South Africa returnee jailed 38 years for drug trafficking (Punch)
A South Africa returnee, Raji Adio, was on Tuesday sentenced to 38 years’ imprisonment by Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos for drug trafficking.
Adio was convicted of three counts bordering on conspiracy and unlawful possession of 5.10 kilograms of heroin.
He was arraigned for by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency.
According to the NDLEA, Adio was arrested on September 3, 2017, during an inward clearance of a South African Airways flight to Lagos, at the E-Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. Read more
Ambode asks court to stop probe by Lagos Assembly (ThisDay)
Immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has asked the state High Court to stop the bid by the state House of Assembly to probe him.
In a suit filed by his lawyer, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Ambode is also asking the court to order the Assembly not to compel him in any manner whatsoever, to appear before it pursuant to the resolution passed by the lawmakers (defendants) on August 27, 2019 or any other resolutions.
The court has, however, ordered the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, to appear before it in connection with the ongoing probe of procurement of 820 buses by the Ambode administration.
Ambode is also asking the court for an injunction to stop the lawmakers from representing or continuing to represent to the public that he procured 820 buses in breach of budgetary approval. Read more
Army deploys GOCs (Nation)
The Army has approved postings and redeployment of senior officers across units and formations.
The Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the shakeup was a routine exercise to reinvigorate the system for professional efficiency.
A statement made available to journalists and signed by the Army spokesman, the posting was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Turkur Buratai. Read more
FG moves to regulate social media space (DaikyTrusy)
NUJ supports move, CSOs kick, lawyers differ ‘Only anarchists will kick against plan’ The Federal Government says it is working on how to inject sanity into the social media space which, according to it, is totally out of control today.
Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said the social media at present constituted real danger to the unity of the country.
Daily Trust recalls that an attempt during the first tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari to regulate the social media was rebuffed by many Nigerians… Read more
25 fleeing Kogi prison inmates recaptured, 97 missing (Punch)
the Nigerian Correctional Service has said 25 of the 122 inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton Karfe, Kogi State, after a section of the centre was overrun by flood following a downpour in the town on Monday have been recaptured.
However, the NCS said 97 of them were still missing.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered the armed forces, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to recapture the fleeing inmates. Read more
Cyber crimes: U.S warns Nigerian against free WiFi at hotels, restaurants, airports (Vanguard)
The United States Embassy in Abuja has cautioned Nigerians against logging in to free WiFi services at public places as such networks are easy prey for cyber attackers.
It also warned Nigerians against disclosing too much personal information on social media networks since Internet fraudsters cash-in on such data.
Ms Kathleen FitzGibbon, Chargé d’ affaires, U.S. Embassy, Nigeria said this while speaking with Journalists at the sideline of the Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar with the theme: “Own IT, Secure IT and Protect IT” held in Abuja. Read more
Stroke affects 100,000 Nigerians yearly — Organisation (Vanguard)
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2019 World Stroke Day, the Nigerian Stroke Organisation (NSO) says 100,000 stroke cases occur in the country every year.
The association said in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan that one in four persons have a risk of developing stroke in a lifetime.
Reports have it that the theme for the year is tagged: “Don’t Be the One”. Read more
Police arrest journalist for report against ex-CBN gov’s firm (Punch)
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a journalist with NewsDigest, Adebowale Adekoya, over a report which seemed to be targeted against a company owned by a former acting governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs Sarah Alade.
According to PRNigeria, the report titled, ‘Inside Kwara factory where Indian hemp smoking is legalised’, centred on Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industry, one of the group of companies owned by Mrs Alade.
It was however learnt that Adekoya was not the author of the story but another reporter with the outfit. Read more
Dangote dismisses pipeline delivery of fuel (Punch)
The oil refinery being built by Dangote Group will deliver its fuel to Nigerian consumers by road and seaports, and will effectively replace all of the country’s fuel imports once fully operational, an executive of the company has said.
The refinery, which is under construction in Lagos, will be able to process 650,000 barrels of crude per day.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that congested ports and dilapidated roads led some to expect that the company would build a pipeline or other method of getting its fuel to consumers. Read more
UK set for 12 December general election after MPs’ vote (BBC)
The UK is set to go to the polls on 12 December after MPs backed Boris Johnson’s call for an election following months of Brexit deadlock.
By a margin of 438 votes to 20, the House of Commons approved legislation paving the way for the first December election since 1923.
The bill is still to be approved by the Lords but could become law by the end of the week.
If that happens, there will be a five-week campaign up to polling day.
The prime minister has said the public must be “given a choice” over the future of Brexit and the country. Read more
Hackers steal almost 900 Miscarriage charity’s bank account (Metro)
A miscarriage charity is almost £900 out of pocket after being ‘targeted by hackers’.
Abi Clarke, who set up Miss (Miscarriage Information Support Service), noticed suspicious transactions late last week when she went through bank statements.
Criminals had swiped around £860 on Saturday night, and made another attempt the next day.
They failed in the attempt to take £870 because Abi cancelled the account. Read more
Iheanacho scores on first start after nine (Punch)
Kelechi Iheanacho scored on his first start in nine months for Leicester City, who defeated Burton Albion 3-1 in Tuesday’s round of 16 Carabao Cup clash at the Pirelli Stadium, Sports Extra reports.
The goal was his second strike in his second appearance this season for the Foxes.
Iheanacho, whose only game this season was a four minutes cameo appearance in Leicester City’s 4-0 win over Luton Town in the fourth round, in which he scored, struck the opener for Brendan Rodgers’ side after latching on to a pass from Youri Tielemans. Read more
Ronaldo: I’d only play Champions League (Punch)
Cristiano Ronaldo admits he is driven by the “important games” and would only play “for the national team and in the Champions League” with Juventus if he could.
The 34-year-old has won most of what’s on offer at club level and is motivated by the games where he can feel the “pressure”.
“I’ll tell you, if it were up to me, I would only play some important games,” the Portuguese international said in an interview with France Football. “Those of the national team and in the Champions League. Read more
Onazi: I’m nearing match fitness (Nation)
SUPER Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi may be back in action sooner than expected as he returns to full training with his Trabzonspor teammates after 10 months injury, NationSport reports.
The Nigeria international, who uploaded a video of his training where he participated in a five-aside Tiki-taka session with teammates at the Mehmet Ali Yilmaz Facilities, hinted that he will only take some weeks to be fit for matches.
The Tiki-taka is a Spanish style of play in football characterized by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession. Read more
Bayern may drag Osimhen back to Germany (Nation)
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are tracking Nigeria international Victor Osimhen, according to reports in France.
The German champions and AC Milan are monitoring the performances of the Lille striker ahead of a possible move.
The Bavarians are in the market for a striker as replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is widely regarded as the best number nine in the world and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the January transfer window. Read more
Messi brought the best out of me in LaLiga, Ronaldo declares (Guardian)
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo believes his “healthy rivalry” with Barcelona counterpart Lionel Messi during his time in LaLiga made him a better player.
Both men have won the coveted Ballon d’Or five times and are considered to be two of the greatest players of all time.
Ronaldo spent nine years with Real Madrid prior to joining Juventus in 2018 and Messi recently acknowledged the pair spurred each other on in their quest for individual honours. Read more
Why I snubbed Eagles – Ogbonna (Punch)
West Ham defender, Angelo Ogbonna, has explained that he opted to play for Italy rather than Nigeria because it was the right thing to do for him.
Ogbonna an Italian of Nigerian descent has been capped 13 times by the Azzuri and has represented the Nazionale at two major tournaments.
The Hammers defender in an interview with the club’s official website, Ogbonna said, “I grew up with Nigerian parents, but I chose to play for the Italian national team because I felt that was right. Read more
UEFA slam Bulgaria with two-match fan ban after England racism storm (Vanguard)
Bulgaria have been ordered by UEFA to play their next home international match behind closed doors after the racism storm that engulfed the national side following their recent Euro 2020 qualifier against England, with a second fixture potentially to follow should the behaviour of fans not improve.
Additionally, the Bulgarian FA has been hit with a €75,000 (£65,000/$83,000) fine for the racist behaviour of their supporters during the 6-0 defeat. Read more
How Nigerian forward Osimhen adapted to life in Lille (Vanguard)
Victor Osimhen said the experiences he had at Wolfsburg and Sporting Charleroi, as well Christophe Gatlier’s warm reception, have helped him settled down well in Lille.
After helping Nigeria lift the 2015 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Chile, Osimhen sealed a move to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg where he played 14 top-flight games in two seasons. Read more
Kano Pillars win two friendly matches in one day (DailyTrusy)
Nigeria Professional Football League giants, Kano Pillars have continued with their preparation for the new season as they played and won two friendly matches yesterday.
The ‘masu gida’ boys who are presently camping in Kaduna defeated Kaduna Selected 6-3 in the morning and piped National League side, Green Beret 3-0 in the evening. Read more
VAR: Liverpool’s Milner says technology ‘ruining football atmosphere’ (Vanguard)
Liverpool midfielder James Milner says VAR is ruining the atmosphere at football matches and claims many footballers do not favour the use of technology. VAR has been the subject of controversy and much debate after being introduced in the Premier League this season.
Video Assistant Referees have been used in all 100 Premier League matches this season, but opinion is split among the players and managers about its success. Read more
Management vows to return Niger Tornadoes FC to premier leauge (Vanguard)
The Management of Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna on Monday said it had perfected strategies to return the club back to the premier league.
Chairman of the club, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, made this known in Minna during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Aliyu said that by the end of the 2019/2020 season, the club would return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). NAN reports that Tornadoes, which was in the NPFL went on relegation after the 2018/2019 season. Read more
Bertens stuns world No 1 Barty in WTA Finals (DailyTrust)
Late entry Kiki Bertens stunned world No 1 Ashleigh Barty with a comeback three-set victory to shakethe season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen on Tuesday. All four players can still qualify from Red Group after Belinda Bencic’s three-set victory over Petra Kvitova in the later match.
Bertens looked in deep trouble at a set and break down, but turned the tide with ruthless returning and aggressive play at the net to overwhelm a deflated Barty, who could have sealed a spot in the semifinals with victory. Read more