Photos: Governor Ambode leads an all male walk against Sexual & Gender Based violence

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode today led an All Male Walk against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), vowing that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that all perpetrators of such crimes are made to face the wrath of the law.
The walk, which proceeded from Ikeja under Bridge through Awolowo Way to Lagos House in Alausa, witnessed the participation of dignitaries from all walks of life, including members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, key government functionaries, entertainers, youths, artisans, workers, among others.

Nigeria has lost 23.1m barrels of crude in 21 days

Nigeria lost 23.1million barrels of crude oil from August 16 to September 5,  due to activities of Niger Delta militants, which led to shut-in of production, shut down of pipelines and terminals, The Nation has learnt.

It was gathered that the country lost 1.1 million barrels daily, about 23.1 million barrels in 21 days.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Emmanuel Kachikwu confirmed this at a conference in Lagos, saying the country had to produce an additional  1.1 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) between now and December to recover the loss and meet the targeted yearly production.

Nigeria’s daily crude oil production fluctuates between 1.4 million barrels and 1.6 million bpd, a development, which implies that the country is short of 1.1 million bpd to meet its daily production of 2.7million bpd.

In a related development, the Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Oil Limited, Mr. Thomas Dada, said the country lost substantial crude oil to the crisis in the Niger Delta.

He said crude oil production had continued to fluctuate, noting that there was a time the output was 2.1 million bpd before it fell to 1.2 million bpd.

He said the incessant bombing of pipelines had resulted to dwindling revenue, poor gas supply to the thermal plants and its attendant low electricity generation, and capacity utilisation, among others.

The problem, he said, was taking a toll on the economy as many manufacturing and allied companies had either closed shops or relocated to neighbouring countries.

Dada said the economy is oil-dependent, stressing that the fall in the price of crude oil made it difficult for the government to meet its fiscal obligations.

He said: “Problems such as the fall in the global prices of crude oil, pipeline vandalism and others are evident in the country. Apart from the fact that the Federal Government was unable to finance many critical projects, the nation’s economy has suffered untold loss.  Both the goods producing and servicing firms are unable to cope with the current economic realities as they lay off their workers, due to poor power supply and other problems.”

According to him, government and the private operators needed to critically examine the problems in the oil and gas and other sectors and proffer solution to them to grow the economy.

“If urgent steps are not taken to address the problems confronting the nation’s economy and the oil and gas industry, the country may plunge into total distress,” he warned.

He said investors were shying away because of the grim economic situation. According to him, the country was not yet an investment destination, adding that the government needed to make the environment friendly to get results in the petroleum industry and the economy.

The Niger Delta Avengers attacked major oil and gas facilities in the region. The group and the Federal Government are yet to reach an agreement on ending the insurgency.

Catholic priest kidnapped in Delta regains freedom in Edo

 

The abducted Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Irikefe, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Monday in Delta State, has regained freedom from his captors.

Our correspondent gathered that the priest was freed on Wednesday around Benin where he was reportedly taken to by his abductors.

Father Irikefe, a lecturer with Saint’s Peter and Paul Catholic Major Seminary in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, was kidnapped on Monday evening within the Warri/Effurun metropolis.

Irikefe was in Warri to attend the burial of his friend and colleague, Rev. Fr. Amaefule Chike, who was buried on Tuesday at the Agbarho Pastoral Centre, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

A source within the Warri Diocese who confirmed the priest’s release said it was not clear if the church paid the N30m ransom the abductors had earlier demanded.

Our source who called our correspondent on Thursday morning to disclose the news added that the Catholic priest has been reunited with the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Bishop John Okeoghene Afareha.

He is said to have been traumatised as a result of the maltreatment he received from his captors.

Rev. Fr. Benedict Ukutegbe, Acting Administrator, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Catholic Diocese of Warri, confirmed his colleague’s release when contacted by our correspondent.

 Ukutegbe also confirmed that the priest was released in Benin, Edo State Capital.

Nigeria is 70 years late in achieving global education standard – UN

The new Global Education Monitoring, GEM, a UNESCO affiliate, has said that Nigeria, will achieve universal primary education in 2070.

The report released by Aaron Benavot, Director of the GEM, said “On current trends, universal primary education in sub-Saharan Africa will be achieved in 2080; universal lower secondary completion in 2089; and universal upper secondary completion in 2099.

“This would leave the region 70 years late for the 2030 SDG deadline. Nigeria, on current trends, will achieve universal primary education in 2070, universal lower secondary education 2080 and universal upper secondary education in the next century.”

It said that the statistics should urge countries to propel progress towards all global goals outlined in the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDGs.

Reacting to report titled Education for People and Planet, UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova, said “A fundamental change is needed in the way we think about education’s role in global development, because it has a catalytic impact on the well-being of individuals and the future of our planet”.

“Now, more than ever, education has a responsibility to be in gear with 21st century challenges and aspirations, and foster the right type of values and skills that will lead to sustainable and inclusive growth, and peaceful living together.”

The report shows 40% of the global population are taught in a language they don’t understand.

“Sub-Saharan African houses the most countries with the highest degree of linguistic diversity.

“Education systems need to ensure they are giving people vital skills and knowledge that can support the transition to greener industries, and find new solutions for environmental problems. Only 6% of adults in the poorest countries have ever attended literacy programmes. In Nigeria, less than 10% of the poorest rural females can read.

“If we want a greener planet, and sustainable futures for all, we must ask more from our education systems than just a transfer of knowledge. We need our schools and lifelong learning programmes to focus on economic, environmental and social perspectives that help nurture empowered, critical, mindful and competent citizens.

“There is also an urgent need for education systems to impart higher skills aligned with the needs of growing economies, where job skill sets are fast changing, many being automated. On current trends, by 2020, there will be 45 million too few workers with tertiary education relative to demand.

“The calls for education ministers and other education actors to work in collaboration with other sectors. It lists various benefits that could come from this way of working, including: ‘Educating mothers to lower secondary education in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 could prevent 3.5 million child deaths between 2050-60.’

“Health interventions could be delivered through schools: by one estimation, delivering simple treatments such as micro nutrient pills through schools is one tenth of the cost of doing it through mobile health units.

“Farmer field schools could help increase crop yields by 12% leading to sustainable increases in food production.

“Four years more in school in Nigeria reduced fertility rates by one birth per young girl.”

Nollywood Actress Emem Inwang’s Birthday Photos

Nollywood Actress Emem Inwang is a year older today.

She is a yummy mummy and to celebrate her birthday, she has released some lovely photos:

Credits:
Styling: Swanky’s signatures styling
Photography: Image Faculty

A Million Dollar Photo: Model/TV Personality Idia Aisien stuns in “Maju x BMW”

To celebrate 100 years of BMW, fashion house Maju collaborates with Coscharis BMW to unveil its “Maju x BMW Edit“.
The edit features model and Spice TV presenter Idia Aisien, and showcases pieces from the label’s luxe collection, as well as from recently released “Ember Edit”.
The Maju x BMW Fashion party will take place this Saturday 10th September 2016 at the Eko Atlantic.

More pic:

Trump not qualified to be president, says Obama

President Barack Obama condemned Donald Trump as unsuitable to be commander-in-chief Thursday, after the Republican nominee blasted US military brass and praised Vladimir Putin.

“I don’t think the guy’s qualified to be president of the United States and every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed,” Obama said in unusually caustic language while overseas.

Obama is in Laos for a summit with South East Asia leaders and his final trip to east Asia.

“I can tell you from the interactions I have had over the last eight or nine days with foreign leaders that this is serious business,” Obama said.

“You actually have to know what you are talking about and you actually have to have done your homework. When you speak, it should actually reflect thought out policy you can implement.”

Trump on Wednesday raised eyebrows by saying that Russia’s president was “far more” of a leader than Obama.

Putin is “very much of a leader,” Trump said in a televised interview.

“It’s a very different system, and I don’t happen to like the system. But certainly in that system he’s been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader.”

Trump also drew fire for criticising the military.

“The generals have been reduced to rubble,” Trump said, before noting he had “faith in certain of the commanders”.

The bombastic mogul will face Hillary Clinton in November’s election, which the Democratic former first lady is tipped to win.

Trump has previously angered many in the military community with mocking remarks against US Senator and former prisoner of war John McCain for being captured in Vietnam.

Obama is expected hit the campaign trail with Clinton when he returns to the United States, with voter turnout likely to be a key theme.

Obama won the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections handily by mustering large numbers of young, black, Latino and Asian voters to go to the polls.

AFP

INEC: Edo poll to hold as scheduled

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the Edo State governorship election will hold as scheduled.
The National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this during a press briefing at the state headquarters of the commission.

Rihanna as Marie Antoinetteon on the cover of CR Fashion Book

Rihanna poses as a modern-day Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette was queen of France and one of history's most controversial & misunderstood heroines, for CR Fashion Book.

Mino Raiola: I don't like Pep Guardiola as a person

Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has hit out at Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby, saying he "doesn't like him as a person."

Raiola will not be at Old Trafford to watch two of his biggest clients, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, play for Manchester United in their first derby against a City side now coached by Guardiola.

"It's a special derby, it's important in many aspects, but I will not be there," Raiola told Cadena Cope.

Raiola will be interested in what takes place, though, as Ibrahimovic will be crossing paths with his former Barcelona coach Guardiola again.

The striker endured an unhappy spell working with Guardiola during the 2009-10 season and referred to the Catalan as a "spineless coward" in his autobiography.

Ibrahimovic, who left Barca in the summer of 2010 to join AC Milan, accused the coach of misusing his talents, claiming he was like a "Ferrari" and that the coach was "driving it like a Fiat."

Asked about City boss Guardiola, Raiola said: "I don't like Guardiola as a man, I never did and never will. I don't hate him because hate is a strong word and no one deserves that, but I don't like him as a person.

"I also don't like his tactics because I find them boring, but that is down to taste."

Raiola added: "Guardiola would never sit down with me [to negotiate transfers]. He doesn't have the balls to sit down with me."

Raiola, however, did negotiate with Jose Mourinho's United this summer.

Ibrahimovic, 34, arrived at United in July on a free transfer after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired.

"Zlatan is very famous, I am very proud to be his agent," Raiola said. "He is a perfectionist in his professional and personal life. Players are like children, you love them all differently but they love you the same."

Raiola was also behind the world-record transfer of Pogba from Juventus to former club United.

"The world record fee is just a detail," Raiola, who earned a reported €25 million from that sale, said. "For me it's not important to be the best football agent in the world, that is up to the players to say, but to be the best for my players.

"It's important that my players are happy where they are. The world-record fee is just a detail. What matters is that Pogba is at the club where he wanted to be."

Four UNILAG students to prison over cult activities

Four undergraduates of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, identified as Raheem Yusuf, 21, Adedoyin Adeyemi Abraham, 24, Olanrewaju Idowu, 36, and Safraini Oluyemi Peters, 24, have been sent to jail by a magistrate court for their alleged involvement in cult activities within the school premises.
The Lagos state police command had arrested the students for allegedly being members of a secret cult known as Aloral Bucania.
The police during the arraignment of the students yesterday, informed the court that on August 4th at about 9am in Room 318, Biobaku Hall of the institution, the suspects had planned to carry out some cult activities that was likely to cause a breach of public peace.
Acting on a tipoff, the students were arrested and arraigned on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy to cause a breach of public peace and belonging to an unlawful and secret society.
They were docked before Chief Magistrate Oluwayemisi Adelaja on Charge No: D/45/2016. When the charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Oluwayemisi Adelaja granted the defendants N200, 000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.
She ruled that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government, affidavit of livelihood and be residents of the state. She ordered that the students be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions have been met.
She adjourned the case till September 26th for trial.

I am as good as Messi and Ronaldo – Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez believes he is good enough to be considered in the same bracket as superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sanchez was a team-mate of Messi’s at Barcelona, but departed Camp Nou for the Premier League ahead of the 2014-2015 season in search of regular starts.

The Chile forward has become a firm fan favourite at Emirates Stadium after scoring 30 goals in 68 league appearances for the Gunners.

Messi and Real Madrid rival Ronaldo are widely considered as the best two players on the planet and have held a monopoly over the Ballon d’Or award for the past eight years.

But Sanchez is confident that he can be considered on their level.

“I have reached a level where I can compete with great players,” he said.

“I do not feel inferior to anybody.

“I liken [my qualities] to Messi and Ronaldo. I have the same abilities as them.”

Alexis won LaLiga and Copa del Rey medals with Barca and also has an FA Cup triumph to his name with Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger’s side return to Premier League action following the international break against Southampton on Saturday.

Sierra Leone FA president Isha Johansen among officials detained

The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Isha Johansen and two others have been detained over corruption allegations.

The country’s Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) picked the trio up after an FA Cup match on Wednesday.

The head of the ACC Ade Macauley said the arrests were due to “discrepancies in the financial statement of the SLFA relating to donor funds.”

The trio denied the allegations during questioning.

Johansen and SLFA vice-president Brima Mazola Kamara as well as secretary general Christopher Kamara spent the night in detention.

The move came just hours after the ACC started Operation Thunderbolt, that is aimed at intensifying their fight against corruption.

An official at the ACC Patrick Sandy said they decided to make the arrests because of lack of cooperation from the SLFA.

“We are investigating funds SLFA received from Fifa, the Confederation of African Football and the government of Sierra Leone as we have the mandate to do so,” Sandy added.

“We have invited them in writing and through other means to report to our headquarters but they disregarded our invitations.

“We wrote a letter to the SLFA scribe to submit documents relating to SLFA finances but they refused to cooperate.

“Instead they wrote back stating that they are not accountable to us and it could be considered as political interference, as they are only answerable to FIFA.

“The ACC is not a political institution, we are independent.”

In the past the SLFA has insisted they are only accountable to football’s world governing body, FIFA.

Fathia Balogun on domestic violence, says people who do so deserve to die

Nollywood actress, Fathia Balogun spoke about domestic violence in an interview and said people who do so deserve to die. 

She also spoke on her new chieftaincy title in Nigeria.

Williams Faithia Balogun is a Delta State born actress, film-maker, producer and director. She recently won the Lead Actress in a film at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, (NEA) held in New York on September 4. 
 In a recent interview with Pulse, she gave her take on domestic violence in relationships. She said: “Anybody that does that should be killed, no judgement. I don’t think it’s a good thing. We should try and preach and talk to them, maybe they have mental problem.” This yea, she was given a chieftaincy title in Nigeria. A chieftaincy ist he rank, dignity, office, or rule of a chieftain. On her new title, she said: “Iya Adinni Atesise is when you are very religious person. I can interpret any role.” My new chieftaincy or religion does not change anything for my dressing or from who Fathia Balogun is. I’m still the same person, I can play any role, I can wear anything, my religion is in me.” “The God I serve is inside me. I don’t have to pretend to cover my head and I get somewhere and then take it off. If u dress anyhow of do anyhow in movies doesn’t mean I don’t know how to relate with my God.”

My husband stripped and beat me to pulp – Wife tells court

A trader, Margaret Agwu, on Wednesday told an Igando Customary Court, Lagos, that her husband, Onu, strips and beats her to a pulp sometimes.

Margret, who made this known when she testified in a divorce proceedings against Onu, told the court that her husband had turned her into a punching bag.

“He once punched me in my stomach and I lost my first pregnancy after a fight. I have lived every minute of my life in fear but I cannot go back to my parents because of the bride price,” she said.

Margaret, 45, had urged the court to annul her 33-year-old marriage citing husband’s duplicity.

She said, “When I was 12 years old, my husband came to my village to ask for my hand in marriage with a promise to my parents that he would send me to school.

“He also lied to my parents that he is a businessman that he owned a provision store and that he lived in a flat.

“My parents told him that they cannot release me for marriage because I was too young and besides I was still schooling.

“Onu told my parents that he will send me to school after the marriage, my parent agreed and he paid the bride price.”

Margaret regretted that on getting to the city, she discovered that her husband was not what he made her and her parents believe he was.

“When I got to his house, I discovered that he was staying in a one-room apartment, selling popcorn at the roadside.

“He also refused to fulfill his promise of sending me to school,” she said.

The petitioner said that she would not have reminded herself of the husband’s deceit but because he had turned out to be a brute, who beats her at the slightest provocation.

Margret also accused her husband of absconding with all their five children 16 years ago.

“When I called him after he packed out, he just told me that he was no longer interested in the marriage and since then he refused to pick my calls.

“His relations told me he relocated with the children to Port Harcourt. It is 16 years now that I have not seen nor heard from them.

“I heard that my husband gave our first daughter’s hand in marriage without my knowledge and that she had given birth to a son,” she said.

Margaret urged the court to help her to return the N600 bride price paid by her husband and dissolve the marriage, saying “I am no longer in love and I want to move on with my life.”

When an official of the court called Onu on the telephone, he said that the petitioner was no longer his wife.

In his judgment, the President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said that it was obvious that the marriage had hit the rocks.

“Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour court summons, therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the union.

“The marriage between Margaret Agwu and Onu Agwu is hereby dissolved from today, both parties are no longer husband and wife.

“Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation,” he said.

Crowd Boos Brazil President Michel Temer At Opening Ceremony

Protesters jeered Brazil’s new President Michel Temer on Wednesday as he participated in the county’s Independence Day parade in Brasilia and the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, his first official events since taking office on August 31.

Protesters at the events and in nearly a dozen other state capitals across Brazil were shouting “Temer Out” and “Usurper”.

Police in Brasilia estimated the number of protesters gathered in the nation’s capital at about 600, relatively small compared with protests that brought millions to the streets on occasion over the last two years of impeached President Dilma Rousseff’s administration.

Despite the early demonstrations, markets have given Temer and his economic team the benefit of the doubt, for now. Brazil’s real and main stock index have gained nearly 3 percent since Rousseff’s ouster, even as a new corruption scandal hit the government last week.

His team is expected to oversee a recovery of Brazil’s economy, bogged down in its worst recession in 80 years, but economists do not predict a robust turnaround over the next 12 months.

Investors also expect Temer to push through unpopular and difficult reforms of the country’s bloated pension system, burdensome tax code and inflexible labor laws.

Let your wife's breasts satisfy you – Nacee to Christians

Ghanaian Gospel musician, Nacee, believes Christian marriages are not exciting as couples who do not follow Christ.
The musician who recently released his new album, “Counselor 1” in an interview on Accra FM’s Gospel 360 entertainment show opined that believers always repeat the same routine in their marriages without engaging in other acts which will make their love life exciting.
Nacee said he is not cool with couples who are always careful when showing love to their partner in public because they will be rebuked.
According to him, this boring life of Christians in relationship results in many marriages collapsing. To him, Christians should learn what people in the world do in a relationship to help them have a happy marriage.
“Christian marriages are one of the boring relationships in the world. Its always about going to church, coming back home, going to work, takings kids to school, returning home and sleeping. Same routine happens everyday.
Few people travel outside so that they can change environment but even with them they will be in the room throughout their trip without exploring so its just a change of environment that has brought something new in their marriage.
Christian marriages are so boring that is why they keep saying that Christian marriages that collapse are more than secular marriages.
The worldly people have made Christians so calm that even when you hold your wife’s hand when walking then they will be looking at you with different eyes. Even when you kiss your wife in public they will talk against it. When did you see your pastor kiss his wife in public?
Aside kissing your wife during the wedding ceremony, you will never see a Christian kissing his wife in public.” Nacee told Andy Favoured, host of the show.
He further advised husbands to hail their wives for them to feel that they are in love. Nacee reminded Christians to read Songs of Solomon.
“Let your wife’s breasts satisfy you at all times, we have thrown that part of the scriptures away. You can look at your wife and describe her in a way that will make her feel that you still love her. Even if she has cancer and her breast is cut away, she will know that her husband is satisfied with what she has”

ICPC Arraigns Former Minister Godsday Orubebe for Circumventing Projects

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has today arraigned former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, on a six count charge bothering on circumventing the approval of some road projects while heading the Ministry.

Orubebe was arraigned before Justice Kayode Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him and his co-defendants.

He was arraigned alongside Oludare Alaba (an Assistant Director, Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars), Ephraim Zeri (Director of Contracts in Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nigeria Limited and the company, named in the six-count charge marked: CR/265/2016, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices an other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Orubebe was alleged to have used his position as minister to confer an unfair advantage upon Gitto Costruzioni Generali (Nig.) Ltd by circumventing the approval of the Federal Executive Council in respect of the contract for the dualization of the Eket-Oron Road when he took a decision to rehabilitate the road contrary to the award letter reference No. WR14522/Vol. 1/55 dated 28/09/2006 as approved by the Federal Executive Council, an offence contrary to and punishable under the section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act, 2000.

He was alleged to have among other allegations, sometimes in September 2015 made false statement to officers of the ICPC, Eric Anona, Isiona Okolo and Bukar Galadima in the course of their official duty, when he informed them in writing in respect of the contract for the dualization of Eket Urban Road that the decision to rehabilitate instead of dualisation was taken when he had left office as a minister, knowing that the information was false.

It will be recalled that the erstwhile minister has a legal battle with the Federal Government before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for not declaring one of his properties during his tenure, with judgement on the matter slated for September 21, 2016.

Upon their non guilty plea, and the application for bail having been duly filed and moved by counsels representing the accused persons, the court granted bail to Orubebe in the sum of N10million, one surety in like sum, with a viable residential address within the jurisdiction of the court, and a valid tax payment receipt in the last three years, on the grounds that he was a former minister.

The other accused persons were however, granted bail in the sum of N20million each, one surety in like sum who must be a public officer with the Federal Civil Service and resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

The matter was adjourned to November 10, 2016 while they are to be remanded in ICPC custody pending when they meet up with the bail conditions.

The charge reads in part : "That you Oludare Lawrence Alaba (M)sometimes between 2010 and 2014 or thereabout, while being in the employment of the Federal Government of Nigeria, deployed to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, as Assistant Director, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did direct the spending of the balance of the compensation money totaling the sum of (N1,

965,576,153.46) being meant to compensate owners of the Eket Urban Section of the East-West Road (Section IV) via a letter reference No EWR/S4/CN5883/COMP/vol.9/429 dated 23/01/2015 as part of the contract sum when you knew that the money was for compensation only and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act, 2000.

"That you, Gitto Costruzioni Generali (Nig.) Ltd, through Mr Ephraim Tewolde Zeri, Director Contracts, sometime between 2010 and 2014 or thereabouts within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, cheated

the Federal Government of Nigeria of the sum N1,965,576,153.46 being balance of the compensation money of N2, 320,686,826.00 with the knowledge to cause wrongful loss to the Federal Government of Nigeria whose interest in the compensation money meant for owners of then properties marked for demolition in respect of the dualisation of the Eket Urban Section of the East-West Road (Section IV) you were bound by the contract for the dualisation of the Eket Urban Section of the East-West Road (Section IV) to protect, by returning the said balance to the Federal Government of Nigeria but failed to return same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under the section 323 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006.

"That you, Gitto Costruzioni Generali (Nig.) Ltd the through Mr Ephraim Tewolde Zeri, Director Contracts, sometime between 2010 and 2014 or thereabouts within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, being entrusted with the sum of N2,320,686,826.00 to compensate owners of properties marked for demolition in respect of the dualisation of the Eket Urban Section of the East-West Road (Section IV) did commit criminal breach of trust by dishonestly misappropriating the sum of N1,965,576,153.46 being balance of the compensation money of N2,320,686,826.00 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code CAP 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006.

"That you Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe (M), Oludare Lawrence Alaba (M), Mr. Ephraim Tewolde Zeri, Director Contracts and Gitto Costruzioni Generali (Nig.) Ltd,sometimes between 2010 and 2014 or thereabout, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, agreed to deploy the balance of the compensation money of N1, 965,576,153.46 meant for owners of properties marked for demolition in respect of Eket Urban

Section of the East-West Road (Section IV) into the contract for the dualisation of the Eket Urban Section of the East-West Road (Section IV) against the purpose for which the money was meant for and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory 2006".

CAF turns down Pinnick’s nomination for FIFA seat

The desire of Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick to get a seat on FIFA Council has hit the rock as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected his nomination, African Football reports.

Ahead of the election into the FIFA Council on September 29, CAF shortlisted seven candidates, with no Nigerian represented.

On the shortlist are Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea); Suketu Patel (Sychelles); Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana); Ahmad (Madagascar); Augustin Senghor (Senegal); Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger) and Chabur Goc Alei (South Sudan).

They will now undergo an integrity test before their names are ratified for the ballot.

News24 had reported that Pinnick appealed to the Nigerian Senate to create an enabling environment for his administration to run football in the country.