Tension as hoodlums murder NURTW branch treasurer in Lagos (Punch)
The Treasurer of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Jibowu-Yaba Branch, Alowonle Asekun, has been killed by hoodlums in the Grammar School area of the Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro gathered that Asekun, while on his way out of the Ajasa-Lamberu Street in the Grammar School area, was accosted by the hoodlums, who reportedly shot him to death in front of the First Atlantic School on Friday, February 8, 2019. Eyewitnesses, who spoke to our correspondent at the scene of the incident, said the hoodlums trailed Asekun to the area, adding that the news of his death had caused panic in the Jibowu and Fadeyi areas of the state. Read more
Onnoghen gets fresh NJC query after EFCC petition (Guardian)
There may be more trouble for the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, as the National Judicial Council (NJC) said it had received a fresh petition against him from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a statement, the Director of Information, NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, said the new petition from the EFCC had been forwarded to Justice Onnoghen and he is expected to respond to the allegations raised therein within seven working days. The NJC held an emergency meeting yesterday to consider the responses of Onnoghen and the Acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, to the three petitions brought against them. Read more
APC to U.S. envoy: Buhari will win without rigging (Nation)
United States Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington got yesterday a piece of advice — watch your tongue. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council accused Mr. W. Stuart Symington of creating an impression that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot win a free and fair election. His comments are implicit attacks against the government of Nigeria, the Council said. The Campaign noted that the continous warning by the American Ambassador about “flawed elections” is capable of casting an unwarranted cloud over the process, adding that instead of encouraging our country toward credible elections, such statements undermine public confidence. Read more
Seized N1.9bn: Shagaya frustrating our investigations, says EFCC (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has accused a businesswoman and socialite, Hajiya Bola Shagaya, of frustrating its efforts to conclude investigations into a suspicious Unity Bank account with a balance of N1,902,673,399.93. The anti-graft agency said it invited the woman but she refused to honour the invitation, “thus making us unable to conclude investigations and file a charge against her”. An EFCC official, Oghare Ogbole, stated this in the counter-affidavit the anti-graft agency filed to oppose a suit filed by Shagaya to challenge the freezing of the account linked to her. Read more
NBC cautions broadcast stations against hate speech, inciting comments (Guardian)
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Is’haq Modibo Kawu has stressed the need for broadcaster stations to refrain from broadcasting hate speech and inciting comments. He, however, urged them to exhibit unwavering professionalism in the discharge of their duties. While speaking at a two-day workshop on ‘Political Broadcast’ in Lagos last week, he insisted that if broadcasters could exhibit professionalism, it would ensure consolidation of democracy, adding that the role of the media is central to the success of democracy. Read more
SDP indicts APC over killing at Ondo rally (Guardian)
Following the killing of 25 year-old Benjamin Falusi at Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s rally in Ipogun, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, the party has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be held responsible for the murder. SDP’s candidate contesting the Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency slot in the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Adefisoye, said this at a media briefing in Akure yesterday. Adefisoye, who is popularly called ‘Small Alhaji’ by his supporters, accused the APC incumbent representative of the constituency, Bamidele Baderinwa, of unleashing violence on his campaign train, saying it was a reprisal. Read more
RCCG evangelist allegedly steals girlfriend’s car, sells to friend (Punch)
A 41-year-old evangelist, Olajide Olawale, has been apprehended for allegedly stealing his lover’s vehicle and selling it to his friend in Abuja. The Oyo State Police Command, on Monday, paraded Olawale and other suspected criminals arrested in recent times. Olawale, who claimed to be an evangelist of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mowe, Ogun State, allegedly absconded with the girlfriend’s Toyota Matrix last year. Parading Olawale and other suspects at a press conference held at the command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, vowed to aggressively clamp down on criminals in the state before, during and after the general elections. Read more
Alleged unlawful detention, assault lands firm, man in Lagos high court (Guardian)
For unlawfully detaining and assaulting her, a former employee of the Uniliver Nigeria Plc, Mrs Grace Okafor has dragged the firm and one of its workers, Mr. Segun Oguntoyinbo before a Lagos High Court, Igbosere. Trial judge, Kazeem Alogba has fixed February 25 for hearing of the suit. The claimant is asking the court to declare that her unlawful detention on February 16, 2017, within the premises of the 1st defendant is a breach of claimant her fundamental right to personal liberty guaranteed under 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Read more
Deal reached to avert new US shutdown (BBC)
Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement in principle over border security to fund the US government and avert another partial shutdown. Lawmakers said the deal had been struck in a closed-door meeting in Washington. No details have been released. Talks had stalled on the detention of undocumented migrants and funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall. Speaking late on Monday, he did not say whether he would back the deal. “We’re building the wall anyway,” he said. He told supporters in El Paso, Texas, that he had had no time to study the agreement, but stressed that he would “never sign a bill that forces the mass release of violent criminals”. Read more
Hakeem al-Araibi returns home to Australia after Thai detention (BBC)
Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi has returned home to Australia following his release from a Thai jail. The Bahraini national was detained for over two months in a Bangkok prison after he was arrested on an Interpol notice issued by Bahrain. The Arab kingdom ended extradition attempts on Monday, following an international human rights campaign. Hundreds of supporters cheered the arrival of the 25-year-old footballer at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday. Read more
Ramsey signs Juventus deal worth £400k a week (BBC)
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Juventus in the summer in a deal that will earn him over £400,000 a week. The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year contract that will see him join the Italian champions as a free agent, ending his 11-year spell with Arsenal. Ramsey passed a two-part medical in January, having picked Juve following talks with a host of European clubs. He will be the highest-earning British player ever based on basic salary. Read more