Author: Chronicle Editor

Nigeria police have rescued 300 people they say were locked in a rice factory and forced to work throughout a coronavirus lockdown. From the end of March the men were allegedly not allowed to leave the mill in the northern city of Kano. The workers were promised an additional N5,000 a month on top of their N27,000 monthly salary – those who did not accept were threatened with the sack. Five managers at the Indian-owned mill have been arrested for the treatment of their staff at the rice factory. The company, called Popular Farms, has not responded to BBC requests…

Brendan Rodgers said Kasper Schmeichel is a “world-class goalkeeper” after his penalty save proved pivotal in Leicester’s drab Premier League goalless draw against Brighton. Denmark’s Schmeichel dived brilliantly low to his right to hold the effort from Neal Maupay, who had been Brighton’s hero in the previous game with a late winner against Arsenal. ⛔ K A S P E R ⛔ Another huge stop from @KSchmeichel1 ???? pic.twitter.com/ITr24H84oe — Leicester City (@LCFC) June 23, 2020 It was the only chance of note in a lacklustre match, not helped by an empty stadium or the scorching weather. “Kasper has made…

Tottenham picked up their first victory in eight games to leave West Ham with a battle to stay in the Premier League. Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek inadvertently converted into his own net following Giovani lo Celso’s corner and Harry Kane broke clear to stroke in his 18th goal of the season. With seven games remaining, the loss leaves the Hammers outside the relegation zone but only on goal difference with Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich – who lie in the bottom three – all now having a game in hand over David Moyes’ side. The hosts punished toothless West Ham,…

Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to move back to the top of La Liga. The substitute latched onto Lionel Messi’s pass before slotting home with 19 minutes to go. It was a 15th La Liga assist of the season for Messi, who remains on 699 career goals despite going close himself on two separate occasions in the closing stages. Real Madrid can go back to the top if they beat Mallorca on Wednesday. Barcelona were far from their best but did enough to grind out this victory. With Real Madrid having a better head-to-head…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 452 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Tuesday. The 452 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is now put at 21371. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 229 patients from isolation centers across the country with eight new deaths reported. Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria topped the number of confirmed cases with 209 new cases taking the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos alone to 9073. Nigeria COVID-19 passes 20,000 with 436 new…

A Rivers High Court has restrained former deputy national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Victor Giadom from parading himself as a member or officer of the party. Justice C. Nwogu gave the order in a suit filed by Okechukwu Chidor Ogbonna and Mac-Lords Peterson against APC Rivers chapter; acting chairman of the chapter Igo Aguma; Victor Giadom and Golden Chioma in Port Harcourt. The court stated having been suspended by the State Executive Committee (SEC) of APC, Giadom should not participate in the activities of the party pending determination of the substantive case. Giadom can’t act as APC…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on Tuesday arraigned one Rahul Pathania, an Indian, and a vessel, M.V. Bount, before Justice Rilwan .M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on three-count charges bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products. The defendant was arrested alongside the vessel by the Nigerian Navy and subsequently handed over to to the Commission for prosecution. One of the count read: “That you, M.V.Bount and Rahul Pathania, on the 31st day of January 2020, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to commit an offence…

The trial of former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, began on Tuesday before Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the first prosecution witness narrating before the court how money meant for sensitization and enlightenment of Muslim youth on hate speech and religious intonation was diverted by Turaki. The former minister is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on 16-count charges of fraud and misappropriation to the tune of N714, 670, 014.87 (Seven Hundred and Fourteen Million Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Fourteen Naira, Eighty-seven Kobo).…

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel to Barcelona to see a knee specialist amid fears his season might be over. He was forced off just before half-time during the home side’s 5-0 Premier League win over Burnley, following a challenge by defender Ben Mee. The 32-year-old tweeted on Tuesday: “The scans I did have confirmed that I have damaged my left knee. “I’m in good spirits and so focused to come back as soon as possible.” During his post-match interviews, City boss Pep Guardiola revealed the Argentine had been suffering from a knee problem before the match. The scans I did…

The Nigeria Police Force has denied sealing the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Tuesday. Police spokesman, Frank Mba, said the police officers deployed to the APC secretariat were there to maintain law and order. “Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force have been deployed to the National Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress, located at Blantyre Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja. “The deployment is a proactive move by the Force to maintain peace and ensure there is no breakdown of law and order at the Secretariat. Police seal off APC national secretariat He added…