Author: Chronicle Editor

By Owei Lakemfa I woke up on Sunday, January 9, 2022 hoping to spend a restful day. But a video popped up on my phone. Two radical youths, Kunle ‘Wiseman’ Ajayi and Banwo ‘Proficience’ Oladokun had been ‘captured’ by the Nigeria Police Force. As the victorious policemen conveyed their trophies in a bus, the courageous youths shouted their names, displayed injuries and complained they had been brutalized. As Oladokun showed his injured wrist, the phone was apparently snatched. The issue is not whether the police can effect arrest, but the process must not necessarily be brutal leading to unnecessary injuries…

Twenty two suspected oil thieves and a vessel: MT. TIS IV handed over to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by the Nigeria Navy are being quizzed in connection with alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products. The suspects, arrested by the Nigerian Naval Ship, (NNS) Soroh, Naval Base, Camp Porbeni, Yenagoa along Akassa Rivers, Bayelsa state, on December 6, 2021 and handed over to the EFCC on Friday, January 7, 2022, include: Levi Jonathan; Eze Kenneth; Enemari Peter James; Sunday Ereku; Emmanuel Ogbonna; Timi Amos; Fatai Kareem; Chuks Egbo, Tony Atawo and Saviour…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has disclosed that it recovered the aggregate sum of N152, 088,698,751.64 (naira); $386,220,202.84 (dollar); £1, 182,519.75 (pounds); €156,246.76 (euro); 1,723,310.00 Saudi Riyal, 1,900.00 South African Rand, and 1, 400.00 Canadian dollar between January and December 2021. The recovery basket also included a digital currency component with 5, 36957319 Bitcoin and 0.09012 Ethereum. Headquarters Operation dominated the recoveries with N67, 249, 744, 994.89, $375,662,223.59 and £1,151,539.75. It was closely followed by the Lagos Command which led the naira recoveries with N70, 315,611,260.52, $9,286,497.83 and £21,500.00. EFCC secured 2220 convictions in 2021 The Kaduna Zonal…

An Australian court has ruled that Novak Djokovic will be released, after the judge found unreasonableness in how the border official made his decision cancelling the visa. Judge Anthony Kelly ruled that Djokovic’s visa cancellation order is “quashed” immediately. This means his visa is now valid and he can enter Australia. While the court has ruled in Djokovic’s favour, government lawyer Chris Tran said Australia’s immigration minister may consider cancelling his visa again. Under Australia’s immigration law, the minister has exceptional powers and discretion to cancel visas for whatever reason. Djokovic gets Covid jab waiver for Australian Open Mr Tran…

West African leaders have imposed sanctions on Mali after the country’s military government announced a long delay to elections originally planned for next month. The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, which met in Accra on Sunday, agreed to close borders with Mali as well as implement a range of economic sanctions. Mali’s military government in response said that it was closing its land and air borders with ECOWAS and recalling its ambassadors from member states. In a statement, the junta said it “strongly” condemned “illegal” sanctions imposed on the country. Osinbajo in Accra, represents Nigeria at ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on…

Cameroon came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in an incident-packed opener at the Africa Cup of Nations. An acrobatic volley from Gustavo Sangare put the Burkinabe ahead midway through the first half in Yaounde. But two unerring penalties from captain Vincent Aboubakar turned the game around for the hosts before half-time. Indomitable Lions keeper Andre Onana made two crucial second-half saves as Toni Conceicao’s side opened their Group A campaign with victory. A Cape Verde side hit by Covid-19 cases saw off 10-man Ethiopia 1-0 in the day’s second game in the Olembe Stadium, with striker Julio Tavares…

Jose Mourinho said his Roma side suffered a “psychological collapse” after conceding three goals in seven minutes in their defeat to Juventus. Roma had led 3-1 with 20 minutes left before Juve’s stunning comeback. Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini also had a late penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny after Matthijs de Ligt had been shown a second yellow card for handball. “We did very well for 70 minutes, but after that it was a psychological collapse,” Mourinho told DAZN. “When you’re in trouble you’re supposed to get back up and show what your made of, but there are people in the changing…

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has revealed that the recent cases of ritual killings suspected to be carried out by “Yahoo Boys” will be dealt with by government. He also vowed to make the state uninhabitable for criminals, kidnappers and others behind criminal activities in the state. The governor said this at an International Church Service to mark the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Emblem Appeal Launch held at St. Finbarrs Catholic Church, Rayfield Jos. Lalong expressed outrage over the recent cases of ritual killings in Jos as well as kidnappings which have become a source of concern…

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has received notice of the return of the officers of the Nigerian Army to correctional centers in the state. Akeredolu, who described the return as a welcome development, said the Nigerian Army has allowed good reasoning to prevail in the interest of the people. He stated that the initial withdrawal of the officers from the correctional centers was an aberration and an undue security risk. “We note the return of soldiers to the correctional centers as concerting. The security of lives and property of our people remain an onerous task that must be carried…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday failed to announce the exact date for its national convention which is slated to hold in February 2022. Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state had on Friday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House to discuss a number of issues. Chronicle NG reports that after the meeting, he addresses State House correspondents and revealed that on Sunday, 9 January, the ruling APC will disclose the specific date for its national convention. He said that APC governors will meet on Sunday and that a date will be announced but that did not…