Troops foil robbery attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway (Guardian)
Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, on Friday foiled a suspected robbery attempt on the Benin-Lagos expressway. Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, who confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, said that the troops on Operation Safe Conduct, were on a routine patrol when they received a distress call on the development. He said the troops immediately reacted to the distress call and foiled the robbery attempt at the general area of Okada Junction. Read more
Don’t announce results not declared by INEC, NBC warns broadcasters (Punch)
The National Broadcasting Commission has warned broadcasters against announcing election results not declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The Assistant Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr. Antia Ekanem, issued the warning in a statement on Friday in Abuja. Ekanem said that broadcasters should abide by the provisions of the Broadcast Code and the Electoral Act regarding announcement of election results. Read more
Akpabio withdraws suit against defeat as Ekpenyong applauds (Nation)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at the Apo, Abuja Judicial Division on Friday struck out a post-election matter instituted by Senator Godswill Akpabio, following his defeat by former Deputy Governor, Engr. Chris Ekpenyong, in the just- concluded National Assembly election for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. Akpabio, former Senate Minority leader, defected last August from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) under which he sought reelection ticket. Read more
Suspected thugs destroy INEC office, electoral materials with explosives in Akwa Ibom (Punch)
A section of the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has been destroyed with the use of explosives by suspected thugs. Our correspondent who visited the scene at 1.30pm on Friday observed that electoral materials had been burnt in the affected offices in the building, but the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Mike Igini, said sensitive materials meant for the conduct of the election on Saturday were not destroyed. Read more
I’ll pursue my case further after Saturday’s poll – Tonye Cole (Nation)
The APC governorship candidate in Rivers state, Tonye Cole has said that even though his name will not be on the ballot for the governorship election on Saturday, he was fulfilled knowing the potential available to him in the state. He expressed appreciation to the people of the state, especially members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for standing by him while pursuing his case in court, asking them not to lose hope. In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja, Cole informed his supporters across the state that he will be pursuing his case further at the Supreme Court after Saturday’s elections. Read more
Supreme Court dismisses Patience Jonathan’s appeal to upturn $8.4m forfeiture order (Guardian)
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by Former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan to upturn the 8.4 million U.S. dollars interim order of forfeiture made against her. Justice Ejembi Eko, in a unanimous ruling held that it was incumbent on the appellant to prove before the trial court while the order should not be made permanent. “The appellant should go back to the trial court and show cause while the forfeiture order should not be made permanent. Read more
One dead in Army’s attack on Ateke Tom’s palace (Nation)
One person has been confirmed dead in the invasion of the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Okochiri Kingdom of Okrika Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers state, HRM Ateke Tom, by Army operatives on Thursday evening. The Chief of Staff of the Palace, HRH, Chief Tamuno Akalokpo, confirmed the incident during a peaceful protest in the community on Friday. Akalokpo, who expressed grievances of the community over the unprovoked attack identified the victim as John Ogbu. Read more
Court sentences Lekan Shonde to death for killing wife (Punch)
The Lagos State High Court on Friday sentenced Lekan Shonde to death by hanging for killing his wife, Ronke. Lekan Shonde, a depot worker in the Apapa area of Lagos State, was found guilty of the murder of his wife. PUNCH Metro had reported that 51-year-old Lekan allegedly beat his wife to death at their home in the Egbeda-Idimu area of Lagos State. He was alleged to have locked the door on the corpse and their two children before the incident was discovered by a housekeeper and later reported to the police. Read more
Speed violation, major cause of 1,538 deaths in Q4, 2018 —NBS (Punch)
The National Bureau of Statistics, said no fewer than 1,538 Nigerians died in road accidents in the fourth quarter of 2018. The NBS Road Transport Data for the fourth Quarter, 2018 posted on its website said a total of 2,532 road accidents were recorded in the period under review. The report said 92 per cent (1,422) of the 1, 538 people that died were adults, while the remaining eight per cent (116 people) were children. Read more
Paul Manafort: Trump feels ‘very bad’ for jailed ex-aide (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has said he feels “very bad” for his ex-campaign manager Paul Manafort, a day after he was sentenced to a prison term. Mr Trump erroneously told reporters the judge in the case had said there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. “It’s a collusion witch hoax,” the Republican president said as he left the White House. Manafort, 69, was found guilty of tax and bank fraud. Read more
Shamima Begum: ‘Unconfirmed reports’ baby son dead (BBC)
There are unconfirmed reports that the baby son of Shamima Begum – the teenager who fled London to join the Islamic State group – has died, her family’s lawyer has said. Tasnime Akunjee said he had “strong but unconfirmed reports” of the death of the baby, who was about two weeks old. However, a spokesman for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said the baby was alive and healthy. BBC correspondent Quentin Sommerville said Ms Begum had gone to hospital. Read more
Women ‘offered man threesome then kidnapped and robbed him’ (Metro)
Two women offered a man a three-way sex session then kidnapped and robbed him after turning up for the encounter, police say. Emily Bailey, 21, and Samantha Wheeler, 24, reportedly offered the man the orgy after chatting to him online, then agreed to meet him at an address in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Wednesday. They turned up at the property and met the man, who has not been named, before going inside, it is claimed. Read more
Gayle King says watching R Kelly’s ‘self-destruction’ is ‘troubling’ (Metro)
CBS This Morning host Gayle King says watching R Kelly’s ‘self-destruction’ is ‘troubling’. The TV presenter is reflecting over her sit-down with the R&B singer in his first TV appearance since being charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on four victims – three of whom were underage at time of the alleged abuse. Kelly broke down in tears in the chat, protesting his innocence against the allegations made against him, and lost his temper at one point. Read more
Man lost $273million winning lottery ticket because he was distracted by his phone (Metro)
A jobless divorcee was so distracted by his cellphone he left a $273million winning ticket behind in the store after buying it. Michael Weirsky, 54, misplaced the MegaMillions slip behind shortly after buying it at the convenience store near his home in Warren County, New Jersey, last week. Weirsky explained: ‘I was paying more attention to my cell phone. I put the tickets down, put my money away and did something with my phone and just walked away.’ Read more
Take care of your health, females told on Women’s Day (Punch)
Health and Wellness experts on Friday urged women to embrace the uniqueness of their womanhood through self-awareness, ethics and passion to achieve success. They gave the advice at the 2019 International Women’s Day Seminar with the theme: “Balanced for Better,’’ held in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the seminar was organised by Thrive Women Solutions. A Consultant Physician and Wellness Enthusiast, Dr. Obielumani Ideh, urged women to change their mindsets by embracing the uniqueness of their womanhood to achieve balance and happiness. Read more
Ruben Loftus-Cheek fires message to Maurizio Sarri over Callum Hudson-Odoi (Metro)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek does not think Callum Hudson-Odoi should be held back by his age, despite Maurizio Sarri’s claims that he is too young to thrive at the very highest level. The 18-year-old’s future has been a source of major concern among Chelsea fans, with his contract set to expire in 2020. He’s refusing to put pen to paper on a new deal as he searches for first-team football and some of Europe’s top clubs, including Bayern Munich, are keen to land him. Read more
UEFA explain controversial Champions League VAR calls (Guardian)
UEFA took the unusual step on Friday to explain a series of controversial Video Assistant Referees (VAR) calls in this week’s Champions League last 16 ties. European football’s governing body bowed to pressure by bringing forward the introduction of VAR into the Champions League for the knockout rounds, having not used the technology for the group stages. Ajax and Manchester United benefited from disputed decisions in sealing dramatic comebacks to eliminate holders Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Read more
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Liverpool comeback cut short as he limps out of Under-23s match early (Metro)
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had his injury comeback match cut short as he made his first appearance in 11 months. The 25-year-old, who sustained multiple ligament injuries in his knee in the Champions League semi-final against Roma at the end of last season, stepped up his recovery with an appearance for the club’s Under-23s against Derby County. He was only expected to play 45 minutes but was replaced shortly before half-time and appeared to be holding his right hamstring before coming off. Read more
Guardiola retains faith in Man City hierarchy over FFP claims (Guardian)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola trusts his club will be exonerated after UEFA opened an investigation into potential breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations. German magazine Der Spiegel, using material purportedly obtained from the whistleblowing outlet Football Leaks, alleged in November that Abu-Dhabi backed City had set up sponsorship deals to circumvent regulations limiting how much money owners can put into a club. UEFA announced on Thursday those claims were being investigated and should they be found guilty, the English champions could be hit with a ban from the Champions League. Read more
Man Utd send support to stabbed fan in Paris (Guardian)
Manchester United sent the club’s support to a fan stabbed by a taxi driver in Paris in the wake of the English giants remarkable Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. “We were shocked to hear about the incident with one of our fans who was stabbed while in Paris for the Champions League game,” said United in a statement. “Everyone at the club wishes him well during his recovery.” Read more