
Sia made a surprise appearance at the Kardashian Christmas family party, but people were distracted by her choice of hairstyle for the event.
The Australian singer performed a duet with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s oldest child, North, nine.
The pair stood in a giant box to sing Sia’s 2017 Christmas single, “Snowman” and were filmed by Khloé Kardashian who posted the footage to her Instagram stories.
While West dressed in a chic silver suit, Sia opted for a puffy white skirt and oversized top. Read more
Buffalo blizzard: Storm turns city into ”war zone” (BBC)
A severe winter storm that has swept across North America has left the city of Buffalo, New York, looking like a war zone, the state governor has said.
“This is a war with mother nature,” Governor Kathy Hochul added. Buffalo, where many emergency crews are immobilised by snow, is facing a “life-threatening situation”, she said.
Dozens of storm-related deaths have been recorded in the US in recent days.
Blizzard conditions are stretching from Canada as far south as the Rio Grande. Read more
Anthony Martial insists he is in ”top shape” after World Cup break following injury nightmare (DailyMail)
Anthony Martial believes Manchester United are in good shape to push up the Premier League table.
Erik Ten Hag’s side resume their league campaign on Tuesday against Nottingham Forest looking to climb into the Champions League places.
United reached the World Cup break with only one defeat from their last 12 matches in all competitions and with a three-point gap to make up on the top four.
Asked on MUTV if United should be optimistic, Martial said: ‘Yes, and why not, we’ve a very good team of players, with a great dynamic about us, a lot of victories already under our belt, we now just have to keep on in those winning ways we have shown in these recent matches. Read more
Lionel Messi celebrates Christmas with wife and kids after World Cup win (People)
Lionel Messi is celebrating a special Christmas with his family after winning the World Cup earlier this month.
The Argentine soccer star, 35, who scored two goals to help secure Argentina’s win against France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Dec. 18, celebrated the holiday with wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their three sons, Mateo, Thiago and Ciro.
“Feliz Navidad,” Roccuzzo, 34, captioned a family photo next to their silvery Christmas tree, sharing another snap of the whole brood to her Instagram Story.
The model also danced in a festive red dress while sipping white wine in a video Messi posted to his own Instagram Story. Read more
Clubs, IMC set to clash over NPFL format (Punch)
In the latest twist to the protracted start of a new Nigeria Professional Football League season, NPFL clubs under the umbrella of ‘club owners’ have distanced themselves from the draw of an abridged league for the 2022/23 season scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja by the Interim Management Committee, The PUNCH reports.
Arising from their meeting on December 21, the IMC, in a circular dated December 22, had informed clubs of the draw schedule ahead of the incoming season.
“Be informed that the draws for the 2022/2023 abridged season of the Nigeria Professional Football League is scheduled to take place as follows: Date: 28th December 2022, Time: 12:00pm, Venue: Sandralia Hotel, Abuja,” the statement read in part. Read more
Ivan Lendl makes Boris Becker admission as tennis icon returns home from prison (Express)
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl has opened up about the challenge of facing “very powerful” Boris Becker while the pair were playing at their peaks. Becker’s tennis legacy has been a prominent topic of discussion following his release from prison after serving eight months of a two-and-a-half-year sentence after he was found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act.
The two tennis titans contested three major finals during their head-to-head rivalry across an eight-year period. However, Lendl has suggested his former foe could often run ‘hot and cold’, which would determine which version of Becker showed up on court.
“There were a few challenges playing Boris,” said the Czech native during a recent appearance on The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast. “He was very powerful, so he could control the points. Nobody likes to have the opponent control the points, right?”
While Lendl edged 11 of his 21 clashes against Becker, it was the latter who dominated their record at the majors, winning five of six Grand Slam matchups. That includes one final triumph at each of the Australian Open (1991), U.S. Open (1989) and Wimbledon (1986). Read more
Scottish golfer Connor Syme feels ”freer” to excel on tour after best-ever year (BBC)
Connor Syme believes having a “freer” mindset has been the key to him having his best season as a professional.
Syme has enjoyed five top 10 finishes on the DP World Tour, including second places at the Cazoo Open and the ISPS Handa World Invitational.
He tied for 12th at the season ending event in Dubai, helping him to 28th in the tour rankings and a place at next year’s Open Championship.
“It has been good,” said the 27-year-old Scot. Read more
Kathy Whitworth: LPGA record-breaker dies aged 83 (Sky)
Record-breaking former LPGA Tour player Kathy Whitworth has died at the age of 83.
Whitworth’s 88 LPGA wins are the most on any professional tour, exceeding the men’s PGA Tour record of 82 shared by Sam Snead and Tiger Woods.
She won six major titles – the Titleholders Championship in 1965 and 1966, the 1967 Western Open and the Women’s PGA Championship in 1967, 1971 and 1975, the latter year also marking her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Remembered for her rivalry with 13-time major winner Mickey Wright, Whitworth later became the United States’ first Solheim Cup captain in 1990. Read more