Author: Chief Editor

We will follow rule of law, says suspended EFCC chair’s legal team Some senior lawyers have faulted the criticism of the ongoing investigation of the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, saying that there is nothing wrong with the way and manner the Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel is going about its task. Magu’s lead counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu, has, however, said the legal team would follow the rule of law to ensure that his client received a fair hearing at the panel. A member of the Magu’s legal team had queried…

Worried by the threats of violence in the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss the matter. INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed this yesterday, expressed worries over the drums of war among the political parties involved in the state governorship election. Speaking to journalists after meeting with stakeholders in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly election in Nasarawa, Yakubu said the commission will hold an emergency meeting of the Election Management Body (EMB) today to discuss the threats of violence. “We are worried about…

Fulham made an instant return to the Premier League on Tuesday, beating Brentford 2-1 at Wembley in what is regarded as the most lucrative game in world football. Defender Joe Bryan was the unlikely hero for Scott Parker’s side in the Championship play-off final, scoring two goals in extra time after the London clubs were locked at 0-0 at the end of a cagey 90 minutes. Henrik Dalsgaard scored a late consolation for Brentford but it was too little too late for Thomas Frank’s team, who have not played in the English top-flight for 73 years. The Craven Cottage club…

The UEFA Champions League returns on Friday with the remaining places at the final tournament in Lisbon up for grabs as Europe’s top clubs look to go all the way and lift the trophy on August 23 after a suspension of five months because of the coronavirus. AFP Sport looks at the four outstanding last 16, second legs — all being played behind closed doors — for a reminder of where they stand: Juventus v Lyon (Friday 1900GMT; Lyon won first leg 1-0) It is nearly six months since officials in Lyon questioned the decision to allow the first leg…

Rafa Benitez said three times “I didn’t like the game” and apologised on his way out of a curtailed press conference following a 2-1 defeat for his Dalian Pro side on Tuesday. Salomon Rondon, who was with the Spanish coach at Newcastle United before both moved to the Chinese Super League last year, equalised in the 79th minute against Jiangsu Suning. But a young Dalian team conceded a penalty late on and Jiangsu’s Italy striker Eder converted to condemn the 60-year-old Benitez to another disappointing result. Under Benitez, a 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool, Dalian have taken just one…

Barcelona is reportedly ready to sell Emerson and both AC Milan and PSG have expressed interest in the young defender. The Brazilian is currently on loan at Real Betis and Barcelona may have to prematurely end his tenure at the Andalusian club. According to reports in the Italian media, French champions PSG are engaged in a tussle with AC Milan to sign young Barcelona full-back Emerson. Quique Setien has not revealed his transfer plans at Barcelona this season and may decide to offload the youngster to the highest bidder. The young Brazilian defender is currently on loan to La Liga club Real Betis and the deal expires…

A petition sent to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) against Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, alleging unfair award of contracts to companies, has been described as baseless. Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, in a statement said the governor, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming governorship election will not be distracted by such falsehoods. The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the baseless petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) published in the NATION Newspaper of Tuesday August 4,…

Petitions Lawan, Gbajabiamila The Chairman of the Palliative Distribution Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, has accused the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of misappropriating and diverting N6.2 billion meant for palliatives among the commission’s nine-member states. Jackrich in a 12 – paragraph petition dated August 3, 2020 sent to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, stressed that the N6.2billion scam is different from N1.5 billion relief funds shared to over 4,000 workers of the commission and high command of the Nigeria Police Force by IMC…

Real Madrid’s Head Coach, Zinedine Zidane, has been named the Best Club Manager in the world but former champion Jose Mourinho has ‘lost his magic and mojo’. That’s according to leading French newspaper L’Equipewho have listed their rankings of the best club bosses in world football. Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola joined Real Madridboss Zidane in the top three with the Frenchman pipping the Liverpooland Manchester Citymanagers in the table. Zidane guided Real to the LaLiga title earlier this month, overtaking Barcelona who had held a two-point lead before the season resumed in June. The 49-year-old will take his side…

English Premier League clubs could be disqualified from European competition next season if the British government imposes travel restrictions that impact the staging of a tie across the continent. The coronaviruscrisis has forced many countries – including the UK, most recently with Spain- to impose travel restrictions, with anyone returning to the UK from such a country forced to self-isolate for 14 days. In light of the ever-changing situation, UEFA have published a number of new protocols regarding competition for next season, including the potential forfeiting of games and expulsion of teams if certain stipulations cannot be fulfilled. The most…