Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in a midnight fire outbreak at Ahịa Mgbede, situated opposite the New Motor Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The inferno, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, left several shops in ruins, with goods and properties reduced to ashes.

The tragic incident has plunged the affected business owners into agony and despair.

Eyewitnesses said the fire raged for several minutes before firefighters arrived, while victims and sympathizers struggled to salvage what they could.

One of the victims, identified simply as Uche, narrated the devastation saying “We arrived this morning to find our shops reduced to rubble. The loss is immeasurable and has sent shockwaves through the entire business community.”

He added that the cause of the fire remained unknown but disclosed that many shop owners were severely affected.

He also recounted how a female victim, overwhelmed with heartbreak and frustration, attempted to harm herself but was restrained and consoled by sympathizers.

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Unit, led by the state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Firefighters attended to a massive fire outbreak at Ahịa Mgbede, located opposite the Motor Spare Parts Market, Uruagu Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The distress call was received at 2:15 am on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Firemen and firefighting equipment from the Nnewi and Ogidi Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene.

“Our Firemen fought tirelessly to contain the fire, but it reignited later this morning. Efforts are ongoing to completely extinguish the fire.”

The fire chief confirmed that no casualties had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.

He, however, urged the public to adopt fire safety measures and promptly report fire outbreaks to the fire service.

“Always be conscious of fire and avoid actions that could trigger outbreaks. Fire is dangerous but preventable. When incidents occur, call the Fire Service immediately to enable timely intervention,” the statement read.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola and his wife, Cristina Serra, have separated after 30 years together.

According to a report by SPORT on Monday, the divorce is “totally cordial, stable and friendly”.

The report claimed that Guardiola drifted apart from Cristina after working in different countries for at least five years.

The couple met in 1994 and got married in 2014 near Barcelona.

They have three children together: Maria, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 17.

It is understood that Serra has been living in Barcelona full time with one of three daughters, Valentina, while Guardiola stays in Manchester.

Serra is a Brazilian journalist and has been pictured with Guardiola at different times last year.

The report stated that the decision to end their marriage was made in December, with only members of their inner circle initially aware of the split.

Friends and family have also been warned not to reveal more information about the divorce.

Serra left Manchester in 2019 to work in a fashion company owned by her family, Serra Claret.

In November, Guardiola put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with the Premier League champions until 2027, despite a belief he would leave the club at the end of his previous deal.

Retired actress, Dalyce Curry, known for her roles in films such as ‘The Blues Brothers,’ ‘The Ten Commandments,’ and ‘Lady Sings the Blues,’ has died in the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, as reported by Forbes, on Monday

She was 95 years old.

Authorities confirmed that Curry’s remains were found at her burned-down property in Altadena, California.

According to her great-granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, Curry was last seen on the evening of January 7 when Kelley dropped her off at home.

The following morning, Kelley attempted to check on her but was unable to pass police barricades near the area.

The family searched for Curry at the Pasadena Civic Centre, which had been set up as a shelter for displaced residents, but she was not located.

Days later, officials confirmed that her remains were discovered at the site of her destroyed home.

“About an hour ago the coroner confirmed her remains were indeed found at the property. #RIPMOMMADEE,” Kelley, wrote on Facebook on Sunday, January 12. “We had a great run. She impacted my life in so many ways. This loss is devastating.”

“She was very active,” said her granddaughter Loree Beamer-Wilkinson. “You would not think she was 95.”

Curry’s passing is one of at least 24 fatalities reported in the Los Angeles area as a result of the fires.

Authorities of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State have announced the closure of the polytechnic effective from January 13, till further notice.

The school authority said this is to ensure the safety of lives and property, owing to the protest by some students on the decision of the management to verify their National Diploma results from their former schools.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajibola.

He said: “Management expresses its zero tolerance to fake results from any quarter,” he said.

“Consequent upon this, students have been advised to stay away from the campus in their interests, as parents and the public are assured of a timely update as events unfold.”

The students are also protesting an alleged increment in their tuition fees and delay in the mobilisation of their Higher National Diploma students for the National Youth Service Corps.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a gospel singer, Timilehin Ajayi, for allegedly killing and dismembering 24 years old , Salome Enejo, a member of the National Youth Service Corps, for suspected ritual purposes.

The command’s spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel in an exclusive interview said that Enejo was a corps member serving in Abuja before she was brutally murdered by the suspect.

The suspect, Ajayi, was apprehended by churchgoers on Sunday in Orozo, a community bordering the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Nasarawa State after he was found carrying a polybag containing the severed head of Enejo.

The church’s Bible Study Teacher and General Secretary, Caleb Umaru, explained that a member had noticed Ajayi acting suspiciously near a river.

He claimed that the said member alerted others when Ajayi threw a bag into the river, which was later retrieved and found to contain his girlfriend’s severed head.

Umaru said, “It was just before the end of the service, around 11 a.m., during the final pledge and prayers. A church member, Brother Victor, opened his eyes during the prayers and noticed someone walking suspiciously by the river near the church, carrying a bag. His movements caught Victor’s attention, prompting him to call over Brother Amos to take notice as well.

“When he saw them, he threw a black nylon bag into the river, and when they enquired from him what he threw into the river, he said nothing. After many questions that he didn’t answer, they left him and went back but didn’t go into the church.”

Umaru disclosed that the suspect attempted to flee the scene after he was repeatedly asked to open the bag before he was chased down and apprehended in a farm area and before he was handed over to the police, who arrived at the scene just in time.

It was learnt from Umaru that a motorcyclist who had transported Ajayi with the sack enlisted help to confront him. According to Umaru, the four men approached Ajayi and ordered him to retrieve the bag he had thrown into the river.

Meanwhile, the suspect was rescued from being mobbed by the vengeful crowd who caught him with the severed head.

He added that further investigation uncovered the rest of the mutilated body inside the suspect’s apartment.

“The suspect was found with a fresh human head, and when we got to the scene, we rescued him from being mobbed by the ones who accosted him.

“During the investigation at his place of residence, we found two sacks filled with the victim’s dismembered body. The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Salome Enejo; her parents have been contacted and have identified her. She is a National Youth Service Corps member, serving in Abuja.

“The suspect is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital; he was injured when we rescued him. A thorough investigation has commenced,” Nansel added.

Governor Alex Otti’s administration has approved the monthly payment of stipends ranging from N250,000 to N350,000 to traditional rulers in the state.

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The information commissioner, Okey Kanu, announced this on Monday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.

Mr Kanu also mentioned that the members of the Traditional Rulers Council at the state and local government leadership level will now earn an additional N100,000 monthly.

Mr Kanu reiterated the commitment of the Abia government to give pride of place to Abia traditional rulers to promote the state’s cultural heritage.

The commissioner expressed the state’s resolve to rebase its 30-year development plan to reflect the current economic realities. Mr Kanu said the Abia economic team charged with the assignment would soon be inaugurated.

He added that the government had rejigged the State Harmonised Taskforce to ensure full compliance with its policies on street trading and driving against traffic.

Mr Kanu also mentioned that in the past, the state government had raised concerns about street trading and driving against traffic, which resulted in negative effects.

He said the government had taken serious steps to ensure that the rules would be enforced to stop these practices in Abia.

Regarding education, the commissioner said that the government had commenced the implementation of its out-of-school policy by reopening schools in the state after the Yuletide holidays.

Mr Kanu also said a special task force had been established to ensure compliance with the initiative aimed at eradicating the phenomenon of out-of-school children in Abia.

Amid an ongoing ceasefire agreement, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages.

“Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement,” CNN reported on Tuesday, citing two Israeli officials familiar with the matter.

It added, “Israel believes that most of the 33 hostages are alive, a senior Israeli official told reporters on Monday, but the bodies of deceased hostages will also likely be among those released during the initial 42-day ceasefire.”

This development comes amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Doha, Qatar.

Hamas had taken 94 hostages during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left around 1,000 people dead.

The attack sparked hostilities between Israel and Palestine, leading to Israeli forces killing two Hamas leaders in quick succession.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian would sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement following their talks in Moscow on Friday, the Kremlin said on Monday.

“At the end of the talks, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian will sign the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and Iran, as well as make media statements,’’ the Kremlin said in a statement.

During the talks, the two leaders are expected to discuss prospects for further expanding bilateral cooperation.

The bilateral cooperations are to cover the above areas and beyond, it said.

A magistrates’ court in Isabo, Abeokuta, has remanded 47-year-old twin brothers, Taiwo Yemitan and Kehinde Yemitan, for allegedly killing one Darasimi.

The brothers were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, but their pleas were not taken.

The magistrate, I.O. Ogunfemi, ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Ibara correctional centre, pending legal advice from the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He thereafter adjourned the case until March 17 for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Solomon Babalola, urged the court to remand the defendants at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending advice from the state director of public prosecution (DPP).

He said Mr Taiwo and his herbalist twin, Kehinde, committed the offences on December 21, 2024, at 2:00 a.m. at Toyin Modupe Street, behind Atinsola Filling Station in Abeokuta.

Mr Babalola told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large to kill one Darasimi, whose surname and age were not provided.

He alleged that the deceased was Mr Kehinde’s girlfriend.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendants spiked the late Darasimi’s food and drinks when she visited them.

“After eating, she slept off, and at about 12:00 a.m., Taiwo and Kehinde held the hands and legs of the deceased while one Kazeem, who is now at large, used a white handkerchief to cover her nose, and they then slaughtered her,” he said.

Mr Babalola told the court that the offences contravened sections 319 and 316 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, accusing him of multiple statutory and financial infractions.

Mr Obasa was subsequently replaced by his deputy Lasbat Meranda. Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was also a former chief whip of the House.

The removal came days after The Gazette reported how Mr Obasa oversaw the withdrawal of N43.5 billion for back up vehicles for lawmakers, as well as other controversial activities.

Peoples Gazette understands that Mr Obasa was in Atlanta when he was impeached.

Mr Obasa, 52, was first elected Speaker on June 8, 2015, resuming office alongside former one-term governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Repeated charges of fraud and political thuggery have marked his speakership. In 2020, The Gazette published a series of investigations detailing how Mr Obasa diverted Lagos funds to his personal firms and bank accounts. Sahara Reporters at the time also uncovered Mr Obasa’s assets across Lagos.

He was invited to be questioned by the EFCC after the anti-graft office became overwhelmed by media reports of Mr Obasa’s mismanagement. He denied all allegations, and no charges were filed after he met with detectives.

Details shortly…

The Oyo State High Court has granted a former wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, and two others, being prosecuted for murder and manslaughter, N10 million bail each.

Also granted bail are Oriyomi Hamzat, a broadcaster and CEO of Agidigbo Radio FM, Ibadan, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School.

The three defendants are being prosecuted for the deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair programme on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.

The defendants were, on December 24, 2024, arraigned before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, manslaughter and negligence.

The defendants were subsequently remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre.

Counsel to the defendants subsequently filed applications for bail at the state High Court.

Delivery ruling on the bail application on Monday, Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin admitted the ex-queen and her co-defendants to N10 million bail each, with two reliable sureties.

Mr Olawoyin said the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case due to the murder charge contained in the charge sheet.

He said there was no place for holding charges in the constitution, and keeping them in custody would amount to an infringement of their rights.

The judge said the stampede was not a premeditated act, so the defendants were entitled to bail.

The judge directed that the defendants submit their international passports to the court and not grant any press interview on print or social media during the trial.

The Lagos government has warned all unapproved and unregistered private schools across the state to register immediately with its Office of Education Quality Assurance or face sanctions.

The warning was announced in a statement by Remi Abdul, the coordinating director of the Office of OEQA, on Monday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the state commissioner for basic and secondary education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, gave the directive.

It said the decision was in an effort to ensure that all education institutions below the tertiary level would meet the required standards and provide quality education to learners.

It said that registration was mandatory for all private schools, adding that failure to comply would result in sanctions.

“All unregistered and yet-to-be-approved private schools should submit their applications as of the 13th of January, 2025, to avoid consequences.”

It said that registered schools would get the state government’s recognition and interventions as well as access to technical and financial support.

It added that such schools would stay informed about emerging policies and initiatives from Lagos State and the federal government.

According to the statement, the growth in the number of private schools in the state necessitated proper registration and documentation to ensure effective monitoring.

It said that the Lagos government remained committed to ensuring that all learners would receive quality education.

“Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education through the OEQA is committed to ensuring that all learners receive quality education, and we will not hesitate to take action against any institution that fails to register,” the statement said.

The Police in Lagos on Monday charged a 41-year-old man, Patrick Onyegbule, before the Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged defilement of his toddler.

The defendant, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on defilement and unlawful penetration.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Ayodele Adeosun told the court that the defendant committed the offence between August and November 2024 at Shapview Plaza, Alaba International Market in Ojo, Lagos.

He alleged that the defendant had carnal knowledge of his toddler, left under his care.

“The defendant had an issue with his wife, which made the wife pack out of her matrimonial home, leaving her daughter behind.

“It was during her visit that she discovered that her daughter had been defiled,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offence contravenes sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Code, Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The chief magistrate, Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed.

Mr Adekomaiya adjourned the case until March 5 for trial.

Actor and comedian AY Makun has addressed the misconstruction of his personality and challenges of life.

Sharing a pictures with his eldest daughter and brother, Makun wrote a lengthy note about the power of grace in navigating life’s obstacles.

He reflected on how societal expectations, personal struggles, and judgments from others have impacted his life, but emphasised that he has learned to grow through these experiences.

Makun noted that people often form opinions about him without knowing his full story, but he has come to understand his worth beyond external validation.

According to him, his struggles are stepping stones that have fortified his character and shaped his identity.

He expressed his gratitude for the guidance of grace and the importance of love, perseverance, and self-acceptance.

He wrote: “In the journey of life, grace is a quiet yet powerful force that propels us forward, even in the face of adversity. It is the invisible hand guiding us through turbulent waters, allowing us to rise above challenges that often seem insurmountable. As I reflect on my experiences, I recognize that grace has been the cornerstone of my resilience, enabling me to navigate obstacles with courage and determination.

“Challenges are an inevitable part of life. They come in various forms—personal struggles, societal expectations, and the weight of judgment from others. Too often, people form opinions about us without truly knowing our stories. They see only the surface, making assumptions based on incomplete narratives. Yet, it is through these experiences that I have learned the importance of self-acceptance. Understanding my worth, independent of external validation, has been a liberating journey. While others may see my struggles as weaknesses, I choose to view them as stepping stones that have fortified my character and shaped my identity.

“With grace as my guide, I embrace each day as a new opportunity to rise, to grow, and to inspire others along the way. In this beautiful dance of life, I am reminded that grace, love, and perseverance will always light my path forward”.

South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said Monday it requested the defence ministry and the presidential security service to cooperate ahead of the second attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The CIO said it sent letters to the ministry and the security service late Sunday asking for their cooperation and warning of legal consequences should they fail to comply, according to the Yonhap.

In the letter to the defence ministry, the CIO said any soldier obstructing the execution of Yoon’s arrest warrants and search the presidential residence could receive criminal punishment or face claims for damages in the event of human or material damage, according to the report.

In a separate letter to the presidential security service, the CIO warned of similar consequences for security personnel obstructing the investigators’ operation, in addition to possible loss of status as a public servant and restrictions on rehiring and pension receipts.

The CIO also said security service employees will not face disadvantages for defying illegal orders to block the execution of the warrants, said the Yonhap.

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service has announced a deadline for all employers to file their annual tax returns for the 2024 financial year on or before January 31, 2025, in line with the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) Cap P8 LFN 2004 (as amended).

In a statement on Sunday, LIRS warned that defaulters would face sanctions as required by law, stressing that meeting the deadline is a legal obligation.

“Employers must prioritise the timely filing of their annual income tax returns to avoid penalties”, the statement quoted the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Ayodele Subair. “Submitting returns on or before the deadline ensures compliance with the law and supports accurate revenue tracking, which is essential for Lagos State’s fiscal planning and sustainability.”

The statement instructed employers to file their tax returns exclusively through the LIRS e-Tax portal at https://etax.lirs.net, describing the platform as secure, user-friendly and convenient.

The agency announced the deployment of staff across its offices to provide guidance on using the e-tax portal and address related concerns.

It also reminded all employers to include the payer ID of all employees in their returns, advising employees without ID to generate it immediately on the e-tax platform to prevent disruptions during the filing process.

The Vatican has approved new guidelines for seminaries in Italy, permitting gay men to pursue the priesthood as long as they remain celibate.

The guidelines emphasise that sexual orientation should not be the sole factor in evaluating a candidate’s suitability for the priesthood.

“If a candidate remains chaste, his sexual orientation should not disqualify him from entering the priesthood,” the Vatican document stated.

Seminary directors are encouraged to consider homosexuality as just one part of a candidate’s personality and to assess it within the context of their overall character and vocation.

The guidelines mark a significant clarification on an issue that has sparked debate within the Catholic Church for decades.

They reaffirm the Church’s position that celibacy remains a non-negotiable requirement for all priests but move towards a more inclusive perspective by addressing the treatment of gay candidates.

The Vatican’s decision follows years of criticism over its handling of LGBTQ+ issues, including remarks made by Pope Francis at a May 2024 conference.

During the meeting, the Pope firmly rejected the idea of allowing gay men into the Church, stating that seminaries were already “too full of frociaggine,” a derogatory Italian term roughly translated as “gay behaviour.”

According to the New York Times, Rev. James Martin, a prominent advocate for a more inclusive Church, said, “This is the first time I’ve seen a Vatican-approved document suggest that the discernment of whether a gay man may enter the seminary cannot be based solely on his sexual orientation.”

Governor Seyi Makinde has presented the Staff of Office to the new Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Owoade.

The governor made the presentation at his office in Ibadan, the state capital on Monday.

It was reported that Owoade is scheduled to receive his appointment letter and staff of office on Monday.

“He (Prince Owoade) is in town. He will get a letter of appointment from the state government tomorrow (Monday) so that he can resume work as Alaafin,”.

Makinde approved Owoade’s appointment in an announcement made in a Friday statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.

A trial opening on Monday in which plaintiffs want more than one billion pounds is set to answer that question.

The complaint, filed in May 2021, accuses Apple of breaching European and UK competition laws by “its exclusion of any other app stores from iOS devices” like iPhones and iPads.

It claims that some 20 million Apple users may have been overcharged by the company “due to its ban on rival app store platforms.”

The complainants say a “30 per cent surcharge” that the company “imposes” on apps purchased through Apple’s App Store comes at the “expense of ordinary consumers.”

The case, which Apple has called “meritless”, has been brought by Kings College London academic Rachael Kent and the law firm Hausfeld & Co.

The trial is set to last seven weeks at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London.

At the heart are accusations that Apple used the App Store to exclude competitors, forcing users to use its system and boosting profits in the process.

“The 30 per cent surcharge relates to most of the applications that you’re going to be using when you’re downloading and making in-app purchases on the App Store,” Kent told AFP, citing dating platform Tinder as an example.

However, it does not apply to applications offering physical products, such as the delivery services Deliveroo and Uber Eats, the academic specifies.

Any user who purchased applications or subscriptions in the British version of the App Store between October 1, 2015, and November 15, 2024, may be entitled to compensation from Apple, believes Kent, a lecturer in the digital economy.

The claim seeks total estimated damages of £1.5 billion ($1.8 billion).

According to British law, in this type of class action, all potentially affected persons are included in the procedure by default and may benefit from possible compensation, unless they voluntarily opt out.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Elela Monday, for allegedly killing his 14-year-old son at Ajowa Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, said Monday was among the suspected criminals being arrested by the men of the state command recently.

The suspect was said to have buried the deceased in a shallow grave.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the commissioner.

The police boss said, “On the 30th of December, the police received an anonymous call that one Elela Monday living in Ajowa Akoko killed his 14-year-old son named Tope Elela and buried him in a shallow grave under a banana tree behind his house.

“The suspect was arrested, and during interrogation, he said the boy was always involved in criminal activities and was embarrassing him, so in order to put a stop to the disgrace, he and his wife decided to kill the boy.”

On the cult clash that occurred in Owo town last week, Afolabi also disclosed that no fewer than 25 people had so far been arrested in connection with the incident where four persons were allegedly killed.

“We have arrested 25 individuals in connection with the recent crisis in Owo. Some of the suspects have been identified as having direct involvement in the criminal activities. One Olamide Ogunseyila, 28-year-old, confessed to being a member of a cult group.

“The remaining suspects are currently undergoing thorough interrogation to ascertain their roles in the crisis while the command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Steven Dada (alias “Ogodo”) and any other individual connected to these criminal activities.”

The new police commissioner, who reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of the people of the state, urged the residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police and other security agencies around them.