Nigerian Eye

‘Nobody can ban almajiri’ — top Islamic cleric dares governors

Latest-News ‘Nobody can ban almajiri’ — top Islamic cleric dares governors

COVID-19: Osun locks down four LGs

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Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Saturday ordered a total lockdown of four local government areas of the state to curtail community spread of COVID-19. 
 
Movement in the affected local government areas would be restricted for seven days in the first instance the governor said. 
 
The LGs are; Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West. 
 
A statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, explained that the decision to lock down the four councils was a sequel to the meeting between the government and the stakeholders from the area. 
 
Egbemode said the lockdown would commence on Tuesday, July 7, and it would be for one week in the first instance, adding that, if the compliance level was not encouraging, the government would announce further extension. 
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She further explained that the state was closely monitoring other Local Government Areas with rising numbers of those testing positive for COVID-19 in the state, and may in the days ahead, lock down more areas. 
 
She added that the decision to impose a total lockdown on the four local government areas was aimed at containing the spread of the virus. 
 
The Commissioner stressed that the lockdown would be total, as residents and citizens in the affected local government areas would not have opportunity to go to worship centres and markets during the period. 
 
The statement read in parts, “As you are all aware, the Federal Government, a few days ago lifted the ban on interstate travel in the country. We have, therefore, lifted ours too. But our relaxation guidelines still subsist except for four local government areas, namely; Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa West, and Atakumosa East Local Government areas where we have now ordered a one-week lockdown, effective Tuesday,  July 7. 
 
“For the avoidance of doubt, our curfew will still run from 9.p.m to 5.a.m daily in other parts of the State, except the locked down LGAs. In furtherance to the above, for the other parts of the State, the ban on political, public, religious, and any kind of gatherings under whatever guise remain in force, while worship centres must adhere strictly to government’s guidelines guiding their re-opening. 
 
“The government will not hesitate to shut down any of the worship centres that violates our guidelines. 
 
“For the four local government areas, all markets will remain shut, only neighbourhood markets and Pharmacies will be allowed to open. 
 
“There must be strict adherence to stipulated physical distancing, the use of face masks, and observance of all other precautionary measures and established protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.”

Latest-News COVID-19: Osun locks down four LGs

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Saturday ordered a total lockdown of four local government areas of the state to curtail commu...

Rivers APC Crisis: Count me out of any court case – Rotimi Amaechi

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Why Buhari ignored the insults of Wike, Fayose -Femi Adesina

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BREAKING: Gov Ikpeazu recovers from COVID-19

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Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has recovered from coronavirus, said the state government in a statement on Saturday. 
 
The state’s Commissioner for Information, John Kalu, said the governor’s samples submitted on Thursday returned negative on Friday. 
 
He wrote, “To the glory of God, repeat COVID-19 test conducted by Nigeria Center for Disease Control on samples submitted by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday, 2nd July, 2020, returned negative result on Friday, 3rd July, 2020. 
 
“Governor Ikpeazu is therefore deemed free of the virus according to the extant guidelines of NCDC and the World Health Organisation.” 
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It was reported that Ikpeazu tested positive for coronavirus and had immediately gone into isolation. 
 
According to the NCDC on Friday night, Abia has recorded 382 infections including 207 recoveries and three associated deaths.

Latest-News BREAKING: Gov Ikpeazu recovers from COVID-19

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has recovered from coronavirus, said the state government in a statement on Saturday. The state’s ...

Probe Atiku, Saraki, Dino Melaye over links with Hushpuppi – APC tells EFCC

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9 Nigerians stopped from boarding evacuation flight

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Latest-News 9 Nigerians stopped from boarding evacuation flight

Fire razes shops in Calabar market

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Goods worth millions of Naira were on Friday night destroyed by fire which gutted over 100 shops in the popular Marian market in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. 
 
It was gathered that the fire, which started from one of the shops in the fruit section, spread to other shops. 
 
An eye witness, Ojah Ojah, said the fire outbreak started around 8pm on Friday. 
 
He said, “The fire started from one of the shops when electricity was supplied to the area. We saw a spark from one of the shops and before we realise, the fire had extended to other shops. 
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“We called on the Fire Service but they could not respond on time. It took the intervention of the Nigerian Navy fire truck to help in containing the fire.” 
 
One of the victims, Eme Bassey, 54, said her watermelon worth N300,000 including her shop were all destroyed in the inferno. 
 
Bassey said, “Three days ago, I received a supply of watermelon worth over N500,000 from my distributor in Makurdi. I usually sell and make payment to him, but this fire outbreak has rendered me hopeless for now. 
 
“I don’t even know where to start because my shop was burnt to ashes. This is too painful for me to bear under this harsh Covid-19 period.” 
 
Director-General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Princewill Ayim, who went for an on-the-spot assessment, sympathised with the affected traders. 
 
“We are here to assess the extent of damage and to also document the affected traders with a view to ameliorating their situation, especially at this period of Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
“The state government is very responsive to cases of emergencies like this, I can assure you that something will be done to assist the victims,” he said

Latest-News Fire razes shops in Calabar market

Goods worth millions of Naira were on Friday night destroyed by fire which gutted over 100 shops in the popular Marian market in Calabar, ...

Over 3m applied for 400,000 N-Power jobs -FG

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COVID-19: How China produced ’70bn face masks’ in three months

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REVEALED: How the FBI took down Hushpuppi, Woodberry & gang

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In complaints filed before Illinois courts, FBI agents described in details how they were able to trail and smash two notorious Nigerian fraudsters, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi and Olalekan Ponle a.k.a Woodberry and gang. 
 
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The criminal complaints against the cyber fraudsters showed the FBI agents trailing them since last year, before the Dubai Police went for the harvest. 
 
Though the two conmen are Nigerians, they operated in different ways in executing their cyber heists and the loot therefrom. 
 
 
Olalekan Ponle often asked his co-conspirators to convert his share into bitcoins. 
 
Raymond, on the other hand, favours cash, the heist moving from several accounts he set up in Mexico, Romania and other parts of Europe, before getting to him. 
 
In one daring effort, Hushpuppie planned to cyber-rob an English Premier League club. 
 
Hushpuppi, real name Ramon Olorunwa Abbas was investigated by special agent ANDREW JOHN INNOCENTI. 
 
Ponle on the other hand was investigated by special agent Ali Sadiq. 
 
Hushpuppi by Andrew John Innocenti: 
 
First, messages found on the iPhone of Coconspirator 1 (reviewed pursuant to a federal search warrant issued in this District) reflect that ABBAS, Coconspirator 1, and Coconspirator 2, with others, committed a BEC scheme that defrauded a victim in the United States of approximately $922,857.76, including approximately $396,050 that ABBAS, Coconspirator 1, and Coconspirator 2 laundered while Coconspirator 2 was in Los Angeles, California. 
 
Second, ABBAS and Coconspirator 1 conspired to launder funds intended to be stolen through fraudulent wire transfers from a foreign financial institution (the “Foreign Financial Institution”), in which fraudulent wire transfers, totaling approximately €13 million (approximately USD $14.7 million), were sent to bank accounts around the world in February 2019. Coconspirator 1 conspired with the persons who initiated the fraudulent wire transfers, and also conspired with a number of others, including ABBAS, to launder the funds that were intended to be stolen. ABBAS, specifically, provided Coconspirator 1 with two bank accounts in Europe that ABBAS anticipated would each receive €5 million of the fraudulently obtained funds. 
 
Other communications between ABBAS and Coconspirator 1 indicate that, in addition to these schemes, ABBAS and Coconspirator 1 conspired to launder tens, and at times hundreds, of millions of dollars that were proceeds of other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including a fraudulent scheme to steal £100m from an English Premier League football club. 
 
In reviewing data from Coconspirator 1’s iPhone, I and another FBI employee saw messages reflecting that, in or around October 2019, ABBAS had conspired with Coconspirator 1 and Coconspirator 2 to commit a fraudulent wire transfer and money-laundering scheme, in which a U.S. victim (the “Victim Law Firm”) lost approximately $922,857.76. The messages reflected that part of the scheme, including acts in furtherance of the conspiracy, occurred while Coconspirator 2 was physically present in the Central District of California. 
 
Records obtained from JPMorgan Chase Bank (“Chase”) for a bank account held in the U.S. (the “Chase Account”) reflect that the Chase Account received a wire transfer on October 15, 2019 for approximately $922,857.76 from the Victim Law Firm. On October 17, 2019, there was a wire transfer from the Chase Account to an account at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”), in Toronto, Ontario, for approximately $396,050. Bank records reflect that the specific account at CIBC ended in 1716 (the “CIBC Account”), consistent with what is discussed below in paragraphs 21, 24, and 25. The remaining funds in the Chase Account were transferred to other accounts. 
21. Based on review of data from Coconspirator 1’s iPhone, on or around October 17, 2019, ABBAS, using what appeared to be the Snapchat account “hushpuppi5,” sent an image of a Chase wire confirmation to Coconspirator 1. The image appeared to show a wire transfer form related to a transfer of approximately $396,050 from the Chase Account to the CIBC Account, which, based on other messages on Coconspirator 1’s iPhone, appears to have been held by Coconspirator 2.3 
22. On April 14, 2020, I interviewed S.R., owner of the Victim Law Firm, about the above-referenced wire sent on October 17, 2019. On April 16, 2020, I interviewed N.C., who was an attorney and co-worker of S.R., and on May 21, 2020, I interviewed K.C., a paralegal of the Victim Law Firm. Based on these interviews, I learned the following: 
 
The Victim Law Firm, which is located in New York State, was representing a client, A.D., in the refinance of real estate. 
 
A.D. was refinancing his/her property with Citizens Bank. As part of the closing for this refinance, on October 15, 2019, K.C. sent a verification email to what appeared to be a Citizens Bank email address (later identified as a “spoofed” email address) requesting wire instructions. Per internal policy of the Victim Law Firm, all wire verifications were to be sent to their firm via fax and followed-up by a phone call. K.C. received a fax message in response to her verification email with what was later determined to be fraudulent wire instructions to transfer the loan payoff amount of their client A.D. to the Chase Account. K.C. then called the phone number listed on the fax to verify the wire instructions. 
 
Neither the Victim Law Firm, nor their client A.D., realized the funds had been fraudulently transferred to the Chase Account until later in October 2019, when A.D. checked his/her account and realized that the funds for the refinance had not been credited. By this time, all of the funds had been depleted from the Chase Account. 
 
On October 15, 2019, K.C. initiated the wire transfer to the Chase Account for approximately $922,857.76. 
 
 
Neither the Victim Law Firm, nor their client A.D., realized the funds had been fraudulently transferred to the Chase Account until later in October 2019, when A.D. checked his/her account and realized that the funds for the refinance had not been credited. By this time, all of the funds had been depleted from the Chase Account. (I further understand from K.C. that, as of June 25, 2020, no funds had been recovered.) 
 
Messages on Coconspirator 1’s iPhone reflect that, at approximately the same time on October 17, 2019 that ABBAS sent Coconspirator 1 an image of the wire transfer confirmation for the transaction from the Chase Account to the CIBC Account, Coconspirator 1 was communicating with another phone number to confirm the wire had been deposited into the CIBC Account. Based on other messages on the iPhone and records obtained by the FBI, that phone number was used by Coconspirator 2. 
 
The communications between Coconspirator 1 and Coconspirator 2 on October 17, 2019 included the following messages: 
 
Coconspirator 1: Keep lookout for the 396 and so ur thing till u hear from me 
Coconspirator 2: Ok will do 
Coconspirator 2: I’m in La so how can I make sure??4 
 
Coconspirator 2 also sent Coconspirator 1 a photograph showing a secure login to the CIBC Account in Coconspirator 2’s name. The account number ended in 1716, consistent with the account number that ABBAS sent to Coconspirator 1 in an image on October 17, 2019. 
 
I reviewed international travel records from a law enforcement database, which showed that Coconspirator 2 traveled from Toronto, Canada to Los Angeles, California on October 16, 2019. This was one day before the wire transfer from the Chase Account to the CIBC Account in Coconspirator 2’s name. Further, as referenced above, Coconspirator 2 messaged Coconspirator 1 on October 17, 2019 that “I’m in La.” Travel records also show that Coconspirator 2 departed Los Angeles around October 23, 2019 for Canada. Taken together, this indicates that Coconspirator 2 was in Los Angeles at the time of the wire transfer. 
 
Later in the day on October 17, 2019, while still in Los Angeles, Coconspirator 2 appeared to confirm the wire transfer in an iMessage found on Coconspirator 1’s iPhone: 
Coconspirator 1: Did the big hit? Coconspirator 2: Yessir 
 
Beginning no later than January 2019 and continuing until at least September 2019, OLALEKAN JACOB PONLE conspired with others to engage in BEC schemes to defraud several United States-based companies. These schemes resulted in attempted and actual losses to victim companies in the tens of millions of dollars. 
 
As described below, as part of the scheme, PONLE directed money mules in the United States to open bank accounts in the names of victim companies. Proceeds from BEC schemes, ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars, were then wired by unwitting employees to the bank accounts opened by PONLE’s mules. PONLE then instructed the mules to convert the proceeds to Bitcoin and to send the proceeds of the BEC schemes to a bitcoin wallet that he owned and operated. 
 
One of these BEC schemes involved a Chicago-based company (Victim Company A) that was defrauded out of $2,300,000. A second Chicago-based company (Victim Company K) was defrauded into sending wire transfers totalling $15,268,000.00. Preliminary blockchain analysis indicates that PONLE received at least 1,494.71506296 bitcoin related to these BEC schemes, valued at approximately $6,599,499.98 at the time he received the proceeds. 
 
PONLE Used the Alias “Mark Kain” To Correspond with Money Mules 
 
As described in more detail below, money mules in the United States were approached by a person they knew as “Mark” or “Mark Kain.” “Mark” later directed them to open bank accounts in the names of victim companies. Those accounts received proceeds from the BEC schemes, and at “Mark’s” direction, the money mules converted proceeds to bitcoin and sent proceeds to “Mark”. 
 
According to one of those money mules, Individual B, “Mark Kain” contacted Individual B using telephone number (323) 985-4088 (“the 4088 phone number”). According to records obtained from Dingtone, a messaging and Voice over Internet Protocol application, subscribing customer records for the 4088 phone number included the cellular telephone number 27793837890 (“the 7890 phone number”), which based on law enforcement database searches, is owned by a South African service provider. 
 
Based on my review of chat transcripts from online messaging applications between PONLE and Individual B and a second money mule, Individual A, “Mark” instructed Individual B and Individual A to send money to the bitcoin wallet 16AtGJbaxL2kmzx4mW5ocpT2ysTWxmacWn (“the 16AtGJ BTC Wallet”) on at least nine occasions. Records obtained from Bitpay, a processor of cryptocurrency transactions, indicated that between approximately September 18, 2015 and November 29, 2016, the 16AtGJ BTC wallet made five purchases associated with the Gmail account hustleandbustle@gmail[.]com (the “hustle Gmail account”). 
 
Based on records obtained from Apple, an iCloud account (Subject Account 1) was subscribed to by Jacob Olalekan, listing the 7890 phone number, the hustle Gmail account, and a physical address in Johannesburg, South Africa. 
 
Based on my review of records from Apple, Subject Account 1 contained several identity documents and photographs of PONLE. These included a photo of a Nigerian passport with a photo of an individual named Olalekan Jacob Ponle, born in May 1991 in Lagos, Nigeria, a photo of a United Arab Emirates visa with a photo of an individual named Olalekan Jacob Ponle with the profession “marketing representative” and a photo of a United Arab Emirates Resident Identity Card with a photo of a Nigerian national named Olalekan Jacob Ponle.”

Latest-News REVEALED: How the FBI took down Hushpuppi, Woodberry & gang

In complaints filed before Illinois courts, FBI agents described in details how they were able to trail and smash two notorious Nigerian f...

EDO 2020: Wike will lead PDP to victory — Atiku

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Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is capable of leading the Peoples Democratic Party to victory at the Edo State governorship election. 
 
The party’s National Working Committee on Friday appointed the governor as the Chairman, Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council. 
 
Also in the 77 member team are Atiku and 13 other PDP governors. 
 
The PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2019 elections said the combination of Rivers governor and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State as chairman and vice-chairman respectively will coast the party to victory. 
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Atiku tweeted on Saturday, “Congratulations, @GovWike on your appointment as Chairman of Edo State Governorship Election National Campaign Council of our great party, @OfficialPDPNig. 
 
“I am confident that your leadership, supported by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, the Vice-Chairman, and other members of the PDP #Edo2020 Council will work assiduously for the victory of @GovernorObaseki, and set Edo State on the path of even greater development.” 
 
The PDP’s candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, would face Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress and other contenders in the September 19 governorship election.

Latest-News EDO 2020: Wike will lead PDP to victory — Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is capable of leading the Peoples Democratic ...

Lagos to charge face mask defaulters to court

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Lagos State Government says it will start charging face mask defaulters to court from next week, as the period of grace was over. 
 
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this while briefing newsmen on the update of the COVID-19 management in the state on Friday. 
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Sanwo-Olu said that at this phase in the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, taking personal responsibility was now more important than ever. 
 
He said that such personal responsibility was not only for self-protection but also for protecting other people, including loved ones. 
 
 
According to him, mask usage is mandatory in public places as a strategy to curb the spread of the virus. 
 
”We are asking offices, business and commercial premises to refuse entry to any persons not wearing masks in line with the Presidential Task Force directive on ”No mask, no entry”. 
 
”No mask, no service enforcement agencies will from this week charge defaulters to court, as the period of grace is now over. 
 
”Dear Lagosians, please continue to wash your hands regularly. As much as possible, maintain social distancing, especially in public places. 
 
”On our part as a government, we will continue to do everything possible to protect and uphold the health and wellbeing of the people of the state,” the governor said. 
 
Sanwo-Olu further said that the state government was commited to scaling up testing and isolation capacity and enforcing the guidelines issued. 
 
”With regards to enforcement, we are increasing our focus and efforts in this area. As you all know, guidelines and directives are effective only to the extent to which they are complied with by the citizenry. 
 
”The best laws and guidelines are of no use if they are disregarded by the people for whom they have been issued. 
 
”Lagos State belongs to all of us. We must join hands to ensure that we defeat this virus,” he said. 
 
The governor noted that the state’s COVID-19 hotline remained 08000CORONA. 
 
He added that the hotline was available round the clock for people to make reports, seek testing and for infected persons to gain access to counselling and psychological support during the period of isolation and treatment. 
 
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Latest-News Lagos to charge face mask defaulters to court

Lagos State Government says it will start charging face mask defaulters to court from next week, as the period of grace was over. Gov. B...

COVID-19: 322 Nigerians return home from US

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At least 322 Nigerians stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic are on their way home. 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this on Saturday via Twitter. 
 
According to him, the evacuees departed the Newark Liberty International Airport aboard an Ethiopian aircraft with flight number ET 509. 
 
He said the returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos around 02:30pm. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
The minister added that they all tested negative for the virus and would be subjected to mandatory repatriation protocols outlined by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 upon arrival in the country. 
 
He explained that each of the returnees would undergo 14-day self-isolation and take another Covid-19 test before they are allowed to mix with the society.

Latest-News COVID-19: 322 Nigerians return home from US

At least 322 Nigerians stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic are on their way home. Minister of Foreign Affairs,...

Donald Trump’s girlfriend tests positive for COVID-19

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Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News television personality who is dating Donald Trump Jr, had traveled to South Dakota to see the US president’s Fourth of July speech and celebration fireworks at Mount Rushmore. 
 
Guilfoyle, 51, was immediately isolated after discovering she had the virus in a routine test conducted on anyone expected to come in close contact with the president, the New York Times reported. 
 
In a statement to the newspaper, Sergio Gor, chief of staff to the Trump campaign’s finance committee, said: “She’s doing well, and will be retested to ensure the diagnosis is correct since she’s asymptomatic.” 
 
He added: “As a precaution (she) will cancel all upcoming events. Donald Trump Jr was tested negative, but as a precaution is also self-isolating and is canceling all public events.” 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Trump Jr’s girlfriend, Guilfoyle is the third person close to the US president to return a positive COVID-19 test, US media reported. 
 
Others include Trump’s personal valet and the US vice president’s press secretary. 
 
The pandemic has claimed nearly 130,000 American lives and a recent resurgence “puts the entire country at risk,” top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said.

Latest-News Donald Trump’s girlfriend tests positive for COVID-19

Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News television personality who is dating Donald Trump Jr, had traveled to South Dakota to see the US pre...

I offer something different to United’s attack, says Ighalo

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Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo,  says he offers a different quality to Manchester United’s attack that fellow strikers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial do not possess. 
 
Ighalo, who was speaking with United Review programme, said he could play as a striker with his back to the goal. 
 
The Nigerian has scored five times in four starts for United since moving on loan from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in January. 
 
“Anthony Martial is very skillful. He’s a direct striker. He likes to play with the ball at his feet,” Ighalo said. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“Rashy (Marcus Rashford) likes to run in behind. I think I bring different things to the strikers we have. 
 
“I can play with my back to goal, I can keep the ball. I’m strong so it’s different, you know, and for the different games, we play different patterns and with different strategies. 
 
“So it’s good to have different types of striker in order to accomplish what you want.” 
 
He added, “I think I’ve gained more experience now and I push my game a little bit more than when I was at Watford. 
 
“I think I’m even stronger now than I was then and have a bit more fighting ability to give, plus I have the experience to do what it takes on the field to score goals and to help the team. I feel I have improved from then to now,” he added.

Latest-News I offer something different to United’s attack, says Ighalo

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, says he offers a different quality to Manchester United’s attack that fellow strikers Marcus R...

Hushpuppi faces 20 years in US prison

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The United States Department of Justice has said Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, faces 20 years’ imprisonment for suspected money laundering from his various cybercrime schemes worth $435m (N168bn). 
 
According to a statement by the US DOJ on Friday, Abbas, 37, arrived in Chicago Thursday evening after being “expelled from Dubai”. 
 
The suspect was said to have made his initial US court appearance on Friday morning in Chicago and he was expected to be transferred to Los Angeles in the coming weeks. 
 
Abbas, alongside his accomplices, including Olalekan Ponle (aka Woodberry), was arrested by officials of the Dubai Police and Interpol on June 10 for a series of crimes like money laundering, fraud, hacking of websites and accounts, impersonation and banking fraud. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Police said the suspects scammed over 1.9 million people in a fraudulent scheme worth $435m (N168bn). Thirteen luxury cars, estimated at N3.7bn; 21 laptops, 47 smartphones, 15 storage devices, and five hard disks containing data were recovered from the house where they were arrested. 
 
Hushpuppi was subsequently handed over to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation on Thursday and extradited to the US, where he faces criminal charges alleging he conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from business email compromise frauds and other scams, including schemes targeting a US law firm, a foreign bank and an English Premier League soccer club. 
 
The US DOJ said a criminal complaint was filed on June 25 by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles after FBI’s investigation showed that Abbas financed this opulent lifestyle through crime and that he was one of the leaders of a transnational network that facilitated computer intrusions, fraudulent schemes and money laundering, targeting victims around the world in schemes designed to steal hundreds of millions of dollars. 
 
In the DOJ statement, US Attorney Nick Hanna, said in 2019 alone, the FBI recorded $1.7bn in losses by companies and individuals victimised through BECs, “the type of scheme Mr Abbas is charged with conducting from abroad.” 
 
In the affidavit filed against Abbas, it was alleged that he defrauded a client of a New York-based law firm out of approximately $922,857 in October 2019. 
 
The affidavit also alleged that Abbas conspired to launder funds stolen in a $14.7m cyber heist from a foreign financial institution in February, 2019, in which the stolen money was sent to bank accounts around the world. 
 
The statement read in part, “Abbas allegedly provided a co-conspirator with two bank accounts in Europe that Abbas anticipated each would receive €5m (about $5.6m) of the fraudulently obtained funds. 
 
“Abbas and others further conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from other fraudulent schemes and computer intrusions, including one scheme to steal £100m (approximately $124m) from an English Premier League soccer club, the complaint alleges.” 
 
The US DOJ stated, “If convicted of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, Abbas would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.” 
 
The statement added that Hushpuppi was being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Anil J. Antony and Joseph B. Woodring of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section.

Latest-News Hushpuppi faces 20 years in US prison

The United States Department of Justice has said Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, faces 20 years’ imprisonment fo...

I earned more as a professor than as minister, Pantami reveals

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The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, says his “salaries and allowances” as a serving minister are lesser compared to what he earned as an academic at the International University Madinah, Saudi Arabia. 
 
Pantami said this while reacting to online reports that he procured three houses since his assumed office barely a year ago. 
 
According to a statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, the minister said he only came back to Nigeria “to answer the call to serve his country as a sign of his patriotism and selfless service.” 
 
The statement partly read, “For the purpose of setting the records straight, the Honourable Minister has not purchased a single property anywhere In the world, in the period he has been in office as a Minister. One of the apartments in the images published is one which the Honourable Minister has occupied since January 2017, more than two years before becoming a minister, while the other one is a house he rented since 17th December 2019. Two of the images are not even known to him. 
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“It is worthy of note that as a serving Minister, Dr Pantami’s salaries and allowances fall below his earnings as a Professor at the International University Madinah Saudi Arabia, where he still holds the record of being the first Nigerian to lecture at that level. He only returned to Nigeria out of the zeal to contribute his quota to national development. 
 
“Dr Pantami is one of the few Nigerians who are driven by nothing, but an unequalled sense of patriotism and selfless service as demonstrated in his act of sacrifice, to answer the call to serve his country as a sign of his patriotism and selfless service.”

Latest-News I earned more as a professor than as minister, Pantami reveals

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, says his “salaries and allowances” as a serving minister are lesser compa...

COVID-19: Demand for oxygen by patients has increased –Lagos commissioner

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The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said there was an increase in the demand for oxygen by COVID-19 patients. 
 
As a result of this, he said the state government had intensified efforts to make oxygen available across the local government areas in the state. 
 
Abayomi stated this on Friday at a Zoom webinar by the Lagos Civil Society against COVID-19. The webinar was themed, ‘COVID-19 Home/Community Based Care in Lagos: Issues and Opportunities.’ It was moderated by the Chairman, International Institute of Risk and Society Management Nigeria, Dr Eugene Itua. 
 
Speaking during the session, Abayomi stated, “We noticed that there is a slight increase in the demand for oxygen. Patients are coming in with breathlessness and sometimes they present (themselves) to other hospitals in need of oxygen. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“So, we are trying to make oxygen available across the local government areas so patients can get oxygen treatment to be stabilised. Once they are stable, they can now be moved into isolation centres and get more medical treatment and hopefully, we can rescue them from getting into a more critical stage where we may now need to consider ventilating. 
 
“We’d rather not ventilate. There are about five levels of oxygen therapy before we get to the ventilation stage and if we can use those levels and avoid ventilating patients, we’ll rather go down that route. But that depends on getting the patient early enough.” 
 
Abayomi said it was important for people in communities to go for testing early if they noticed COVID-19 symptoms so their conditions wouldn’t escalate to the critical stage. 
 
“If they are feeling unwell, they should not automatically think it is malaria or typhoid or anything else. If they are feeling unwell and there is a fever, body pains, cough and signs of breathlessness or exhaustion, then it’s important to get tested for COVID-19 and assess their respiratory function so they can be admitted to an isolation centre early enough to prevent getting into a severe or critical state,” he said. 
 
Furthermore, Abayomi said the state was now testing about 1,000 people a day and hoped to attain 4,000 tests per day. 
 
Due to the increasing number of patients (10,823 cases as of Thursday, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control), the health commissioner said the state would soon exceed its isolation capacity, hence the adoption of home-based care. 
 
He said, “This (home care) is not new. It is recommended by the World Health Organisation. Home isolation is a normal progression of an outbreak and we have reached that stage in Lagos. 
 
“For the patients receiving home care, we will send them a package which contains the basic items we give patients at the isolation centres. The kit includes a mask, hand sanitiser, thermometer and some drugs. So, we are evolving into home-based care and we’ll be reserving our centres for more complicated cases.” 
 
Meanwhile, the webinar’s moderator and IIRSMN Chairman, Itua, said civil society organisations had a major role to play regarding home-based care for COVID-19 patients. He said they must support the various stakeholders and communities on how to manage the pandemic.

Latest-News COVID-19: Demand for oxygen by patients has increased –Lagos commissioner

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said there was an increase in the demand for oxygen by COVID-19 patients. As...

FCCPC arraigns cosmetic surgeon, Dr Anu, for obstructing investigation

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on Friday arraigned a Lagos-based cosmetic surgeon, Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju, whose services allegedly resulted in the death of one Mrs Nneka Onwuzuligbo. 
 
Adepoju, alongside her hospital, Med Contour Services Limited, was arraigned for allegedly obstructing the investigation by the FCCPC into the case. 
 
In the five counts pressed against her before Justice Mohammed Liman, the FCCPC accused the cosmetic surgeon of shunning summons by the agency to appear and produce certain documents. 
 
In a six-paragraph affidavit of completion of investigation attached to the charge sheet, the commission said it received complaints against Adepoju from one Marlene Oluwakemi, Taiwo Temilade and Vivian Onwuzuligbo that the surgeon’s services “are unsafe for consumers,” and that she made “false, misleading and deceptive representation in relation to the marketing of their services.” 
 
It said, “In particular, the above-mentioned Vivian Onwuzuligbo, a member of the Mrs Nnneka Miriam Barbara Onwuzuligbo (now deceased) alleged that the deceased died as a result of the failed defendants’ cosmetic surgery and she is privy to the events that led to the demise of the deceased.” 
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The prosecuting counsel for the FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, said the incidents happened between April 15 and May 4, 2020, at No. 11a Ladi Alakija Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. 
 
Irukera said Adepoju acted contrary to sections 33(3)(a) and 113(4)(a) of the FCCPC Act 2018 and was liable to be punished under sections 33(3) and 113(1) of the same Act, among others. 
 
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the five counts. 
 
Justice Liman admitted her to bail on self-recognisance in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
He adjourned till July 9 for the commencement of trial. 
 
Earlier in the proceeding, the judge dismissed a preliminary objection by the defence lawyer, Marian Jones, challenging the validity of the charges and the court’s jurisdiction to entertain them.

Latest-News FCCPC arraigns cosmetic surgeon, Dr Anu, for obstructing investigation

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on Friday arraigned a Lagos-based cosmetic surgeon, Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju, whos...

EDO 2020: Obaseki obtains new NYSC certificate

15:55 Unknown 0

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The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 19 election in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has obtained a new discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps with number A 004280695. 
 
The Independent National Electoral Commission in Edo State had late Thursday displayed the forms of the 14 governorship candidates that will contest for the election at the commission’s secretariat in Benin City. 
 
Our correspondent, who visited the office on Friday, observed that Obaseki’s new discharge certificate was issued on June 19, attached with a memo entitled, ‘Re-correction of name and re-issuance of my certificate of national service’, and signed on behalf of the Director-General by Mrs K.N Okonofua. 
 
The memo read, “We refer to your letter referenced OEG/ABJ/99/VOL.IV/172 dated 18th June 202, on the above subject matter 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“I am directed to inform you that after the investigation, the management of the National Youth Service has approved a new certificate of National Service reflecting the surname OBASEKI be produced as earlier certificate number 063107 dated 6th August 1980 has been cancelled due to an error in the surname OBASEK. 
 
“Accept the assurances of the Director-General’s regard.” 
 
Obaseki was, among other matters including credential discrepancy, disqualified by the All Progressives Congress screening committee from contesting the party’s primary. 
 
On INEC’s notice board, Obaseki filled West African School Leaving Certificate, 1973, and Bachelor of Arts, 1979, as his qualifications. 
 
His major contender in the election and candidate of the APC, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has his highest qualification as LLB from the University of Benin. 
 
The credentials of the other governorship candidates for the election were also displayed. 
 
They include that of Obhafuoso Paul, Action Alliance; Akhigbe Ehiabhi, African Democratic Congress; Ibio Emmanuel, African Democratic Party; Lucky Idehen, All Progressives Grand Alliance; Igbineweka Osamuede, Allied Peoples Movement; Amos Areloegbe, All Peoples Party; and Osifo Isaiah, Labour Party. 
 
Others are Agolebun Tracy, New Nigeria Peoples Party; Stevie Ozono, National Rescue Movement; Felix Obayangbon, Social Democratic Party; Jones Osagiobare, Young Progressive Party; and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena, Zenith Labour Party.

Latest-News EDO 2020: Obaseki obtains new NYSC certificate

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 19 election in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has obtained a new...

ASUU distances self from deanship elections in UNN

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN chapter, Friday, washed off its hands from the deanship elections being organised by the management of the institution. 
 
In a document signed by the chairman of UNN chapter of ASUU, Comrade Christian Opata, and the secretary, Comrade Joseph Chukwuma, the union said its members are still on strike as directed by the National Executive Council, NEC  due to the impasse it has with the Federal Government on the Intergrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS. 
 
The union equally said that the planned elections which is scheduled to hold on the 6th July, 2020,  is inimical to the struggles of ASUU and vowed to sanction any member of the union who participates in the said exercise according to the provisions of the constitution. 
 
Part of the document reads: “In order to register the union’s disapproval, disenchantment and opposition to the planned events which absolutely negate the spirit of ASUU struggle, the expanded executives of the branch in a meeting held on July 1st, 2020, resolved that the efforts by the university administration to hold deanship elections and appraisals during the current strike is inimical to ASUU struggle and is hereby condemned in strong terms and utterly rejected by the union. 
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“That members are urged to abstain from these planned academic activities as such would portray ASUU-UNN in a bad light and may earn her another suspension from the national body. 
 
“That members who participate in the elections would be sanctioned in line with the provisions of our constitution. 
 
“That in the event of the University administration not listening and reasoning along the line of our appeals and proceeding with the already scheduled activities, the branch would mobilize its members to disrupt the elections in all the venues and as well all faculty appraisal meetings. 
 
“Finally, we wish to state that our members in the branch are committed to the struggles by our union to reposition university education in Nigeria and cannot chicken out at this very critical period.”

Latest-News ASUU distances self from deanship elections in UNN

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN chapter, Friday, washed off its hands from the deanship...

EDO 2020: PDP alleges plot to derail gov election

15:55 Unknown 0

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The Peoples Democratic Party has alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress to use the trio of Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to derail the September 19 Edo State Governorship Election. 
 
According to the party, the people of Edo were already aware that the trio “were selected by the APC to lead its campaign so as to force a combined formula of Kano and Kogi electoral violence as well as Imo State mandate robbery, to subvert the will of the people of Edo State in the governorship election.” 
 
This was contained in a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja, on Friday. 
 
It read in part, “The PDP described as pathetic that the APC only has a person who has become a butt of international shame after being seen in a viral video stuffing his robe with gratification, in foreign currency, to serve as Chairman of its Edo state governorship campaign council. 
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“It is equally contemptuous that such a person is being deputized by another individual, who has become a metaphor of electoral manipulation, after being so docketed by a judgment of the Supreme Court. 
 
“It is also disgusting that a governor who deployed a Police helicopter to scare voters on election day has been mandated to deploy thugs and dangerous weapons through the northern borderlines of Edo State ahead of the election. 
 
“Our party, in the strongest terms, cautions the APC to note that the ‘Gandollar,’ ‘Supreme Court Governor’ and ‘helicopter shooting’ formulas cannot work in this election as the people of Edo state have never been intimidated, suppressed, subjugated or overpowered by external political influences.” 
 
A response is still being awaited from the APC.

Latest-News EDO 2020: PDP alleges plot to derail gov election

The Peoples Democratic Party has alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress to use the trio of Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano Sta...

US COVID-19 assistance to Nigeria hits N16bn

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The United States has said over N16bn ($41.3m) has been donated to assist Nigeria’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
This was contained in a statement by the US Department of State on Thursday. 
 
The statement partly read, “More than $41.3 million in assistance, which includes more than $3.3 million for health assistance and $34 million in IDA humanitarian funding for risk-communications, water and sanitation, infection-prevention, coordination, and emergency food assistance; and nearly $4.1 million in MRA humanitarian assistance for vulnerable people. 
 
“This assistance joins more than $8.1 billion in total assistance for Nigeria over the past 20 years, including more than $5.2 billion for health.” 
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The US said over $12.5bn has been allocated globally in COVID-19 response, including commitments for the development of vaccines and therapeutics, amongst others. 
 
“We are achieving real results, helping nations around the world respond to COVID-19 and thereby protecting the homeland. We continue to ensure that the substantial U.S. funding and scientific efforts on this front remain a central and coordinated part of the worldwide effort against the disease,” it added.

Latest-News US COVID-19 assistance to Nigeria hits N16bn

The United States has said over N16bn ($41.3m) has been donated to assist Nigeria’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. This was cont...

Man, 41, remanded for allegedly defiling his 3-year-old daughter

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An Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered that a 41- year-old man, Effiom Etowa, who allegedly defiled his three-year old daughter, be remanded in the custody of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). 
 
Etowa, who resides in Tinuoye Estate, Ojoo, Ibadan, is charged with defilement. 
 
Chief Magistrate Taiwo Oladiran, who did not take plea of Etowa ordered that he should be remanded in NSCDC custody in Ibadan. 
 
Oladiran said , “Etowa cannot be admitted at Correctional Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
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“Etowa is hereby remanded at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Headquartre, Ibadan, pending an advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP),” he said. 
 
Oladiran adjourned the case until  July 16 for mention. 
 
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, ASP Sunday Ogunremi told the court that Etowa committed the offence on June 15 at Ibadan. 
 
Ogunremi said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 387 Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.

Latest-News Man, 41, remanded for allegedly defiling his 3-year-old daughter

An Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered that a 41- year-old man, Effiom Etowa, who allegedly defiled his three-year old daugh...

Buhari pays tribute to late Ooni of Ife, 40 years after

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President Muhammadu on Friday, paid glowing tribute to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, 40 years after his death. 
 
Aderemi, a political figure, was the Ooni of Ife between 1930 and July 3, 1980 when he died at the age of 90. 
 
The first class monarch served as the governor of the Western Region between 1960 and 1962. 
 
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement said Buhari eulogised the late traditional ruler in a letter addressed to the deceased’s family. 
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The President said it was heartwarming that the late monarch’s memory remained evergreen. 
 
He urged his family members to keep the memory alive for the guidance and inspiration of the current and subsequent generations 
 
Buhari’s letter read, “It gives me deep sense of pleasure and fulfilment to do this brief tribute in memory of the illustrious Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Tadenikawo Aderemi, who reigned between 1930 and 1980. 
 
“On this 40th remembrance of the great man, the country recalls the imprints of a foremost nationalist, very successful businessman, former governor, Western Region (1960-1962), and traditional ruler, on the sands of time. 
 
“To the benefit of his memory, Ooni Aderemi built schools, dispensaries, churches, museums, and attracted the establishment in his domain of waterworks, electricity projects, and the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). 
 
“It is also on record that the respected monarch was a member, Legislative Council of Nigeria (1946-1951); delegate, African Conference, London (1948); President, Western House of Chiefs (1952-1960); member, Federal House of Representatives/Minister (1952-1954); led Nigeria’s delegation to Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation (1953); and member, Nigeria Constitutional Conferences (1953-1958). 
 
“As the family remembers this awesome personality, knighted twice by the Queen of England, it gladdens the heart that his memory remains evergreen. Please, keep this alive, for the guidance and inspiration of the current and subsequent generations. 
 
“May God give us more illustrious people in the mould of Ooni Adesoji Aderemi. Amen.”

Latest-News Buhari pays tribute to late Ooni of Ife, 40 years after

President Muhammadu on Friday, paid glowing tribute to the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, 40 years after his death. Aderemi, a p...

ONDO 2020: PDP’ll be fair to aspirants, says Dogara

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The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Screening Committee for the Ondo State Governorship Primary, Yakubu Dogara, has assured all aspirants that the committee will be fair and just to all of them. 
 
He said none of them would be unjustly disqualified. 
 
Dogara, who was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, said this while speaking to journalists in the early hours of Friday. 
 
Dogara said, “Justice is indivisible. What is justice for one has to be justice to the other. 
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“We are sure that at the end of the day the party will be proud of the exercise that we have done. Nobody will be unjustifiably denied clearance for any reason.“ 
 
The PDP panel, which started its assignment on Thursday afternoon, resumes Friday afternoon.

Latest-News ONDO 2020: PDP’ll be fair to aspirants, says Dogara

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Screening Committee for the Ondo State Governorship Primary, Yakubu Dogara, has assured all a...

Alleged billionaire kidnapper, Evans, unable to afford legal fees

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Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court on Friday ordered the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to take over the defence for alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans due to his inability to afford his legal fees. 
 
During Friday’s proceedings, the Lagos State Attorney-General (A-G), Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) informed the court that his team placed a phone call to the law chambers of Ladi Williams (SAN) and Co, who represented Evans’ on the last court date to enquire about the whereabouts of Evans’ counsel. 
 
The A-G noted that his team were informed by the law chambers that Evans has not “perfected their brief”. 
 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans who was arraigned alongside five others on Aug. 30, 2017 on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping has changed lawyers at least five times during the course of his trial. 
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Some of the lawyers who have represented Evans include – Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, Mr Noel Brown and Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku. 
 
Reacting to the absence of his defence counsel, Justice Oshodi noted that Evans had developed a habit of engaging the services of lawyers who according to the judge, “disappeared halfway through trial” and this has caused delays in the case. 
 
“There are five other defendants with different counsel, the interest of the first defendant (Evans) is not superior to those of the other defendants. 
 
“The court will not breach Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution by going ahead with today’s business of the court which is the hearing of the no-case submissions,” he said. 
 
Justice Oshodi thereafter ordered an OPD counsel who was in court, Ms E.E. Okonkwo, to takeover Evans’ defence. 
 
Following the judges ruling, Evans co-defendants -Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba filed no-case submissions asking the court to dismiss the charges against them. 
 
The second defendant, Uche Amadi, however, did not file a no-case submission. 
 
The defence counsel, Roger Adewole, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, M.C Izokwu and Emmanuel Ochai told the court that no prima facie (correct until proven otherwise) case has been made against the defendants by the state. 
 
The lawyers urged the court to dismiss the case against the defendants. 
 
Responding, the A-G asked the court to dismiss the no-case submissions of the four co-defendants. 
 
“The defendants are asking the court to do something that cannot be done. They are asking the court to analyse evidence and go beyond the window that no-case submissions requires. 
 
“All that the court needs to do is to show that there is prima facie evidence. There is before the court, legally admitable prima facie evidence enough for the defendants to enter their defence. 
 
“I urge the court to dismiss all the applications and that the defendants proceed to enter into their defence,” Onigbanjo said. 
 
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until Aug. 14 for ruling and possible continuation of trial. 
 
NAN reports that the defendants are standing trial over the alleged kidnap of Mr Donatius Dunu, the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Ltd. 
 
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly kidnapped Dunu along Ilupeju Road, Lagos on Feb. 14, 2017 and collected 223,000 Euros (N100m) as ransom from his family. 
 
The pharmaceutical boss, allegedly still held captive by the defendants because his family had not paid additional money to the ransom already collected, escaped captivity and alerted the police. 
 
Four witnesses including Dunu have testified during the trial on behalf of the prosecution and on Jan. 10, the prosecution closed its case against the defendants.

Latest-News Alleged billionaire kidnapper, Evans, unable to afford legal fees

Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court on Friday ordered the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to take over the defenc...

ONDO 2020: APC generates N258m from sales of forms

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated N258.7 million from the sales of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirants ahead of July 20, governorship primaries in Ondo state.  
 
The party placed a N22.5 million fee on each of the governorship aspirants, while female aspirants and the physically challenged were asked to pay 50 per cent of the fee. 
 
Recall that Mrs Olajumake Anifowoshe was the only female aspirants out the 12 who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms for the Ondo state primaries. 
 
The remaining aspirants included Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Mr Joseph Olusola Iji, Mr Odimayo Okunjimi, Mr Olayide Adelami, Mr Kekemeke Duerimini and Mr Olusola Oke. Others were Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele, Mr Awodeyi Akinsheyinwa, Mr Olubukola Adetula, Dr Abraham Michael and Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan. The APC had on May 20 released the timetable for Edo and Ondo state governorship primaries. 
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Mr Emma Ibediro the former APC National Organising Secretary who released the timetable said that the party placed N22.5  million fee on governorship aspirants for Edo and Ondo state. He said that the money included N2.5 million for expression of interest form and N20 million for the nomination form. 
 
“The sale of forms to Ondo state governorship aspirants will hold from June 11 to July 1, 2020, while submission of forms ends on July 2, 2020. 
 
“Screening of Ondo state aspirants will hold on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, while screening appeal (Ondo) holds on Friday, July 10, 2020,” Ibediro said. 
 
He said that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in February, fixed Sept. 19, for the governorship election in Edo, while that of Ondo State was fixed for Oct. 10.

Latest-News ONDO 2020: APC generates N258m from sales of forms

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated N258.7 million from the sales of expression of interest and nomination forms to aspirant...

COVID-19: FAAN releases new guidelines for air travellers

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 As the nation’s airspace and airports prepare to reopen to domestic flights beginning July 8, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has issued new guidelines for air travellers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
According to a statement signed by the Authority’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, “the new Standard Operating Procedure is aimed at protecting all stakeholders and preventing further spread of the Covad-19 virus.” 
 
FAAN stated that all passengers must arrive at the airport properly kitted with their face masks on and ensure a minimum of 1.5m physical distancing. 
 
It added that aviation and Port Health Services personnel would screen each passenger and enforce compliance on the use of face masks and social distancing. 
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The statement partly read, “Those travelling with pets must get the necessary clearance from Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services. 
 
“All passengers’ luggage would be disinfected before entry into the departure halls. 
 
“Passengers are required to wash their hands as often as possible. Hand sanitisers would be provided for passengers before entrance at the waiting halls/lounges and pre-boarding gates. 
 
“All footwear would be disinfected/sanitised by foot mats placed at all entrances to the terminal building, amongst others. 
 
“Physical distancing protocols must be observed at the baggage claim area, where hand sanitiser is also provided. Disinfected trolleys would be made available for passengers. 
 
“All Covid-19 protocols must be observed while undergoing customs check. 
 
“Passengers would exit the halls and head straight to the car park for pick up, If you must speak to anyone around, please speak to a properly tagged Aviation Security officer.” 
 
The Authority implored passengers to make use of floor markings at the security screening area and respect all outlined protocols put in place. 
 
Similarly, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, has advised air travellers to “strictly abide” with the new protocols. 
 
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated this during a briefing in Abuja on Thursday. 
 
“Following the announcement of phase two and some new measures on Monday, the aviation sector has announced the 8th, 11th and 15th of July as dates for the gradual resumption of domestic flights. 
 
“We thank Nigerians for their patience and understanding and we urge them to strictly abide with the new airport protocols. 
 
“In the aviation industry, safety and security are paramount and there is only one global aviation standard,” he said. 
 
The country’s airspace and airports had been shut to flight operations in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Latest-News COVID-19: FAAN releases new guidelines for air travellers

As the nation’s airspace and airports prepare to reopen to domestic flights beginning July 8, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ...

BREAKING: Late Ondo Commissioner buried amid tears, disobedience to social distancing order

12:55 Unknown 0

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The late Ondo Health Commissioner Dr Wahab Adegbenro was buried in Ilara- Mokin according to Muslim rites. 
 
Sympathisers trooped to his family house where he was buried. 
 
Families and friends wailed uncontrollably as his remains were committed to mother Earth even as people did not obey social distancing order. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
It was earlier reported that the commissioner had been sick for some days before he died on Wednesday morning at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State. 
 
In a statement signed by the All Progressives Congress’ Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaiye, Adegbenro was at the forefront of the state government’s efforts to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
The statement read, “Dr Adegbenro has been at the forefront of government’s efforts to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ondo State. His demise collides violently with this patriotic assignment. 
 
“He was a party man to the core, readily accessible, humble, and dependable. His commitment to the general wellbeing of people within and outside his circle was unparalleled. 
 
“Although the party is deeply traumatised by this huge loss, we pray God to console his immediate family, the people of Ifedore, and the Government of Ondo State. We also pray that his soul will find peace with his creator.”

Latest-News BREAKING: Late Ondo Commissioner buried amid tears, disobedience to social distancing order

The late Ondo Health Commissioner Dr Wahab Adegbenro was buried in Ilara- Mokin according to Muslim rites. Sympathisers trooped to his f...

Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello sacks security aide

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Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has sacked his Senior Special Assistant on Security in charge of Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, Ayo Ariyo. 
 
He also approved the appointments of Mohmoh Abdul Lasisi as Personal Assistant to replace the late Hon. Suleiman Abdulateef Adinoyi. 
 
The sacking of the aide and the new appointment were announced Thursday night by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike. 
 
Ariyo is to be replaced by Olorunleke Moses, whom, before this announcement was the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Kabba /Ijumu Federal Constituency. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Moses was also the immediate past administrator of Kabba/Bunu Local Government. 
 
Adeyemi Olabode John is to take over as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Kabba/Ijumu Federal Constituency. 
 
The statement which was silent on the reason for the sacking of Ayo Ariyo, however, stated that all appointments take immediate effect.

Latest-News Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello sacks security aide

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has sacked his Senior Special Assistant on Security in charge of Kabba Bunu Local Government Are...

1,183 Almajirai repatriated from Kano,192 test positive to COVID-19

12:55 Unknown 0

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A total of 1,183 Almajirai have been repatriated from Kano since the inception of the new policy of integrating the Almajirai system of education by the Kano State government, according to the Kano State Commissioner for education Muhammad Sanusi Kiru. 
 
Delivering an address at the briefing on COVID-19 organised by the State Taskforce on COVID-19 on Thursday, Kiru also stated that the Almajirai were tested in the process of repatriation and 192 were confirmed positive of Coronavirus. 
 
“Since the beginning of repatriation of Almajirai, we have successful repatriated 1,183 and have received 244. 
 
“We moved 418 to Katsina, 524 to Jihawa, 155 to Kaduna, 38 to Bauchi, 36 to Gombe and 75 to Zamfara. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“We fed the Almajirai, gave them the required healthcare and got them tested where we discovered 192 to be positive and got them isolated,” he stated. 
 
The commissioner also explained that the state government has provided three Almajirai Integrated Boarding Schools in Bagwai, Madobi and Bunkure Local Government Areas in addition to 12 already existing ones. 
 
“The Almajirai schools in the state now have the capacity to admit a total of 1,800 students in which there is an integrated curriculum that includes the Qur’anic and modern education. 
 
“We have also initiated regulatory measures for anyone that intends to establish an Almajirai school and anyone that does not meet the rules will not be allowed to operate. Meanwhile, all Almajiri schools in the state have been closed down pending the opening of schools when the integrated system will begin to operate” he stated.

Latest-News 1,183 Almajirai repatriated from Kano,192 test positive to COVID-19

A total of 1,183 Almajirai have been repatriated from Kano since the inception of the new policy of integrating the Almajirai system of ed...

COVID-19: Akwa Ibom won’t rush to reopen schools, gov insists

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, says his government will not rush to reopen schools because other states are doing the same. 
 
He also lifted the ban on wedding and burial ceremonies in the state but emphasised that Covid-19 protocols be observed at both functions. 
 
Emmanuel, who spoke in a broadcast on Thursday night, said the State Executive Council would meet soon to review the reopening of schools, adding that schools would remain shut should the committee found it unsafe for resumption. 
 
He said, “Akwa Ibom will not copy anybody and rush to reopen schools. This is not the time to copy anybody, you must localise your own situation. If after our assessment we see that we cannot open our schools the same time as others, we will keep the schools closed. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“We will allow people to bury their loved ones because mortuaries are getting fuller. Also, we will allow weddings effective Saturday, July 4. I know how we celebrate burials, but please let’s look at the situation at hand that we are trying to manage. The primary aim of every single guideline rolled out by the government is to protect lives. Please follow the guidelines.”

Latest-News COVID-19: Akwa Ibom won’t rush to reopen schools, gov insists

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, says his government will not rush to reopen schools because other states are doing the same. He...

Declare 14 days lockdown to prevent COVID-19 spread, NUJ urges Akeredolu

11:55 Unknown 0

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The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council has expressed concern at the unprecedented spike in the confirmed cases of deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the state in the last three weeks. 
 
It, therefore, called on the state government ” to consider the option of declaring a 7-day or 14-day lockdown to urgently stop the spread of the pandemic. 
 
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Adetona Aderoboye and the State Secretary, Comrade Leke Adegbite in Akure. 
 
“Ondo NUJ is also concerned that the state Health facilities have been overstretched by the COVID-19 pandemic, no doubt the state is in a health crisis, even as we pray God to grant our State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredoluand other COVID-19 patients quickest recovery. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
“We equally register our sincere condolences to the family, people and government of Ondo State over the sudden death of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenrowho also chaired the state Taskforce on COVID-19 until his death. We pray Almighty Allah to grant his soul peaceful rest and continue to uphold his family. 
 
“The Union’s Preliminary findings from its members who on the field show that the state government was well on top of the situation of fighting the disease until three weeks ago when the government ordered the reopening of religious centres; while poor enforcement of 7 pm to 7 am dust to dawn curfew as well as a total violation of precautionary measures at all markets, hotels, relaxation centres in the state without penalties against defaulters are other factors. 
 
“The Union also observes that despite the State government’s commendable distribution of nose masks to a reasonable number of people in the state, the compulsory use of same was unfortunately not enforced at public places. 
 
“The Union, therefore, calls on the state government to consider the option of declaring a 7-day or 14-day lockdown to urgently stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic at a disturbing rate. 
 
“This measure will enable the government to carry out effective contacts tracing and deploy more combative efforts both from the state and federal governments. 
 
“Ondo NUJ also pleads with striking doctors and the state government to immediately reach a compromise on disputing matters to facilitate effective treatment of COVID-19 patients. 
 
“The Union appeals to the Presidential Committee on COVID-19 and NCDC to deploy necessary resources to Ondo State as it helped in Kano and Lagos states. 
 
“We warn members of the public to obey various COVID-19 precautionary measures and they should know that the disease is real and deadly, while the Union seriously advises media professionals in the state to perform their duties with extraordinary caution.

Latest-News Declare 14 days lockdown to prevent COVID-19 spread, NUJ urges Akeredolu

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council has expressed concern at the unprecedented spike in the confi...

Lalong’s Chief of Staff tests positive for COVID-19

11:55 Unknown 0

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The Chief of Staff to the Plateau State Governor, Noel Donjur,  has tested positive for COVID-19. 
 
The Commissioner for Information, Dan Manjang, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday. 
 
Donjur’s status came barely two days after the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Abe Aku, tested positive for the virus. 
 
Manjang said the Chief of Staff was confirmed positive after the test that was conducted for members of the State EXCO on the 1st of July 2020 following the directive by Lalong. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
He said, “The outcome of the tests indicate that all other members of the State EXCO tested negative except the Chief of Staff who is asymptomatic and in good condition. 
 
Accordingly, health officials have commenced treatment for him at one of the isolation centres in the state capital, Jos, while members of his family and other contacts are being traced and tested.

Latest-News Lalong’s Chief of Staff tests positive for COVID-19

The Chief of Staff to the Plateau State Governor, Noel Donjur, has tested positive for COVID-19. The Commissioner for Information, Dan ...

UN suspends two employees over viral s3x video

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The United Nations says it has suspended two workers involved in a recent s3x video that went viral. 
 
Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, disclosed this in a statement in New York on Thursday. 
 
Dujarric said both employees had been identified and placed on “Administrative Leave Without Pay” pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the allegation. 
 
The video, which surfaced online last week, shows a couple apparently having s3x on the back seat of a UN official car in Tel Aviv, Isreal. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
On Friday, Dujarric told correspondents that the organisation was “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the footage, and that investigation had been launched. 
 
He confirmed that the video featured a 4×4 vehicle, containing personnel “likely assigned to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation” headquartered in Jerusalem. 
 
The short video shows a white woman in a red dress straddling an equally white man in the back seat of the white SUV bearing the “UN” inscription. 
 
With them in the moving vehicle were the driver and a bald-head man sitting on the passenger side, in front. 
 
Media reports say the footage was recorded on HaYarkon Street, a major thoroughfare in Tel Aviv, Israeli capital. 
 
The UN spokesman said on Thursday that the investigation was being handled by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services. 
 
He said, “Two male international staff members, who were in the UN vehicle in Tel Aviv have been identified as having engaged in misconduct, including conduct of sexual nature. 
 
“Given the seriousness of the allegation of failing to observe the standards of conduct expected of international civil servants, the two staff members have been placed on Administrative Leave Without Pay. 
 
“This is pending the results and conclusion of the ongoing OIOS investigation. 
 
“UNTSO has re-engaged in a robust awareness-raising campaign to remind its personnel of their obligations to the UN Code of Conduct. 
 
“The OIOS investigation continues, and we will keep you informed.”

Latest-News UN suspends two employees over viral s3x video

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Zidane wants Messi to stay in Spain despite Barcelona exit claims

10:55 Unknown 0

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Lionel Messi was reported on Thursday to be planning to leave Barcelona in 2021, but Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was hoping the Argentine maestro will stay in Spain. 
 
Messi’s current contract expires next year and he has halted negotiations due to frustrations with the direction of the club, said Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. 
 
Barca sits second in La Liga with five games left, four points behind Real Madrid, who edged past Getafe 1-0 on Thursday to put the title within their grasp. 
 
“I don’t know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league,” said Real coach Zidane afterwards, when asked about the possibility of Messi leaving. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
Messi said in February he did not believe Barcelona could win the Champions League on current form. 
 
The 33-year-old has also had disagreements with the board, reacting publicly when sporting director Eric Abidal appeared to blame the players for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde in January. 
 
Barcelona’s presidential elections are due to be held in 2021 when current president Josep Maria Bartomeu will have to step aside. 
 
Among those set to run against Bartomeu’s successor is Victor Font, who wants to appoint Messi’s former team-mate Xavi Hernandez as a coach.

Latest-News Zidane wants Messi to stay in Spain despite Barcelona exit claims

Lionel Messi was reported on Thursday to be planning to leave Barcelona in 2021, but Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was hoping the Arge...

REGISTRATION: Ohanaeze General Assembly sues CAC, demands N500bn

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide has sued the Corporate Affairs Commission for N500bn for deregistering it. 
 
The President General of the body, Basil Onyeacholam, a lawyer, disclosed this to our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday. 
 
The CAC had reportedly deregistered the group, stating that it did not meet some conditions. 
 
Recall that following the inauguration of the new Ohanaeze group about a week ago, the mainstream Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Chief Nnia Nwodo, had called its members rabble-rousers and buccaneers. 
<a name='more' id="more"></a> 
 
But on Thursday, Onyeacholam said, “The CAC does not have the right to withdraw a certificate of incorporation because the provisions of the law are very clear. 
 
“We pursued this particular objective and the CAC wrote to us on 27th of January, 2020, notifying us of the approval of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly. That name was approved by the CAC. 
 
“We made newspaper publications to this effect. And the law requires the publication a duration of 28 days. The purpose of this duration is to enable the members of the public to object or there could be a petition. And these publications were made and there was no objection. 
 
“Based on this, the CAC does not have the right to wake up one morning and say it has deregistered Ohanaeze General Assembly. It’s not done that way. 
 
“The certificate is with us. It’s only the court of law that can give a verdict on this. 
 
“We are going to court, and amongst the orders we shall be asking the court to make will include damages against the CAC to the tune of N500bn. 
 
Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Thursday said there was no crack in the leadership of the organisation led by Chief John Nnia Nwodo. 
 
Ohanaeze, which insisted that it was Igbo’s turn to produce a President of Nigeria after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said  enemies of Ndigbo were behind the purported registration of the factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly. 
 
The deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Chief Chuks Ibegbu, in a statement said that the purported crisis or division in the leadership of the apex Igbo body was a figment of imagination of misguided elements. 
 
“These elements are used by Igbo enemies with peanuts to cause confusion in Igbo land and they will be ostracised in Igbo affairs for this treasonable act. The Federal Government should probe the CAC activities. 
 
“Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo will be building bridges and links with all parts of Nigeria to realise the 2023 presidency; its Igbo turn to produce Nigeria President after President Buhari.”

Latest-News REGISTRATION: Ohanaeze General Assembly sues CAC, demands N500bn

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide has sued the Corporate Affairs Commission for N500bn for deregistering it. The President ...

APC CRISIS: Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Buni speak after ‘reconciliation’ meeting in Bourdillon

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The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday night declared that there were no differences to be sorted out in the party. 
 
Tinubu, also said, “there is no crisis in the party, hence, no fight to reconcile.” 
 
He made the declaration shortly after a closed-door meeting with Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee and other members at his Bourdillon Residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. 
 
Buni, also Governor of Yobe, led other members of the APC National Caretaker Committee to the Lagos meeting with Tinubu. 
 
”We have no differences to be sorted out in the APC; we just had a consultation and it is how our party, the APC, would continue to be progressive,” he said. 
 
According to him, the committee is a consultation and not reconciliation committee since nobody is fighting anybody. 
 
”There are instances when you disagree, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot discuss it over and be a good example in leadership and politics,” Tinubu said. 
 
The former Lagos State governor also said that politics without seeming media crisis would be less interesting. 
 
”But the question is, are we committed to building this party and Nigeria? That is what we are all about. 
 
”We are steering the ship of our nation and our party in the right direction,” Tinubu said. 
 
He said that the party leadership had trust and respect for the chairman of the caretaker committee and would support him to succeed for the party to continue in its progressive governance of the country. 
 
The committee chairman, who led other members to the meeting, said that the meeting was part of the consultation the committee was making. 
 
”You know the task before us is daunting, and we need guidance, experience and prayers from our leaders,” Buni said. 
 
The host Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed his pleasure to have his colleagues in the state. 
 
”It’s been a very fruitful discussion we have had here this evening,” Sanwo-Olu said. 
 
Other members of the committee in attendance included the Chairman of Progressive Governor’s Forum, Gov. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Secretary of Caretaker Committee, APC, Sen. James Akpan Udo-Edehe and Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello.

Latest-News APC CRISIS: Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Buni speak after ‘reconciliation’ meeting in Bourdillon

The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday night declared that there were no differences to be sorted out in the part...

Bayern Munich sign Man City's Leroy Sane

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VD4U8WbKyJ7Pypb6wD5IZjcdwwpCga8ZXthWAYfrM7_BiZU8n2KRsQGoAi1MNiwEfnf7eKNFLDpT9C4r7Nqi18ZIE9zDy7z-KO5jNZaNRFd0EzIxUAYpRPQEsiR_NOAEwr1Pw_tZBOI/s1600/Leroy-Sane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VD4U8WbKyJ7Pypb6wD5IZjcdwwpCga8ZXthWAYfrM7_BiZU8n2KRsQGoAi1MNiwEfnf7eKNFLDpT9C4r7Nqi18ZIE9zDy7z-KO5jNZaNRFd0EzIxUAYpRPQEsiR_NOAEwr1Pw_tZBOI/s400/Leroy-Sane.jpg" width="400" /></a> 
 
Bayern Munich have signed German international winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City for at least five years, the German club said Friday. 
“The 24-year-old has put his name to a five-year contract until 30 June 2025 and will start preparing for the upcoming season in Munich next week,” Bayern Munich said in a statement. 
 
The multiple Bundesliga winners did not give a transfer price.