Chelsea took the lead in the first half of the game against Arsenal in Stamford Bridge after Tammy Abraham was brought down by David Luiz in the penalty area. The defender was shown a red card, with Jorginho converting from the spot.
Gabriel Martinelli equalised for the Gunners after capitalising on a slip from N’Golo Kante, before Cesar Azpilicueta turned home a cross with around 10 minutes remaining, which looked like grabbing all three points.
But Hector Bellerin had the final say, cutting in from the right and finding the bottom corner on his first appearance since December 5.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed the election of Governor Samuel Ortom of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly elected governor of Benue State.
In dismissing the appeal filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Jime, as lacking in merit, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who read the unanimous judgment, held that he agreed with the submissions of respondents the concurrent findings of the two courts ought not to be dismissed.
The appellant had contested the return of Ortom of the PDP by the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) on the grounds of substantial noncompliance with the provisions of Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.
The petitioner alleged in his petition that Ortom was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.
The APC governorship candidate also challenged the results declared in Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Ukum, Ushongo and Vandeikya.
He, therefore, asked the election petition tribunal to either declare him the winner of the March 2019 governorship election in Benue or nullify Ortom’s election and order the conduct of a fresh election in the state.
Jime appealed to the apex court after his petition was unanimously dismissed at the tribunal and the Court of Appeal for lacking in merit.
Danfo, Tokunbo, Okada: Oxford Includes "Nigerian English" For The First Time Into The Dictionary (See Full List)
My English-speaking is rooted in a Nigerian experience and not in a British or American or Australian one. I have taken ownership of English.
This is how acclaimed Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie describes her relationship with English, the language which she uses in her writing, and which millions of her fellow Nigerians use in their daily communication.
By taking ownership of English and using it as their own medium of expression, Nigerians have made, and are continuing to make, a unique and distinctive contribution to English as a global language.
The Oxford English Dictionary thus highlights our contributions in this month’s issue as a number of Nigerian English words make it into the dictionary for the first time.
The majority of these new additions are either borrowings from Nigerian languages, or unique Nigerian coinages that have only begun to be used in English in the second half of the twentieth century, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s.
As at 10: 50, members of the Yoruba World Congress including Youth Groups, Agbekoya group, Atayese, Yoruba Reconciliation Groups, Kaaro Ojiire group, Oodua People Congress, Majiyagbe Group are beginning to arrive the Rememberance Archade, venue of the Oyo State Solidarity walk in support of Operation Amotekun, the Southwest regional security outfit.
As at the time of filing this report, members are just gathering with placards and banners with various inscriptions.
The list of the security operatives at the venue has also been boosted with the presence of officers from the Department of State Service and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The venue is also besieged with reporters, photojournalists.
Inscriptions on the banners displayed by the protesters read “Yoruba Omo Oodua: Protect Yourself, Amotekun”, “On Amotekun we stand”, “We want to know who owns the Land. Amotekun”, No Amotekun, No Hisbah”, among others.
Ex Edo Speaker To Expose Oshiomhole’s 'Dark Side' In 3-Hour Documentary
The immediate past speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, says he is set to release a three-hour documentary, “exposing Mr Adams Oshiomhole’s dark waters.’’
But the Oshiomhole camp says the former Edo governor has done no wrong.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday, Adjoto said the documentary would be showed to the public on Jan. 30 in Abuja.
Adjoto, who descried Oshiomhole as his long-time political confidant, said the documentary would expose Oshiomhole’s “dirty malfeasance in his days as governor of Edo State.
He said that the documentary was part of his planned nationwide campaign against Oshiomhole, who is currently the national chairman of the ruling APC.
Adjoto disclosed that the three-hour documentary highlighted some shady deals allegedly carried out by Oshiomhole in Edo’s Central Hospital contract and the N30 billion Benin Storm Water project.
The former speaker named other questionable projects executed during the Oshiomhole era as the airport road contract and some other transactions, handled by Oshiomhole at the tail end of his administration.
“The problem I have with Oshiomhole is not personal but a disagreement over reversal of initially professed democratic principles.
“Every atom of principle he preached and benefited from is a sharp contrast to what he is championing today.”
Adjoto claimed that he had the backing of critical APC stakeholders, including seven governors, whom he said, had thrown their weight behind the ‘Oshiomhole must-go-campaign, which he said, would hit the streets soon.
Commenting on the forthcoming Edo APC governorship primaries, the APC chieftain reiterated that any team sent by Oshiomhole to conduct the primaries would be vehemently rejected.
He said that the rejection of Oshiomhole was because the APC national chairman had been suspended from the party and that he lacked constitutional powers to preside over any affair of the party.
“Oshiomhole should be ready for a Zamfara showdown in Edo State if he makes any attempt to spearhead the primary process because he is behind the crisis bedeviling the party in Edo State.’’
He said that Oshiomhole’s suspension from the party had been ratified in his ward, local government and the state’s executive committee of the party.
The former lawmaker noted that the incumbent, governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, must enjoy the right of first refusal during the primaries, otherwise the process would be enmeshed in catastrophe.
He disclosed further that he would be meeting with notable traditional rulers in Oshiomhole’s senatorial zone, including the Otaru of Auchi, to inform them of the looming consequences that would face the “suspended national chairman of the party if he failed to retrace his steps.
“Without mincing words, the next few weeks will be very interesting.
“After the release of the Oshiomhole documentary, Nigerians would judge if he’s qualified to lead a party, whose principal trademark is fighting corruption,” Adjoto added.
He advised the four APC governorship aspirants against falling into what he called “Oshiomhole’s crafty political web’’.
Adjoto said he would meet with the aspirants to make them see reason to queue behind Obaseki for the common good of Edo people.
But reacting to allegations of fraud against Oshiomhole, a member of the Oshiomhole camp, Mr Henry Idahagbon, said that Obaseki and the current Secretary to the Edo Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, should also be included in any fraud charge against Oshiomhole.
Idahagbon, who was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during Oshiomhole’s administration said that every project executed during Oshiomhole’s era was approved by Obaseki as the chairman of the administration’s economic team.
He said that the contracts cited by Adjoto were over 90 per cent completed by Oshiomhole before he left office, dismissing accusations against the APC national chairman as unfounded.
Edo State is set for governorship elections in August this year.
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by Ahmed Aliyu challenging the election of Governor Aminu Tambuwal in the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Sokoto State.
In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, the apex court held that Aliyu failed to prove his claims against the election.
In the lead judgement, read by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the court held that the evidence presented by Aliyu had no evidential and probative value having not been properly certified at the tribunal.
Recall that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad was absent when the Supreme Court commenced its judgement in the governorship appeal on Kano State.
In his place, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta led the five-member panel of justices.
Counsel to the APC candidate in the election, Alex Izinyon (SAN) asked the Supreme Court to nullify the election of Tambuwal because he had not led evidence to justify the 342 votes which separates him from the APC candidate.
Aliyu polled 511,661 votes against 512,002 votes by Tambuwal after conclusion of collation in the rerun.
But lawyers to PDP and Tambuwal, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) and Muyiwa Akinboro (SAN) asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal. They argued that they have met the standard of proof that they won the election.
“The Supreme Court cannot tamper with the concurrent judgments of the lower courts if it is not in any way perverse or proved to be wrong,” Akinboro said.
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by Abba Kabiru-Yusuf challenging the election of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the March 9, 2019 governorship election.
In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, the apex court held that Kabiru-Yusuf had not demonstrated that the concurrent judgments of the tribunal and Court of Appeal were perverse.
The court, therefore, dismissed the appeal, including the cross appeal for lacking in merit. Others members of the panel are: Justices Kudirat Kekekere-Ekun, Olukayode Ariwoola, Amina Augie and Uwani Abba-Aji.
Recall that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad was absent when the Supreme Court commenced its judgement in the governorship appeal on Kano State. In his place, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta led the five-member panel of justices.
Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) who is counsel to PDP candidate in Kano, Abba Kabiru-Yusuf alias Abba Gida-Gida, had asked the Supreme Court to overturn the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the governorship election petition tribunal and affirm his client as winner of the March 9, 2019 election.
He said the INEC Returning Officer illegally cancelled election results from 207 polling units in the state, declared the election inconclusive and went ahead to fix March 23, 2019, for a supplementary poll. Awomolo asked the court to hold that the second election was no longer material as Kabiru-Yusuf was already leading in the main election.
But INEC counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) asked the panel to dismiss the appeal for want of evidence to prove that the 207 polling units were cancelled by the Returning Officer. He said different reports showed that PDP agents and thugs prevented the Returning Officer from collating the results and carted them away.
Also, Governor Ganduje through his lawyers, Offiong Offiong (SAN) and M.N. Duru, argued that the submissions by Kabiru-Yusuf and PDP were based on wrong premises which did not take cognizance of the attack on the Returning Officer.
They, therefore, asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal and affirm their victory in the election.
No fewer than 17 soldiers were killed, while many others were abducted in two confrontations on Friday and Saturday between the military and Boko Haram insurgents on Bama-Gwoza highway.
It was, however, gathered that the number of casualties on the Boko Haram side were high, although it could not be ascertained as of press time.
The insurgents were said to have initially attacked Firgi, 20 kilometres north of Pulka along the road from Gwoza to Bama on Friday.
They were said to have killed 13 soldiers in the crossfire that took over two hours.
The insurgents were said to have forced some of the soldiers to retreat.
Sources added that the insurgents carted away some arms, ammunition and vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army.
One of the sources said, “During the crossfire started around 10pm, 13 soldiers were killed with four of their vehicles taken away.
“On Saturday, the insurgents came back to the same area to continue from where they left.”
They were said to have attacked a military company at Banki junction on Bama-Gwoza Road around 10pm.
The battle was said to have lasted for about three hours.
Our correspondent gathered that the casualties on the side of the military were four, while that of the insurgents was not known.
The insurgents were also said to have abducted some soldiers and carted away arms and ammunition.
Reaction of the military could not be got as text messages to both Col. Sagir Musa, Army spokesman, and Col. Isa Ado, spokesman for the Military Joint Task Force on Counter-Insurgency in the North-East (Operation Lafiya Dole) were not responded to.
Meanwhile, the head of the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, said Boko Haram had failed in the ongoing war against the country.
Speaking at a party organised for the troops in Maiduguri on Saturday, Adeniyi who led a victory dance, said, “Boko Haram has failed, we are not going to let them get an inch of land in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.”
Adeniyi, who called out officers and soldiers and guests at the get together to be part of the victory dance, said, “We are happy to dance and shame Boko Haram who do not want us to be happy.”
The Army Chief, who was joined in the dance by the Borno Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, said, “I have made a covenant to go after Boko Haram, fight Boko Haram and end their menace.”
In his speech, Kadafur said, “We appreciate all the efforts by the military to safeguard our territory. We pray to God for guidance and repose of the souls of those that have paid the supreme price and we asked that God continue to be with their widows and orphans.”
World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua greets President Buhari in London showing humility and good up bringing. Welldone champ as you show respect for elders.That’s Yoruba culture in display.
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has warned President Muhammadu Buhari against arresting Yoruba leaders over the establishment of a security outfit for the South-west, code name Operation Amotekun.
Naija News had reported that Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore had asked Buhari over the promotion of Amotekun.
This call was made by the President-General of the group, the umbrella body of Herdsmen, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, during an interview with The Sun.
Bodejo stated that banning Amotekun was not enough, adding that arresting its leaders would be ideal.
While describing the South-west as Fulanis God-given areas, claimed that Amotekun was a ploy to stop herdsmen from the South-west.
He added, “I read it on the internet. However, it would have been a good development, if the national security agencies – the Army, the Police, the DSS, the Civil Defence, etc, were not living up to expectations.
“Will Amotekun have more security intelligence than these national security organizations The answer is no.
“Anything security should be left with those security organisations, so, I don’t know the reason for this one from the Southwest, except that it has sinister motive.
“Look at how the vigilantes are causing troubles all over; there is what is called interest in setting up this type of thing. Look at Zamfara where the vigilantes and the Fulani are having issues.
“They should not only ban it, but should arrest the leaders of this group. Like I said earlier, nobody or group has more security intelligence than the Police. The Army is doing enough; the DSS is also doing enough, likewise the Civil Defence.”
Reacting in a post on his Twitter handle, Femi Fani-Kayode dared the federal government to arrest south-west leaders.
According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Yoruba leaders were ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their loved ones.
He wrote: “Go ahead, arrest us and ignite a fire. Do your worst and make heroes and martyrs out of us. We are ready to sacrifice ALL for the freedom of our loved ones & children & for the future generations of our people.
“The struggle for secession in 1967, the Nzeogwu coup of Jan. 15th 1966 and the Orkar coup of April 22 1990, which all aimed at breaking the Islamic North’s political stranglehold coupled with the centrifugal ethnic nationalism of today, have all been abundantly vindicated.
“There is no realistic prospect of working, in equal partnership, with the Islamic North towards any shared enlightened vision of the future. It is time for us to go our separate ways.
“In as much as the control of one’s own destiny is the pre-condition for progress, a conflict with the Islamic North is inevitable if the South truly desires to successfully reform itself.”
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has warned President Muhammadu Buhari against arresting Yoruba leaders over the establishment of a security outfit for the South-west, code name Operation Amotekun.