Author: Chronicle Editor

The Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr Chao Xiaoliang, says trade between China and Nigeria in 2017 amounted to about N4.97 trillion (13.78 billion dollars). Chao made the announcement at the celebration of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in Lagos by hundreds of Chinese nationals, with their Nigerian and non-Nigerian friends. According to him, the year 2017 also promoted more fruitful people-to-people friendships between Chinese and Nigerians. “Let me announce that the bilateral trade between our two countries in 2017 reached 13.78 billion dollars. “The year 2017 also witnessed a fruitful…

A Lagos High Court at Igbosere, on Wednesday sentenced 47-year-old paedophile, Maduabuchi Onwuta, to 25 years imprisonment for defiling a 16-month-old baby. Justice Sedotan Ogunsanya held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. “I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt. “I find the defendant guilty of the offence of defilement; he is sentenced to 25 years imprisonment, which will commence from the date of sentencing.” During the trial, the prosecution led by Mr Adebayo Haroun, said the Onwuta, a businessman committed the offence on November 26, 2013, at Isheri, Lagos.…

Without a doubt, Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) is an important witness to the Nigerian history. He is also known to often speak his mind, whether good or bad. But ignoring him is to do so at one’s own peril. That is why the controversy trailing his recent open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari may never subside. To start, Obasanjo has good intentions to declare that things are not going well in Nigeria, and there is a need for real change. In short, the letter is similar to the one he wrote to the then-sitting president, Goodluck Jonathan, which was then…

Chelsea will ban any supporters found to have used anti-Semitic language or behaviour which “shames” the club during the defeat at Watford on Monday. Chelsea were beaten 4-1 by Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League. A report on a Jewish website said one fan was left “disgusted” by chanting from fellow Blues supporters, reporting the incident to stewards at the ground. “Anti-Semitism has no place in our club, football or wider society,” said a Chelsea statement A reminder that tonight’s match with Bournemouth marks the start of our campaign to tackle antisemitism in football. More info: https://t.co/XtRbDpyf7m#SayNoToAntisemitism pic.twitter.com/tltFt3Au5E—…

West Ham are set to sign former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra until the end of the season. The Frenchman, 36, has been without a club since he left Marseille by mutual consent in November after kicking one of the club’s fans before a Europa League match. Evra was banned from Uefa competition for the rest of the season, but is able to play domestically for West Ham. He played for Hammers boss David Moyes when he managed Manchester United. READ: Antonio Conte to stay as Chelsea manager despite Watford defeat Evra then left Old Trafford for Juventus in 2014,…

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, has returned N650 million to the coffers of the Federal Government through anti-graft agency EFCC. Akinjide informed the court about this development today, when she notified Justice Muslim Sule Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos of her plans to reach an out-of-court settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had preferred a fraud and money laundering charge against her over the campaign money for the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State received from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Her lawyer, Chief…

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated writer, poet and journalist, Ikeogu Oke, for winning the 2017 edition of the Nigerian Prize for Literature, with his “The Heresiad”, after an intensive process of adjudication. President Buhari commended Oke’s passion and commitment to lifting the genre of poetry in the country; an art that many shy away from due to the required discipline and focus, reflective thinking and unique style of writing. Oke won the prestigious prize last October by beating two other shortlisted contenders, Ogaga Ifowodo (A Good Mourning) and Tanure Ojaide (Songs of Myself: Quartet). There were 184 entries for the…

Perchstone & Graeys, a commercial law firm with a practice turned to the highest values of leadership, integrity and client service, has elevated two of its senior associates to Partnership amid other key elevations within the firm. At a private ceremony held on 1 February 2018, the firm’s management announced that, acting in concert with its external consultants, Shan Consulting Limited, the Board of Partners has approved a new structure for the firm which takes immediate effect. The changes include the elevation of Mr Ugochukwu Obi and Miss Elisabet Ekpenyong to the Partnership board. The newly minted Partners will to…

A Federal High Court in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has adjourned till tomorrow the criminal trial involving Emirates Airlines and six accused persons. The accused are standing trial before the court for alleged conspiracy and theft of four bags containing the sums of $1.630million belonging to a Lagos businessman prince Chu Ikem Orji. According to a criminal charge filed before the court by the prosecuting counsel, Barrister Mike O’Osong, the offence was committed sometime in 2007 when the complainant travelled via Emirates Airline to China. The summary of the 11 counts charge reads” that you, Emirates Airlines, Pathfinders International Limited, Nigerian…

A man who invested in bitcoin has spoken to Sky News about watching his holdings drop by $440,000 in a matter of weeks following the sudden collapse of the cryptocurrency. Alix, who did not want to give his full name, saw the value of his bitcoin drop from almost $600,000 at Christmas to $160,000 this week. Despite the fall, he says he is confident about his investment, and that he believes bitcoin’s peak is still a long way off. “I started in September 2017 with about $41,000 invested and it gradually hit almost $600,000 around Christmas, which was awesome. But…