Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday adjourned till June 22 hearing of the written addresses in the alleged N177 million fraud case at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T). The EFCC had in 2015 instituted the case against Prof. Benjamin Ogunbodede, the former Director of IAR&T, as well as Zaccheus Tejumola, Clement Adenose and 10 others. Ayo-Emmanuel adjourned the case based on the plea of the EFCC counsel, Mr Adeola Elumero, who said that the commission needed more time to complete its written address. “Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well…
Author: David Folami
The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will ‘be alive for 200 years’. Speaking at the presentation of his book entitled; “APC: The Making of a Change Agent,” to the APC chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun in Abuja on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, he said the party has performed impressively well in the last two years. Defending Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raid of The Sun newspaper, Obla noted that the agency was ‘carrying out its duty of fighting financial crimes.’ “I said in the next 200 years, APC…
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, granted Jide Omokore, an aide to Alison Diezani-Madueke, the former Petroleum Minister, permission to travel abroad. Justice Dimgba had on April 26, 2017, granted Omokore permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. Omokore was arraigned alongside Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere, and David Mbanefo, on an amended nine-count charge of diversion of money. The alleged diverted money was said to be part of the proceeds from the sale of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government. Two of Omokore’s companies, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts…
The House of Representatives on Tuesday held closed door meeting with heads of security agencies with a view to addressing the numerous security challenges facing the nation. The House, presided by its Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, went into the closed door meeting with the security chiefs after approving the votes and proceedings of Friday, June 9, 2017. The Security Chiefs who attended the meeting were: Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff Air Commodore Sadique Abubakar. Others were Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas and the…
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will rule on Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s no-case submission today on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, in Abuja. The tribunal had indefinitely adjourned its final ruling on the case on Thursday, June 8, 2017. CCT chairman, Danladi Umar apologized for delaying the case, saying more time is needed before a final decision can be reached. “We have received all the submissions. Myself and my colleague will look at all the issues raised. After which we will come back and give our ruling. We cannot pick a date now but as soon as we do, we…
Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa declared on Tuesday in Lafia that the government would not compensate the management of Breeze 99.9 FM over the demolition of the private radio station. “The matter is already concluded; compensation will not be paid over government’s action,” the governor said, while distributing relief materials to 50 communities hit by various crises. He said that government had directed the Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB) to fine the radio station for violating approved land laws. The NUDB, on May 12, 2017 demolished the station, citing violation of approved laws. According to information commissioner, Abdulhamid Kwarra, the…
Manchester United have made a ‘very important offer’ for Alvaro Morata, the Real Madrid striker’s agent has said. United have been heavily linked with the 24-year-old Spain international as they look to add attacking reinforcements to cover the loss of last season’s top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Morata’s agent, Juanma Lopez, revealed that free-spending AC Milan have also shown an interest in the former Juventus hitman. But Lopez says Madrid have rejected an ‘unsatisfactory’ offer from the Italian giants. Morata’s representative told www.calciomercato.com of United: ‘It’s a club with a lot charm, a very interesting option. ‘I can say that there’s…
Romelu Lukaku is the ‘perfect’ replacement for Diego Costa but Ray Wilkins has warned Chelsea they will never find another Didier Drogba. The Belgian is Antonio Conte’s first-choice to replace Costa, who has been told he is not needed at Stamford Bridge, and Everton are holding out for bids of £100 million for a striker who scored 25 goals in 37 Premier League games this season. Droga scored 164 goals for Chelsea over two spells spanning nine campaigns, winning four Premier League titles, the FA Cup four times and the Champions League. Wilkins, who has served as a player and…
Swedish coach Lars Lagerback has slammed the price-tag of Manchester United signing Victor Lindelof. United are paying Benfica €35 million plus €10 million in bonuses for the Sweden defender. “This is unfortunately this world, but overall, I think it’s a crazy world with these sums that appear in the football. But I have no power to change it. He’s a very good player, but I think it’s almost sick to play with these sums,” Lagerback told Sportbladet. “As I know him, I do not think he has any problems dealing with that bit. I do not think that’s what he’s…
Bastian Schweinsteiger says he is enjoying life at Chicago Fire and has no regrets about his stay at Manchester United, while he has ruled out ending his career in Germany. Schweinsteiger, 32, joined Chicago on a free transfer from United in March after a difficult spell at Old Trafford. And the former Germany international has since played a pivotal role during his new club’s impressive start to the Major League Soccer season. “I’m really happy here and everything fits. The club is making progress and has helped my family and me a lot,” the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder told Die Welt.…
Arsenal began this summer enshrouded in uncertainty. The future of Arsene Wenger may now be resolved but there remain huge question marks over the fate of several key players. Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott have all been linked with moves away from the club. However, there is no case more critical than that of Alexis Sanchez. The sooner the Gunners can settle the Chilean’s future, the sooner they can set about their transfer business in earnest. Arsenal are one of the few clubs to have already made a signing this summer. Bosnian Sead Kolasinac has arrived on a…
Brazil’s charge to secure World Cup qualification with four rounds still to go can be explained in two ways. One factor has been their own excellence, finding under their coach, Tite, a collective idea of play which has been bringing the best out of their individual talents. The other explanation is the weakness of the opposition.The overall standard of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers has been disappointing. It is a gruelling competition, and no one is able to maintain consistency over the full 18 rounds. This time, though, few have hit the heights. Brazil aside, no one else can truly…
Jamaican legendary sprinter Usain Bolt was pictured helping to dig the grave of his late friend and Olympic silver medallist, Germaine Mason. Jamaican-born Mason who represented and won silver for Great Britain died after losing control of his motorcycle in accident in April. Mason was said to be returning from a soca party in a convey that had Bolt and another Jamaican sprinter Michael Frater when the accident happened. Bolt was reportedly at the scene shortly after the accident. From some videos that have emerged on social media, Bolt is seen helping to dig the grave where Mason will be…
Tapping up, the practice of one club courting a player of another without permission, is football’s worst kept secret. And it is one that the general public only ever hear about when a club or player get caught. The rest of the time, hidden in plain sight, transfer dealings are often conducted in direct contravention of the regulations and no one bats an eyelid. It is widespread but only when a club is particularly determined to keep hold of their player, or there is a feeling that the unwritten rules of discretion have been thrown out the window entirely, is…
A move for Ivan Perisic to Manchester United looks to be on, and the Independent reports that the Inter Milan winger is “hugely keen and excited” to work with Jose Mourinho. The Croatia star would cost about £50 million, with the player reportedly already agreeing personal terms with the Red Devils. The Nerazzurri have sat back and watched Derby della Madonnina rivals AC Milan splash the cash while their situation appears more restricted. United have been given confidence they can prise away the former Wolfsburg star due to Inter’s need to sell with £26m required before the end of June…
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has urged James Rodriguez to leave Real Madrid to find regular first-team football, saying he has “no doubts” that things will change in the summer. James, 25, has become a fringe player at the Bernabeu since Zinedine Zidane took charge 18 months ago, starting just 13 league games last season. Reports in Spain suggest he will be sold, and Marca reported Pekerman as saying: “It is incredible that a player of James’ level doesn’t play regularly. “His performances, his quality and his numbers have been good. It’s difficult to maintain that long-term, though, when you’re in…
Captain Harry Kane admitted England had just not been good enough after 10-man France battled back to secure a 3-2 win in Tuesday night’s international friendly in Paris. Kane’s close-range finish and second-half penalty, which saw consultation with the video assistant referee and a red card for home defender Raphael Varane, had cancelled out efforts from Samuel Umtiti and Djibril Sidibe. However, Ousmane Dembele won it for Les Bleus 12 minutes from time when he punished some sloppy England defending. Kane was disappointed England failed to go on to get a positive result, as they had with a last-gasp equaliser…
Africa’s champions Cameroon were handed a severe wake-up call in Tuesday’s international friendly against Colombia as they were thumped 4-0 only five days before their Confederations Cup opener. The Indomitable Lions beat Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon earlier this year, but despite downing Morocco at the weekend, they were thoroughly outclassed by Jose Pekerman’s side at Getafe’s Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium and also had Robert Ndip Tambe dismissed. James Rodriguez opened the scoring with a fine effort from a narrow angle after 16 minutes when he beat Andre Onana with a thunderous effort, before Yerry…
The news that Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to move to Everton for an eventual fee of £30 million (£22m up front, and £8m in add-ons) has made us question everything we ever knew about how much a player costs. Pickford, 23, will be No. 3 on the list of most expensive goalkeepers in world football. Not just the Premier League. But the entire world. Narrowly behind Gianluigi Buffon (£32.6m) and Man City’s recent signing from Benfica, Ederson Moraes (£34.7m). The England Under-21 international’s potential move suggests that goalkeepers are now viewed with a bit more respect in the…
Senate President says it would be insensitive for political office holders to be preoccupied with 2019 politicking without meeting their electoral promises to the people. Saraki stated this at the weekend while speaking with journalists in Ilorin. The Senate president advised serious minded politicians to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians rather than be engrossed with 2019 to the detriment of good governance. “2019 is a long way,” he said. “Any serious minded politician that is interested in his people should not be talking about 2019 especially if we want to be honest with ourselves, some of…