Three bag jail term for $215,084.75 Internet scam (Guardian)
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos has sentenced Obaro James Omemi, Ehizojie Slyvanus Omokhuale and Eghosa Atekha Osunde to one year in prison each for an offence bordering on transfer of criminal proceeds to a nominee to the tune of $215,084.75.
The convicts alongside a company, Seaonus Global Logistics Limited, were first arraigned on November 14, 2019 on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $348,277.75 and N817,345,302.00.
The defendants initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, however, they were re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, February 3, 2020 on an amended one- count charge of transfer of criminal proceeds to a nominee to the tune of $215,084.75, after they changed their plea of “not guilty” to “guilty”.Read more
Sanwo-Olu inaugurates ferries, says okada, Marwa ban irreversible (Punch)
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday inaugurated 14 commercial ferries at the Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah.
The boats, according to a statement, can take up to 40 to 60 passengers at a go and will commute to Ikorodu, Ebute Ero, CMS, Badore and Ikoyi areas of the state.
While assuring Lagosians that before the end of the year the boats would be increased to 30, Sanwo-Olu said more than 500 buses would be injected into the state transport system to ease transportation problems. Read more
Catholic Bishops endorse Amotekun (Guardian)
Catholic bishops across the South-West yesterday rose from a conference in Ibadan , throwing their weight behind the South Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun.
The outfit was recently launched by the South-West Governors to address security challenges facing the people .
The bishops conference under the Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Province , comprising Ibadan Archdiocese , Ilorin, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Osogbo dioceses. Read more
Gokada sacks staff, hailing firms condemn violence (Punch)
A ride-hailing service company, Gokada, has reportedly sacked most of its staff after the proscription of motorcycles and tricycles in 15 council areas of Lagos State.
The PUNCH reliably gathered that at least 70 per cent of the staff had been sacked.
A source in the company confirmed the development to our correspondent on Tuesday.
An online platform, Techpoint Africa, which also reported the news, stated that the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Fahim Saleh, had only recently bought 2,000 bikes with each costing $1,500. Read more
I was treated worse than a slave, says woman rescued from Lebanon (Nation)
The lure of travelling abroad has led many Nigerians into taking regrettable moves. One of them narrated her gory ordeal in Lebanon, reports Precious Igbonwelundu.
When 31-year-old Kikelomo (surname withheld) left Nigeria last October for Lebanon in search of greener pastures, she never imagined slavery would become her lot.
She had lofty dreams and expectations having been told that her only job would be to care for her sponsor’s aged mother and be paid $200 per month. Read more
Woman scared off rapist by coughing and saying she was from Wuhan (Metro)
A woman managed to scare away a potential rapist by coughing and telling him she had just returned from Wuhan. Police said the suspect, a man named Xiao, 25, broke into her bedroom last Friday in the city of Jingshan, China, near the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. He tried to assault the victim, but she told him: ‘I just returned from Wuhan and have been infected, therefore I am home alone in self-quarantine.’ The victim, named by police as Yimou, coughed as she tried to push him away as he squeezed her neck. Read more
Wuhan resident: ‘We’d rather die at home than go to quarantine’ (BBC)
Wenjun Wang is a resident of Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Wang, a 33-year-old housewife, and her family have remained in the city since it was sealed off on 23 January.
Since then, the virus has infected more than 20,000 people worldwide, leading to at least 427 deaths.
In a rare interview from inside Wuhan, Wang tells the BBC about her family’s heart-breaking struggle for survival.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, my uncle has already passed away, my father is critically ill and my mum and aunt have started showing some symptoms. Read more
‘50,000 pets’ trapped in Wuhan could starve to death after owners evacuated (Metro)
Tens of thousands of pets stuck in the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak are at risk of starving to death, campaigners have warned. An estimated 50,000 pets have been left behind in Wuhan, in China’s Hubei province, after owners were evacuated in a bid to stop the virus spreading further. Many were unable to take their beloved animals with them or thought they would soon return and have been desperately seeking the help of animal rescue teams to give them food. Wuhan’s mayor, Zhou Xianwang, said 5,000,000 people had fled the city ahead of Chinese New Year, leading animal rights activists to calculate the amount of pets left behind. Read more
‘Self-love’ restaurant opens for Valentine’s where you eat dinner alone in front of a mirror (Metro)
Dining alone can be daunting in general, let alone on Valentine’s Day – a day specifically designed for couples, at the exclusion of everyone who isn’t in one. Tastecard is trying to ease the worry for people who want to eat their meal alone this V-Day, and in turn, trying to inspire self-love from the self-partnered. It’s not quite the standard restaurant format, though, and will see diners eating in front of a mirror that flashes up motivational quotes. There will also be a big reveal at the end, where you’re introduced to the diner opposite and you can decide whether you want to take advantage of a two for one offer together. Read more
Trump hails ‘American comeback’ in Congress speech (BBC)
President Donald Trump has hailed the “great American comeback” in a speech to Congress on the eve of his expected acquittal in his impeachment trial.
At his annual State of the Union address, Mr Trump struck a tone of optimism as he set out his case for another four years in office.
“The years of economic decay are over,” he said.
Mr Trump refrained from lashing out directly at the lawmakers who have attempted to remove him from office. Read more
EU tells UK ‘goodbye and good riddance’ after translation mix-up in parting speech (Metro)
Britain’s membership of the EU came to an awkward end when a diplomat wished the country ‘good riddance’ in an unfortunate slip of the tongue. Croatia’s permanent representative in Brussels, Irena Andrassy, thought the phrase meant ‘good luck’ when she bid the UK farewell at its final meeting of diplomats last week. As a result, her parting words to British counterpart Tim Barrow were: ‘Thank you, goodbye, and good riddance’. The mix-up was said to be taken in good humour by the British delegation. An official said: ‘The Brits saw the funny side and understood how it was meant. Read more
Iowa caucuses: Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders take lead (BBC)
Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders are leading in Iowa’s caucuses, according to partial results from the chaotic first vote in the race to pick a Democratic White House candidate.
Iowa’s Democratic Party said data from 62% of precincts showed Mr Buttigieg on 26.9% with Mr Sanders on 25.1%.
Elizabeth Warren was third on 18.3% and Joe Biden fourth on 15.6%. Read more
Serena Williams told to face reality after latest Grand Slam disappointment (Metro)
Serena Williams’ coach has called on her to ‘face reality’ and look at a ‘different strategy’ after her latest Grand Slam disappointment at the Australian Open. Patrick Mouratoglou admitted he did not expect the American great to lose at all on her return to Melbourne Park, but she crashed out in surprise fashion in the third round to Wang Qiang. Wang was thumped 6-1 6-0 by Williams in the quarter-finals of the US Open just a matter of months before but got her revenge in style, winning 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 to pull of one of the shocks of the tournament. Read more
‘I can win Tokyo gold’ – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce targets 2020 Olympics success (BBC)
Four-time 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says she believes she can keep the younger generation at bay to win Olympic gold in Tokyo.
The 33-year-old became the oldest women to win a world or Olympic 100m title with victory in Doha in September.
She only came back to competition early last year after spending two years away from the sport to have her son Zyon. Read more
SuperSport seals deal for Wilder versus Fury II super fight (Guardian)
The long-awaited rematch of heavyweight titans, Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, taking place in Las Vegas on Saturday 22 February, will be broadcast on DStv, live on your World of Champions.
Wilder versus Fury II has been highly anticipated since their first meeting, when Wilder retained his WBC title via split draw after Fury sensationally rose from a 12th-round knockdown to finish the fight. It is one of the most memorable moments in heavyweight history and has raised the stakes heading into the rematch. Read more
Liverpool’s youngest team beat Shrews (BBC)
Liverpool’s youngest-ever starting line-up beat Shrewsbury Town to set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea.
They edged past the League One side through Ro-Shaun Williams’ own goal.
With the Reds’ senior players enjoying the inaugural Premier League winter break, under-23s boss Neil Critchley led a side at Anfield containing seven teenage outfield players.
At 0-0, Shrewsbury had a Shaun Whalley goal disallowed by the video assistant referee (VAR). Read more
Deontay Wilder vows to adopt calmer approach in Tyson Fury rematch (Metro)
Deontay Wilder has revealed he will adopt a calmer approach in the ring during his rematch against Tyson Fury. After their first contest ended in a draw in December 2018, Wilder and Fury will face each other again in Las Vegas on February 22. Wilder managed to knock Fury down twice in their first fight with the second one coming in the 12th round. But the WBC heavyweight champion admits he tried to ‘force’ his big shots and is adamant that he will adopt a smarter strategy in the rematch. TOP ARTICLES 3/5 Premier League could consider changes to offside rule amid VAR complaints ‘What I’d do different this time, the biggest part of it, the most important part of it: stay calm. Stay calm and pick your shots,’ Wilder said in an interview with ESPN. Read more
LeBron James picks No.2 ahead of No.24 in Kobe Bryant tribute for his NBA All-Star team (Metro)
LeBron James has chosen to wear No.2 instead of No.24 for his NBA All-Star team as a tribute to Kobe Bryant’s daughter Gianna. James will captain his team against a squad selected by Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks for the NBA All-Star game in Chicago on February 16. The NBA have contacted the LA Lakers star about plans for each team to wear either No.2 or No.24 in honour of Kobe and Gianna, who were both killed alongside seven others in a helicopter crash on January 26. Read more
Rooney’s reunion will be special – Cocu (BBC)
Derby boss Philip Cocu says Wayne Rooney’s reunion with Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round “will be special” after the Red Devils’ all-time top scorer helped the Rams beat League Two Northampton 4-2.
Rooney scored the Championship side’s fourth goal from the penalty spot in Tuesday’s fourth-round replay.
The win means Derby will host Manchester United in the week commencing 2 March.
“I’m sure he will be ready,” said Cocu.
“He’s (Wayne Rooney) going to face the club where he had a wonderful career so of course it is special.” Read more
Messi attacks Abidal after dressing room criticism (Punch)
Lionel Messi has hit back at Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal after the Frenchman blamed slackness in the dressing room for the departure of recently-fired coach Ernesto Valverde.
In an interview with Spanish daily Sport, Abidal, said that under Valverde, who was sacked in mid-January, many players had been unhappy, hadn’t worked hard enough nor communicated properly.
Now Argentine ace Messi has fired a salvo at across his own ranks just as the club are trying to get him to sign a contract extension. Read more
Jose Mourinho reacts to Jurgen Klopp’s decision to miss Liverpool’s FA Cup replay (Metro)
Jose Mourinho claims Jurgen Klopp ‘does what he wants’ as the Liverpool manager has opted to miss his side’s FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury Town.
The Premier League leaders were held to a 2-2 draw against their League One opponents and now face a replay at Anfield on Tuesday evening. Klopp controversially made all first-team players unavailable for the match as he stressed the importance of observing the Premier League’s newly enforced winter break. But Klopp will also miss the match and Liverpool’s Under-23s manager Neil Critchley has been placed in charge. Read more
Onikan Stadium ready this month, says Dawodu (Guardian)
Lagos State Commission for Youth and Social development, Olusegun Dawodu, has declared that the Onikan Stadium, which is being rebuilt by the state government, is 90 percent ready.
Dawodu said the government’s inspection of the stadium, which is being reconstructed to improve the standard of sports facilities in Lagos, would soon host major sporting activities.
He added that the refurbishment of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, which is also on-going, would be completed according to schedule. Read more
Ighalo to wear United No. 25 jersey (Punch)
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo will wear the No. 25 jersey at Manchester United, the Premier League club revealed on Tuesday.
United revealed Ighalo’s jersey number on their Twitter page.
Ighalo joined United on a six-month loan deal from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua on Friday.
The shirt was previously won by former United captain Antonio Valencia and ex-South Africa international Quinton Fortune. Read more
Ogwumike offers tips for budding basketballers (Nation)
WNBA and Nigerian-American basketball star, Chinenye ‘Chiney’ Ogwumike has said that passion and purpose are the two elements needed to become a success in life.
The basketball star who stated this while speaking to students of Avi-Ceena International School on Monday noted that both elements if effectively combined will make them unstoppable in their quest to reach the top.
She told the student that combining their education and sports and other hobbies was possible if they have the ‘I-can-do-it’ spirit, adding that they can achieve whatever they want if they can dream it. Read more