16:11 17/06/2015
Abuja - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is
said to be clamping down on the immediate past governors to answer to
various corruption charges, National Mirror reports.
The
anti-graft agency is said to riding on the fact that the past governors
are no more enjoying the immunity given to them by the constitution
when they were governors.
The
commission has commenced investigation against the administration of
Ibrahim Shema in Kaduna State, Martin Elechi, Ebonyi State and Sule
Lamido of Jigawa State.
In Katsina State, the EFCC has invited
four top officials who served under the Shema-led administration for
questioning over some financial transactions.
Read more at National Mirror
News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and yes... Gossip! *Wink*
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Army to court-martial Gen. Ransome-Kuti
16:11 17/06/2015
Abuja - The Nigerian Army will on June 29 arraign a former Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti for offences he allegedly committed in the fight against Boko Haram, Punch reports.
General Ransome Kuti is to be arraigned alongside four other officers for the role they played when Boko Haram fighters attacked Baga, Borno State on January 3, 2015.
The others listed on the charge sheet exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday are Col. O.C. Ajunwa, Lt. Col. A. Haruna, Lt. Col. G.A. Suru and Maj. A.A. Malgwi.
The accused are to be arraigned before a General Court Martial sitting at the Abacha Barracks, Abuja on three counts of cowardly behaviour, failure to perform military duties and miscellaneous offences relating to loss of armament.
Their arraignment was earlier scheduled for Monday.
Read more at Punch
Abuja - The Nigerian Army will on June 29 arraign a former Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti for offences he allegedly committed in the fight against Boko Haram, Punch reports.
General Ransome Kuti is to be arraigned alongside four other officers for the role they played when Boko Haram fighters attacked Baga, Borno State on January 3, 2015.
The others listed on the charge sheet exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday are Col. O.C. Ajunwa, Lt. Col. A. Haruna, Lt. Col. G.A. Suru and Maj. A.A. Malgwi.
The accused are to be arraigned before a General Court Martial sitting at the Abacha Barracks, Abuja on three counts of cowardly behaviour, failure to perform military duties and miscellaneous offences relating to loss of armament.
Their arraignment was earlier scheduled for Monday.
Read more at Punch
Cameroon keep African hope alive as Super Falcons exit W/Cup
16:11 17/06/2015
Vancouver - Surprise newcomers Cameroon kept African hopes alive at the Women's World Cup as continental champions Nigeria followed Ivory Coast by exiting the tournament after the group stage.
Cameroon came from behind to beat Switzerland 2-1 following second-half goals from Gabrielle Onguene and substitute Madeleine Ngono Mani in Edmonton on Tuesday.
They took the second automatic spot for the knockout round behind Olympic champions Japan in a Group C which also included Switzerland and Ecuador.
The 53rd-ranked African side next take on 1999 runners-up China in the knockout round in Edmonton on Saturday.
But Nigeria lost 1-0 to the United States and leave after the group phase for the sixth time in seven editions of the tournament, along with debutants Ivory Coast, at 67 the lowest ranked team in Canada.
"We are excited to qualify for the second round. Just the fact we are here will have a positive impact on Cameroon," said coach Enow Ngachu.
"We've received many messages on social media. Some teams have started to be created in Cameroon and we hope that many more will be created.
"Compared to Nigeria, Cameroon is a small team. We're not just representing Cameroon but carrying the colours of Africa."
Ngachu said they were relishing the chance to take on China. "We are learning and if we can surprise China then fine for us," he continued.
"The Chinese are a great team, they are very fast, with a Japanese-style football. We know it will be very tough, but every tournament has lessons."
Cameroon's first major tournament was the London Olympics where they were eliminated in the group stage.
"After the Olympics we came back and had to work," the coach explained. "It's the same team that played in London, they've learned a lot and are still learning. We have a long way to go."
- Nigeria head home -
Despite Nigeria's Super Falcons impressing in their opening 3-3 draw against Sweden, they soon had their wings clipped by Australia 2-0 and the United States 1-0.
US star Abby Wambach's volley just before the break condemned Nigeria to bottom of Group D but coach Edwin Okon blamed lack of discipline for the result.
Defender Ugo Njoku was suspended for the game after elbowing Australia's Sam Kerr in the face in an earlier match and Sarah Nnodim was sent off during the game.
"I don't think they (USA) were very good -- it was a lack of concentration on our part," said Okon who refused to shake US coach Jill Ellis's hand after the game.
"They were just lucky to win today. She (Wambach) only got that goal because of a lack of concentration from our defence."
Nigeria, who have won nine of the eleven African championships so far, have competed in every World Cup since 1991 but only advanced once out of the group stage.
"We just have to go home and think of what went wrong," the Nigerian coach said.
Ivory Coast were eliminated after conceding 16 goals, and coach Clementine Toure called for more resources to help develop football in African.
"We have worked so hard to try to present a good image of Ivory Coast," Toure said.
The Ivory Coast were thrashed 10-0 by Germany, but suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Thailand before falling 3-1 to Norway in the final group match on Monday.
"We wanted to do well in important matches like the one against Germany," Toure added.
"We arrived 72 hours before the game, and were very tired from a long journey of 15 hours and with jet lag. Those are things that we would like to correct, to arrive earlier, and to play preparation games. We haven't been able to play friendly games, and this has hurt us.
"I want to make an appeal to not only our federation, but to all of Africa, that women's football has arrived.
"We believe in our women. We have a good team. Today the Ivory Coast showed it deserves a place in the World Cup. But we also deserved to be better prepared. We didn't deserve to be humiliated."
Vancouver - Surprise newcomers Cameroon kept African hopes alive at the Women's World Cup as continental champions Nigeria followed Ivory Coast by exiting the tournament after the group stage.
Cameroon came from behind to beat Switzerland 2-1 following second-half goals from Gabrielle Onguene and substitute Madeleine Ngono Mani in Edmonton on Tuesday.
They took the second automatic spot for the knockout round behind Olympic champions Japan in a Group C which also included Switzerland and Ecuador.
The 53rd-ranked African side next take on 1999 runners-up China in the knockout round in Edmonton on Saturday.
But Nigeria lost 1-0 to the United States and leave after the group phase for the sixth time in seven editions of the tournament, along with debutants Ivory Coast, at 67 the lowest ranked team in Canada.
"We are excited to qualify for the second round. Just the fact we are here will have a positive impact on Cameroon," said coach Enow Ngachu.
"We've received many messages on social media. Some teams have started to be created in Cameroon and we hope that many more will be created.
"Compared to Nigeria, Cameroon is a small team. We're not just representing Cameroon but carrying the colours of Africa."
Ngachu said they were relishing the chance to take on China. "We are learning and if we can surprise China then fine for us," he continued.
"The Chinese are a great team, they are very fast, with a Japanese-style football. We know it will be very tough, but every tournament has lessons."
Cameroon's first major tournament was the London Olympics where they were eliminated in the group stage.
"After the Olympics we came back and had to work," the coach explained. "It's the same team that played in London, they've learned a lot and are still learning. We have a long way to go."
- Nigeria head home -
Despite Nigeria's Super Falcons impressing in their opening 3-3 draw against Sweden, they soon had their wings clipped by Australia 2-0 and the United States 1-0.
US star Abby Wambach's volley just before the break condemned Nigeria to bottom of Group D but coach Edwin Okon blamed lack of discipline for the result.
Defender Ugo Njoku was suspended for the game after elbowing Australia's Sam Kerr in the face in an earlier match and Sarah Nnodim was sent off during the game.
"I don't think they (USA) were very good -- it was a lack of concentration on our part," said Okon who refused to shake US coach Jill Ellis's hand after the game.
"They were just lucky to win today. She (Wambach) only got that goal because of a lack of concentration from our defence."
Nigeria, who have won nine of the eleven African championships so far, have competed in every World Cup since 1991 but only advanced once out of the group stage.
"We just have to go home and think of what went wrong," the Nigerian coach said.
Ivory Coast were eliminated after conceding 16 goals, and coach Clementine Toure called for more resources to help develop football in African.
"We have worked so hard to try to present a good image of Ivory Coast," Toure said.
The Ivory Coast were thrashed 10-0 by Germany, but suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Thailand before falling 3-1 to Norway in the final group match on Monday.
"We wanted to do well in important matches like the one against Germany," Toure added.
"We arrived 72 hours before the game, and were very tired from a long journey of 15 hours and with jet lag. Those are things that we would like to correct, to arrive earlier, and to play preparation games. We haven't been able to play friendly games, and this has hurt us.
"I want to make an appeal to not only our federation, but to all of Africa, that women's football has arrived.
"We believe in our women. We have a good team. Today the Ivory Coast showed it deserves a place in the World Cup. But we also deserved to be better prepared. We didn't deserve to be humiliated."
PDP asks Buhari to resign over old age comment
16:11 17/06/2015
Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign following his comments that his age would affect his performance in the office, reports African Spotlight.
The party through its Media Watchdog group, said it has been vindicated by its earlier statement that Buhari is too old to lead a multi dimensional nation like Nigeria.
The group described Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as gang of hypocrites and liars.
The group noted that Nigerians are not ready to entertain further excuses on why Buhari and the APC cannot deliver on their campaign promises.
It called on Nigerians to demand for the resignation of Buhari and a fresh election to elect a more competent and vibrant Nigerian to lead the country.
Read more at African Spotlight.
Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign following his comments that his age would affect his performance in the office, reports African Spotlight.
The party through its Media Watchdog group, said it has been vindicated by its earlier statement that Buhari is too old to lead a multi dimensional nation like Nigeria.
The group described Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as gang of hypocrites and liars.
The group noted that Nigerians are not ready to entertain further excuses on why Buhari and the APC cannot deliver on their campaign promises.
It called on Nigerians to demand for the resignation of Buhari and a fresh election to elect a more competent and vibrant Nigerian to lead the country.
Read more at African Spotlight.
FIFA ethics chief says probing soccer officials over World Cup bids
17:14 17/06/2015
Zurich - The chief ethics investigator of FIFA said on Wednesday he is conducting several proceedings against unnamed football officials based on initial findings from an investigation into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
"The independent Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee is carrying out several proceedings into football officials on suspicion of breach of the FIFA Code of Ethics based on the findings of the investigation into the decision for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups," Cornel Borbely, FIFA's chief ethics investigator, said in a statement.
"Should new evidence come to light, the Investigatory Chamber will widen the group of suspects."
The ethics committee is not authorized to provide names of those being investigated, and Borbely said for tactical reasons he would not provide information on the current number of suspects or investigators involved.
Zurich - The chief ethics investigator of FIFA said on Wednesday he is conducting several proceedings against unnamed football officials based on initial findings from an investigation into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
"The independent Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee is carrying out several proceedings into football officials on suspicion of breach of the FIFA Code of Ethics based on the findings of the investigation into the decision for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups," Cornel Borbely, FIFA's chief ethics investigator, said in a statement.
"Should new evidence come to light, the Investigatory Chamber will widen the group of suspects."
The ethics committee is not authorized to provide names of those being investigated, and Borbely said for tactical reasons he would not provide information on the current number of suspects or investigators involved.
Nigeria aim to improve African basketball
17:26 17/06/2015
Lagos - The first 3x3 basketball tournament will be held at the National Stadium and the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos from 18 to 21 June.
Sam Ahmedu, the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, has explained that the purpose of this tournament is to improve in the standard of basketball in zone.
"From June 18, we will be organizing this event in our quest to develop basketball in the zone, which comprises eight countries: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Niger, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Liberia," Ahmedu told punchng.com.
"Over 240 players, 40 coaches, as well as 50 officials drawn from across Africa will be participating in this event, which is the first of its kind in this part of the globe."
The vice chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Tour, Babs Ogunade, said the players participating will be taken care of as they aim to provide the best experience possible for the teams competing.
“Participation in this tour is free, including the kits for all participants," Ogunade said.
"The senior players will be housed at hotels while the junior players (U-18) will be housed at the Teslim Balogun Stadium hostel. There are also arrangements to receive teams coming by road from Seme border and those coming by air at the airport."
Lagos - The first 3x3 basketball tournament will be held at the National Stadium and the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos from 18 to 21 June.
Sam Ahmedu, the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, has explained that the purpose of this tournament is to improve in the standard of basketball in zone.
"From June 18, we will be organizing this event in our quest to develop basketball in the zone, which comprises eight countries: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Niger, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Liberia," Ahmedu told punchng.com.
"Over 240 players, 40 coaches, as well as 50 officials drawn from across Africa will be participating in this event, which is the first of its kind in this part of the globe."
The vice chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Tour, Babs Ogunade, said the players participating will be taken care of as they aim to provide the best experience possible for the teams competing.
“Participation in this tour is free, including the kits for all participants," Ogunade said.
"The senior players will be housed at hotels while the junior players (U-18) will be housed at the Teslim Balogun Stadium hostel. There are also arrangements to receive teams coming by road from Seme border and those coming by air at the airport."
Judge cites evidence of Osasuna match-fixing in La Liga
17:14 17/06/2015
Madrid - A Spanish judge investigating what happened to more than 2 million euros ($2.25 million) missing from Osasuna's accounts has said there is evidence the cash was used to fix games towards the end of the 2013-14 La Liga season.
In a statement published on Wednesday, the judge said the investigation suggested that of at least 2.4 million euros withdrawn from the club's accounts, 250,000 euros was paid to Espanyol players to draw 1-1 with Osasuna on the penultimate matchday.
A further 650,000 euros had been given to Real Betis players, he added, 400,000 to beat Real Valladolid on the penultimate matchday and 250,000 to lose to Osasuna on the final day of the campaign.
"The judge continues to investigate other matches, the results of which were allegedly altered by Osasuna, as well as the destination of the rest of the money taken out of the club's accounts in cash," the statement said.
Pamplona-based Osasuna, Valladolid and Seville-based Betis were all relegated to the second division, with Osasuna narrowly avoiding the drop to the third tier last season.
Betis won promotion back to the top flight and Valladolid finished fifth.
The matches are the latest to come under suspicion in recent months in a league in which it has long been suspected that games are manipulated by teams trying to avoid relegation.
In December, then-Japan coach Javier Aguirre, Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera, Atletico Madrid captain Gabi and 38 others were named in an alleged case of match-fixing involving a game in the 2010-11 season. All deny wrongdoing.
Mexican Aguirre, who was in charge at Espanyol in 2013-14 and had an earlier stint at Osasuna, was fired by the Japan Football Association in February amid fears the scandal could affect the team's bid to qualify for the World Cup.
The judge investigating Osasuna also said he had opened a related probe into former president Pachi Izco and his board over what happened to some 3 million euros taken out in cash from the club's accounts between 2003 and 2007.
($1 = 0.8868 euros) ($1 = 0.8870 euros)
Madrid - A Spanish judge investigating what happened to more than 2 million euros ($2.25 million) missing from Osasuna's accounts has said there is evidence the cash was used to fix games towards the end of the 2013-14 La Liga season.
In a statement published on Wednesday, the judge said the investigation suggested that of at least 2.4 million euros withdrawn from the club's accounts, 250,000 euros was paid to Espanyol players to draw 1-1 with Osasuna on the penultimate matchday.
A further 650,000 euros had been given to Real Betis players, he added, 400,000 to beat Real Valladolid on the penultimate matchday and 250,000 to lose to Osasuna on the final day of the campaign.
"The judge continues to investigate other matches, the results of which were allegedly altered by Osasuna, as well as the destination of the rest of the money taken out of the club's accounts in cash," the statement said.
Pamplona-based Osasuna, Valladolid and Seville-based Betis were all relegated to the second division, with Osasuna narrowly avoiding the drop to the third tier last season.
Betis won promotion back to the top flight and Valladolid finished fifth.
The matches are the latest to come under suspicion in recent months in a league in which it has long been suspected that games are manipulated by teams trying to avoid relegation.
In December, then-Japan coach Javier Aguirre, Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera, Atletico Madrid captain Gabi and 38 others were named in an alleged case of match-fixing involving a game in the 2010-11 season. All deny wrongdoing.
Mexican Aguirre, who was in charge at Espanyol in 2013-14 and had an earlier stint at Osasuna, was fired by the Japan Football Association in February amid fears the scandal could affect the team's bid to qualify for the World Cup.
The judge investigating Osasuna also said he had opened a related probe into former president Pachi Izco and his board over what happened to some 3 million euros taken out in cash from the club's accounts between 2003 and 2007.
($1 = 0.8868 euros) ($1 = 0.8870 euros)
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