Police defy Osinbajo on DCP who busted N360m fraud.

Vanguard

The police authorities have snubbed a request made by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the secondment of a police officer for a special assignment.

Police Inspector General Ibrahim Idris, The Nation gathered, declined the release of Deputy Commissioner (DSP) Abduyari Lafia to serve on the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public Property as requested by a Presidency letter dated September 21, 2017.

Instead, the police boss posted 12 officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and below to the panel.

Lafia had earned the confidence of the panel for uncovering how a syndicate defrauded a businessman, Mr. Austine Ugochukwu Albert, of $1 million.

His recommendation for promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police was withdrawn at the last minute, following his rebuff of alleged pressure from some bigwigs to stay action on the $1 million.

Although Lafia was said to have been promised a bribe of $100,000, he insisted on bringing members of the syndicate to justice.

Following his unyielding position, some police officers were alleged to have conspired to transfer him from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja to the Police Academy (POLAC) in Kano.

Before his posting to Kano, he was said to have recovered more than $205,000.

Based on his track records, the Special Investigation Panel requested for Lafia’s service on the directive of Vice President Osinbajo.

The Chairman of the SIP, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, who signed the letter, said: “I am directed by His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN (GCON) to request for the release of DCP Abduyari S. Lafia to serve in the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public Property.

“DCP Abduyari S. Lafia is presently posted to POLAC with AP NO-41804.

“While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please be assured of my high regards and esteem.”

However, sources told The Nationthat DCP Lafia was not released to the SIP owing to internal wrangling in the police.

A highly placed source familiar with the matter said: “The panel was shocked that those it did not request for were sent by the IGP.

“All attempts to get Lafia redeployed for the special assignment have been rebuffed.

“What shocked most people is that the affected DCP was requested for by the panel based on the instructions of the Vice President.

“We learnt that the redeployment of the crack detective was caught in hi-wire intrigues in the Force Headquarters over the $1 million case.

“The IGP was actually not disposed to the release of the DCP. But the panel believes only the DCP could fit into the assignment given to it. No agreement yet on this officer who is rated as incorruptible.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “The panel may have no choice than to report the latest dimension to the request to the VP.”

A police source said: “Well, although the IGP has the final say on redeployment of officers and other ranks, DCP Lafia ran into trouble with some police top shots for probing a syndicate who defrauded a businessman of $1m.

“Some officers had mounted pressure on DCP Lafia to drop the investigation of the $1m. At a point, the recommendation for his promotion to a CP was withdrawn from the Police Service Commission. The same recommendation was endorsed by the IGP.

“I think DCP Lafia stepped on toes over the fraud case. The IGP might not even be in the full picture of what is really happening.”

Businessman Austine Ugochukwu Albert, had petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged poor handling of a $1 million (N360million) fraud case he lodged with the police.

He said he paid N360 million in exchange for $1 million which he never got.

He suspected compromise, abuse of office and corrupt activities by some officers assigned to investigate how he was swindled of the money.

He blamed some officers in the Inspector-General of Police monitoring unit of compromise.

He alleged that he suspected a corrupt deal of about $200,000 to frustrate his complaint to the police.

He said the officer handling his case was transferred in a suspicious manner at the prompting of one of the influential suspects who defrauded him.

He said he could not understand why the officer was redeployed midway into a crucial investigation in which he had recovered $205,000.

In a petition through his counsel, Ugochukwu Ezekiel, he urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the IG to return his case to the Force Intelligence Bureau instead of the Monitoring Unit.

He said he paid N360 million with intent to source for $1 million for his business.

But after successfully remitting the N360 million, a group of five suspects involved in the transaction refused to give him the $1 million.

He said: “Surprisingly, after our client paid the money as agreed above, the group, which we now believe is led by one Bakare, disappeared with the money.

“Our client first reported the matter at Area J command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ajah, Lagos State where the suspects made confessional statements that the entire transaction was a fraud, but at this point they all refused to give up their kingpin, Bakare.

“The matter was later transferred to Zone 2 command of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos on the orders of the Assistant Inspector General of Police who equally ordered that all accounts already frozen by the police pursuant to their investigation activities be unfrozen. Our client was dissatisfied and wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Police.

“Unfortunately, the officers that investigated the matter at Inspector General of Police monitoring unit compromised the matter, refused to arrest the kingpin who had been identified as Bakare.

“They hurriedly charged the matter to a Magistrate Court in Abuja, which to their knowledge, has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

“The suspects were subsequently set free on ridiculous bail conditions and this emboldened them as they called our client and demanded that our client should not pursue the matter anymore or he would be eliminated.

“To forestall the materialization of their threat, our client wrote a fresh petition to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department and the matter was assigned to the Force Intelligence Bureau for investigation.

“On learning of the embarrassing situation, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Inspector General of Police monitoring unit quickly transferred the case file to the Force Intelligence Bureau for a review and unbiased investigation.

“Our client must confess that the Force Intelligence Bureau acted professionally and intelligently and within weeks rounded up the suspects and obtained an order from the Federal High Court to have them detained pending investigation.

“We are aware that the head of Force Intelligence Bureau was offered some huge amount of money as bribe and he turned it down.

“This honest officer was duly commended and recommended by the Inspector General of Police for his honesty and recommended that he be promoted to the office of Commissioner of Police.

“To our client’s utter consternation, our client got information that Bakare was boasting while still in detention that he has offered the money that was rejected by men of Force Intelligence Bureau to some officers in the Monitoring Unit and that the case will not only be taken away from that department but the head of that unit, who he described as very strict, will be removed.

“Our client treated this as the joke of the century and moved on. However, less than 24 hours after our client got the information, the Inspector General of Police sent a signal that the case file be transferred to another unit and that the officer be immediately transferred.”

Efforts made to reach police spokesman, Moshood Jimoh, yesterday night yielded no result.

Although he had called to speak with one of our reporters less than two hours earlier, his line was not going through at about 9 pm.

ATIKU ABUBAKAR- an idea whose time has come ?

Vanguard

In the heady days   of the dawn of the 4th  republic when governor elect of Adamawa state, Atiku Abubakar, was forced to consign that office to the dustbin of strategy in order to take up the PDP’s vice presidential ticket that would catapult him to Aso Rock; things appeared to be rather straightforward. Musa Yaradua, great friend and ally of General Olusegun Obasanjo, was also the political godfather of Atiku. Political analysts had considered it only fair that Yaradua’s godson would govern in his stead, in the country for whom he died.

Atiku Abubakar

 

Obasanjo’s clout was global and far reaching, and few men boasted the unique ability as he did at the time to stabilize a hurting nation, smarting still from the   wounds inflicted on it from the wrestle to take power back from the military. And having governed as head of state before, it was permutated that Obasanjo would relinquish power after a term and it would be a seamless transition to Atiku.

The presidency would be just a matter of time- the icing on the cake.

It was not to be, as things would turn out.

If a period could be defined as idiosyncratic, the Obasanjo era would have been that time. OBJ failed to be the bridge he had been sworn in to be, and the statement of belonging to everyone and to no one, attributed to President Buhari upon his swearing in, really ought to have been said by OBJ. His agenda, as unclear as it was enigmatic, was so precisely articulated that most of the nation including those in government were left panting, confused and trying to catch their breath much of the time.

The rest, as they say, is history. Obasanjo made the Yaradua camp happy by bringing in Umaru, the younger brother of Musa himself after masterfully elbowing out bristling contenders for the presidency. Of course the entire time his eye had really been on Goodluck Jonathan, a political light weight at the time, to be his successor, but who said there was anything wrong with killing two birds with one stone?

With Atiku , the battle line was drawn . His fans and followers were also very sympathetic , and there were quite a few of them . So popular had Atiku been that even his fashion style was adopted, giving rise to the birth of a classic traditional male attire of the same name .

The beginning of the troubles bedeviling Atiku’s presidential ambition coincided with the mash-up in the Nigerian polity, when opportunism and pure brigandage swept away and took over from the relative idealism , elitism and even professionalism that had marked pre independence Nigerian politics and part of which juice had spilled into the sixties and 70s. One minute, a beautiful future was within our grasp, as the presidency had been within Atiku’s ; the next, it was more sorrows , more tears , more blood.

Nigerians were so tired of brutal military dictatorships and the bitter fruits of them that they opened wide arms to civilian rule – any civilian rule –regardless of the cost .We are still counting them, the costs, and they are heavy .

Labour leaders condemn EFCC arrest of Ekiti officials

Vanguard

.say Bailout Fund not misused

Labour leaders in Ekiti State on Saturday decried the arrest of the state’s Commissioner for Finance and the Accountant-General by the agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the allegation that the Bailout Fund given to the state last year was misappropriated as frivolous and unfounded.

Toyin Ojo

Briefing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Odunayo Adesoye, said the state government’s implementation and use of the fund were in line with the decisions taken by labour leaders and other stakeholders in the state.

Adesoye, who was flanked by labour leaders, also circulated a statement signed by labour leaders to condemn the EFCC’s action.

The statement was signed by him, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Raymond Adesanmi, the NLC State Secretary, Comrade Patrick Olayemi and the TUC State Secretary, Comrade Adebisi Adebayo James.

“Initially, the state government was reluctant in accepting the fund but because of pressure from workers and other stakeholders, it agreed. We held a meeting at the Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Hall, Ado-Ekiti on September 2, 2015 where labour leaders and stakeholders mandated the state government to take the fund.

” The sum of N9.6 billion was subsequently released to the state government by the Federal Government and it sounds funny when the EFCC said it was acting on a petition where N7 billion was allegedly misappropriated. Then, where did the state government get the fund with which it paid arrears of salaries, allowances, pensions and others?

“The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo and the AG being detained have been doing their jobs in transparent manner. When anybody talks about transparency in the usage of public funds, Ekiti State ranks among the best. Ojo was in the same position during the first term of Governor Ayodele Fayose which left no debt but a surplus of over N10 billion.

” The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) conducted investigations into how state governments used the fund and Ekiti State was given a clean bill of health. If what we read in one of the national dailies today where one Kolawole Olaiya said the EFCC acted on a petition by workers, it acted on a false information and only engaged in witch hunt of innocent people. Olaiya has been removed from office as TUC chair and even relieved of his appointment even before the present administration came into office.

“If it is on his petition that the agency acted, then the petition could be malicious.

“Some states got N33 billion, some got N25 billion and allegations of misappropriation are flying all over, but the EFCC is yet to act. Workers in the state were aware of how the money was spent and we meet monthly to decide on how allocations or any money coming to the state are spent,” he said.

The labour leaders advised that Ekiti State Government functionaries should not be made to suffer unnecessarily as a result of frivolous petitions.

“In conclusion, the leadership of the Public Sector Unions in Ekiti State, on the strength of the above, hereby dissociates itself from any pressure on Governor Ayodele Fayose or any official or officials of government on account of the disbursement of accruals to the state from the said Federal Government Intervention Fund. It is our believe and contention that the Ekiti State Government was transparent enough in securing and in the application of the Bailout Fund,” he noted.

Answering a question on whether the arrest of the officials had any impact on the workers, Adesoye said it does, adding that the payment of their salaries was now hanging in the balance.

2019: We will remove ‘the Coach’ if he fails to use ‘Messi’ – Ex-Senator Ake hits Amaechi’s

Daily Post

The refusal of the Minister of Transportation and the leader of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi to endorse Senator Magnus Abe as the governorship candidate of the APC in the 2015 elections has been likened to a football manager benching his star player.

This allusion was made by the former Senator who represented Rivers West Senatorial District in the 7th Assembly, Senator Wilson Ake during a function organized to drum support for the 2019 governorship ambition of Senator Abe.

Senator Ake who is a major beneficiary of Amaechi’s political magnanimity was quoted to have alluded to the fact that the Minister will be removed as the Leader of the Party if Abe is not allowed to fly the Governorship flag of the APC come 2019.

In his allusion, Senator Ake described Amaechi as the “Coach” who benched his star player , “Lionel Messi” during a keenly contested football match.

But some stalwarts of the APC in Rivers State have described the statement credited to Senator Wilson Ake as “everything wrong with Nigerian politics.”

In the words of Sentor Ake, “In 2015, APC played a match with formidable PDP and benched its Lionel Messi.

“In 2019, we shall play another match and the coach is saying that we shall bench Lionel Messi again. Will that happen?

“We shall not bench Messi (Abe) again rather we shall change the coach (Amaechi)”.

Meanwhile, a UK-based Nigerian Lawyer and prominent politician from Rivers state, Charles Ahaolu has said Ake’s comments were uncharitable to the personality of the Minister adding that , “The innuendo of ‘changing coach’ is a political strike over the bar.

“It is an attempt to ‘eat a squirrel while it is still alive’. No politician including the author of that quote will tolerate that,”‎ he said

The APC in Rivers State has been divided over the row between former Governor and now Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe, leading to the suspension of many top politicians in the state.

Judge accused of corruption received suspicious payments from individuals, govts, groups — EFCC official

Premiumtimes.com

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia

Awoyemi Kazeem, a Chief Accountant at the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday revealed at an Ikeja High Court the salaries and allowances of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia at her ongoing trial for alleged corruption and obstruction of justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Kazeem is the 11th prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to testify against Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Mr. Kazeem, in his evidence, revealed that Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, initially received a salary of N193,000 in 2004 on appointment as a judge which was increased to approximately N528,621 in 2008.

While being led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecution counsel for the EFCC, Kazeem said: “I know Hon. Ofili-Ajumogobia very well, she is a honourable judge of the Federal High Court and she has been in the service of the court since 2004.

“In the course of her job, we have been paying her statutory allowances as sent to us by the National Judicial Commission (NJC) as well as other allowances as a judge of the Federal High Court.

“We forwarded to the EFCC documents containing details of her salary and allowances from the year 2004 to June 2017.

“From year 2004 to 2017, she earned a salary of N48.6 million and allowances of N74. 8 million.

“I will like to state that records of her allowances from 2004 to 2008 as well as her annual salary for 2008 could not be found due to the movement of the court from Lagos to Abuja in 2017.

“The total records of salary we have here is N123 million and this excludes the salaries that we could not present in court at the moment,” he told the court.

Mr. Kazeem, who looked through the salary records of the judge during his testimony, noted that some deposits in the judge’s salary account were not from the Federal High Court.

“The deposit of N1.8 million on June 15, 2004 from the records I have here are not from the Federal High Court.

“Another cash deposit of N1.8 million on Aug. 11, 2005 is not from the Federal High Court the records available to me, a N1 million Zenith Bank cheque deposit on Dec. 14, 2008 is not from the Federal High Court,” he said.

The accountant told the court that judges were allowed annual foreign trips for either medical checkup or training and were given 6,900 dollars annually either for airfare or estacode.

“The $6,900 was paid in cash to the judges, I, however, did not check if my Lady took advantage of it because it is not reflected in our records,” Mr. Kazeem said.

While being cross-examined by Robert Clarke, counsel to Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr. Kazeem admitted that his knowledge of the judge was restricted to her financial records and he was not aware of the purpose of the deposits which were not from the Federal High Court.

Mr. Clarke also noted that the before becoming a judge, Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia was a lawyer with a thriving practice and had a ‘pedigree’ by virtue of her father being a retired High Court judge.

During the trial another witness, Lawal Abdullahi, narrated to the court how the embattled judge made a failed attempt to evade investigators of the anti-graft agency by falsely claiming that she was in admitted in hospital.

“On Oct. 19, 2016 at 7.16 p.m, I put a call to her that we have been expecting her since the previous day, she said she was aware but she was sick and was on admission at Goldcross Hospital located at 17b, Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

“She asked if I will be coming there and I said no but after about 30 minutes, I and about three other operatives drove down to the hospital.

“I personally met the receptionist and I informed her that I was there to visit Hon. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and her reply was that ‘we are expecting her’.

“I asked her if she means that the judge is not at the hospital, she told me that she just received a call from her boss that the Ofili-Ajumogobia will soon be at the hospital.

“We enquired and got the list of all the patients that were on admission that day as well as the previous night and her name was missing on the list.

“I put a call to her and I asked her which hospital she was referring to and she said Goldcross Hospital on Bourdillon Road I then told her ‘Ma, we are there and you are not here’, she said ‘oh you are there?’ and she hung up the phone.”

The EFCC investigator, in his testimony, alleged that the judge was smuggled into the hospital at 11.30 p.m. through a back entrance by staff in connivance with the medical director of the hospital, Dr. Solanke.

“She claimed that she had been in the hospital all along and because of that false claim, we placed security guards in her room until she was discharged.

“She eventually honoured our invitation the next day which was October 20, she came around 4pm to our office.

“When she came we confronted her with what we had already based on the investigation we had conducted.

“We discovered that there were a lot of inflows or cash deposits from various individuals, state governments, organizations among others which looked suspicious.

“She volunteered a statement on Oct. 21, 2016 and she gave several statements on other days which were made with her lawyer present,” Mr. Abdullahi said.

Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former prosecutor of the EFCC.

Both have been jointly charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice.

Mr. Obla is facing an additional two counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5 million to Ofili-Ajumogobia, a public official while serving as a judge.

Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia faces a 26-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.

Both denied all the charges.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi adjourned the case until Oct. 27 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

Exam fraud: Edo Govt. sacks perm sec Idahosa, suspends 3 others

Vanguard

The Edo Government has sacked Dr. Osayuware Idahosa, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Youth and Special Duties, over allegation of padding the budget for the conduct of primary school examination.

The government also announced the suspension of three officials involved in the alleged scandal, which was put at  N283 million.

The decision announced by the Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Mr. Paul Ohonbamu, was the outcome of an extraordinary session of the State Executive Council.

Obaseki

Governor Obaseki had vowed to unmask the people that sent a N283 million request for the conduct of primary school examination in the state, which was eventually conducted at the cost of N30 million.

Ohonbamu said the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, submitted a report of the panel of enquiry on the conduct of the 2016/2017 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination and after due consideration of findings and recommendations, the council discussed and arrived at the decision.

He said Idahosa was Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education at the time the alleged fraud was committed and was referred to the State Civil Service Commission for appropriate action, according to the rules and guidelines of the service.

The three other officers involved in the alleged fraud are Barr. S. A. Erhunmwunse Edokpayi, Mrs. E.I. Ero-Ugiagbe and Mr. Lucky Adagbonyin.

He said the exco resolved that they should proceed on indefinite suspension without pay and their case forwarded to the State Civil Service Commission for appropriate action.

“EXCO also set up a committee to be chaired by the Commissioner for Employment and Wealth Creation, Mr. Emmanuel Usoh to investigate the delisting of about 350 private schools from the list of eligible schools to participate in the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination.”

The commissioner said the committee would also investigate the conditions that led to the relisting of the schools shortly after they were delisted.

Ohonbamu further said that the meeting ordered that an audit exercise be carried out into the accounts of the examination committee.

KANE EQUALS RONALDO'S PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL TOTAL

Goal.com

The 24-year-old striker can't stop scoring at the moment, and has already reached the Portuguese star's career league tally

Tottenham forward Harry Kane has equaled Cristiano Ronaldo's Premier League goalscoring total, reaching the mark at a much quicker rate than the Real Madrid star.

Kane's first-half double at Huddersfield on Saturday brought his career total to 84 Premier League strikes. 

Ronaldo reached 84 goals in six seasons at Manchester United, playing 196 games in that time. Kane, on the other hand, is barely into his fourth full season with Spurs and needed just 123 games.

The 24-year-old now has 27 Premier League goals in 2017 so far – the most by any player, and his 13 goals in September make it the best month of his career. 

The goals against newly-promoted Huddersfield also continued Kane's record of scoring against every team he's faced in the Premier League but one - Cardiff City are the exception despite playing them twice. 

Kaduna Fixes Date For Local Government Election

Channels Television

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADDIEC) has fixed December 30, 2017 for the conduct of Local Government Election across the 23 local councils in the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Saratu Dikko made this announcement on Friday. She said political parties can now conduct their primaries to enable them to commence their electioneering campaigns.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom APC Withdraws From Local Government Election

According to Dikko, the timetable for political parties to conduct their primaries has been fixed between October 10 and November 14, while campaigns were expected to end by December 29, a day before the Election Day.

The commission appealed to stakeholders, political parties, and their candidates to respect the rule of law and avoid hate speech and violence during the primaries and campaigns.

She said, “Candidates must respect our environment by ensuring their campaign materials do not destroy our delicate and serenity environment in Kaduna State.

“Those who aspire to be leaders in our cities and local governments should not be the same persons who show no respect for our environment.”

Kaduna Fixes Date For Local Government Election

Channels Television  
Updated September 29, 2017

126

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADDIEC) has fixed December 30, 2017 for the conduct of Local Government Election across the 23 local councils in the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Saratu Dikko made this announcement on Friday. She said political parties can now conduct their primaries to enable them to commence their electioneering campaigns.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom APC Withdraws From Local Government Election

According to Dikko, the timetable for political parties to conduct their primaries has been fixed between October 10 and November 14, while campaigns were expected to end by December 29, a day before the Election Day.

The commission appealed to stakeholders, political parties, and their candidates to respect the rule of law and avoid hate speech and violence during the primaries and campaigns.

She said, “Candidates must respect our environment by ensuring their campaign materials do not destroy our delicate and serenity environment in Kaduna State.

“Those who aspire to be leaders in our cities and local governments should not be the same persons who show no respect for our environment.”

Blackout: Nigeria’s national grid collapses

Vanguard

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said a total  system collapse of the national  grid was recorded on Sept. 28 at 8:03 p.m., resulting in  temporary  loss of  electricity generation for the nation’s power grid.

A statement from TCN’s  management on Friday in Abuja said that reports obtained from  power stations and the sequence of events generated by the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) had  revealed the cause of the collapse.

It said the SCADA system report  indicated that the system collapse was triggered by the tripping of Egbin power plants Units ST4, ST6 and ST5.

It, however, said that restoration of grid system had also commenced at 8:22 p.m. on Sept. 28.

According to the statement, a post mortem analysis of the issue indicated that grid generation was curtailed to about 4,262.7 Mega Watts (MW) before the disturbance.

It explained that the capacity under-utilisation and the operational capability required to maintain grid stability, which had waned, made the grid system vulnerable.

It said the vulnerability and disturbance of the system resulted in severe system frequency dip that culminated in the system collapse.

It further revealed that the analysis conducted clearly  showed that there was insufficient level of rotating reserve provided by grid-connected generation companies arising from low tariffs for providing ancillary services.

It said TCN had filed an application to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for an extraordinary tariff review to avert further occurrence of such incident.

It said the proposal for a tariff review would ensure that Generation Companies (GENCOS) were given the necessary incentives to provide sufficient spinning reserves and other ancillary services  critical for managing the national grid.

“TCN hereby solicits for the understanding of all Nigerians as it continues with efforts to provide the electricity industry with a world class national grid.

“It will strive to ensure that the stride attained recently in frequency control is sustained in line with world industry standards and codes,“ the statement further stated.

Kaduna Fixes Date For Local Government Election

Channels Television

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADDIEC) has fixed December 30, 2017 for the conduct of Local Government Election across the 23 local councils in the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Saratu Dikko made this announcement on Friday. She said political parties can now conduct their primaries to enable them to commence their electioneering campaigns.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom APC Withdraws From Local Government Election

According to Dikko, the timetable for political parties to conduct their primaries has been fixed between October 10 and November 14, while campaigns were expected to end by December 29, a day before the Election Day.

The commission appealed to stakeholders, political parties, and their candidates to respect the rule of law and avoid hate speech and violence during the primaries and campaigns.

She said, “Candidates must respect our environment by ensuring their campaign materials do not destroy our delicate and serenity environment in Kaduna State.

“Those who aspire to be leaders in our cities and local governments should not be the same persons who show no respect for our environment.”

Kaduna Fixes Date For Local Government Election

Channels Television  
Updated September 29, 2017

126

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADDIEC) has fixed December 30, 2017 for the conduct of Local Government Election across the 23 local councils in the state.

Chairman of the Commission, Saratu Dikko made this announcement on Friday. She said political parties can now conduct their primaries to enable them to commence their electioneering campaigns.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom APC Withdraws From Local Government Election

According to Dikko, the timetable for political parties to conduct their primaries has been fixed between October 10 and November 14, while campaigns were expected to end by December 29, a day before the Election Day.

The commission appealed to stakeholders, political parties, and their candidates to respect the rule of law and avoid hate speech and violence during the primaries and campaigns.

She said, “Candidates must respect our environment by ensuring their campaign materials do not destroy our delicate and serenity environment in Kaduna State.

“Those who aspire to be leaders in our cities and local governments should not be the same persons who show no respect for our environment.”

Fayose Fears For Safety Of Arrested Finance Commissioner, Accountant General

Channels Television  

The Ekiti State governor Mr Ayodele Fayose says he is afraid that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will not treat his detained officials with civility and decorum.

The governor is reacting to the arrest of his Commissioner of Finance and the State Accountant General who were arrested by the anti-graft agency over allegations of misuse of bail-out funds.

The agency had told Channels Television that the officials were arrested because they had failed to honour previous invitations to answer questions on the matter.

READ ALSO: Fayose Condemns Arrest Of Ekiti Finance Commissioner, Accountant General

Fayose in his reaction says the latest action by the EFCC is “premeditated, malicious, ill- and politically-motivated, contemptuous of the court, and is unconstitutional in all its ramifications.

The governor in a statement on Friday said that the EFCC has failed and or neglected to appeal or vacate this order; neither is there any report of indictment from the Ekiti State House of Assembly to warrant the EFCC’s action

The governor has earlier on Channels TV programme, Politics Today condemned the anti-graft agency’s action and wondered why they were arrested the same day he declared his ambition to contest the 2019 presidential election.

APC Criticises Fayose’s Presidential Ambition, Asks Him To Pay Worker’s Salaries

Channels Television  

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has criticised Governor Ayodele Fayose for declaring ambition to contest the 2019 presidential election.

The party in a statement on Friday said instead of aspiring to be Nigeria’s president, the governor should pay his state workers’ salaries and allowances ranging from six to eight months which is being owed.

APC said the governor’s action is not sensitive to the plight of the people of his state as he is “being blind to the sufferings of workers while pursuing presidential ambition”.

Fayose had on Thursday declared his presidential ambition at a ceremony held in Abuja.

The Publicity Secretary of party in Ekiti, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said, “It is the height of wickedness for Fayose to always call teachers to meetings like he did this week to brainwash them on the state’s poor finances.”

READ ALSO: Nigerians Will Determine My Presidency, Not PDP; Fayose

Olatunbosun claimed that the money in the coffers of the state since the governor’s assumption of office is enough to make the people happy if efficiently utilized.

He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Governor Fayose for misappropriating the state’s funds.

“We urge the EFCC to be meticulous in their investigations into how the governor misapplied bailout of N20billion, CBN’s N2billion loan for small-scale enterprises, N10billion loan for projects, N2.8 billion UBEC/Subeb counterpart fund, monthly allocation from the Federation Account to Local Govt council and  Paris Club cash that he has diverted.”

Judge Orders DSS To Produce Dasuki In Court

Channels Television  

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday ordered the Department of State Service to produce the detained former National Security Adviser, Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court ruling will allow Dasuki testify in defence of the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh who is standing trial for allegedly diverting 400 million naira belonging to the government.

Metuh had applied to the Federal High Court to invite Dasuki as a witness in his trial but his request was denied by Justice Okon Abang.

Mr. Metuh, however, appealed the ruling and won at the Court of Appeal where the trial judge directed Justice Abang to fix a date which the DSS must produce Dasuki in court and other subsequent dates.

Dasuki had earlier been arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademolaof the same court on a five-count criminal charge bothering on possession of firearms alone.

In the two new counts, the Federal Government alleged that between July 16 and 17 2015 at the Abuja residence, Colonel Dasuki was found to be in possession of the sum of a total sum of 210,000 US Dollars.

The Federal Government claimed that the monies were part of proceeds of unlawful deals, contrary to section 15(2) of the money laundering prohibition act 2011; charges which Colonel Dasuki denied in his plea.

He was again re-arraigned on April 6, 2017, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on seven counts of criminal charges, bordering on illegal and unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, as well as for money laundering offenses.

Nigeria@57: IGP Orders Massive Deployment Of Police Personnel

Channels Television  

File photo

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered a massive deployment of Police personnel across Nigeria to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful celebration of Nigeria’s 57th independence celebration.

The police boss in a statement of Saturday directs all Commissioners of Police in all states of the Federation and their supervising assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of zonal commands to carry out the order.

The officers and men are to be drafted from the police mobile force, counter-terrorism unit, special police forces and force intelligence and investigation department, among others.

READ ALSO: Buhari Observes Special Jumat Prayers For Independence Celebrations

They are also to forestall any disturbances in connection with the quit notices issued by various groups in the country.

Also, the IGP has placed all the personnel of the Force on red alert to nip in the bud any attempt by any group under whatsoever guise to cause disturbance of the peace on 1st of October, 2017 or at any other time.

The IGP also congratulates Nigeria and Nigerians on the occasion of the 57^th Independence Anniversary, he implores Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and demonstrate love, as well as promote harmonious co-existence with our fellow Nigerians.

Benitez calm over Toon contract talk

Livescores.com

Benitez has been left frustrated by the Toon's limited transfer activity this season.

The Spaniard secured the club's return to the Premier League after a season in the Championship and has worked hard to make his side competitive.

But after six games, the club has just nine points, and face Liverpool on Sunday after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of fellow promoted side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Ahead of this weekend's tie, Benitez said he was relaxed about his situation.

He said: "We have had some conversations internally. We'll see what we do with them.

"But it's not a big issue, I don't have a problem with Mike.

"The question is where we are, where we want to be and what we have to do to be there.

"It [the contract] is not an issue.

He added: "It's not something that will change my approach, or that I will be more comfortable if I sign a 20-year-old contract.

"It doesn't change my approach for the next game.

"Are we working for the January transfer window? Yes, we are already working on that. Like the majority of the teams, we are monitoring players and that is the main thing.

"There will be a time, maybe next month, maybe next week, maybe in two months, when we will have another conversation and we will talk about that."

Guardiola: Mendy injury a huge blow to City

Livescores.com

The 23-year-old French international left-back picked up the injury during Saturday's 5-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace.

He is now expected to be out of action until at least April.

Mendy will undergo an operation to fix the problem, leaving Guardiola to consider altering his tactics, without the former Monaco man.

The City boss explained: "In the way he plays, the amount of times he goes up and down the sides, there is no replacement, we have to play in a different way," he said.

"Every player has his own qualities but there is no replacement in the world for the energy Benjamin has on the pitch.

"We have qualities in the other ones so we have to find the right balance."

With Sergio Aguero also ruled out of action with broken ribs following a car crash, Guardiola said his side will have to adapt.

"If we start complaining we'll never reach the step we want to get to. We are a strong team when we have those players but there are no complaints," he added.

"We have to overcome these situations if we want to become the team that people know it doesn't matter what happens to them.

"For big clubs it is all about how you react to these situations."

Mourinho: No rest for Lukaku

Livescores.com

The 24-year-old has scored 10 goals in nine appearances for the Premier League title-challengers.

He has missed just one game this season, when he sat out the 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Burton Albion.

With the Red Devils short of attacking options, until Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to fitness, Mourinho says he will continue to reply on Lukaku to be their primary goalgetter, although the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have all been weighing in with goals of their own recently.

Ahead of facing Crystal Palace on Saturday, Mourinho said: "Without Zlatan, we cannot rotate the striker, especially because Marcus Rashford is playing also in other positions.

"So until the moment we have Zlatan, we cannot think about giving rest to our number nine the same way we give in other positions."

On the rise and rise of Lukaku, who Mourinho feels has improved steadily over the years, he added: "Every step in his career, he grabbed it with both hands, since his first loan to West Bromwich Albion.

"He grabbed that opportunity with both hands, fighting for his evolution.

"He was very strong in his desire to be playing in a team with other objectives now and with Champions League football. It was always his dream to come to this level.

"Of course now, Manchester United is a different level of expectation and he is coping well."

BARCELONA COULD JOIN PREMIER LEAGUE IF CATALAN INDEPENDENCE HAPPENS, CLAIMS SPORT MINISTER

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Getty composite

If Catalunya were to break free of Spain then the Camp Nou giants, along with Espanyol and Girona, would have to explore options away from La Liga

Barcelona could look at joining the Premier League, Ligue 1 or Serie A if Catalan independence is secured, according to the region’s sports minister.

A controversial referendum is due to be staged on Sunday , with Catalunya seeking to become recognised as a nation in its own right,

The Spanish government has deemed the process illegal, with ballot boxes being seized and prime minister Mariano declaring that the vote “won’t happen”.

Catalan natives are pressing ahead with their proposal, though, and that includes a plan of action for sporting clubs should a new country be formed.

Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona would all face an uncertain future on the back of independence, but Gerard Figueras believes that there are plenty of intriguing options to explore.

He said: “In the case of independence, Catalan teams in La Liga – Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona – will have to decide where they want to play: in the Spanish league or a neighbouring country like Italy, France or the Premier League.

“Now in Spain there teams from other countries who play in national leagues: clubs from Andorra in football and basketball. Monaco play in France, in England Welsh clubs. I don't think that UEFA has anything against seeing another club play in a different league from their country.”

While suggesting that Barca could remain part of the La Liga set-up, those in charge of the Spanish top flight have warned that any exiles will be excluded.

Liga president Javier Tebas said: “In sport, it isn't a la carte and things must be clearly stated. It isn't easy to have an agreement and study Spanish legislation but if they [the Catalan clubs] do get that, then they will not be able to play in Spain's La Liga, but I hope it doesn't come to that."

Barcelona have yet to address the potential ramifications of independence in public, with the club waiting on the will of the people before putting any plans in place.

A statement from the club regarding the current state of affairs read: “FC Barcelona, in holding the utmost respect for its diverse body of members, will continue to support the will of the majority of Catalan people, and will do so in a civil, peaceful, and exemplary way.”

While events away from the field continue to dominate the headlines in Catalunya, Barca have avoided any distractions to reassert domestic dominance on it.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have secured eight successive victories in all competitions this season, with faultless openings being made to their La Liga and Champions League campaigns.

Okorocha gave me the worst advice during my presidency – Obasanjo

Dailypost.ng

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has jokingly blamed Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for “all the bad things” that happened to the country during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo was speaking in Owerri, at the graduation ceremony of students of Rochas Foundation.

He said the worst advice he got while in office was from Okorocha, one of his then advisers.

“As you may all know, Rochas was one of the advisers I had when I was president,” he said.

“All the bad things that happened to this country under my presidency was advised by Rochas Okorocha,” he said.

Obasanjo however extolled the qualities of the Governor, who he said never ceased to surprise him.

“He (Okorocha) has never stopped to surprise me. He is a man of vision, of ideas. He is a thinking man. And when he explained to me his ideas about education, what he has done, I was marvelled. I doff my hat for you, Okorocha.

“Let me say this, the beginning of the development for any country is education. And the extent that we take education seriously, that is the extent that we take development seriously.

“Rochas is not just dealing with education; he is dealing with education for the underprivileged in general. Which means that if the poor and the underprivileged will rise above their disadvantaged position, it is only through education.

“And with what I have seen today, I have no regret at all to accept his offer for me to be part of this wonderful programme and wonderful development agenda to our country and for our continent,” he added.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte warned about David Luiz form by Arsenal great Paul Merson

Metro.co.uk

Antonio Conte has been warned about David Luiz (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been warned that David Luiz seems to be slipping back into some bad habits after some unconvincing recent performances for the club.

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has noticed some recent laziness from the Brazilian defender, who has on the whole been far more consistent in his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

Luiz had a reputation for being a slightly eccentric and error-prone performer in his first stint with Chelsea, but became a key part of Conte’s side when he rejoined from Paris Saint-Germain last year.

However, he gave away a needless penalty against Atletico Madrid in midweek and seems to be taking his foot off the gas somewhat, with Merson concerned that he could become a liability once again.

Luiz hasn’t been at his best lately (Picture: Getty)

‘David Luiz is getting a bit lazy and he reminds me of David James at the moment,’ Merson wrote in the Daily Star.

‘James was an unbelievable goalkeeper but he was that good it became too easy for him and he’d lose concentration, earning him the nickname Calamity James. It’s the same with Luiz.

‘It was so easy (against Atletico) Luiz switched off and let them back in the game by giving away a penalty. It was his second big mistake in a week.

Luiz has had one or two unconvincing games (Picture: Getty)

Should Conte be concerned by Luiz’s displays? (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures

Man City (H) – Sat 30 Sep

Crystal Palace (A) – Sat 14 Oct

Roma – Champions League (H) – Wed 18 Oct

Watford (H) – Mon 23 Oct

Bournemouth (A) – Sat 28 Oct

Roma – Champions League (A) – Tue 31 Oct

‘It goes back farther, because I thought Aaron Ramsey’s winner in the FA Cup final was his fault, too. He’s just jogging back.

‘But I don’t think Chelsea should drop him. I think he needs to play through it. I’m sure Conte will have a word with him.

‘But he needs to be careful because he had a reputation in his first spell at Stamford Bridge for always giving you a chance in a game and he won’t want it back.’

FG will complete 2nd Niger bridge – Osinbajo

Vanguard

The Federal Government is committed to the completion of ongoing projects in the South East including the second Niger bridge, East West road and others, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has said.

Prof. Osinbajo gave the assurance in his remarks earlier today in Ifitedunu, Anambra State, at the funeral service of Mrs. Roseline Akabueze, mother of the Director-General of Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN

He said President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a fair-minded and just leader that takes into account, the interest of all Nigerians regardless of their backgrounds,

According to the Vice President who spoke after the Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Eze Okafor gave a homily at the event raising issues about marginalization and restructuring, said, “we have a listening President, and I can assure you that President Muhammadu Buhari is a man who, in his heart, wants to be fair and just.’’

Prof. Osinbajo said the President had in many instances exhibited attributes of a fair leader in his choice of political associates, people to work with and so on.

He said: “one of the most important things about the President is that he is a very fair-minded person,” but could be said to be somewhat partial to Anambra state in particular, adding “and I believe that he loves this State.

“In 2003, when he first ran for office, his running mate then was Senator Chuba Okadibo, an indigene of this state; the second time he ran, his running mate was Chief Edwin Ume-Ezoeke, also an indigene of Anambra State. I think he has a very special affection for this state.’’

The Vice President explained that the Buhari’s criteria for appointments is driven by “competence of persons considered to manage certain positions.’’

He however reiterated the present administration’s commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria regardless of the challenges.

“Every time we talk about fairness, we must talk about justice; when we talk about unity, we must talk about justice and I believe that is the fair thing to do,’’ the Vice President added.

Prof. Osinbajo also assured the people of the South-East of the Federal Government’s commitment to complete key projects embarked upon in the region.

He said: “about the request concerning the second Niger bridge and the east-west road and several of these projects, I want to say that the president himself went to China to negotiate the loan for the second Niger bridge.

“Aside from that, the Lagos-Calabar rail line passing through states in this region, the president also, personally, went to negotiate the loan.

“I believe that by the grace of God, we would see the completion of all of these projects; even the Onitsha road that you have been complaining about, we will ensure that it is built.’’

He prayed that God will grant the family of late Mrs. Roseline Akabueze,  the fortitude to bear the loss.

Okorocha gave me the worst advice during my presidency – Obasanjo  Ifreke Inyang 7 hours ago  Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has jokingly blamed Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for “all the bad things” that happened to the country during his tenure between 1999 and 2007. Obasanjo was speaking in Owerri, at the graduation ceremony of students of Rochas Foundation. He said the worst advice he got while in office was from Okorocha, one of his then advisers. “As you may all know, Rochas was one of the advisers I had when I was president,” he said. “All the bad things that happened to this country under my presidency was advised by Rochas Okorocha,” he said. Obasanjo however extolled the qualities of the Governor, who he said never ceased to surprise him. “He (Okorocha) has never stopped to surprise me. He is a man of vision, of ideas. He is a thinking man. And when he explained to me his ideas about education, what he has done, I was marvelled. I doff my hat for you, Okorocha. “Let me say this, the beginning of the development for any country is education. And the extent that we take education seriously, that is the extent that we take development seriously. “Rochas is not just dealing with education; he is dealing with education for the underprivileged in general. Which means that if the poor and the underprivileged will rise above their disadvantaged position, it is only through education. “And with what I have seen today, I have no regret at all to accept his offer for me to be part of this wonderful programme and wonderful development agenda to our country and for our continent,” he added.

Dailypost.ng

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has jokingly blamed Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for “all the bad things” that happened to the country during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo was speaking in Owerri, at the graduation ceremony of students of Rochas Foundation.

He said the worst advice he got while in office was from Okorocha, one of his then advisers.

“As you may all know, Rochas was one of the advisers I had when I was president,” he said.

“All the bad things that happened to this country under my presidency was advised by Rochas Okorocha,” he said.

Obasanjo however extolled the qualities of the Governor, who he said never ceased to surprise him.

“He (Okorocha) has never stopped to surprise me. He is a man of vision, of ideas. He is a thinking man. And when he explained to me his ideas about education, what he has done, I was marvelled. I doff my hat for you, Okorocha.

“Let me say this, the beginning of the development for any country is education. And the extent that we take education seriously, that is the extent that we take development seriously.

“Rochas is not just dealing with education; he is dealing with education for the underprivileged in general. Which means that if the poor and the underprivileged will rise above their disadvantaged position, it is only through education.

“And with what I have seen today, I have no regret at all to accept his offer for me to be part of this wonderful programme and wonderful development agenda to our country and for our continent,” he added.

What PDP must do before 2019 elections – Jonathan

Premium Times

Goodluck Jonathan

As the 2019 general election draws near, former President Goodluck Jonathan has offered what seems to be winning strategies to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mr. Jonathan was the former president of Nigeria and served under the umbrella of the party from 2010 to 2015. He earlier served as vice-president between 2007 and 2010 and took over when former President Umaru Yar’Adua died in office. He lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, the first time an incumbent president in Nigeria would lose a re-election bid.

Mr. Jonathan who has appeared sporadically in the public in recent months said for the PDP to win in 2019, in the next review of its constitution, it should enhance its statutory delegates’ format especially for the state and local government primaries.

Mr. Jonathan gave this advice while receiving a delegation of former speakers of houses of assembly elected on the platform of the party in his office in Abuja on Thursday.

He said one of the major challenges PDP is faced with is how it elects candidates and national officers.

Mr. Jonathan said there would always be crisis following the outcome of the party’s primaries or conventions until the numbers of statutory delegates to those elections are reviewed to about 70 per cent.

He also said the party must work out the modality such that no one would succeed in influencing the delegates to elections.

He added that those who had served at certain levels, including governorship, ministerial and parliamentarian positions at all levels, should be made statutory delegates.

“That is the area we have not been able to manage properly and it is still creating a problem for us. I believe the next (PDP) constitution amendment should advocate that area to be properly examined.

“From my own experience, if that area is strengthened, the party will be okay and nobody will complain at the end of primaries. If you lose, you lose gallantly and you support the person that wins,” Mr. Jonathan said.

He promised that in due time, he would speak on why the party lost in the 2015 general election to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

“PDP is still the strongest party. We know the reason why we lost the elections.

“At the appropriate time, some of these things would be properly addressed because of history. There are certain things you don’t write now because it would be misunderstood as if you are playing politics. After some years, five, six or eight years, when the beneficiaries have left, you can state it in writing,” he added.

He encouraged the party members to go beyond ”the politics of the stomach” and not defect needlessly to other parties adding that the PDP ”did well during its 16-year rule.” He attributed its success to “the number of reforms it introduced and implemented.”

The former president appreciated the forum members for coming together to form the association as an important peg in the strategy of reclaiming power in 2019.

The leader of the delegation, Inuwa Garba, commended the former president ”for staying with the party even after losing the 2015 election and all the crisis that followed it.”

Ahead of the 2019 elections, intense political alignments and re-alignments are already ongoing within the ranks of prominent political parties.

Ancelotti thanks Bayern for 'great honour'

Livescores.com

The three-time Champions League winning coach was dismissed by the German champions following their 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this week.

He was one season into a three-year deal when it was decided to part ways with the former Parma, Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid manager.

After taking over from Pep Guardiola for the 2016-17 season, Ancelotti led Bayern to a fifth consecutive league title along with two DFL-Supercup trophies.

But after being shown the door, he posted his thanks on Twitter.

He wrote: "It has been a great honour to form part of Bayern's history. I would like to thank the club, the players and its amazing fans."

Thiago Alcantara responded with: "It has been an honour to play for you. I wish you all the luck in the world for your next stage."

Assistant boss Willy Sagnol has assumed temporary charge of the team ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Hertha BSC on Sunday.

Chelsea kid gets Wales call-up

Livescores.com

The 17-year-old defensive midfielder is in Coleman’s squad for October’s World Cup Qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland, along with Liverpool striker Ben Woodburn.

Klopp had previously opined that the Reds forward, also 17, was not ready for international football, but he went on to score the winner against Austria. Conte, meanwhile, said he was proud of Ampadu’s call-up.

"It helps if you have played international football and understand what it is all about," Coleman said.

"When I read Conte's comments I felt he put it really well - and it is true. If you are good enough as a young player then why shouldn't you be involved?

"I can see the players don't belong to us and are not contracted to us and international football is a choice. But if you have played it you understand the importance of it and the honour of it.

"I wasn't surprised by Antonio's comments, but they were welcome and made total sense to me.

"I have played international football myself. It is great for anybody to be called up by their country and if they are good enough, be they 16,17 or 18, they shouldn't be put in a situation where they feel under pressure, certainly not by us."

However, Coleman denied that Woodburn's recent heroics make him a guaranteed starter, with more experienced players like Sam Vokes and Hal Robson-Kanu also vying for a place up front.

"There will be an expectation that he plays more of a part now," Coleman said. "But whether he starts or doesn't start, I can't say I feel under pressure to do that.

"I will pick the team to start, and change as the game is going, but it will all be about what I feel is best for us on the night in Georgia."

EXCLUSIVE: Hidden assets of Nigerian governor uncovered in offshore tax havens

Premiumtimes

Harvey Lodge, Admiral Walk, London. [Photo Credit: https://onthemarket.com]

Secret assets belonging to the current governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, have been uncovered in offshore tax havens, including the notorious British Virgin Islands.

The discoveries were made as PREMIUM TIMES continues to scrutinize the over 11 million Mossack Fonseca documents contained in the sleaze dossier now known worldwide as the Panama Papers.

At least two offshore companies were traced to the governor, one of which was used to acquire a property on Harvey Lodge London.

One of the companies, Best International Holding Limited, was registered in 1999 in the British Virgin Islands. The company was registered on May 26, 1999 with $50,000 as shares capital.

The company, with registration number 314717, has the governor and his son, Shehu Bello, as directors.

Governor Bello himself is the son of Sani Bello , a retired colonel and military governor of Kano State between 1975 and 1978.

Tax authorities the world over view the British Virgin Islands with a certain level of notoriety and suspicion.

READ MORE OF OUR GROUNDBREAKING PANAMA PAPERS REPORTING HERE.

Offshore company structures are sometimes marketed to rich businessmen and politically-exposed individuals to avoid or evade tax obligations in their home countries or conceal ill-gotten wealth.

While the two directors of Best International Holding Limited gave their Nigerian address as 17A Wurno Rd, Off Katuna Rd, Kaduna, Nigeria; a Lagos address was used for the registration of a second offshore company.

Another set of Mossack Fonseca documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed that Governor Bello is the sole shareholder of a secret offshore entity by the name Eyre Investments Incorporated.

This company, located in Hitchin, Herts, was incorporated on September 3, 2007 and had Ajibola Raphael Oluyede as director with Abubakar Sani Bello as sole shareholder.

Mr. Oluyede, a senior advocate of Nigeria, is one of the lawyers who defended Senate President Bukola Saraki in his recent corruption trial before the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Investigations revealed that for all his offshore dealings, the governor was using the services of Mr. Oluyede, the principal partner at TRLP LAW, as his legal front.

In one of the documents, it is stated that the registers of Best International Holding Limited are kept at D96 Landbridge Ave, Victoria Island Ext, Lagos, Nigeria. An online search of this address leads directly to TRLP Law office.

Yet another Mossack Fonseca document reveals the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of Eyre Investments Incorporated. The minutes claimed that the meeting was held on September 3, 2007 and that in attendance were Mr. Oluyede and Mr. Bello.

A letter from UK lawyers on behalf of the Niger governor to Mossack Fonseca hinted that business relationship between Mr. Bello and his lawyer, Mr. Oluyede, was not all smooth sailing. The letter came at a time when the governor was having apparent difficulties in selling off a property he had acquired using his offshore company Eyre Investments Incorporation.

The difficulties arose when the front director either refused to cooperate or was nowhere to be found. It took the UK lawyers, the certificate of incorporation and other documents to have the offshore company returned to Governor Bello.

The letter from Shaima Jillood of the firm Charles Russell LLP to Mossack Fonseca, dated July 3, 2007, reads in part:

“I am the property solicitor acting on behalf of Eyre Investments Inc in respect of the sale of a property Flat 18 Harvey Lodge, Admiral Walk Harrow Road, London W9 3TH. In order to exchange contracts with the buyers and sell this property, we need to establish who is authorised to sign the contract and sell this property on behalf of Eyre Investments.”

Mossack Fonseca was at the time administering Eyre Investments Incorporation after it was transferred to it from ILS Fiduciary Limited (British Virgin Island) on June 7, 2000.

The UK lawyers requested from Mossack Fonseca evidence of the list of authorised signatories, directors, certified copy of passport and the shareholder so as to establish who was legally authorised to sign the legal sale documents. The letter further explained that:

“My client, Mr Abubaker S Bello, has advised us that he is the shareholder of this company but has lost the documentation and has only provided me with the Memorandum and Articles of Association & Certificate of Incorporation but no mention of who the directors or shareholders are and who the authorised signatories.”

When contacted on the propriety of a public office holder holding secret offshore accounts, Jibrin Ndace, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello said that before his principal became the governor of Niger State, he had been for years an international businessman of repute doing legitimate businesses across the world.

“The governor was a well-known international businessman just like Donald Trump was before he became the President of America. It is like if Dangote becomes President tomorrow; you would see their footprints everywhere because they were once international businessmen,” he said.

Mr. Ndace insisted that Niger State is benefiting from Governor Bello’s international business exposure given the foreign investors he has attracted to the state. He however did not provide details of the investments the governor has attracted to the state.

“The difference between this governor and others is that he is a professional in politics not a professional businessman,” Mr. Ndace said.

Violation of Nigerian law?

There is no evidence that Governor Bello is no longer involved with the shell companies. There is also no evidence that the governor declared his interests in the offshore entities to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required by law.

The governor’s spokesperson was evasive when asked whether his boss included the shell companies (with which he has dealt in properties) in the assets declaration form he filed at the CCB. Mr. Ndace merely insisted that the governor’s imprint as an international businessman cannot be easily erased.

While not all owners or operators of such offshore entities are criminals, participating in the running of private companies while serving as public officials is against Nigerian laws.

Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Act says a public office holder shall not, “except where he is not employed on full‐time basis, engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade.”

The companies are also believed to own bank accounts. Yet Nigerian public officials owning foreign accounts, either individual or through their corporate interests, is a contravention of the code of conduct for public officials, which prohibits the holding of foreign bank accounts.

The code states: “Any public officer specified in the Second Schedule to this Act or any other persons as the President may, from time to time, by order prescribe, shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria.”

This revelation makes Governor Bello the sixth serving Nigerian official who has been shown to own shell companies in offshore tax havens in clear violation of the country’s law.

The others include President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; former Senate President, David Mark; Senator Ibrahim Gobir (All Progressives Congress, Sokoto East); Senator David Umaru (APC – Niger East); Senator Andy Uba (APC, Anambra South).

The Nigerian government claimed it was investigating the officials as well as other former public officers who popped up in the Panama Papers to have violated Nigerian Nigerians by owning undeclared assets abroad. But the report of the investigation has not been made public and no one has been charged to court.

The former officials the government claimed it is investigating include former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abubakar Yar’Adua; former Delta Governor, James Ibori; late former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and late former Minister of National Planning.

Another former NNPC GMD, Funsho Kupolokun, appears to have acquired his offshore assets after leaving office office in 2007.

Antonio Conte’s tactics for Chelsea win at Atletico Madrid surprising, says Mario Melchiot

Metro.co.uk

Antonio Conte guided Chelsea to a big win last night (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte surprised former Blues defender Mario Melchiot with his ambitious approach to last night’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.

The Premier League champions produced a superb display to grab a deserved 2-1 win in the Spanish capital, with Conte’s side dominant for much of the game.

Man City provide official injury update on Sergio Aguero after car crash

Diego Simeone’s notoriously strong and solid side had no answer to some of Chelsea’s football, and Melchiot admits he was particularly impressed to see the Italian take such an approach in a difficult away game.

Chelsea looked to be heading for a draw after Alvaro Morata cancelled out Antoine Griezmann’s opener, but they kept on going as Michy Batshuayi scored a crucial winner in stoppage time to seal all three points.

Conte’s side earned a shock away victory over Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Conte’s side were good value for their win (Picture: Getty)

‘The performance against Atletico was surprising to me,’ Melchiot told talkSPORT.

Senate approves death sentence for kidnappers

Premiumtimes

Nigerian Senate

The Senate on Thursday passed a bill which outlaws abduction, wrongful restraint or confinement for ransom.

The Senate also approved death sentence for whoever engages in the act and a 30 years jail term for anybody that colludes with an abductor.

The bill sponsored by Isa Misau, APC-Bauchi, was passed into law after a consideration of the report by Senate committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Presenting the report, Chukwuka Utazi, Enugu-North, said the bill sought to combat and prevent any form of kidnapping in Nigeria by giving wider powers to the Inspector-General of Police to ensure adequate policing of the crime.

The bill in Clause 1 (3) stated: “Whoever is guilty of the offence and then results in the death of the victim shall be liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.”

Clause 3 of the bill provides a 30- year jail term to anyone who colludes with abductor to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined.

The report was unanimously accepted by the lawmakers after a voice vote.

The lawmakers’ decision may not be unconnected to reported cases of kidnappings and arrest of its perpetrators.

In June, the Nigeria Police arrested a high profile kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, Popularly known as Evans.

Evans in August pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

German teams all lose in Europa League

Livescores.com

Hoffenheim remain without a point in Group C after they were beaten 2-1 by Ludogorets at the Ludogorets Arena on Thursday.

TSG got off to the perfect start when Pavel Kaderabek opened the scoring just two minutes after the kick-off, but second-half goals from Svetoslav Dyakov (46') and Jody Lukoki (72') secured the comeback win for the Eagles.

Milan lead the way in Group D with a 100% record after they recorded a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Rijeka at the San Siro.

The Rossoneri went into the break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Andre Silva's 14th-minute opener, before Mateo Musacchio (53') doubled their advantage early in the second half.

But the visitors hit back with two late goals from Boadu Acosty (84') and Josip Elez (90' pen) to seemingly earn a share of the spoils, only for Patrick Cutrone to pop up deep into stoppage time with the winner for Milan.

Atalanta continued their impressive start in Group E after a 1-1 draw with Lyon at the Groupama Stadium kept them in top spot.

Alejandro Gomez (57') quickly cancelled out Bertrand Traore's 45th-minute opener for Les Gones as La Dea remain unbeaten in their group.

FC Koln's woes deepened after they went down 1-0 to Red Star Belgrade at the RheinEnergieStadion, where Richmond Boakye's 30th-minute goal settled matters.

The Billy Goats are still searching for their first win in all competitions this season, as they remain rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga standings and Group H.

Marseille slipped to their first defeat in Group I after Red Bull Salzburg emerged 1-0 victors at the Red Bull Arena, with Munas Dabbur scoring the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.

Athletic Bilbao suffered a surprise 1-0 reverse against Zorya at San Mames to remain winless in Group J, while Hertha Berlin lost by the same scoreline to Ostersunds at the Jamtkraft Arena.

Ihor Kharatin's 26th-minute goal in the Basque Country handed the visitors all three points, with Die Alte Dame falling to Brwa Nouri's 22nd-minute penalty in Sweden.

Hertha prop up the group with one point, while Bilbao lie third with an identical record after two outings.

Nice maintained their perfect record in Group K with a 3-0 win over Vitesse at the Allianz Riviera keeping the French club in pole position.

A brace from Alassane Plea (16', 82') helped Les Aiglons to a second successive victory, while Allan Saint-Maximin (45') also got on the scoresheet for the hosts.

Lazio are breathing down their necks, however, after securing a 2-0 victory over Zulte-Waregem at the Stadio Olimpico to make it two wins from two in the group.

Felipe Caicedo gave the hosts an 18th-minute lead, but they had to wait until the 90th minute to seal all three points through Ciro Immobile.

Aleksandr Kokorin struck a brace for Zenit as Real Sociedad slipped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Stadion Krestovskyi.

La Real were trailing as early as the fifth minute when Emiliano Rigoni opened the scoring, before Kokorin (24') doubled the hosts' lead.

Diego Llorente (41') halved the deficit for the visitors just before half-time, but Kokorin restored the Lions' two-goal cushion on the hour mark.

Thursday's Europa League results:

Astana 1-1 Slavia Prague

Viktoria Plzen 3-1 Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Lugano 1-2 FCSB

Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Zorya

Ostersunds 1-0 Hertha Berlin

FC Koln 0-1 Red Star Belgrade

BATE 2-4 Arsenal

Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 Marseille

Konyaspor 2-1 Vitoria Guimaraes

Lazio 2-0 Zulte-Waregem

Nice 3-0 Vitesse

Rosenborg 3-1 Vardar

Zenit 3-1 Real Sociedad

Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-0 Villarreal

Partizan 2-3 Dynamo Kyiv

Skenderbeu Korce 1-1 Young Boys

AEK Athens 2-2 Austria Vienna

Milan 3-2 Rijeka

Lyon 1-1 Atalanta

Everton 2-2 Apollon

Ludogorets 2-1 Hoffenheim

Sporting Braga 2-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

Lokomotiv Moscow 3-0 Zlin

Sheriff 0-0 Copenhagen

Game Of Thrones Lovers Harington And Leslie To Marry In Real Life

Channels Television  

This file photo taken on April 09, 2017 shows British actress Rose Leslie (L) and British actor Kit Harington posing on the red carpet to attend the 2017 Laurence Olivier Awards in London. Justin TALLIS / AFP

British actor Kit Harington and fellow Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie announced their engagement on Wednesday, defying their ill-fated fictional love on the hit series in which she dies in his arms.

Harington, who plays Jon Snow, and Leslie, Ygritte in the series, announced their engagement with an unassuming traditional ad in The Times newspaper.

The actors, who are both 30 years old, met on set in Iceland and have been together since 2012.

Leslie’s character is captured by Snow in season two and later becomes his on-screen lover.

Her line “You know nothing, Jon Snow” has become a popular quote from the series as a whole.

Ygritte is killed in a confrontation in season four.

“If you’re already attracted to someone and then they play your love interest in the show, it becomes very easy to fall in love,” Harington told Vogue magazine in an interview last year.

The couple were reported earlier this year to have bought a 15th-century home in eastern England with a moat, a swimming pool and a banqueting hall.

AFP

Iconic Playboy Founder, Hugh Hefner Dies At 91

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(FILES) This file photo taken on January 15, 2014 shows Hugh Hefner posing during Playboy’s 60th Anniversary special event in Los Angeles, California. Hugh Hefner, the silk pajamas-wearing founder of Playboy Magazine who helped steer nudity into the American mainstream died Wednesday, September 27, 2017 his magazine announced on Twitter. He was 91 years old.
Charley Gallay / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Hugh Hefner, the silk pajama-wearing founder of Playboy who helped steer nudity into the American mainstream, died on Wednesday, the company announced. He was 91 years old.

Hefner, father of the trailblazing brand that encouraged a loosening of sexual strictures, died of natural causes in his Beverly Hills home — the famed Playboy Mansion — according to a statement from Playboy Enterprises.

The consummate playboy outlived both the sexual revolution he fought for but also some of the famous buxom pin-ups who graced his groundbreaking magazine’s centerfold.

A self-proclaimed master of marketing, Hefner’s skill for self-promotion made it impossible to untangle his image from his empire.

“My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom,” his son Cooper Hefner, Playboy Enterprise’s chief creative officer, said in a statement.

Playboy shattered taboos in the 1950s — a time when Hollywood sets featured separate beds for married couples — with bare-breasted pictures in a mass-market magazine whose inaugural centerfold featured a nude Marilyn Monroe.

New sexual norms –

Hefner married classmate Mildred Williams in 1949, a union that would last 10 years. They had two children, Christie and David.

After being struck by fears that he would end up following his parents’ zipped-up lifestyle, Hefner — who had worked in jobs ranging from assistant personnel manager to promotion copywriter at Esquire magazine — decided to take dramatic action and start his own magazine in 1953.

“When I saw that skirt lengths were going down instead of up and that, instead of a celebration after World War II, we were getting repression and conservatism, I knew that wasn’t progress,” he said.

The magazine, recognizable worldwide for its voluptuous covergirls and its emblematic rabbit logo, became a sensation not long after hitting newsstands.

Playboy’s circulation peaked in 1972 at seven million, serving as a catalyst for even bawdier publications like Hustler and Penthouse.

Beyond the glossy itself the Playboy brand spawned a heady business empire that included a television series as well as the notorious Playboy Clubs, the first of which opened in Chicago in 1960.

The clubs’ scantily clad waitresses — known as Bunnies — sported bunny ears and strapless corset teddies, with fluffy cottontails pinned to their derrieres.

Unsurprisingly the world of Playboy amassed critics, from those scandalized by its daring debauchery to many others who lambasted what they called the objectification of women.

The most famous critique of the world Hefner built came from feminist Gloria Steinem. At 28 years old, she found fame after publishing an expose in Show magazine about her experience as an undercover Bunny, depicting a life of low pay, long hours, painful costumes and vulgar customers.

Yet Hefner maintained the “Playboy Philosophy” included advocating for freedom of speech in addition to civil and reproductive rights, which he insisted played to the advantage of women as well as men.

“Women are the main beneficiaries of getting rid of hypocritical old notions about sex,” he told People Magazine in 1985.

– ‘Over a thousand’ women –

In July 1989 Hefner wed Kimberley Conrad — the 1989 Playmate of the Year, then 27 — and had two more children, Marston and Cooper. The couple divorced in 2010.

Well past retirement age Hefner continued to take an active role in the editorial side of his magazine, choosing covers and Playmates each month.

Late into his life he also frequented nightclubs and maintained a bevy of young girlfriends, a lifestyle — along with the occasional dose of Viagra — he credited with keeping him young both in and out of the bedroom.

Though he could not cite a definitive number, he assured American magazine Esquire in 2013 he was “sure” he had slept with “over a thousand” women.

Kim Kardashian West, who posed for Playboy in 2007, wrote a Twitter tribute to the late mogul, posting: “RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I’m so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo”

Socialite heiress Paris Hilton posted a montage of photos featuring her and Hefner, calling him a “#Legend, innovator & one of a kind”.

“We had so many fun & incredible memories together. I will miss him dearly.”

In 2003, Hefner told AFP he “would like to be remembered as somebody who had a positive impact on the changing social sexual values of his time”.

“And I think that position is pretty well secured.”

AFP