US-based Nigerian doctor killed self over $1,900 child support, not $15,000 — Father-in-law (Punch)
Francis Van-Lare, the father-in-law to United States-based Nigerian cardiologist, Dr Ikenna Erinne, has refuted claims that the late doctor took his own life due to financial strain from a $15,000 monthly child support ruling. He made this disclosure on Monday as a clarification to the viral claim.
According to him, it was just $1,900 which the late doctor paid partially sometimes.
Van-Lare also dispelled the claim that Erinne was a peaceful and quiet guy while sharing screenshots of restraining orders from state of Maryland Court circuit. Read more
Emefiele: EFCC witness testifies on procurement process for vehicle contracts (Sun)
A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of former Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the contract awards for vehicle purchases by the apex bank passed through the due process of procurement laws and CBN guidelines.
The prosecution witness, Salawu Gana, in his testimony yesterday admitted that quotations for supplies of vehicles were received from three major motor companies in the country, namely RT. Briscoe, Globe Motors, and April 1616 firm.
He said the Procurement Department of the CBN, after evaluating the quotations, vetted the submissions of the three companies and recommended the April 1616 firm for the contract award. Read more
2027: Primate Ayodele urges PDP to persuade Jonathan, Saraki for presidency (NewTelegraph)
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has advised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki to contest for the presidency if the party wants victory in 2027.
Primate Ayodele who spoke on Monday disclosed that the only way PDP can be assured of victory is if the former president is found on the 2027 presidential ballot.
He, however, urged the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar rather than contesting for presidency under the PDP should throw all his support for the right candidate. Read more
Court sacks Ohinoyi of Ebira land (Leadership)
A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, the State capital, has sacked the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Tijani Anaje, from the royal stool.
Recall that Anaje was appointed as Ohinoyi of Ebira Land by the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in January, 2024, at the twilight of his administration.
However, Hon. Justice Salisu Umar, the presiding judge of High Court 6 in Lokoja, in his ruling on Monday, made an order directing the defendant (Anaje) in a suit before to stop parading himself as the paramount traditional ruler of Ebiraland. Read more
4 gunned down as Kano residents, security operatives clash over demolition (DailyTrust)
Four people have allegedly been killed in Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, following a violent clash with security operatives over demolition of properties.
The victims were reportedly shot dead by security personnel after residents retaliated against the destruction of their buildings.
Sources revealed that the demolished structures—mostly residential buildings under construction estimated at 40—had been previously marked by the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA). Read more
Sanwo-Olu felicitates with Tems on Grammy Award win (Nation)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated music sensation, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, on her win at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Tems won the Best African Music Performance category with her song “Love Me JeJe”, becoming the first Nigerian artist to achieve this feat.
Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Tems’ exceptional talent and dedication, noting that her achievement is a testament to the country’s rich musical heritage. Read more
DMO offers 2 FGN bonds at 17.799%, 18.799% (Guardian)
The Federal Government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), has opened offers for subscription to two Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) savings bonds for February 2025 at interest rates of 17.799% and 18.799%, respectively.
The DMO, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the first offer is a two-year FGN savings bond due on February 12, 2027, at an interest rate of 17.799% per annum.
The second offer is a three-year FGN savings bond due on February 12, 2028, at an interest rate of 18.799% per annum. Read more
Many killed as suspected herdsmen attack Ebonyi community (Channels)
Suspected herdsmen on Sunday attacked the Amegu Nkalaha Community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, killing an unknown number of people and burning numerous houses.
The Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to Channels Television, stating that police have deployed operatives to the area.
While confirming the attack, Ukandu noted that the number of casualties is still being investigated. Read more
Lady Gaga declares ‘trans people are not invisible’ in Grammy speech (RollingStone)
Lady Gaga used the Grammy stage to stand up for trans rights. While accepting the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award for “Die With a Smile,” the pop star made a bold statement about transgender rights, drawing a standing ovation.
“It’s such an honor to sing for all of you. I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love,” Gaga said onstage with Bruno Mars. “The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”
Gaga’s comments come as President Donald Trump targeted the transgender community as soon as he took office last month. Read more
Trump threatens to cut funding for South Africa over land policy (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has said he will cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that it was confiscating land and “treating certain classes of people very badly”.
Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law a bill that allows land seizures without compensation in certain circumstances.
Land ownership has long been a contentious issue in South Africa with most private farmland owned by white people, 30 years after the end of the racist system of apartheid. Read more
South Africa defends itself against Trump and Musk attacks on land policy (VOA)
South Africa defended itself on Monday against attacks on its land confiscation policy by Donald Trump and his South African-born billionaire backer Elon Musk after the U.S. president said he would cut off funding to the country over the issue.
Trump said on Sunday, without citing evidence, that “South Africa is confiscating land” and “certain classes of people” were being treated “very badly.”
“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” he said. Read more
Doechii Celebrates Her Huge Night At The 2025 Grammys By Dropping A New Single, ‘Nosebleeds’ (Uproxx)
Doechii was among the biggest winners of yesterday’s (February 2) 2025 Grammys: Aside from her kick-ass performance, Alligator Bites Never Heal won Best Rap Album, making Doechii just the third woman to ever win the award.
In celebration, Doechii shared a new song, “Nosebleeds.”
Lyrically, the track is a pretty direct reaction to her big night at the Grammys, with lyrics that all but mention the awards show by name. She ends the first verse, “I don’t know, is she gonna go crazy? Is she gonna go crazy? / Everyone wanted to know what Doechii would do if she didn’t win / I guess we’ll never…” Read more
Markets tumble in reaction to Trump’s tariffs as he warns UK ‘out of line’ on trade with US (Sky)
Why Trump’s tariffs could cost you
Stock markets tumbled on Monday as Donald Trump’s tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China sparked fears of a global trade war.
It’s the first trading day since the US president made good on his promise to slap high taxes on imports to the US and announced higher-than-expected 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods.
In Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei stock market index fell nearly 3% on Monday, and Korea’s Kospi was also down more than 2.5%. Both countries are export-heavy nations with car manufacturing which is vulnerable to further US import tax hikes. Read more
Putin says Europe will ‘stand at the feet of the master’ as Trump’s tariffs alarm allies (CNBC)
Russia’s Vladimir Putin warned Europe will quickly “stand at the feet of the master” after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, provoking a global markets meltdown and alarm among European allies.
Commenting on Trump’s decision at the weekend to impose trade duties on America’s closest trading partners, the Kremlin on Monday said it was watching on as “tensions” build between the U.S. and its allies.
“You know, there are many tensions there, so, of course, we have no desire to be associated with all this in any way or to evaluate it in any way,” Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters in his daily press briefing. Read more
World’s longest and deepest tunnel will cost $1,900,000,000 but cut travel time by 11 hours (Unilad)
Norway have revealed its very expensive plans to build a new underwater megatunnel.
Norway already holds the record for the world’s longest tunnel with its infamous Lærdal Tunnel that spans over 15 miles long.
The tunnel took five years to build and connects municipalities of Lærdal and Aurland. Read more
Marseille move to sign Iheanacho on loan (Leadership)
French Ligue 1 club, Olympic Marseille, are interested in signing Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Spanish side Sevilla for the rest of the season.
Sevilla are willing to allow the former Manchester City and Leicester City of England striker leave this month after he failed to impress following his arrival on a free transfer last summer.
The Rojiblancos signed his compatriot, Jerome Akor Adams from French outfit Montpellier this week. Read more
Plateau end Shooting winning streak in Jos (NewTelegraph)
Shooting Stars’ quest of getting their fourth away win of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League and seventh win on a bounce was thwarted by Plateau United in Jos on Sunday evening, with the home team coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw in the explosive game.
Shooting had won their last six games with three of those coming away from home and they already looking at maintaining the streak after taking the lead through Kabir Tijani in the second half, but a quick response through Albert Hilary for Plateau United secured the point for the home side.
It also ended goalless in the Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United game with Bayelsa picking up a point in Kano while Kennedy Boboye’s return to Uyo continued to be a nightmare with Abia Warriors beating Akwa United 2-0. Read more
Spain’s Hermoso says no consent given for World Cup kiss at Rubiales trial (AlJazeera)
Spain star Jenni Hermoso told the trial of disgraced ex-football chief Luis Rubiales that the forced kiss he gave her in 2023 “shouldn’t happen in any social or work setting”.
Prosecutors are seeking two and a half years in prison for Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion after his kiss on Hermoso following the 2023 Women’s World Cup final sparked global outrage.
Rubiales, 47, denies the charges. He has called the kiss an innocuous “peck between friends celebrating” and denied any coercion. Read more
Crystal Palace reject Tottenham’s £70m bid for Guehi (BBC)
Crystal Palace have rejected a bid from Tottenham for defender Marc Guehi thought to be about £70m.
The England international, who attracted interest from Newcastle in the summer, has 18 months left on his contract with Palace.
He has made 23 appearances and scored three goals in the Premier League this season as Palace find themselves 12th – three points above Tottenham in 14th. Read more
Lewis Hamilton gets immediate redemption shot as third Ferrari test approaches (PlanetF1)
Lewis Hamilton will have a chance to put his Barcelona crash behind him this week when he gets a rare chance to drive Ferrari’s 2024 car in a Pirelli tyre test.
Hamilton made an impressive start to life at Ferrari last month, receiving a warm reception upon his first official visits to the team’s Maranello factory and Fiorano test track.
Lewis Hamilton to appear in Pirelli tyre test after first Ferrari setback
Hundreds of Ferrari’s hardcore fans, the Tifosi, flocked to Fiorano to witness the seven-time World Champion’s first test behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car. Read more
Soccer star Sam Kerr on trial in London, accused of ‘racially abusing’ white police officer (USAToday)
Australia women’s soccer captain Sam Kerr went on trial in a London court on Monday, accused of racially abusing a white police officer after getting into a dispute with a cab driver.
Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, allegedly insulted the officer, Stephen Lovell, “by reference to his ethnicity,” prosecutors said as her trial began at Kingston Crown Court.The 31-year-old has pleaded not guilty to one count of racially aggravated harassment. Read more