Adebayor flies home

Emmanuel Adebayor will miss Thursday’s Europa League tie against Besiktas after Tottenham allowed him to return home to Togo.

In a brief statement on their website, the club said: “We can confirm that Emmanuel Adebayor has been given permission to return home for personal reasons. This is a private matter and so we will not be providing any further comment.”

The Londoners are certain to qualify from Group C along with their Turkish opponents, and avoiding defeat would ensure they finish top.

Outraged Nigerians want power-drunk policeman, DPO punished

There has been widespread outrage at the action of a policeman, Dada Ogunsanya, who allegedly brutalised a photographer, Ejeh Smith and his wife, Grace, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

Among those that called for the sanction of the officer was a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and a constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, who also stated that the Ikoyi Divisional Police Officer, Aisha Haruna, deserved harsher punishment for abetting the brutality.

The PUNCH online readers were unanimous in their condemnation of the act, with some calling for the sacking of the officer and the demotion of the DPO.

I’m not Obasanjo’s concubine –Ezekwesili

A former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday denied having any amorous relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ezekwesili’s denial followed the widespread circulation of a photograph showing her in a very warm embrace with Obasanjo.

In the trending photo, the former President is seen holding Ezekwesili from behind and giving her a peck on the cheek.

The controversial picture was taken on Tuesday during the public presentation of Obasanjo’s three-part autobiography entitled, ‘My Watch’.

Many online commentators expressed displeasure with Ezekwesili and Obasanjo for behaving in such a manner in public.

I’m not Obasanjo’s concubine –Ezekwesili

A former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday denied having any amorous relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ezekwesili’s denial followed the widespread circulation of a photograph showing her in a very warm embrace with Obasanjo.

In the trending photo, the former President is seen holding Ezekwesili from behind and giving her a peck on the cheek.

The controversial picture was taken on Tuesday during the public presentation of Obasanjo’s three-part autobiography entitled, ‘My Watch’.

Many online commentators expressed displeasure with Ezekwesili and Obasanjo for behaving in such a manner in public.

Give Me General Buhari Now! By Joe Igbokwe

I am one of the thousands of delegates across the country that will gather in Lagos, the centre of excellence, the glory of Nigeria, the land of aquatic splendor, the land of limitless possibilities and opportunities,the economic nerve centre, a powerful destination in Africa, the land of hope, ideas and values, to nominate the APC Presidential candidate for 2015 presidential elections.

Buhari at his Presidential declaration

I have been waiting for this day like a patient bird to do the needful, to take a decision and to be a partaker in the struggle for a new Nigeria where mediocrity, hypocrisy, impunity and corruption will be reduced to the barest minimum. Today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos I will cast my vote for General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB). I will cast my vote for him because he stands out as the hope for the new Nigeria of our dream. 

EFCC Press Release: N24bn Police Pension Fraud: Court Admits Crucial Evidence

 

The trial of Esai Dangabar and six others who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for their complicity in the police pension scam continued on Wednesday, December 10,  before Justice Husseini Bala Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The accused: Esai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira, Uzoma Cyril Attang and Christain Madubuke who were alleged to have defrauded the Police Pension Office to the tune of N24billion were arraigned on April 10, 2013 on a 20 count amended charge that bordering on criminal breach of trust contrary to section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

President Jonathan's Acceptance Speech At PDP Convention

Protocols: 1.                Mr Chairman, our dear delegates, today is another great day in the history of our great Party; The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and indeed in the history of our great Nation.

2.                Nothing gives me greater joy, as leader of our party, than such an opportunity as presented today, for direct interaction with so many enthusiastic and dedicated fellow party members, and may I add, all proudly dressed in our party colours and regalia.

3.                It is also my pleasure to be here as a delegate today and I welcome whole heartedly all our delegates, party members and all Nigerians, from across the country and beyond; including those joining us by television and online, as we gather here in the Eagle Square, to reaffirm the noble democratic traditions and foundations, that bind us together.

BIANCA BLASTS IGBO POLITICIANS FOR ABANDONING APGA, OJUKWU

Widow of late Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, yesterday lambasted Igbo politicians who used Ojukwu’s name to win elections only to abandon him and his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA for selfish reason.
Speaking during the 3rd Memorial ceremony of her late husband at Ojukwu Memorial Convention Centre, Owerri, she pointed out that politicians in Igbo land only remember Ojukwu when seeking elective position using APGA platform, but when they ascend the political office, they abandon the party saying that Ojukwu is dead.

ZAKZAKY DEBUNKS GUMI’S ASSERTION, SAYS CLERIC LACKS CREDIBILITY

The leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky yesterday debunked claims advanced by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi who on Tuesday in a public letter said Zakzaky should seek repentance and stop misleading followers.
Zakzaky in his reply made available to newsmen in Kaduna said Gumi lacked credibility to decipher or question their Islamic practice instead should remain focus in his own devotion.
In the reply signed by his spokesman, Ibrahim Usman, Zakzaky said: “The choice of the time to write the letter gave Dr. Gumi a way, he was all out to attack Sheikh Zakzaky and the Arba’een symbolic trek currently taking place across the country. We are used to his constant attacks on Sheikh Zakzaky and Shi’a. This is not the first time Dr. Gumi is complaining that members of the Islamic Movement led by Sheikh Zakzaky are blocking public roads in the name of procession.

APC CONVENTION: TAMBUWAL URGES NIGERIANS TO VOTE OUT INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, in his goodwill message at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, urged Nigerians to vote out the present administration which, he said, had lost parts of the country to insurgency under its watch.
On the Boko Haram insurgency which is taking over many areas in the northern part of the country, he assured that APC “can and shall arrest the situation almost immediately it comes into office.
“I call on all Nigerians committed to democracy and national unity to vote out incompetent and malfunctional administration that we have in Abuja today. We are on a rescue mission because the experience in the past six years is very sour in our mouth.