Teenager, 8 others docked over alleged cultism in Lagos (Tribune)
The police in Lagos have arraigned a teenager and eight others who allegedly carried out cult activities and caused residents of Ogbomo community in Ajah, to flee their homes.
The police arraigned Joseph Tobi, 18; Malik Kadejo, 22; Samuel Owolabi, 25; Oguntuyo Semiu, 31; Gbenga Afeez, 20; Taiwo Sulaimon, 25; Odetunde Ismail, 25; Oluwaseun Oyebamire, 20, and Idris Oyekola, 27.
The defendant appeared on a three-count charge of conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society and breach of the peace.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Oriabure told the court that the defendants committed the offences at 11:30 p.m. on December 28, 2018, at Ogbomo Town, Ajah, Lagos. Read more
Police take over Amotekun protest venue in Lagos (Punch)
Policemen, on Tuesday, barricaded the venue of the protest against the Federal Government’s position declaring the establishment of Operation Amotekun as illegal.
Recall that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had in a statement, described the Western Nigeria Security network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ as illegal.
The protest, expected to hold at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, was organised by the Yoruba World Congress.
It was tagged as “Amotekun Solidarity Walk”. Read more
Amaechi inspects Lagos-Ibadan rail project (Vanguard)
Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday, embarked on routine tour/inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project.
Amaechi was accompanied on the inspection by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde.
The minister noted that a large chunk of the rail line was in Oyo State.
The inspection kicked off from the Railway Mega Station in EbuteMetta to Apapa, Lagos and moved all the way to Ibadan, Oyo state. Read more
Amotekun is a ‘threat to democracy’ – Miyetti Allah (Guardian)
The national secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Saleh Alhassan, Tuesday said his organisation is afraid that if the Amotekun security outfit is allowed to operate, it could turn out to be a disaster for Nigeria.
Alhassan, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, likened the initiative to the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), which he claimed has the history of heinous crimes and killings.
He also described the initiative as a threat to Democracy.
“For us, Amotekun, the Yoruba tribal militia is one of the greatest threats to democracy we now have in place. You cannot empower an ethnic militia that has violent crime,” Alhassan said. Read more
Oxford dictionary adds Danfo, Okada, Tokunbo, K-leg, 25 others in latest update (Punch)
Oxford English Dictionary has added 29 Nigerian words and expressions in its January updates to the dictionary.
This was confirmed in a blog post on the dictionary’s website.
OED, in the post, said some of the words were borrowed while others are coinages.
“The majority of these new additions are either borrowings from Nigerian languages, or unique Nigerian coinages that have only begun to be used in English in the second half of the twentieth century, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s,” the post added. Read more
Dokpesi opens defence in N2.1bn alleged fraud charge (Guardian)
Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications Plc, on Tuesday, at the Federal High Court Abuja, opened his defence in the alleged N2.1 billion fraud charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC arraigned Dokpesi in 2015, on a seven-count charge, bordering on alleged N2.1 billion fraud, said to be payments received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that the matter had been adjourned for Dokpesi to open his defence. Read more
VAT: Exemption of basic goods will boost local production – Experts (Tribune)
Some experts, on Tuesday, said the exemption of some basic consumption items from Value Added Tax (VAT) would boost local production and reduce economic hardship.
The experts told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that this was a good development for the local industry.
Mr Tunji Adepeju, an economist, who commended the government said the items exempted are those thought to be basic to the generality of Nigerian citizens. Read more
Agbekoya, Vigilante, OPC, others walk for Amotekun amidst tight security in Ibadan (Nation)
Despite the initial fear, the planned solidarity walk in support of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun, held at the Remembrance Archade, opposite Oyo State Government Secretariat, amidst heavy security presence.
Although the event slated for 9am didn’t start until about an hour later, uniform and plain cloth wearing security operatives including, Police Force, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps had besieged the venue in large number.
The heavy security presence with no fewer than ten police security patrols initially sent fears and apprehension as to the certainty or otherwise of the protest holding as scheduled. Read more
Boko Haram kills CAN leader despite N50m ransom offer (Nation)
The Boko Haram insurgents have killed the Michika Local Government Area Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lawan Andimi.
The Boko Haram elements had invaded Michika roughly three weeks ago, January 2nd, and were quickly confronted by soldiers, but they succeeded in seizing Lawan Andimi as they fled.
The Adamawa State Chairman of CAN, Stephen Mamza, who confirmed Lawan’s fate to newsmen in Yola on Tuesday, said the insurgents demanded £2 million as ransom but only N50 million could be raised, which was rejected.
“Pastor Lawan was beheaded yesterday. Negations were still ongoing when they stopped calling. They were offered N50 million but they rejected it,” the state CAN chairman said. Read more
Supreme Court upholds Ortom’s election (Nation)
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Benue Governor.
A seven-man panel of the court, led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, dismissed the appeal by Emmanuel Jime, who contested as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who read the lead judgment, held that the appellants (Jime and APC) failed to present any cogent reason to move the court to tamper with the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts, which both upheld Ortom’s election. Read more
Prince Harry reunites with Meghan Markle and Archie in Canada (Guardian)
Prince Harry arrived in Canada to rejoin his wife Meghan and son Archie Monday, British media reported, as the couple start a new life after their shock exit from the royal fold.
The Daily Mail newspaper said he landed at Vancouver International Airport on British Airways flight 85 from London’s Heathrow at about 7 pm local time.
It published a photo of him wearing a blue beanie and jeans with a backpack over his shoulders after slipping out a back staircase, escorted by security.
Sky News published footage of Harry descending the steps of an aircraft. Read more
Chicarito confirms move to LA Galaxy (Punch)
Javier Hernandez has confirmed his move to Los Angeles Galaxy in an interview with the LA Times.
Galaxy have yet to make an official announcement but former Manchester United and West Ham forward ‘Chicarito’ told the newspaper the time was right from him to swap Sevilla for Major League Soccer.
“I’m going to be playing,” Hernandez said. “People are going to say it was because I couldn’t make it (in Europe), but sometimes in football, there are things that are not in your hands. Read more
Maria Sharapova to drop out of top 350 after defeat at Australian Open (DailyTrust)
Former world No 1 Maria Sharapova Maria Sharapova may not be at the Australian Open next year, with a first-round exit meaning she is set to drop out of the world’s top 350. The five-time Grand Slam champion, who won at Melbourne Park in 2008, lost 6-3 6-4 to Croatian 19th seed Donna Vekic. It was only the Russian’s second competitive outing since September’s US Open because of a shoulder injury. Asked whether this might be her last appearance at the tournament, she said: “I don’t know. I don’t know.” Read more
Family to mark Sala’s anniversary in ‘quiet contemplation’ (Guardian)
The death of Cardiff forward Emiliano Sala in a plane crash a year ago will be marked by his family on Tuesday in “private, quiet contemplation of their loss”, their lawyer said.
The 28-year-old striker was killed when the small plane taking him to join the then Premier League side after being bought from French side Nantes for £15 million ($19.5 million, 17.6 million euros) crashed off the Channel island of Guernsey.
There are still unresolved issues surrounding the player’s death, such as who was responsible for the crash in which pilot David Ibottson also died, and, above all, the payment of the 17-million-euro ($18.85 million, 17.6 million euros) fee agreed for his transfer. Read more
Victor Moses edges closer to Inter Milan reunion with Conte (Vanguard)
Inter have supposedly agreed personal terms with Victor Moses as Antonio Conte looks to further strengthen his defensive line.
Moses who has struggled with injury all season has made just six starts in the Turkish Super Lig on loan with Fenerbahce and is ready to cut his deal short after agreeing to reunite with Inter boss Conte.
The pair worked closely together at Chelsea, and the Italian manager moulded Moses into a prolific right wing-back at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues lift the Premier League title in 2016/17.
The Nigerian had already been linked with a move to Serie A this term, and now journalist Fabrizio Romano claims a move is edging closer as personal terms have been agreed between the player and Inter. Read more
Alleged $9.5m FIFA Grant: Court fixes February 20 for ruling on joining Pinnick, Sanusi (DailyTrust)
An FCT High Court in Maitama has fixed February 20 for ruling on an application to join Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick and Secretary-General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi in the case of alleged misappropriation of 9.5 million dollars FIFA grant.
Justice Peter Affen had earlier fixed October 22, 2019 for ruling in the application before the office of the Attorney general of the Federation (AGF) said it wanted to harmonise all the cases involving the alleged fraud.
However, at the resumed hearing on Monday, Abubakar Musa, senior state counsel, Federation Ministry of Justice told the court that the Attorney General of the Federation was withdrawing the application for harmonisation to enable Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to go on with the matter. Read more
Solskjaer rejects Neville criticism as Rashford begins recovery (Guardian)
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has contradicted former team-mate, Gary Neville, by saying on Tuesday United are on the “right track”.
Outspoken TV pundit Neville had said in a podcast after United’s 2-0 defeat at leaders Liverpool on Sunday, which left the Red Devils 30 points behind their rivals in the Premier League, the club was in a mess.
The former United captain pinned much of the blame for the team’s current problems on the recruitment undertaken by chief executive Ed Woodward. Read more
Luis Suarez labels Liverpool fans ‘the Best’ in the world (Vanguard)
Former Kop favorite Luis Suarez has described Liverpool fans as being ‘amongst the best in the world’.
Suarez spent three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield between 2011 and 2014, bagging 69 goals in his memorable stay, which included winning the Premier League Golden Boot and PFA Player of the Year in 2014.
The Uruguayan left for Barcelona in 2014 after missing out on the league title but he remained well-liked among the Liverpool fans for his incredible attacking displays. Read more
Zidane says Bale fit for Copa del Rey test (Guardian)
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said Gareth Bale is fit and ready to play against Unionistas de Salamanca on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.
Bale was left out of the squad for Madrid’s win over Sevilla on Saturday and Zidane said after the match he had picked up a knock.
The Welshman trained with his teammates last week, after also missing the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia through illness. Read more
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tops Barcelona shortlist for new striker (Vanguard)
Barcelona are eager to bring in a new striker this month following the injury to Luis Suárez and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is thought to be their top target.
Suárez was forced to undergo surgery after suffering a knee injury and is not expected to return until April at the earliest.
Lionel Messi started upfront in Quique Setién’s first game in charge, but club officials fear that they do not have enough cover behind Messi and Antoine Griezmann. As a result, they want a new high-profile striker, and Mundo Deportivo claim Aubameyang is at the top of their wish list. Read more
I’m sorry we made you cry, Lorenzo begs Napoli’s young fan (Punch)
Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne has apologised to a nine-year-old fan after the team’s dismal performance in a 2-0 home defeat by Fiorentina on Saturday made the boy burst into tears.
The image of the tearful fan with a Napoli scarf appeared during the broadcast of the match and was widely posted on social media.
It prompted some supporters to suggest it should be hung on the team’s dressing room wall to motivate the team. Read more