Sochi stadium rebuild completed for World Cup in 2018

 Officials overseeing World Cup preparations in the southern Russian city of Sochi say construction work on the city’s stadium has finished on time.

The stadium held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics, but has yet to host a soccer game because it needed extensive modifications to remove a temporary roof and increase capacity from 40,000 to 47,700.

Sochi is one of four host cities for next year’s Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up tournament.

Regional officials also say 150 Cossacks will be drafted in to help with Confederations Cup security. Cossacks, a paramilitary group dating back to Czarist times, attracted criticism when they provided security at the Sochi Olympics and used whips to break up a performance by opposition punk group Pussy Riot.

Fast-acting Ohio State officer praised for killing attacker

 Officials on Monday praised an Ohio State University police officer who shot and killed a man a minute after he drove his car into a crowd and then stabbed multiple people.

Officer Alan Horujko, who started on the university police force in January 2015, was responding to reports of a nearby gas leak when the car jumped a curb on campus at 9:52 a.m.

Horujko ordered the attacker, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, to drop the knife and then shot him when he didn't obey the command, university president Michael Drake said.

"The officer encountered the individual by 9:53 — the subject was neutralized by 9:53," Drake said, underscoring how quickly events unfolded.

Horujko is owed a debt of gratitude, said Monica Moll, director of Ohio State's Department of Public Safety.

"He did a fabulous job today," she said.

University police Chief Craig Stone said it was fortunate the officer had gone to investigate the gas leak, which helped position him to respond to the attack so quickly.

Eleven people were hurt in the attack. Police said they were investigating whether it was terrorism.

Artan was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent U.S. resident, according to a U.S. official who wasn't authorized to discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The FBI joined the investigation.

Mayor Andrew Ginther called Horujko an "outstanding young law enforcement officer."

"There has never been a more dangerous or complicated and challenging time to be a police officer, and we had a dynamic well-trained professional today save the lives of many of our residents and students," said Ginther, a Democrat.

Horujko, 28, was placed on administrative leave Monday and the investigation turned over to Columbus police, consistent with protocol for police shootings. Horujko appears to be an avid runner, with several half-marathons under his belt, according to online race results.

Gov. John Kasich praised the speed with which Horujko and other officers acted.

Kasich, a Republican, described the response as "an unbelievable, amazing and outstanding and heroic performance on the part of our first responders."

The university police department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. It has officers on the main campus in Columbus and on regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark and Wooster.

Trump to nominate Georgia Rep. Tom Price as health secretary

  President-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia Rep. Tom Price, a leading critic of President Barack Obama's sweeping health care law, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a person familiar with the decision.

If confirmed by the Senate, Price will play a central role in Republican efforts to repeal and replace the current health care law. Trump has pledged to move quickly on overhauling the landmark measure, but has been vague about what he hopes to see in a replacement bill.

The president-elect has said he favors keeping provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents' health insurance and that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

Trump is expected to announce Price's nomination as early as Tuesday morning. The person familiar with decision insisted on anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the matter ahead of the official announcement.

Price, a 62-year-old six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, has chaired the House Budget Committee for the past two years. A bookish conservative from the Atlanta suburbs, Price has worked closely with House Speaker Paul Ryan to assemble GOP budgets aimed at reducing the annual deficit.

Last week, Price said whatever Republicans do to replace Obama's health care law will bear a "significant resemblance" to a 2015 measure that was vetoed by the president. That bill would have gutted some of the health care law's main features: Medicaid expansion, subsidies to help middle-class Americans buy private policies, the tax penalties for individuals who refused to get coverage and several taxes to support coverage expansion. The bill would have delayed implementation for two years.

Price insisted that Republicans can keep the protections for those with existing medical conditions without mandating that all individuals carry coverage or pay a penalty to support an expanded insurance pool. Price said Republicans want to address "the real cost drivers" of health care price spikes, which he said were not necessarily sicker patients, but a heavy regulatory burden, taxes and lawsuits against medical professionals.

Thankful for Photoshop? Mariah Carey Fans Cry Foul on Instagram

 After sharing a relatively harmless photo holding a pie and a can of whipped cream, Mariah Carey’s Instagram followers cried havoc and let loose the dogs of war against egregious Photoshopping.

While it seems as if Carey merely wanted to show off her bodysuit and tight jeans, social media sleuths pointed out two questionable anomalies in the photograph: a slight warp in the picture near her right thigh and an odd bend in the mirror frame near her left shoulder.

At the time of this writing, there were more than 100,000 likes on the picture and more than 2,500 comments, many of which obsessed over the details of the alleged Photoshop fail. Others argued back and forth over how appropriate her outfit was for the holidays. Clearly people cared.

leilow713: “If this was photoshopped she would make her shoulders look less linebackerish — not photoshopped”

msdebbieramirez: “This IS “Festivating”… doesn’t look photoshopped at all. It’s fun for Thanksgiving — just like all of us have. Smh”

Still others pressed the issue, pointing fingers at the notorious shoulder, uneven thighs, and bending cabinets:

babydoll9355: “wow, you need to fire whoever photoshopped this image, it looked like a 1st grader did it!”

kristinasavageee: “Her shoulder tho lmaooo”

As for her outfit, one commenter summed up the negative criticism:

kellymat: “I’m not passing judgement, it is simply my opinion, I didn’t say that I dislike her because of it, I would tell my friend the same thing if she wore that on Thanksgiving, it is not suitable apparel for a holiday”

To which one levelheaded fan pointed out:

mswilddiva: “Why all the hate and age shaming? Jealous much? You look great boo!”

After spending more than a couple of minutes thinking about the entire issue, one has to wonder: If Carey did in fact Photoshop, why bother? Other media outlets, like the Daily Mail, seem to agree, after posting reportedly untouched photos from the same day in Carey’s life, observing that she looked just fine.

Donald Trump Makes False Claims That "Millions of People" Voted Illegally

 Donald Trump, the president-elect who sailed into office not on the tides of a democratic process but on the back of the Electoral College, is now falsely claiming that he won the popular vote, too. But only if you "deduct the millions of people who voted illegally."

Unlike CBS, which struggled to formulate a coherent headline in these difficult times, let's be very clear: This is a lie. Hillary Clinton is currently up in the popular vote by over two million votes. There is no evidence of the kind of widespread voter fraud that Trump is referring to.

As ProPublica, a non-profit news organization, rehashed on Twitter over the weekend, it dispatched over 1,000 people to monitor the vote on Election Day. "We saw no evidence the election was 'rigged' no matter what Stein or Trump say," it tweeted. ProPublica said it solicited tips from 400 journalists and 120,000 citizens nationwide. It had 600 people watch social media for reports of voter fraud and had experts on hand to analyze the endless stream of results. Based on all that, "[w]e saw plenty of problems: Long lines, broken voting machines, incorrect poll books, confusion [about] voter ID laws." But, it added, "we saw no reason to doubt the results."

It seems our very sensitive president-elect has been in a tizzy ever since Green Party candidate Jill Stein stepped forward last week to fund a recount of the results in three key swing states. Over the weekend, the Hillary Clinton campaign announced it would back her effort. And so while you were trying to eat away the pain of this election season over Thanksgiving, Trump went on the offensive and let loose a stream of tweets to criticize the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton, especially, for not accepting the results of the race.

So what gives? Is this some bruised-ego-induced rant? Is it proof of a rather dictatorial taste for sowing confusion and mistrust in our democracy? Is it an attempt to distract us all from this deeply reported and terrifying New York Times story about his many conflicts of interest around the world? Or, is it all that and simply, horrifyingly, this?

RUMOURS: PSG approach Lionel Messi's father for transfer talks

 With doubts circulating over whether Leo will extend his current deal, the Ligue 1 champions are looking to capitalise through conversations involving Patrick Kluivert

Paris Saint-Germain have made contact with the father of Lionel Messi in the hope of tempting the Barcelona star to Parc des Princes, according to RTL.

The Argentina captain has reportedly told his club that he is not interested in extending the contract he has at Camp Nou until the summer of 2018.

And the French capital side are using Patrick Kluivert as an intermediary to convince the Messi clan into a move to Ligue 1.

Wike accuses CP of plotting to rig Rivers rerun

 AHEAD of the December 10 legislative rerun in Rivers, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, of conniving with some politicians to rig the poll.

Wike said the state government would in the coming weeks release the audio-visual footages of the state Police Commissioner plotting with politicians on how to manipulate the election.

The governor spoke during a ceremony to commence the rehabilitation of the General Hospital, Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area on Monday.

Wike noted that the audio-visual footages would be made public through different media platforms to expose the extreme rigging desires of the Independent National Electoral Commission with the backing of the police and other security agencies.

“We are now in possession of the DVD of how the Police commissioner and some politicians were planning on how to rig the forthcoming legislative rerun elections in Rivers State.

“At the appropriate time, we shall release the materials for Nigerians to   understand the depth of the electoral fraud being perpetrated by INEC and police.

“For the security of this all important audio-visual material, we have mass produced them and kept them at different locations. Nigerians are entitled to know the truth about the unfortunate rigging machine. Now that we have caught them on tape, this will shake the world. Rivers State ising to be neutral and everybody will have a level-playing field. I am planning how to make election free and fair, but he (governor) is distracting me with all these; The governor is saying he has a clip wh not like other states where you can plot and execute easy rigging plans,” the governor said.

But in his reaction, the state Police commissioner told our correspondent that he would remain neutral and non-partisan, adding while he was working towards a free and fair election, the governor was distracting him.

“My position is this: I am going to be neutral, I am going to be non-partisan, I am goere I was discussing with the APC on how to rig the election. Election is barely two weeks; if he has a clip, why is he saying it? Let him release it now.

“I don’t know whether a minister of the Federal Republic cannot be seen talking with me. If the minister representing the state is in town and he calls me, can I not see him? Is it an offence?,” he asked.

Plane carrying Copa Sudamericana finalist Chapecoense crashes in Colombia

 The Brazilian club was en route to the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final but never made it to Medellin because of a tragic accident, according to authorities.

A plane carrying Brazilian club Chapecoense to the Copa Sudamericana final has crashed in Colombia on Monday night, according to Colombian authorities.

"A Lamia aircraft coming from Bolivia with registration CP2933 RJ 80 had an accident in Cerro El Gordo, nearby La Union, Antioquia with 72 passengers and nine crew members on board, who were with the Brazilian team Chapecoense," a news release Monday from Colombian aviation governing body Aerocivil read. "Organizations are currently attending to the situation and are taking injured to different medical facilities in the region."

According to South American media reports, emergency crews transported injured to Le Ceja Hospital shortly after the crash. Telemedellin reported late Monday that the San Vicente Hospital also is preparing to treat some of those wounded in the crash.

There have been were no deaths confirmed late Monday, and the Colombian Commercial Aviation agency said 10 injured were taken to hospitals.

The plane was inbound from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where the team stopped over after playing a league game against Palmeiras, which clinched the Brazilian championship with a victory. Chapecoense made the Copa Sudamericana final after advancing past Argentine side San Lorenzo on away goals. The first leg was set to take place in Medellin against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday.

The cause of the crash is currently unclear, with some reports citing poor weather around Medellin but others blaming a mechanical issue. According to the airport, the crash site is currently accessible only by ground transportation, with weather conditions prohibiting aerial access. The Colombian Commercial Aviation used its Facebook page to ask those in the area who could provide help in Jeep 4x4-type vehicles to assist in resuce efforts.

Nigerians without tax certificate may not get passport —FIRS

 The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Tunde Fowler, on Monday said Nigerians would soon pay be made to show evidence of tax  payment before  they could obtain passports.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Fowler said this at the 136th meeting of the Joint Tax Board which had the theme, “Increased Inter-Agency Co-operation to Enhance Tax Compliance and Optimise Revenue Collection,’’ in Abuja.

He also announced that Nigerians who either wanted a new passport or renew an old one must show evidence of being a tax-payer.

“We did take a position and I believe it would be implemented in the very near future that before you get any services from the immigration department: renewal of passports etc, you’d have to show that you are a tax payer.

“These things are normal all over the world and it would help us to serve Nigerians and Nigeria better.

“People believe that payment of tax is a burden and I’ll repeat that you only pay tax on income and profits.

“So, if you reside in Nigeria and you are benefiting from being a Nigerian resident, it is only fair that you contribute to the system that makes you enjoy that standard of living.’’

He said the FIRS set a target to increase the individual taxpayer data base by 10 million by December 31, this year.

“I’m glad with our co-operation; we’ve been able to attain 30 per cent of that. We’ve been able to get three million individual taxpayers across the nation.

“I’d like to congratulate Kano State for leading the pack by increasing the database by 944,000 followed by Lagos with 306,000 then Kaduna and Plateau,’’ he said.

When asked by newsmen what he meant by citizens paying VAT on international passport, Fowler said every good and service except from items that are not VATABLE has to be charged VAT.

“What I can tell you is that as we move forward, as you obtain services from government they will ask you to show evidence of tax payment.”

The Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, lamented that the FRSC was being owed N700m for number plate production.

He also decried the high rate of fake documentation at ports, saying “if we can strengthen inter-agency collaboration, we’ll get more results now that the focus is on IGR.’’

The Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Udochukwu Ogbonna, urged the revenue generating agencies to cooperate digitally to ensure success and curb corruption.

Also, the Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Oseni Elamah, said “the FIRS should have a digital one-stop-shop accessible to all partners.’’

Some revenue generating agencies on Monday met in Abuja to curtail loss, stop corruption and increase proceeds to government coffers in 2017.

The event brought together all internal revenue service chairmen of the 36 states and the bosses of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

One dies in Lagos-Ibadan road crash

 One person has been confirmed dead and four others seriously injured after an accident occurred at the Warewa Long Bridge end of the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the accident involved a blue Toyota bus, with number plate, KTP 610 XA, a Honda CRV, with number plate, KJA 30 AE and a Toyota Jeep, with number plate EKY 685.

The Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State, Mr. Clement Oladele, said the accident, which occurred around 6pm on Monday, was caused by careless driving.

“The injured victims were taken to the Lagos State Emergency Centre at the toll gate area in Ojota, and the vehicles towed out of the road to free the traffic. The dead has been deposited in a mortuary,” he added.

Ebonyi begins seizure of foreign rice

 The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has set up a taskforce to move into various markets and confiscate foreign rice.

Umahi announced the setting up of the committee on Monday in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a ceremony to commence the construction of an ultra modern Kpirikpiri market in the capital city.

The governor said, “We have set up a taskforce and directed them to confiscate foreign rice found in our markets, the person should give us the certificate of the quality of the rice and has to provide the import duties paid for it, where he brought it from and give us Standards Organisation of Nigeria certificate to prove that the rice is not poisonous.”

Umahi said that some foreign rice were poisonous, insisting that some of them were stored for more than 20 years abroad before they were smuggled into the country.

“That is why we have cases of cancer, cases of kidney failure and all kinds of diseases that our people were not known for; so you are taking risk if you are selling foreign rice in the land of Ebonyi,” he cautioned.

Coutinho set for up to six weeks out with ankle injury

 The Brazilian star suffered ankle ligament damage against Sunderland but Liverpool are hopeful he may return ahead of the usual schedule for injuries of this nature

Philippe Coutinho is set to miss up to six weeks of action with ankle ligament damage, ruling him out of much of Liverpool's busy Christmas schedule.

The Brazilian was substituted in the first half of the Reds' 2-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday and underwent a scan at Spire Hospital in Liverpool on Monday afternoon.

Liverpool are hopeful Coutinho may not need the full six-week recovery period usually required for this type of injury but he will almost certainly miss the Merseyside derby at Everton on December 19, with the clash against Manchester City on December 31 targeted for a potential early return.

After closing out November with a League Cup fixture against Leeds United on Tuesday night, Liverpool will face a run of six matches before the New Year.

The Reds will be without several attacking options for the visit of Leeds, with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana also currently sidelined and Roberto Firmino likely to sit the game out after being substituted with a knock against Sunderland.

Divock Origi scored the winner after replacing Coutinho against the Black Cats and could be rewarded with increased first-team football in the coming weeks, while highly rated youngster Ben Woodburn also appeared from the bench.

Coutinho has been in sensational form for Liverpool this season. The 24-year-old has recorded five goals and five assists in 13 Premier League appearances and was nominated for the division's player of the month award for October.

He has played a key part of Jurgen Klopp side's ascent to second in the table, with their 32 goals scored currently the highest total in the English top flight.

I moved Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s cash from court —Banker

 An official of Diamond Bank Plc, Ademola Oshodi, told a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Monday that he managed the bank account of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, with number 0032091183, domiciled in the bank.

Oshodi told the court that he regularly visited the chamber of Justice Ofiili-Ajumogobia on the premises of the Federal High Court on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, where Ofili-Ajumogobia is a judge, to collect huge cash sums to be deposited in the judge’s account.

The banker said whenever the money was above the lawful threshold that could be deposited in the judge’s account, he would split the money into two, deposit a portion into Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s account and the remaining portion in his own personal account.

The banker explained that he would subsequently transfer the money from his personal account to the judge’s account.

He added that at a time, he had to help the judge get a Bureau De Change operator, named Abah Said, who helped the judge to convert the naira sums to US dollars whenever the judge was not comfortable with the normal mode of transaction.

Oshodi said this on Monday when he appeared as a prosecution witness before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, where Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was arraigned alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Godwin Obla for alleged bribery, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and unlawful enrichment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla on 30 counts bordering on the offences.

The charges were read to them after Justice Oshodi ordered them to move from the court gallery into the dock.

“Unfortunately, you have to be in the dock,” Justice Oshodi said.

Obla, who was dressed in a clean blue suit on a white shirt and a blue tie and Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, who wore a black suit and skirt, were first asked by the court’s registrar if they understood English language, to which they answered in the affirmative, before the charges were read to them.

The EFCC, in the charges, alleged that Obla, while appearing in a suit, numbered FHC/L/C/482c/2010, before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, offered a gratification of N5m to the judge to allegedly induce her to refrain from acting in the exercise of her official duties as a public officer.

Obla, the EFCC claimed, paid the money from the account of his company, Obla & Company Limited, with United Bank for Africa, to Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia through the bank account of Nigel & Colive Limited in Diamond Bank Plc.

The EFCC claimed that the judge and the SAN acted contrary to sections 64 (1) and 97 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.

The judge and the SAN pleaded not guilty to the offence.

In 24 out of the 30 counts, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was accused of unlawfully enriching herself as a public officer, contrary to the provision of Section 82(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State No. 11, 2011.

The judge was accused of receiving a total of $793,800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015 “so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”

The judge was further accused of forging a deed of assignment between County City Bricks Development Co. Limited and Nigel & Colive Limited, dated July 5, 2010, which the EFCC claimed was purportedly prepared and signed by Charles Musa & Co.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

In count 30, the EFCC accused Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia of giving false information to one of its operatives, Lawal Abdullahi, on October 19, 2016, by allegedly claiming on the telephone to be on admission at Gold Cross Hospital, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, while she was not there.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 39(2) (a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, however, pleaded not guilty.

Consequently, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed for a trial date and an order remanding the defendants in the prison custody pending trial.

But Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s lawyer, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), and Obla’s lawyer, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), said while they had no objection to the prayer for a trial date, they were opposed to the application to remand their clients in prison.

They both informed the court that they had filed bail applications for their clients.

Akoni urged Justice Oshodi to grant Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia bail on self recognition as a judge of the Federal High Court or to grant her bail on liberal terms, with a condition that the EFCC should not be the one to verify the bail conditions.

Adedipe also prayed Justice Oshodi to grant Obla bail on self recognition, assuring the court that he would make himself available for trial.

But the EFCC prosecutor opposed them and urged Justice Oshodi not to grant the defendants bail but to order an accelerated hearing of the case.

But after standing the case down for about two hours, Justice Oshodi, in a ruling, admitted both defendants to bail on self recognition.

He ordered them to deposit N20m each and their passports to the Chief Registrar of the court pending the conclusion of trial.

The judge said the bail would be revoked if the defendants failed to meet the conditions within seven days.

The case was, however, adjourned till January 9, 2017, for continuation of trial, after the defence counsel said they were not prepared for trial.

Mimiko congratulates Akeredolu

 In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, made available in Akure, Mimiko

said “it behoves on me as Governor of Ondo State to congratulate the Governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and wish him success in the challenging task of governing our dear state.”

The Ondo State governor added that “it is incumbent upon me as Governor to facilitate smooth transition between my government and the incoming one. I will, to this end, provide the ambience for a smooth and seamless transition process.”

While promising to continue to provide leadership to the state until the takeover date, Mimiko expressed appreciation to the people of the state.

He added that “I use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to all our citizens for the very peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the election period.

“I will not waiver in providing needed leadership to our dear state till the last day of my term.”

He then urged residents to strive to sustain the peace enjoyed in the state for the past seven years and promised to speak with the people as occasion demands “as my eight-year tenure inches to an end.”

NAN

Mourinho facing ANOTHER ban after improper conduct charge

 The Manchester United manager kicked a water bottle on the touchline after Paul Pogba was booked for diving against West Ham and is now facing another suspension

Jose Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association over the conduct that led to him being sent to the stands during Manchester United's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday.

Mourinho was banished from the touchline for the second time in three home Premier League matches after kicking out at a water bottle midway through the first half.

The incident occurred after Paul Pogba was booked for diving by referee Jon Moss.

Mourinho subsequently failed to complete his media duties, sending assistant Rui Faria to the post-match news conference.

Faria said at the time: "The referee explained it to Jose and there is nothing more to say. I think [it was] frustration from Jose after the yellow card for Pogba. It should be a foul for us but the referee understood it in another way.

"I don't take over. I follow the normal procedure. The boss is Jose all the time and he passes on what is the best for the team and we just try to make it happen without having him there."

The Portuguese was given a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 following an incident against Burnley in late October, and the FA is likely to take a dim view of his second offence in such a short space of time, making a more severe punishment likely.

Mourinho was also given a £50,000 sanction over comments made about the appointment of Anthony Taylor to referee United’s clash with Liverpool this season.

Pogba will miss United's League Cup quarter-final clash with West Ham on Wednesday as a result of his booking.

United have drawn their last four top-flight matches at Old Trafford, contributing to the club's worst start to a Premier League season.

Justice Abang after me for criticising him —Fayose

 The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja, of getting at him for asking the National Judicial Council to sack him.

Calling on the council to curb his excesses, the governor alleged that the judge granted an interlocutory order against him in a matter pending before another judge.

The Court of Appeal in its judgment on November 23, had lambasted Abang while setting aside his ruling of October 14, which conferred recognition on Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last Saturday’s Governorship Election in Ondo State.

Following this, the governor called on NJC to save itself from embarrassment by sacking the judge.

Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, on Monday, reiterated the call to the NJC to sack Abang.

He, however, said he was not surprised that the judge “opted to get at me through strange and obnoxious proceedings.”

Fayose added, “…He should have declined to handle the matter, let alone granting an indefinite order less than 48 hours that I called for his sack.

The governor said, however, did not decline and “those desperately looking for means to get at me rushed to him last Friday and secured an ex parte order with interlocutory nature the same day the application was filed.”

“How could a judge have granted order on matter that is before another court of coordinate jurisdiction and such an order will be granted the same day?”

The governor maintained that the NJC should sack Abang.

“It is on record that justices of the Appeal Court described Justice Abang judgments as fraudulent and that he raped democracy. They went further to say that he (Abang) embarked on a wild goose chase; spoke from both sides of his mouth and acted like Father Christmas. In saner climes, what he should do is to resign because that is a clear indictment on his personality and character.”

Woman injures girl, uses her for alms begging

 

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two women – one Amadi and Mama Esther – for allegedly abusing a nine-year-old girl, Joy Esemonu, in the FESTAC Town area of the state.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Amadi allegedly poured chemical on Esemonu, which made her sustain injuries in different parts of her body.

Our correspondent was told that Esemonu was subsequently led everyday by the suspect to a pedestrian bridge in the FESTAC area where she was made to beg for alms from passersby.

At the end of every begging trip, the two women reportedly shared the money collected.

However, a Good Samaritan, who observed the victim’s condition on the bridge, reportedly alerted policemen from the FESTAC division, leading to the arrest of the two women.

The matter was subsequently referred to the Office of the Public Defender, which transferred the victim to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters.

A social worker who was privy to the case told our correspondent that Mama Esther was a relation of the victim and had lured her from their village in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said, “The girl lived in Port Harcourt with her parents. But last year, her mother handed her over to Mama Esther after the latter promised to support the family by taking the girl to Lagos. She said the girl would continue her education when they get to Lagos.

“However, when she brought her to Lagos, she decided to hand her over to Amadi, who she owed some money. The woman then decided to use her for begging.

“The girl said she noticed that Amadi would make her sleep before pouring a substance suspected to be chemical on her body. By the time she woke up and scratched the spots after feeling some pains, they would become sore. The woman would then bandaged the place and take her out for begging.

“She said whenever the injuries heal, she would make her sleep again and pour the chemical on her. The woman started with her bottoms and then her laps. She said such  had happened about four different times.”

Another source said Mama Esther, in her confession, claimed that she always collected between N2,500 to N3,000 as her share every day.

The source said the money the women were making off the victim kept them in the fraudulent business.

“The girl said although they lived in a slum in the Oyingbo area, the woman always took her to FESTAC to beg. She said there were other girls in the slum. She could not recall the exact place where her parents lived in Port Harcourt. She mentioned streets like Rumuokoro, Saint Jude and Rumola. She said she attended Saint Jude Academy and was in basic three before she was brought to Lagos. The girl explained that her younger sister, Ebierechi, was with another family. However, the suspect had maintained that they lived under the bridge,” he added.

The Director of OPD, Mrs. Salami Olubukola, condemned the action of the women, saying the state would ensure that justice was served.

She said, “This is a despicable act and the height of man’s inhumanity to man which must be condemned by all. Lagos State will never condone child abuse and cruelty and we shall go to any length to protect our children from barbaric acts.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said, “Investigation reveals that it is their stock in trade.”

The NAPTIP Lagos zonal coordinator, Mr. Joseph Famakin, confirmed that the victim was in the agency’s shelter.

He said, “The girl was brought to us last Friday and she is going through some psychological counseling and treatment. We are also investigating if there are other people involved in the crime. The two suspects are with the police.”

‘239,834 Nigerians still refugees in Chad, Niger, Cameroon’

A total of 239,834 Nigerians, who were displaced by the activities of the Boko Haram sect in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, now live as refugees in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, over 100,000 displaced Nigerians reside in Niger, while the second largest refugees are in Cameroon.

Quoting from a recent report by NEMA, the agency’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Mr. Sani Datti, said on Monday that, “There are presently 20,804 displaced Nigerians living in the Republic of Chad; 80,709 in the Republic of Cameroon, and 138,321 in the Republic of Niger.”

He noted that about 29,581 displaced Nigerians, who fled their communities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to Niger and Cameroon, voluntarily returned last year.

 Datti stated that 13,046 Nigerian returnees returned from Niger in May, 2015, and were received in Geidam, Yobe State.

According to him, between April and December, 2015, NEMA received about 16,595 Nigerians, who voluntarily returned from Cameroon through the Sahuda border area near Mubi in Adamawa State.

Datti noted that the agency adopted a monthly Humanitarian Coordination Meeting, a forum which consists of relevant Federal Government agencies, UN systems and international non-governmental organisations.

The forum, he said, undertook analysis on causes of humanitarian situations, conducted need assessments, identified and provided humanitarian interventions based on its respective mandates.

“The report added that due to the successes recorded by the Nigerian military with the support of Multi-National Joint Military Task Force in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents, the humanitarian dashboard is fast changing,” Datti said.

He noted that focus was gradually shifting towards reconstruction, rehabilitation, resettlement, recovery and dignified return of IDPs to their homes while the process for the return of Nigerian refugees from neighbouring countries was equally ongoing.

Why we can’t release Fayose’s houses – EFCC

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has opposed an application by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, asking a Federal High Court in Abuja, to order the release of his six houses earlier seized by the anti-graft agency through a previous court order.

Opposing the governor’s application in a counter-affidavit, the EFCC gave reasons why the assets could not yet be released to him.

The EFCC said the houses located in Lagos and Abuja were seized through a court order earlier obtained on July 20, 2016.

It said the houses were seized while it was investigating the governor in relation to various offences including diversion of public funds.

The EFCC explained that it had since found out that in the course of investigating Fayose, that the houses were acquired through third parties.

It said it had identified the third parties and had moved against them.

It added that application by Fayose seeking the setting aside of the July 20 order for the seizure of the house was no longer as the houses had been discovered to have been bought by new set of people and a new order had been issued against them.

Fayose had filed the fresh application asking a Federal High Court in Abuja to vacate the July 20 order for temporary forfeiture of his houses.

The houses included four units of 4-bedroom at Chalets 3, 4, 6 and 9 Plot 100 Tiamiyi Salvage V. I. Lagos.

The rest are, 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja and Plot 1504 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja.

The EFCC said, in its counter affidavit, that its investigation had revealed that the houses were acquired through companies known as J.J. Technical Service, Spotless Investment Limited and one Mrs. Moji Ladeji.

It said at the expiration of the July 20 order given by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba (of the Federal High Court, Abuja) for 45 days, it went before another judge of the court – Justice Okon Abang – for a new order of interim forfeiture granted on November 3 this year.

The EFCC argued that in view of the new interim order of forfeiture, which is to last until the case against the new owners of the properties is concluded, Fayose’s motion now before Justice Dimgba had become an academic exercise.

The commission stated, “An order was made by this court on the 20th of July, 2016 for interim attachment/forfeiture of the properties contained in this application for a period of 45 days.

“The order has since lapsed and the respondent, upon further investigation, discovered the names through which the properties were acquired and had to proceed against those names.

“The respondent (EFCC) re-attached the properties and reapplied to this honourable court for a fresh order before Honourable Justice Okon Abang, which application was considered and granted.

“An order of interim or forfeiture is meant to preserve the res (subject matter) pending investigation or conclusion of trial.

“It is thus of interest to state that in view of the respondent’s exhibit EFCC1 (a copy of the order by Justice Abang), the order now being sought by the applicant has already been overtaking by time and event.

“The applicant’s (Fayose’s) application is thus, a pure waste of time and an academic exercise, which is based on nothing.”

The hearing of Fayose’s application was stalled on Monday as the governor’s lead lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), was absent from court.

Justice Dimgba adjourned till December 19.

Senate removes Buhari’s aide from NCC board, nominee kicks

 

Senate has said it has its reason for reversing its confirmation of the nomination of Okoi Obono-Obla as a member of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

While the upper chamber of the National Assembly has not stated the reason for the U-turn on Obono-Obla’s confirmation, the nominee had alleged that it was political.

The Senate asked the nominee, who is the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, attached to the Federal Ministry of Justice, to use administrative means to table his grievances on the rejection of his nomination and not the media.

Obono-Obla was among the five nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari, whose nomination was approved by the Senate on November 17, 2016, while two of the nominees were dropped.

At the plenary, those whose appointments were confirmed were Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (Chairman/Ogun/South-West), Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (Non-Executive Commissioner/Imo/South-East), Sunday Dare (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management/Oyo/South-West), Obono-Obla (Non-Executive Commissioner/Cross River/South-South) and Clement Omeiza Baiye (Non-Executive Commissioner/Kogi/North-Central).

The lawmakers however dropped Aliyu Abubakar (Non-Executive Commissioner/Bauchi/North-East) and Pastor Ezekiel Yissa (Non-Executive Commissioner/Kwara/North-Central).

The Senate Committee on Communications, which screened the NCC board nominees, had recommended that Obono-Obla’s nomination be confirmed by the Senate.

The committee, in its report, said, “Obono-Obla responded brilliantly at the screening exercise and promised to bring his legal experience to bear by collaborating with his colleagues on the board to further enhance the growth of the communications sector, if his nomination is confirmed. He has the experience, competence and commitment to discharge the responsibility of a Non-Executive Commissioner.”

Obono-Obla’s name was, however, missing in the letter transmitted to Buhari as one of those confirmed by the legislature.

In the letter dated November 22 and signed by the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent on Monday in Abuja, Obono-Obla was listed as one of the three whose nominations were rejected by the Senate.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President referred our correspondent to the spokesperson for the Senate, Sabi Abdullahi, when our correspondent asked for the reasons for Obono-Obla’s rejection.

Abdullahi, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, however, criticised Obono-Obla for going to the media without first considering resolving the issue administratively.

He said, “Who confirmed him? Who said he was confirmed? If he wants to go to the media with his complaint, let him go. I believe that there is a procedure and he is not just an ordinary citizen; he is an SSA to Mr. President right now.

“My thought is: if he is an employee of the executive and there is an issue, he should follow it administratively. But if every single thing that happens administratively is being turned into a media war, I wish him good luck.

“If there is an issue (between the executive and the legislature), that is why we have the SSAs to the President on National Assembly Matters. Has he followed the administrative procedure and exhausted it? Why must everything being done be turned into a media war? Is that the art of governance?

“We don’t do things without a reason and if we have done something, the right is also reserved like any other person has the right reserved to them with respect to their duties and performance.”

It was however learnt that the Senate made a U-turn on Obono-Obla’s confirmation based on a point of order raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Garba, on November 22, in which he told the lawmakers that the nominee was not confirmed contrary to the earlier position of the Senate.

Before lawmakers proceed with a plenary, the votes and proceedings of the previous legislative day will first be approved by the chamber.

Saraki asked the secretariat to note the point of order made by Garba.

Earlier, Obono-Obla had run into trouble with the senators during the prosecution of Saraki, and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, for alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules.

The lawmakers had summoned the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), who recommended the prosecution of the Senate leaders and pressed charges against them.

Obono-Obla, however, on June 30, 2016, appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator David Umaru, to represent Malami.

Alleged N4.7bn fraud: Obanikoro to testify against Fayose

A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was at the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday where he agreed to testify against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and his aide, Mr. Abiodun Agbele.

A reliable source said, “Senator Obanikoro came to the EFCC office on Monday morning as part of investigations into the N4.7bn. Since he has confessed that he was the one who collected the N4.7bn and distributed it, he is in the best position to testify in court.

“The EFCC wants him to testify against Agbele which will also build a strong case against Fayose who currently enjoys immunity. Obanikoro has agreed and will be listed as one of the EFCC witnesses.

“If Agbele is convicted, it automatically means that Fayose will also be convicted once he is charged in 2018. So let Fayose continue to play games. Omisore and Obanikoro are cooperating and returning money. Their troubles will end soon while Fayose’s own will keep getting worse.”

When contacted, Obanikoro’s lawyer, Mr. James Onoja (SAN), said he was not aware that his client was with the EFCC but promised to find out.

“I have been in court all day so I was not aware that he (Obanikoro) was with the EFCC. I will find out,” he said.

However, a source told our correspondent that the EFCC could still charge Obanikoro to court if he failed to cooperate with the EFCC.

He said, “Obanikoro has returned N104m and has pledged to return N480m in instalments every four months but if he cannot cooperate with the EFCC, then he and his sons may be charged along with the others.

“Plea bargain and negotiation are a standard practice in criminal justice across the world.”

Obanikoro had told the EFCC in his statement of oath that he received N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki in June 2014.

In his statement, the ex-minister told the EFCC that he handed N1.3bn to the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore; while N1.219bn was given to Fayose through his aide, Agbele, during the build-up to the Ekiti governorship election which Fayose won.

Obanikoro was said to have converted a remainder of the money into $5.377m and handed  it to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti, in the presence of the then Ekiti State PDP Secretary, Tope Aluko, and other party stalwarts.

The ex-minister is believed to have kept about N785m for himself, an action which is said to have angered Fayose.

Agbele is currently standing trial before Justice Dimgba Igwe of a Federal High Court for allegedly receiving N1.219bn on behalf of Fayose.

At the last sitting, Mr. Alade Sunday, a manager and branch Head of Zenith Bank, narrated how the money was disbursed on the instructions of Agbele.

He had also said it took the cashiers about 10 days to count all the money.

Sunday had said Obanikoro flew the cash to Akure Airport and the money was loaded onto a bullion van.

He had said, “When we got to the airport, we waited for some minutes before the aircraft arrived. When the aircraft offloaded its passengers, one of them appeared to me to be Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and the other one appeared to be his ADC, Adewale.

“Agbele walked up to them and had a discussion with them. Thereafter, he signalled to me to bring the van. Bags loaded with cash were loaded into the van and Obanikoro’s ADC, Agbele and I drove back to the bank.

“When we got to the bank, we ‘bundle counted’ the cash and it was N724,500,000. Agbele told us that more money was still coming and then, Obanikoro’s ADC left for the airport immediately.

“In the evening, all of us left for the airport a second time. After the passengers disembarked, we offloaded the cash bags into our bullion van and drove back to the bank to ascertain how much the cash was. The second tranche was N494,990,000, bringing the total to about N1.219, 490,000.

“We headed straight to our zonal head office where instructions were given by Agbele on how the funds were to be credited to various accounts.”

GSM subscribers to pay more for data from Dec.1

 Subscribers of the Global System of Mobile telecommunications across the country would pay more for data with effect from December 1, 2016, The PUNCH learnt on Monday.

Although the telecoms companies declined to speak on the matter, top management workers across the networks confirmed the story to our correspondent, saying that the directive was from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior management employee of Etisalat Nigeria said, “The NCC issued the directive late last week on the orders of the Federal Government. We have not announced it yet because most of the major telcos have been meeting the NCC on how to reverse this policy, because it will be too harsh for Nigerians.

“However, we further gathered that the Federal Government took the decision having discovered that data rates are very low-priced in Nigeria, compared to other countries, including nearby African countries.

“The government might have also taken the decision given that Nigerian subscribers have been kicking against the proposed nine per cent Communication Tax, whose bill is currently in the National Assembly.”

Pleading not to be mentioned, an employee of MTN said, “What this means is that MTN, Airtel, Etisalat And Globacom will increase their data rates as from December 1, 2016. A data plan of N1,000 for 1.5 Gigabytes will now be increased to N3,000 at N1,000 per 500 Megabytes.”

In text messages sent out to its subscribers, MTN, Africa’s mobile telecommunications giant, confirmed that it had agreed to implement the directive of the NCC.

The MTN text read, “Dear customer, please be informed that from 1st of December, some MTN data tariffs will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC for operators. Thank you.”

The PUNCH could not obtain an official response from the NCC at of the time of filing this report.

However, a representative of the commission said that the telecoms regulator was unaware of such plans by the operators, even as she said her bosses had claimed ignorance of the circulated message.

“We are unaware of it. I just asked my bosses; they are unaware. We will forward your query to MTN for appropriate attention,” she said over the telephone.

However, in a letter by the NCC to the operators sighted by our correspondent, the commission stated, “This rate will subsist pending the finalisation of the study on the determination of cost-based pricing for retail broadband and data services in Nigeria.

“In order to provide a level playing field for all operators in the industry, small operators and new entrants to acquire market share and operate profitably, small operators and new entrants are hereby exempted from the price floor for data services.”

It added, “For the avoidance of doubt a small operator is one that has less than 7.5 per cent market share and a new entrant is an operator that has operated less than three years in the market.

“All operators are to ensure that subscribers are not automatically migrated to pay-as-you-go platform.

“Also, note that effective date for the interim price floor is December 1, 2016.”

Reacting to the development, the President, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Mr. Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said that the NCC representative was being economical with the truth.

He said that for MTN to have sent out millions of text messages to its subscribers “clearly shows that the NCC indeed issued the directive.”

Ogunbanjo, however, said that the association would resist the tariff hike, adding, “We will challenge it in court. We are going right away to set the machinery in motion. We are also going to do an urgent letter to the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, which we will drop in his e-mail box.

 “Unfortunately, the notice is short; today is November 28, yet the order will take effect from December 1. It is not just good for broadband penetration, whatever the reason may be. It is against telecoms subscribers.”

According to him, data availability means more youth engagement because they use data to develop apps and build software.

“But with what the NCC has done, these boys who develop apps will be slowed down and limited. The cost of doing business will also increase,” he added.

Tinubu didn’t work against APC in Ondo, says Buhari

President  Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said there was no truth in reports suggesting that he and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress were at loggerheads with a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President described the reports as “unfounded and mischievous.”

Shehu said the President who, according to him, was highly embarrassed by such reports was in regular contact with Tinubu before, during and after the recent Ondo State governorship election.

He said any suggestions that the President and the party machinery were working to destroy Tinubu had no foundation in truth or any credibility.

The presidential spokesman added that the President was impressed by Tinubu’s assurance not to work against the party in Ondo and he honoured his words.

He said Buhari regarded Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party whose immeasurable contributions to the development and progress of the ruling party were known to all.

He advised those he called rumour-mongers to stop spreading the seeds of discord and animosity between the President and Tinubu or the party, adding that the President “is proud of the Jagaban and his pivotal role in the party.”

The statement partly read, “President Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in  promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected governor.

“The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC.

“He appealed to the APC members and supporters to ignore rumours that could harm party unity.”

'A draw is almost a miracle' - Luis Enrique disgusted with Barcelona display

 Luis Enrique described Barca's display against Real Sociedad as "disastrous" and one of the worst during his spell in charge

Luis Enrique said it was practically a miracle that Barcelona escaped their trip to Real Sociedad with a 1-1 draw.

The LaLiga champions snatched a point through Lionel Messi after Willian Jose opened the scoring but were second-best throughout the encounter at Anoeta.

Sociedad twice hit the woodwork through Carlos Vela and saw a Juanmi goal unjustly ruled out for offside, while Barca mustered only two shots on target during one of their worst displays of the season.

And Luis Enrique was left aghast at the standard of his players, admitting that they fully deserved to lose the match.

"If I look at the result, it's the most positive assessment I can give from this season," he told Barca TV. "To finish 1-1 is almost a miracle. Winning would have been unfair and I have to congratulate Real.

"We couldn't even string five passes together. Without the ball, we were disastrous."

He continued in his media conference: "They pressed us with six players and we didn't find the middle-range and long-range passes.

"We didn't even win five per cent of the duels. If you don't match up in this type of duel and you concede the advantage, there's little you can do.

"In the second half we improved a little but nowhere near enough. We drew the game because of an isolated bit of play between Messi and Neymar, but little else.

Gerard Pique told Movistar Plus that Barca could not hope to defend the title if they repeat such a display, but Luis Enrique felt the defender's comments simply came in the heat of the moment.

"I understand that interviews at the end of a game are dangerous. You haven't adjusted to the reality of the situation," he said.

"To give up on LaLiga on matchday 13 would seem an exaggeration to me."

Barca head into next weekend's Clasico with a six-point deficit to leaders Real Madrid, and Luis Enrique has promised fans that they will produce a better performance.

"We have to start improving. We've produced the worst game of our era and we'll certainly see a different Barca in the Clasico," he added.

"The battles will be important and they will be decisive. I'm sure that we will fight."

Senate to strengthen EFCC Act against perpetual injunctions

 Years after a former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, secured a perpetual injunction restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from prosecuting or arresting him, the anti-graft agency has approached the Senate to amend the EFCC Act such that the commission will be immuned to such restrictions.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Chukwuka Utazi, has also confirmed that the ongoing amendment, which would overturn the injunction, would soon be passed by the lawmakers.

The amendment to the EFCC Act has coincided with the plans by the commission to reopen Odili’s investigation and prosecution over alleged misappropriation of N100bn when he was the Rivers State governor between 1999 and 2007.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had given an order of perpetual injunction on the case in 2007, preventing the  EFCC and any other anti-graft agencies as well as security agencies from prosecuting or arresting Odili over alleged embezzlement.

Utazi, while leading members of the committee on an oversight visit to the South-South regional office of the EFCC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, stated that it was wrong for one arm of the government (judiciary) to stop another (executive) from performing its constitutional roles.

Utazi, while reacting to a request by the Regional Coordinator, EFCC, South-South, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, that the Senate should assist the commission in reopening of Odili’s case, said the amendment to the EFCC laws would give the anti-graft agency the leeway to bypass the injunction.

The lawmaker said, “The House of Representatives has done its bit on the amendment to the EFCC Act. It has come to us. The amendments effected in the House of Representatives were not exhaustive. We are going to look into this issue (perpetual injunction) with a view to correcting it.

“Nobody should stop an organ of government from performing its duties. We want to empower them (EFCC) to work. They cannot work with one hand tied to the back. We are going to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the rule of law. Nobody should be shortchanged.”

Salihu lamented that the injunction granted Odili was lowering the morale of EFCC operatives in the prosecution of other suspects fingered in alleged fraud cases.

He said, “The perpetual injunction of Odili is a problem for us. Because of that injunction, it means we cannot invite anybody related to the case to give any testimony. The famous injunction of Justice Buba has killed a lot of cases. The injunction has crippled the EFCC. It has killed the morale around here. I do not know if the Senate can look into that. The EFCC Act makes it hard for us to do anything. The people who should enjoy immunity are the President and Vice-President, governors and their deputies. We can only investigate them. But in the case of Odili, our hands are tied.”

Utazi also stated that it was the responsibility of the EFCC to coordinate every anti-corruption war in Nigeria. “Whenever other agencies fighting corruption have cases, they need to transfer them to the EFCC for prosecution. Other agencies should not handle that,” he stated.

The lawmaker also announced that the Senate would approve an insurance package for the operatives of the EFCC who might lose their lives in the course of duty

Utazi said, “We have taken the issue of life insurance for EFCC operatives. We cannot ask operatives to take risks and then allow them to suffer without protecting their future. We want to ensure that when you are doing your duty, your safety is guaranteed. We will look at this issue.

“We are here to see how far you have gone with the ongoing fight against corruption. We must work on prevention. In other countries of the world, they work on preventing crime. Sixty per cent of the time should be spent on prevention. But we do the opposite here. What we do here is to do everything in the media. We do not focus on creation of awareness. We are working on a bill that will mandate big companies to contribute to this fight against corruption by giving (donations). We spent 80 per cent of the time on prosecution. It is wrong.

“During interrogation, do not get confession under duress. Do not force people to make confession. It is wrong. Due process must be followed. Once anything is tainted, it will not stand in court. That is the difference between us and those in the developed world.”

Trigger-happy policeman shoots Kwara poly student, family kicks

 The family of Alhaji Atiku Olugbon of Ote, in the Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and the  Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusola Amore, to investigate the shooting of  their son, Bukola Olugbon, by a policeman, Abubakar Ahmed.

A relative of the victim, Mr. Ibrahim Olugbon, said, “The police must investigate and punish the culprit to serve as a deterrent to others.”

It was gathered that Bukola, who had been admitted to Adedayo Clinic and Maternity on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Ilorin, was shot on the premises of a bank.

He told our correspondent that he had gone with his father, Atiku, to a branch of First Bank Plc in Surulere, Ilorin.

He stated that his father wanted to withdraw money  for his school fees and had joined the queue in the banking hall.

He said he was also waiting for his father in the banking hall when a security man attached to the bank challenged him.

Bukola, a second year Civil Engineering Higher National Diploma student of the Kwara State Polytechnic, said he explained to the security man that he was waiting for his father who was in the queue.

He said the security man told him to leave the banking hall, but he explained again that he was waiting for his father who wanted to give him money.

He added that the security man subsequently invited another man, who later turned out to be Ahmed.

Bukola said, “The policeman did not show me any identity and was not in uniform. He asked me what happened between the security man and me and I explained to him. As I made to leave  him, the policeman dragged me back and slapped me. He drew me out from the banking hall and shot at my leg. I don’t know when and how I got to the police station at the B Division Surulere.

“They asked me at the police station who shot me and I told them that Ahmed shot me. I was bleeding profusely. I don’t know how I got to the hospital.

“I am feeling pains. This can affect my education and my future. I need N6m compensation from the police and I need proper care. I want the policeman who shot me to face the consequence of his action.”

The father said he was surprised at the action of the police officer, adding that although the policeman had been paying the hospital bills, he should be cautioned to avoid endangering the lives of other innocent people.

A report signed by Dr Adebayo Omotosho of Adedayo Clinic and Maternity, stated that Bukola had a gunshot injury.

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said there was no record of the case at the police station.

He added that the  command had commenced investigation into the allegation.

Cattle rustlers displace 2, 000 in Niger

 No fewer than 2,000 persons have been displaced by the activities of cattle rustlers in Niger State within the past three weeks, an emergency official said on Sunday

The Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Inga, said this while distributing relief materials to some of the displaced persons in Pandogari.

He said that the displaced persons were also sheltering in neighbouring communities in Shiroro and Rafi local government areas of the state.

The director-general said that victims were displaced following continuous attacks by rustlers from nieghbouring states of Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna and Sokoto.

Inga said already, a Joint Task Force and the police were in Kukoki and Gbada to ensure security of lives and property and urged residents to return to home.

Wilfried Zaha swaps England for the Ivory Coast

 Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has swapped his international allegiance from England to the Ivory Coast.

The 24-year-old Crystal Palace winger was an England Under-21 team regular before stepping up to the senior side and earning caps against Sweden, in November 2012, and Scotland, in August 2013.

However, because neither match was a competitive fixture, Zaha, who was born in Abidjan, has been able to commit to the Ivory Coast, the country's national football association announced on Sunday.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said in a statement: "The Ivorian-English attacking midfielder Wilfried Zaha has chosen to play for the Elephants, under the colours of the Ivory Coast, his country of origin. The player has sent, on this Sunday November 27 2016, correspondence to FIFA to change his national team.

"Approached several weeks ago by the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), Wilfried Zaha has made his choice this Sunday in London.

"In the presence of his father, of Augustin Sidy Diallo (president of the FIF) and Michel Dussuyer (Elephants coach), he signed at the bottom of the demand to change his sporting nationality addressed to FIFA.

"Born on November 10 in Abidjan, Wilfried Zaha grew up in England, the country for which he made two appearances in friendly matches. However, the Crystal Palace player remains eligible to play for the Ivory Coast."

Zaha, who moved to England as a child, joined the Palace academy aged 12 and had a short spell with Manchester United.

Palace manager Alan Pardew recently claimed Zaha would rather play for England if he was given the chance.

"'It's a situation that's been pushed forward probably by his agent or people around him. I think Wilf is hoping England come in for him," Pardew said on Friday.

"Personally, I think he warrants a call. Look at the numbers. The ball's not in Wilf's court, but in England's.

"I can understand his frustration. He's played with players who are picked at that level, and feels he deserves another chance."

Amosun Fayemi, ARG hail Akeredolu

 The Afenifere Renewal Group on Sunday congratulated Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on his election as the next governor of Ondo State.

The ARG also saluted the people of the state for what it termed their faith in democracy and election of a new governor in determining the direction of their future as a people.

In a statement by its chairman, Mr. Olawale Oshun, the ARG also praised the candidates of other political parties in the Saturday’s governorship poll for ‘pursuing their ambitions within the ambit of the rule of law.’

The group noted that such maturity and statesmanship were needed to restore the pride of Yorubaland.

“We charge Akeredolu, as the guardian of the people’s mandate, to continuously and consistently prove himself a leader worthy of his people’s trust, by constantly communicating his vision and managing the resources of the state towards the development and wellbeing of Ondo State. We also charge the people to cooperate with the governor-elect and be alert to their civic duties,” the group said.

According to the statement, the ARG is confident that Akeredolu’s administration will prioritise good governance over partisanship, in the noble and progressive tradition of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Adekunle Ajasin, which is the main reason he earned its endorsement.

It further stated, “Most importantly, we are hopeful that in active collaboration with the governors of other South-West states, Akeredolu’s emergence will make easier the pursuit of regional integration, which has already gained credible momentum in our region. We therefore call on other Yoruba governors to embrace him, in the renewed spirit of brotherhood and reconciliation in South-West.”

Also, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated Akeredolu on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election, saying that the people of the state had made the right choice.

Fayemi, in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said Akeredolu’s victory at the poll was a victory for democracy as well as the people of Ondo State who had long clamoured for change.

The minister said the people had, through their votes, demonstrated their preference for transformative leadership and progressive governance which Akeredolu represented.

He also urged Akeredolu to commence a process of reconciliation aimed at uniting the party in the state.

The minister said he was certain that Akeredolu would run a responsive and people-oriented government.

Noting the keen nature of the contest, Fayemi also saluted the contestants for their maturity that, he said, contributed to the peaceful atmosphere under which the election held.

“Ondo State people deserve to be congratulated on the right choice they have made. They have  demonstrated their confidence in Mr. Akeredolu’s ability to take the state to the next level of development and prosperity.

“The state would surely witness greater level of development, judging by Mr. Akeredolu’s pedigree as a highly experienced professional, tested and trusted technocrat  and strategic planner,” he added.

In his congratulatory message, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said the emergence of Akeredolu would bring economic and infrastructural development to the state.

While congratulating the Ondo State governor-elect, Amosun also commended the people of the state for choosing him and the APC.

He said, “This is one choice that will bring unprecedented progress, infrastructural development as well as social and economic growth to the Sunshine State.

“The victory of Akeredolu in the Ondo polls also portends a good omen for the collective development and progress of the South-West geo-political zone under the progressive socio-political and economic ideals of the APC.”

Amosun, however,  urged the governor-elect to see his emergence as an opportunity to unite the entire people of the state, regardless of political affiliation.

Nico Rosberg crowned 2016 Formula 1 drivers' champion

 Nico Rosberg has been crowned F1 world champion after a tense and controversial season finale at Abu Dhabi.

Requiring a podium finish to secure his first F1 drivers' title, Rosberg finished Sunday's race in second place to clinch the crown ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, the race victor, by five points.

But the 'Duel in the Desert' was shrouded in controversy after Hamilton ignored a series of messages from his Mercedes team, urging him to increase his pace, after deliberately backing up Rosberg into the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel in a desperate bid to engineer a result which would have seen him retain his crown.

Hamilton ignored a series of messages from his Mercedes team after apparently deliberately backing up Rosberg into Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel

"I am losing the world championship, I don't care if l lose the race," said Hamilton. "I suggest you guys let us race."

It was a message the Englishman repeated after the race, telling reporters: "It is a shame they wouldn't let us race, but it is clear their thought process."

Hamilton immediately congratulated Rosberg with an embrace when the pair returned to Parc Ferme following the race. But, adding to the unease, the two Mercedes drivers then failed to acknowledge each other in the warm-down room before a belated handshake occurred on the podium.

"That was definitely not the most enjoyable race I've ever had," said a relieved Rosberg. "Those laps were really not very enjoyable. I'm glad it's over, and I am ecstatic.

"Lewis is an unbelievable competitor, it was one of the best of all time, longest season ever and to beat him in unbelievably tough conditions, it was horrendous out there."

It's possible, although unlikely, Hamilton may face disciplinary repercussions for his disobedience although any anger at the Englishman's actions will be mitigated by his race victory and ultimate failure to stop Rosberg's coronation.

"This is something I will keep internal," Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. "I just need to form an opinion, which I haven't yet."

"It was nail-biting stuff for us on the pitwall, those final two laps," technical chief Paddy Lowe added to Sky F1. "This is what makes F1 exciting in the way that we are constructed to have a conflict between what a team wants and what two individual drivers want. They each want to win and we come in to every race to win the race."

Nico's father Keke won the drivers' championship in 1982 with the Rosbergs only the second father and son to be crowned champions in F1 history following the triumphs of Graham and Damon Hill. Like the Rosbergs, the Hills' F1 drivers' championships were also achieved 34 years apart.

Rosberg is also the only driver to win the championship apart from Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton since 2009.

Accountant allegedly fakes own kidnap, steals company’s $50,000

 An accountant with a lubricant producing firm in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Femi Akinola, has been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing the company’s $50,000.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the company – Eterna Plc – had sent 30-year-old Akinola to withdraw the sum from the United Bank for Africa in the Marina area on Thursday, November 17.

On getting back to the office, he reportedly told his boss that he was kidnapped on the way from the bank, saying  his abductors dispossessed him of the money and his phones.

Our correspondent gathered that Akinola was subsequently arrested by the police.

Police investigation reportedly revealed that he faked his own kidnap.

He was said to have led the operatives to the fence of a primary school in the Bariga area, where $30,000 concealed inside a concrete block was recovered.

While parading the suspect on Friday at the Lagos State Command headquarters in Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said Akinola stripped himself and threw his phones into a river to perfect the ploy.

He said, “The suspect worked with a multinational company in the state. He was sent to withdraw $50,000. After withdrawing the money, he faked his own kidnap and claimed that the kidnappers collected the money.

“The police have been able to recover $30,000. He confessed to have given out $15,000. We are making efforts to recover the remaining sum.”

However, Akinola, who hails from Ondo State, denied feigning his abduction, saying one Kingsley, who purportedly lives in United Kingdom, colluded with a fraudster to swindle him out of the money.

The father of two children said Kingsley’s accomplice hypnotised him, adding that the man had left before it dawned on him that he had been defrauded.

He said, “I am also into music. I used to chat with one Kingsley in the UK, who wanted to help me with my music career. I chatted with him that day and I told him that I just withdrew $50,000. He told me he needed $15,000. He sent somebody to meet me around Marina to collect the money. It was after the person collected the money and my phones and left that I came to my senses.

 “I was confused and didn’t know what to do. At that point, I decided to hide the remaining $35,000 at the back of a primary school in Bariga, and left for Epe to commit suicide. On getting there, I changed my mind and reported to the police that I was robbed.”

The suspect stated that he was known for honesty, which had earned him awards from the company every year.

“I earn over N120,000 per month. I didn’t have intention of using the money to promote my music career. That was not the first time I would withdraw money for the company as an accounting officer. I had withdrawn more than that in the past. I have been working with the company for five years,” he added.

Meanwhile, an electrician, Abdullahi Balogun, was also paraded on Friday for impersonating a soldier to supervise the demolition of a house in Bariga on Thursday.

He said he got the uniform from a military officer, identified simply as Mako, who promised to give him a token after the demolition.

The indigene of Kano said, “Mako directed me to the place. I was monitoring the demolition when policemen came and I was arrested. I have three children and a wife. I accepted to carry out the assignment to get some money to feed my family.”