Author: David Great

Brazilian authorities on Friday began closing down more than 2,000 betting sites, including those that sponsor popular football team Corinthians and other first-division clubs, as part of a push to regulate online gambling. Latin America’s biggest economy is struggling with what Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has called a betting “pandemic,” prompting the government to tighten the screws on the sector. Since 2018, when Brazil legalized sports betting sites, online gambling has operated in a regulatory free-for-all, subject to virtually no rules or taxes. Some of the most popular sites take bets on sporting fixtures, but Brazilians have also become hooked…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a sharp rebuke against former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, describing his recent comments on the high cost of living in Nigeria as “irresponsible and unpatriotic.” In a statement, released by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC accuses Amaechi of attempting to incite unrest among Nigerian youth. Morka criticized the former River State Governor’s remarks, claiming they were provocative and intended to incite Nigerians against the current administration. “From the lavish comfort of his ‘proverbial glass house,’ Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi… berated Nigerian youth for not…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the party’s 2019 governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, for alleged anti-party activities. The suspension extends to the state Commissioner for Power, Kharim Kumoko, Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Peres Biewari, former APC state chairman, Mr Jothan Amos, an ex-officio member of the National Executive Council, Godbless Diriwari and Southern Ijaw APC Youth Leader, Sabi Morgan. A party stakeholder and APC Chairman, Ward 3 Southern Ijaw, Omiebi Fuoebi, including all ward executive members as well as the APC Ward 4 Southern…

The Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) is preparing for a significant leadership transition as its two Vice Presidents, Bishops David Abioye and Thomas Aremu, are set to retire after serving for over four and three decades, respectively. Sources within the church, including an anonymous pastor, confirmed the impending retirements to Chronicle NG on Thursday. This move aligns with the church’s operational manual, known as The Mandate, which recently revised the retirement age for its leadership from 60 to 55 years. Church members have speculated that the retirements will coincide with celebrations for Bishop David Oyedepo’s birthday. One congregant stated, “We…

Cameroon’s government has banned the media from discussing the health of President Paul Biya, Africa’s second-longest-ruling leader, amid rumours the 91-year-old is gravely ill, according to a document obtained by AFP. Biya, the world’s oldest leader, has not made a public appearance since early September, fuelling a swirl of rumours online that the veteran president’s health is failing. “The head of state is the principal institution of the republic, and discussions on his condition are a matter of national security,” said the document addressed to regional governors, which was dated October 9 and signed by Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed an appeal challenging the acquittal of a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on charges of money laundering. Ikuforiji and his former personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, were in March 2012 charged before the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a 54-count charge bordering on alleged N338.8 million in money laundering. After 12 years of protracted trial, the court on June 24, 2014, acquitted and discharged the duo. Justice Mohammed Liman, who delivered the judgement, held that EFCC failed to prove its case against both defendants beyond reasonable…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed an appeal filed by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers to challenge the lower court judgment affirming Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly. A three-member panel of justices, led by justice Oyewole in a unanimous judgment, affirmed the January 22 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the House of Assembly. Justice Oyewole held that the appeal was bereft of merit, pointing out that Fubara, having withdrew his counter affidavits and other processes…

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage is facing backlash from the public after a controversial TikTok livestream in which she appeared half-naked alongside younger personalities, Peller and Jarvis. The 44-year-old singer’s actions have sparked a heated debate on social media, with many criticizing her for what they consider inappropriate behavior, while others have come to her defense. During the TikTok session, Tiwa Savage allegedly asked Jarvis to dance for her, while Peller was seen nearby. The situation took a provocative turn when Savage showed her buttocks to the camera, displaying her tattoos in the process. The incident immediately caught the attention…

Sean “Diddy” Combs is set to make his first appearance before the judge who is expected to preside over the hip-hop powerbroker’s trial on sex trafficking charges. Combs will be brought to Manhattan federal court from a Brooklyn jail for a Thursday afternoon appearance before Judge Arun Subramanian. The hearing is expected to result in deadlines being set for lawyers on each side to submit arguments that will establish the boundaries for a trial that Combs’ lawyers want to start in April or May. Prosecutors have not expressed a preference for when the trial might occur. The judge was assigned…

Ratan Tata, an Indian billionaire who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into an internationally recognised conglomerate, died at the age of 86, the company announced late Wednesday. Under Tata, the corporation expanded into a huge global conglomerate with a portfolio spanning from software to sports cars. “It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” company chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in a statement. “I extend our condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.” Tributes have pouring in from India and across the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tata “a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an…