Son kidnaps father, collects N2.5m ransom (DailyTrust)
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested one Issa Naigheti for allegedly kidnapping his father and collecting a ransom of N2.5m.
Ajayi Okasanmi, spokesman of the command, who disclosed this said the suspect was arrested around Kambi area of Ilorin.
He said officers attached to the anti-kidnapping team of the Kwara police command arrested the suspect while on the trail of suspected kidnappers.
Okasanmi added that efforts were ongoing to arrest his other accomplices.
“The suspect confessed under interrogation to having conspired with two others to kidnap his father, Bature Naigboho in Igboho/Igbeti area of Oyo State and collected N2.5m ransom”, Okasanmi said. Read more
CBN bans over-the-counter withdrawal of new notes (Punch)
The Central Bank of Nigeria has ordered Deposit Money Banks not to pay customers making over-the-counter withdrawals of new naira notes again.
Instead, the apex bank directed the banks to load their Automated Teller Machines with only new notes to ensure that the currency circulates across the nation ahead of the January 31, 2023 deadline when the old notes will no longer be legal tender.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the apex bank issued the directive to the banks on Wednesday and ordered that the implementation must begin immediately.
However, as of Friday, the banks had not been able to comply with the directive as they complained of inadequate supply of the new notes, prompting them to load their ATMs with the old notes. Read more
Flurry of tributes as ace photojournalist, Femi Adebesin-Kuti passes on at 57 (Guardian)
Multiple award-winning photojournalist, and one of Nigeria’s finest, Mr. Olufemi Adebesin-Kuti, passed on at 57, in the early hours of yesterday, during a brief illness. His remains were interred in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
Adebesin-Kuti, who died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, was, until his death, the photo editor of The Guardian. He hailed from Oke-Ijeun, in Abeokuta.
Born on September 29, 1965, Adebesin-Kuti, a bright and bubbly personality was until his demise, a thoroughbred professional whose imprimatur would remain indelible in the annals of photojournalism in the country.
For well over two decades, the seasoned photojournalist passionately practised his trade dutifully, displaying immense mastery of the art of photography, and mentoring a groundswell in the process. Read more
SHAME: Nigerians pay to collect PVCs, hitches mar distribution (Vanguard)
Across the country, many citizens, who trooped to their wards to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, yesterday, expressed fears that they may not be able to vote during next month’s presidential election and other polls.
Reason: “Getting our PVCs has become a tug of war. We are not sure that we will get the cards. The crowd is too much. INEC has been telling people to go and collect their PVCs without making it easy for people to do so. I have been going to the Local Government for days without success,” One of the residents told Saturday Vanguard, yesterday in Abuja.
In Lagos, another resident put it this way: I registered at Ago, the collection centre was at Oshodi Local Government. How many people will go that far to collect their PVCs? But I went two times and couldn’t collect my PVC. The crowd was unbelievable and INEC officials were not organised. I have tried but INEC appears to be disfranchising people. I fear I’m one of them because I went to the ward at Isolo today (Friday) and still couldn’t collect after spending seven hours. I don’t think I’ll go back there.”
To quicken the process of collecting the cards, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, started distributing the cards at the Ward level, yesterday. But it was still clumsy in many areas as the Ago resident pointed out. The ward-level exercise would only last between January 6 and 15, 2023, after which the exercise reverts to INEC local government offices till January 23. Going by our findings, many will not collect their PVS before the collection deadline. Read more
Residents petition Gbajabiamila over deaths on Lagos-Ibadan highway (Punch)
Residents of Oyo State under the aegis of the Concerned Youth for Welfarism have written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, over the lack of pedestrian bridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leading to loss of lives.
The residents petitioned Gbajabiamila through the Lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in Oyo State at the House, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
The House, however, refused to admit the petition at its last sitting on December 28, 2022, despite efforts by Akande-Sadipe to convince members who objected to it.
Titled ‘Petition for the Safety of Lives,’ it was signed by the Coordinator of CYWEL, Abdulsalam Oladimeji; and the Secretary, Raheem Muhyiddeen. Read more
Leadership tussle affects Friday prayer at Kano mosque (DailyTrust)
The lingering leadership crisis at Darul Hadith mosque of the late Dr Ahmad Ibrahim BUK at Tudun Yola area of Kano state affected Jumat prayer on Friday.
Trouble started when some aggrieved members blocked the path of the new Imam who was about to climb the podium to deliver sermon and lead prayer.
Determined to preside over the prayer, the imam attempted to make his way but his attackers held on to his gown.
Amid the confusion, security operatives waded in and cordoned off the mosque as worshippers left in droves.
Confirming the incident to Daily Trust, Police Public Relations Officer in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the police acted swiftly immediately they got wind of the sotuation. Read more
Utomi laments collapse of Nigeria’s democracy, civility amongst public office holders (Guardian)
With less than 52 days to the elections, former presidential candidate and founder, Centre for Value in Leadership (CVL), Prof. Pat Utomi has berated the growing incivility amongst people in public office.
Citing the scheduled rally by the Peter Obi and the Labour Party for Monday, January 9, in Delta State, he said there has been threat following alleged attempts by the state’s government to frustrate the activity.
Speaking to newsmen at CVL office in Victoria Island yesterday, Utomi who is also the convener of the Big Tent said, “I have been on the campaign trail, travelling around the country and have been observing what is going on. I am particularly worried about the growing incivility in public life. I have seen clearly where opposition politicians are prevented from opportunity to express their positions about the way society should be organised to the people.
“As I speak today, LP is supposed to have its rally on Monday but the state government have done everything to frustrate the use of any government facility for this purpose. Even to religious bodies and traditional rulers have said that the government is too vindictive and wouldn’t want to risk the government coming for them for allowing us use their grounds. Read more
Fake Currency Scam: Court orders seizure of over N20m traced to banker (Vanguard)
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the seizure of funds and assets that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, traced to a banker, Mr Aleshe Ayodeji, who allegedly deposited fake currencies worth over N20million, with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
EFCC alleged that Ayodeji, who was in charge of depositing funds in the CBN on behalf of a commercial bank, committed the fraud in connivance with staff members of the apex bank.
In legal processes it filed before the court, the anti-graft agency, alleged that the defendant, in an attempt to swindle the Federal Government, switched several boxes of N1000 notes, each box valued at N10million, with papers and fake currencies.
It told the court that working in cahoot with other bank officials, the defendant, while pretending that the fake currencies were either defaced or mutilated Naira notes, received payments of correct values of the monies, which were usually paid into designated private accounts.
The EFCC, in an affidavit that was deposed to by one of its operatives, Mr. Shepherd Nanaoweikumo, told the court that the CBN has a practice that allows Deposit Money Bank (DMB) to return interleafed and mutilated monies to it for replacement. Read more
Boy aged 6 detained after shooting teacher in US (BBC)
A six-year-old boy has been detained by police after shooting a teacher in the US state of Virginia, officers say.
The shooting happened shortly after 14:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at Richneck Elementary School in the city of Newport News, Chief Steve Drew said.
It is unclear how the child obtained the gun, but Mr Drew said the incident was not “an accidental shooting”.
The teacher – who has not been named and is said to be in her 30s – was left with life-threatening injuries.
She was taken to a local hospital and is being closely monitored by doctors. The incident took place in a first grade (ages six to seven) classroom after an altercation between the pair. Read more
Wife ‘poisons veterinarian husband with animal euthanasia drugs’ (Metro)
A woman in Wisconsin poisoned her husband with animal euthanasia drugs, according to prosecutors.
Amanda Chapin is awaiting trial for attempted first-degree intentional homicide of her husband, Gary Chapin.
Amanda, 50, and Gary, 70, got married in March. Shortly afterwards, she allegedly forged his signature on a power-of-attorney document, then tried to amend his house deed to give her ownership of the property upon his death.
According to his children, Gary had already told his son through text message he would have power-of-attorney if he was hospitalized. Read more
Jen Shah celebrates sentencing with lavish Italian dinner party for 20 (PageSix)
Jen Shah is celebrating her six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for wire fraud with an Italian dinner party in NYC, Page Six has exclusively learned.BRAVO
Jen Shah is celebrating her shorter-than-expected prison sentence for wire fraud with a Shah-mazing dinner party in New York City, Page Six has exclusively learned.
The “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star, who learned her fate in federal court Friday morning, is dining and boozing with a group of 20 people at Italian hotspot Valbella at the Park in Midtown.
Page Six is told that the convicted fraudster and her posse “are all eating and drinking” on the establishment’s second floor.
“She has two people standing around her table blocking anyone from taking photos,” our source spilled. Read more
Biden announces new border measures to curb unlawful migration to US (VOA)
U.S. President Joe Biden announced Thursday measures to crack down on migrants seeking to enter the United States without authorization from Mexico while offering a new pathway to legal entry for up to 30,000 people a month from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti.
The measures will make it easier for border authorities to quickly expel migrants who enter the U.S. between legal crossing points and revive country agreements where would-be asylum-seekers, who passed through a third country, must show they failed to receive protections there before asking for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
However, individuals in the four named countries will be allowed to apply for legal entry to the United States from abroad under the humanitarian parole authority now being used to admit some refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Biden officials touted the plan as a pathway to legally allow migrants to travel to the U.S. in an orderly, safe manner. But immigration advocates countered that the policies inappropriately limited asylum protections guaranteed under U.S. and international law. Read more
Trump sued for wrongful death on second anniversary of January 6 riot (BBC)
The partner of a US Capitol Police officer who died a day after the 6 January 2021 riot has sued Donald Trump for wrongful death.
The lawsuit filed on Thursday says Mr Trump “intentionally riled up the crowd” that attacked Brian Sicknick.
Police have ramped up security on Capitol grounds on the second anniversary of the riots.
Hundreds have been convicted so far, but the FBI says there are more at large.
Federal police believe that more than 300 people who committed violent acts that day are yet to be identified. Read more
Veteran says Harry ‘shot himself in the foot’ by revealing army death toll (Metro)
A retired British Army colonel says the Duke of Sussex ‘shot himself in the foot’ over revealing that he killed 25 people in Afghanistan.
Harry wrote that flying six missions during his second tour of duty on the front line in 2012 to 2013 resulted in ‘the taking of human lives’, of which he was neither proud nor ashamed.
The disclosure has reportedly raised ‘security concerns’ amongst the Army’s top brass.
Retired military officer Colonel Richard Kemp told the Sun: ’It undermines his personal security. He has shot himself in the foot. Read more
House goes to 15th vote for speaker in night of dramatic votes and GOP chaos (USAToday)
The House moved to a 15th vote for speaker late on Friday, with Republicans chanting “one more time” in a sign they might at last have the votes to give the gavel to GOP Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
It has been four grueling days of negotiations and the most speaker votes in 100 years.
Two years after the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a violent mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters, the House GOP was in turmoil as Republicans struggled to elect a House speaker.
This is the first time the process of electing a speaker took more than one ballot in more than 100 years. Read more
Iwobi suffers ankle injury (Punch)
Alex Iwobi look set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he was stretchered off the pitch during Everton’s FA Cup clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford after suffering a horror ankle injury.
The Red Devils recorded a 3-1 win over the Toffees to advance to the fourth round of the competition.
Ex-Arsenal ace Iwobi, 26, rolled his ankle following a nasty challenge by Tyrell Malacia in the 47th minute. The Toffees midfielder put his hands over his face as he left the field looking visibly emotional and in pain.
Everton skipper Seamus Coleman immediately called for doctors to tend to the midfielder.
“Alex Iwobi has just gone over on his ankle and the ankle has gone inside,”Alan Stubbs said on BBC Radio Merseyside. Read more
Shooting Stars unveil Alimi brothers, 2 goalkeepers (DailyTrust)
Ahead of the commencement of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, Shooting Stars Sports Club also known as 3SC have unveiled four new players that joined the team ahead of the new season.
Among the players introduced to members of the public at 3SC Supporters Club Secretariat, Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, are Sikiru Alimi, his brother Adebayo Alimi and two goalkeepers Bamidele Adeniyi and James Faith.
Sikiru Alimi, a former player of Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars represented Remo Stars last season before his brief stint abroad with Darnes in Libya while his brother Adebayo played for MFM FC of Lagos last season.
Speaking to sports journalists in Ibadan, Sunday Agunbiade, commended the management for unveiling the new players, saying that the team has not rested on its oar to ensure good performances in the league. Read more
NFL owners approve changes to AFC play-off structure after game cancellation (BBC)
NFL owners have approved changes to the AFC play-off structure after the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills was cancelled.
The match between the Bengals and the Bills was suspended after Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field in Ohio.
Hamlin, 24 remains in hospital after he suffered cardiac arrest during Monday’s penultimate regular-season game.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said the agreed plan was designed to “mitigate certain competitive effects”.
The NFL had been concerned about “potential competitive inequities” in the play-offs as a team’s record determines who has home advantage. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo skips Al-Nassr win and spotted leaving game at half-time (Metro)
Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted watching new team Al-Nassr from a VIP box on Friday but appeared to leave at half-time after not returning to his seat.
Al-Nassr were unable to register Ronaldo for his debut after exceeding their limit for non-Saudi Arabian players in their squad, with the 37-year-old forced to watch as a spectator instead as his new side registered a 2-0 victory over Al-Ta’ee.
Former Manchester United star Ronaldo has signed a £175 million-a-year deal with Al-Nassr and was officially unveiled by the club earlier this week.
The Portugal international superstar is also currently serving a two-game suspension from the Football Association after he slapped a phone out of the hands of an Everton fan last April. Read more
Djokovic stops Shapovalov, sets up Medvedev semifinal (Guardian)
Novak Djokovic defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 to reach the Adelaide International semifinals, where he will face Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic, 35, will meet Medvedev after the Russian came through his last eight match with Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-3.
The pair last met in November with Djokovic victorious in the final of the Nitto ATP Finals event.
Adelaide is Djokovic’s first tournament in Australia since he was deported in 2022 because of his vaccine status. Read more
Rashford shines as Man Utd beat Everton in FA Cup (BBC)
Marcus Rashford scored for a fifth successive game as Manchester United increased the pressure on Everton boss Frank Lampard with a deserved FA Cup victory at Old Trafford.
Everton were applauded off by their travelling support for showing admirable character, after their side suffered the shock of going behind after just three minutes when Antony turned home Rashford’s far-post cross but had the character to fight back.
Conor Coady rammed home a 13th-minute equaliser when David de Gea calamitously allowed Neal Maupay’s apparently harmless cross to roll though his legs as he appeared to think it was about to hit the outside of his post.
Even after Alex Iwobi was stretchered off in obvious pain after he suffered an ankle injury in a tackle with Tyrell Malacia, Lampard’s players continued to battle hard. Read more