Appeal court sacks Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel; election nullified

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44F3GRG4q4URxuFUy4sIKnD8VtFW9tazIR0dTSSak5w-g80bD2n03it4sFEhhYwJl2gncu-oBtLnChMtsuuknOpVDFvEjaH2D9Q8vqz3S7LhMCF0E0wnCOG7oYiDVIeiTF5K5v7j77uui/s1600/Udom-Emmanuel11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44F3GRG4q4URxuFUy4sIKnD8VtFW9tazIR0dTSSak5w-g80bD2n03it4sFEhhYwJl2gncu-oBtLnChMtsuuknOpVDFvEjaH2D9Q8vqz3S7LhMCF0E0wnCOG7oYiDVIeiTF5K5v7j77uui/s640/Udom-Emmanuel11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <b>An Appeal Court has nullified the entire governorship election held in Akwa Ibom State on 11 April, purportedly won by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Udom Emmanuel.</b><br /> <br /> The decision was handed over this afternoon in the cross appeal filed by the candidate of the APC, Umana Okon Umana and the appeal by Emmanuel.<br /> <br /> The Governorship election tribunal had initially cancelled the election in 18 of the councils in the state and called for a rerun. But the APC felt dissatisfied and filed an appeal, praying for the cancellation of the entire poll.<br /> <br /> The court ordered fresh election in 90 days.

Latest-News Appeal court sacks Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel; election nullified

An Appeal Court has nullified the entire governorship election held in Akwa Ibom State on 11 April, purportedly won by the candidate of th...

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Naira strengthens against dollar, gains N10

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tF_omKnau4QR-u4P0hkRS_6hsnDsxd2NOzSSh0l7TU6cNQkSSaGxLshMb3cvbhE4pjLVXN5bNa71Ca4JDPpyRj24x0wcAi76UGtb9yLzLdXjZIO5RqL5_VL5EDCe6_KUdl_9QsVT0Wa7/s1600/Naira-and-dollar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tF_omKnau4QR-u4P0hkRS_6hsnDsxd2NOzSSh0l7TU6cNQkSSaGxLshMb3cvbhE4pjLVXN5bNa71Ca4JDPpyRj24x0wcAi76UGtb9yLzLdXjZIO5RqL5_VL5EDCe6_KUdl_9QsVT0Wa7/s640/Naira-and-dollar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The naira on Friday strengthened against the dollar after weeks of free fall at the parallel market.<br /> <br /> The currency gained N10 to exchange at N270 to the dollar after it nosedived to N280 on Thursday.<br /> <br /> At the official interbank window, it gained N0.03 to close at N196.97 to the dollar.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Traders at the market said that currency speculators were afraid that the naira could sell below their expectations and this forced them to release foreign exchange for sale.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Dr Evans Osabouhien of the Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, has said that during the Yuletide, Nigerians living abroad would be coming home with a lot of foreign currencies.<br /> <br /> Osabouhien said that this would help to reduce the pressure on the foreign exchange market and strengthen the naira.

Latest-News Naira strengthens against dollar, gains N10

The naira on Friday strengthened against the dollar after weeks of free fall at the parallel market. The currency gained N10 to exchang...

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Buhari meets Father Mbaka, insists change will come

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ltk8CJ2Uaov1F-x3Dwr1XVtg-SA2t9UMTpgO5FfAqwc4v4Iwyaev01p9J35j_vj3RHhLdL1-rzQIjdG5IoopvoVg6644tu0r1ON6A0_wgIZola7UClBcy5ufilgN5D9iW-0_GImdZrC5/s1600/mbaka+buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ltk8CJ2Uaov1F-x3Dwr1XVtg-SA2t9UMTpgO5FfAqwc4v4Iwyaev01p9J35j_vj3RHhLdL1-rzQIjdG5IoopvoVg6644tu0r1ON6A0_wgIZola7UClBcy5ufilgN5D9iW-0_GImdZrC5/s640/mbaka+buhari.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Popular Catholic priest and the Spiritual Director of the Adora­tion Ministry in Enugu, Rev.-Father Ejike Mbaka, on Friday met behind closed-door with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.<br /> <br /> Mbaka stirred controversy earlier in the year when he delivered a message that former President Goodluck Jonathan would fail in the presidential election.<br /> <br /> He had said that the Holy Spirit told him Jonathan was not favoured to continue as President going by the state of the Nigerian economy and widespread insecurity, which he had failed to contain.<br /> <br /> <br /> The clergyman who was accompanied by four men met with Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement quoted the President as telling Mbaka that the best exhortations to the nation he has heard from the pulpit was the one made earlier in the year by Mbaka.<br /> <br /> Adesina quoted the President as commending the Catholic priest’s exemplary courage.<br /> <br /> “Thank you very much for what you have done and said. It brought you out to the whole country as a man of courage.<br /> <br /> “It was honest and well delivered. It has gone into the records as one of the best concerns expressed from the pulpit, not because it favoured me and my party, the All Progressives Congress, but because it was good for the country, ” the President was further quoted as telling Mbaka.<br /> <br /> Buhari reaffirmed his conviction that change will come to the country, “with a lot of hard work, despite the security and economic problems.”<br /> <br /> He appealed for the continued understanding and patience of Nigerians.<br /> <br /> Osinbajo was also quoted as describing the priest as a man “who stood for truth and propriety, and declared corruption unacceptable.”<br /> <br /> He added that the Buhari administration “is committed to truth and justice, and won’t encourage corruption in any way.”<br /> <br /> Mbaka said he was happy with the mission and methodology of the Buhari administration.<br /> <br /> He also wished the President a happy 73rd birthday.<br /> <br /> He later told State House correspondents that he visited the President in order to commit the nation into God’s hand.<br /> <br /> He expressed the conviction that after the storm, God would restore sanity to the country.<br /> <br /> He said, “We have come to commit our country into the hands of God and pray for peace in our land and to establish permanent blessing upon all Nigerians as we are going for Christmas.<br /> <br /> “We wish to pray for spiritual revival, economic revamp and for moral probity in this country, committing the country to the Jesus that is born.<br /> <br /> “We are committing the entirety of this Aso Rock to the hands of God and commit the good missions and visions of the President to the hands of God.<br /> <br /> “We are here to commend Nigeria to Jesus so that it shall be well with our people, that heaven will celebrate Christmas for Nigerians; that Nigerians will have reasons to say that God is great during this 2015 Christmas season.<br /> <br /> “We are praying for His anointing upon our land, that the Holy Spirit will be the tabernacle in this country and we bless even the born and the unborn of the Nigerian citizenry, that any area that there used to be crisis, God will introduce peace.<br /> <br /> “In Micah 5:5, His name is Shalom which means peace. In John 20:19, He says peace be unto you. In John 20:211, He says peace be unto you. In John 20:26, He says peace be with you.<br /> <br /> “So we have come to sing the same song of peace be with you to all Nigerians and to pray for blessings upon our people and impact spiritual favours upon them.<br /> <br /> “As we are going for Christmas, may the blessings of Nehemiah 2:20 be upon them and the land. And the man of God says we will succeed.<br /> <br /> “I wish to assure Nigerians that in the midst of what is happening, we shall succeed because when God made David to be successful, he was promoted. A time of promotion is coming for this land irrespective of what we are passing through.<br /> <br /> “I pray for Nigeria’s success, we will succeed. I am singing a song of success.”

Latest-News Buhari meets Father Mbaka, insists change will come

Popular Catholic priest and the Spiritual Director of the Adora­tion Ministry in Enugu, Rev.-Father Ejike Mbaka, on Friday met behind clos...

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FG issues fresh security alert on Boko Haram

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSEodSg1DfcyDaKro_Vkim9kp5GfZUOSLHIofCr0pCy9wr4SRBmnBvpsjlBXshMUDoazIsv5p_1w0On9L3n_orbapeVMf30Q4TsUBPMrBBF0bBCFDd5G-KpMxX42SWJou4p-YE_jHIePB/s1600/Boko-haram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSEodSg1DfcyDaKro_Vkim9kp5GfZUOSLHIofCr0pCy9wr4SRBmnBvpsjlBXshMUDoazIsv5p_1w0On9L3n_orbapeVMf30Q4TsUBPMrBBF0bBCFDd5G-KpMxX42SWJou4p-YE_jHIePB/s640/Boko-haram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The Federal Government on Friday issued a security alert that Boko Haram terrorists were planning another sensational abduction of pupils/students or foreigners in a desperate effort to raise funds through ransom.<br /> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Segun Adeyemi.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> “Boko Haram terrorists who have been beaten and put on the run by the military, are planning another sensational abduction of pupils/students or foreigners in a desperate effort to raise funds, through ransom, for food, medical and arms supply,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Mohammed said the planned abduction was in line with the terrorists’ new modus operandi of focusing on soft targets, having been routed from their stronghold and their capacity to stage spectacular attacks substantially degraded.<br /> <br /> According to him, the largely defeated terrorists have now concentrated their attacks on soft targets, like motor parks, schools and entertainment centres.<br /> <br /> He said the terrorists had been decimated to a level that they are now incapable of staging spectacular attacks like they used to do.<br /> <br /> “The kidnap of the Chibok girls in 2014 which attracted global attention to the terrorist group is what it is now trying to repeat, hoping it can find vulnerable targets, especially schools, or a group of foreigners outside the frontline states.<br /> <br /> “The plan by Boko Haram is also part of an overall strategy by the terrorists to seek to negatively impact on the psyche of the gallant troops who have routed them (terrorists) from their stronghold.<br /> <br /> “And also give the impression that they have not been largely defeated by the December 2015 deadline given by this Administration to effectively degrade the insurgency in the North-East.<br /> <br /> “This is why we have decided to issue this alert to enable the authorities of both public primary and secondary schools in remote locations, particularly in the Northern states, to upgrade their security arrangements,’’ the minister said.<br /> <br /> According to him, the statement is also aimed at alerting the general public, operators of hotels and entertainment centres, motor parks and similar facilities to also upgrade their security arrangements for the holidays.<br /> <br /> Mohammed assured that the Federal Government would build on the successes recorded by the military which had largely met the deadline to degrade the capability of the terrorists.<br /> <br /> “Smoked out of their hideouts and badly bruised by our gallant military, the Boko Haram terrorists are desperate, especially in the face of the depletion of their food supplies.<br /> <br /> “In their desperation, they will not hesitate to embark on actions they feel can still make them relevant or enhance their survival. But the military is ready and able to prevent that,’’ he said

Latest-News FG issues fresh security alert on Boko Haram

The Federal Government on Friday issued a security alert that Boko Haram terrorists were planning another sensational abduction of pupils/...

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Mourinho sacking sets off Europe-wide coach alert

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA8i2lcoOceweFkFwCyQ_Lb1t4_LKK9XDYcTomNjXQV8EA5FhMvGLO3PSUL-qhan18YoZ19YJDHWKE5APCQu60K_9XO04yGI8n1_DAR6v2Bt7f26EONAcwWaydsIh6-8AQbFrNQbntuyw/s1600/mourinho+sadddddddddddddd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA8i2lcoOceweFkFwCyQ_Lb1t4_LKK9XDYcTomNjXQV8EA5FhMvGLO3PSUL-qhan18YoZ19YJDHWKE5APCQu60K_9XO04yGI8n1_DAR6v2Bt7f26EONAcwWaydsIh6-8AQbFrNQbntuyw/s640/mourinho+sadddddddddddddd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The sacking of Jose Mourinho set off a frantic merry-go-round among Europe’s star coaches with the spotlight now falling on Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid.<br /> <br /> Carlo Ancelotti, the only manager to have won the Champions League three times, is also hovering on the market.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> But with the lure of Premier League riches growing, Guardiola is to announce on Sunday whether he will be staying at Bayern Munich.<br /> <br /> German media say the Spaniard has decided to leave. He has already been linked to Manchester City and Chelsea.<br /> <br /> Spanish media have said that Real Madrid in turn could fire Benitez if they lose again soon, adding to the intrigue among Europe’s major clubs.<br /> <br /> Reports say Madrid players have turned against the 55-year-old Benitez in the same way some did against Mourinho in 2010 and as some Chelsea stars did against him this season.<br /> <br /> Madrid have failed to win the league since Mourinho left. Yet club president Florentino Perez said Mourinho would not return for now.<br /> <br /> “No one can predict the future, but right now he will not be coming to Madrid,” Perez told Spanish radio, while adding: “I have very good memories of Mourinho, he lifted our competitive level a lot. It wasn’t a dark period for the club as with him we returned to where we belong.”<br /> <br /> Some reports in Spain and France have suggested Madrid’s youth team coach and club legend Zinedine Zidane is best placed to take over from Benitez.<br /> <br /> Other big names such as Louis Van Gaal are also said to be at risk. The team went out of the Champions League at the group stage and their 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth last week left United in fourth place in the Premier League — six points behind the leaders Leicester.<br /> <br /> With pressure growing at Old Trafford, Van Gaal’s methods, tactics and team selections all face mounting scrutiny.<br /> <br /> Van Gaal acknowledged Friday that no manager is safe from a sudden sacking.<br /> <br /> “Yes, it is like that. But we know that in advance. Also Jose knows that. This is the world,” he said Friday.<br /> <br /> Diego Simeone is in no apparent trouble at Atletico Madrid but the Argentine has been named as a leading candidate for the Chelsea job.<br /> <br /> British media have said that Guus Hiddink, now holding talks in London, will take over at Chelsea until the end of the season and that Simeone is the man that the Chelsea board wants for the long term.<br /> <br /> Italian Ancelotti, 56, who was fired by Real Madrid in May, has been linked to many jobs — including any looming vacancy at Bayern Munich. But he has said he does not want to return to management until the 2016-17 season.<br /> <br /> For many of the star coaches, the stakes are getting higher as football’s television-fuelled riches grow, particularly in England.<br /> <br /> Jurgen Klopp is said to have almost tripled his last wage at Borussia Dortmund when he moved to Liverpool on a contract reported to be worth seven million pounds ($10.4 million) when he signed up this year.<br /> <br /> That puts him on a par with the likes of Van Gaal and just behind Mourinho, who could get up to 40 million pounds ($60 million) in compensation from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, now looking for a coach for the 11th time in 12 years.

Latest-News Mourinho sacking sets off Europe-wide coach alert

The sacking of Jose Mourinho set off a frantic merry-go-round among Europe’s star coaches with the spotlight now falling on Pep Guardiola ...

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3 Konga staff docked for allegedly stealing 500 mobile phones

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXPQsGunK72xMSP0xQQNHVrSZky97pMLP6-U9uIida8oAqXVr73Z0e2AmrH0fW4g_HXv9Sg2WqkgcOEo1rOWKkPNgkaEWISUaEA-ZUdPsvx6Q727Xeeu7DKhqJVkRmgoDHPBSuXTCcqgs/s1600/law6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXPQsGunK72xMSP0xQQNHVrSZky97pMLP6-U9uIida8oAqXVr73Z0e2AmrH0fW4g_HXv9Sg2WqkgcOEo1rOWKkPNgkaEWISUaEA-ZUdPsvx6Q727Xeeu7DKhqJVkRmgoDHPBSuXTCcqgs/s400/law6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Three staff of an online retail outlet, Konga, on Friday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing 500 units of Infinix Hot2 mobile phone valued at N9.6 million.<br /> <br /> The men, Ibrahim Maradesa; 31, Oluwatoyin Salau; 41, and Jerry Idenudia; 27, who all reside at Ogba area of Lagos, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.<br /> <br /> The Prosecutor, Insp. Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 4, at about 6:00p.m., at No. 36, Cocoa Road, Ogba, Lagos.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Unuigbe alleged that the accused stole 500 units of Infinix Hot2 16 GB12 valued at N9.6 million, property of Konga online retailer.<br /> <br /> According to him, the accused, who are drivers with the company, diverted a truck loaded with the items to an undisclosed destination.<br /> <br /> The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.<br /> <br /> The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.<br /> <br /> Section 285 provides three years imprisonment for stealing.<br /> <br /> Ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Mr P.A. Ojo, admitted the accused to bail of N500, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum.<br /> <br /> He said the sureties must reside in Lagos and must be gainfully employed.<br /> <br /> The magistrate adjourned the case till Feb. 17, 2016 for substantive trial.

Latest-News 3 Konga staff docked for allegedly stealing 500 mobile phones

Three staff of an online retail outlet, Konga, on Friday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing 5...

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I could end up like Mourinho - Man United, - Van Gaal fears

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u4VzrgRIzOLmm5Vr6gXlDqILmLRvyKxfxReN-GSUz5aj4ZBDL9lrMyxC_W6KW6PdOrbtXY_EQtjQwFkjiDshpyBlbMoYFMavox70YRA9X9Ltjv2jBUtdPSmTgz8gBvbhN54SDRXt9kdu/s1600/van+gaal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u4VzrgRIzOLmm5Vr6gXlDqILmLRvyKxfxReN-GSUz5aj4ZBDL9lrMyxC_W6KW6PdOrbtXY_EQtjQwFkjiDshpyBlbMoYFMavox70YRA9X9Ltjv2jBUtdPSmTgz8gBvbhN54SDRXt9kdu/s400/van+gaal2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b>Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says he was shocked to learn that Jose Mourinho had been sacked as manager of Chelsea - and admits he could be next to face the chop.</b><br /> <br /> Mourinho left the Premier League champions by mutual consent on Thursday, with technical director Michael Emenalo citing "a palpable discord" with his players as one of the main reasons for his departure.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Talk of disharmony between Van Gaal and some of his own United players has surfaced during recent weeks, with the 20-time English champions having failed to win any of their last five matches.<br /> <br /> Mourinho has even been linked with a possible move to replace Van Gaal at Old Trafford and, while the former Netherlands boss insists the United atmosphere is strong, he accepts results must improve.<br /> <br /> "It's fine, but I've said that already more than once. I've seen articles that it's not like that, so it's a bit crazy," he said when asked about the dressing-room morale during a press-conference.<br /> <br /> "I have the full confidence of my board and my players, I feel that.<br /> <br /> "But we have to get results. We have to win, we know that, the players know that, I know that. So there's not any doubt. When you lose too much, also for me, it's the end of the world."

Latest-News I could end up like Mourinho - Man United, - Van Gaal fears

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says he was shocked to learn that Jose Mourinho had been sacked as manager of Chelsea - and admits h...

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