Author: David Great

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has been suspended for two matches just hours before his side’s final group match at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football officials said. Regragui, who led his country to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, had been involved in an on-field spat with Democratic Republic of Congo captain Chancel Mbemba at the end of their Group F match in San Pedro on Sunday. The incident led to scuffles between opposing players as well as staff on the pitch and alleged fighting in the tunnel at the stadium, but out of public view.…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a 72-year-old virtually impaired man, Murtala Adebayo, for defrauding a man of N19 million. Mr Adebayo was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretext before the Ikeja Special Offences Court. The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The EFCC counsel, Babangida Isah, urged the court for a trial date given his not-guilty plea. However, the defence counsel, Bamidele Ogundele, informed the court of a bail application dated January 24. The prosecution informed the court that it needed time…

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has nominated Chief Olayide Owolabi Adelami as the deputy governor of the state. The nomination of Adelami comes barely six hours after the state governor dissolved the State Executive Council (SEC) on Wednesday. Adelami, a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, will serve as deputy governor of the state as Aiyedatiwa seeks to complete the tenure of his boss, Rotimi Akeredolu, who died while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in a German hospital. According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, the name of the new deputy…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hopes to reduce inflation to about 21 per cent and strengthen the country’s overvalued naira currency, Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN governor said on Wednesday. Cardoso is under pressure to raise interest rates when the CBN meets next month for the first time since he took office in September. “Inflationary pressures are expected to decline in 2024 due to the CBN’s inflation-targeting policy, which aims to rein in inflation to 21.4%,” Cardoso said in a speech, a copy of which the central bank shared by email. Inflation in December hit 28.92%, opens new tab, its…

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dissolved the State Executive Council. The governor stated that the change will go into effect right away in a statement that his chief press secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, released on Wednesday. The governor also sacked all Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants appointed by his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu. Recall that in December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive governor of the state following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu, aged 67, passed away while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in a German hospital. Aiyedatiwa approves N1.2bn gratuities payment to 2014 retirees…

More than 6,300 people fell prey to “fake friend” scams in Singapore last year and collectively lost an equivalent of nearly $16 million, according to police. Such scams involve contacting victims, pretending to be someone they know, and asking for financial assistance.The wealthy city-state has been hit with a surge in scams in recent years, with authorities issuing frequent warnings to the public against fresh schemes from criminals. Police said in a statement Tuesday the scams had cost victims Sg$21.1 million ($15.7 million) in losses between January and November last year. In the latest case, five Malaysians were extradited on…

Angola finished top of Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, defeating Burkina Faso 2-0 on Tuesday thanks to striker Mabululu’s first-half header and Zini’s stoppage-time finish. Angola finished with seven points, while Burkina Faso came in second with four. Mauritania was third with three points following an upset win over Algeria, which knocked the top seeds from the tournament in the Ivory Coast, in yet another surprise of the competition. Mabululu’s 36th-minute header at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium came as Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore failed to clear a free kick from Angola captain Fredy and the…

Mauritania delivered another shock result at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, defeating 2019 winners Algeria 1-0 and securing a historic berth in the last 16 at the Stade de la Paix on Tuesday. Mauritania had never led in any of their previous eight continental finals matches, let alone won one. Still, a first-half goal from Yali Dellahi was enough to send Algeria packing, marking coach Djamel Belmadi’s side’s second consecutive embarrassing early exit after a similar failure in 2021. Angola led Group D with seven points after three games, followed by Burkina Faso (four), whom they defeated 2-0.…

Chelsea put up a commanding performance to reach the League Cup final after beating Middlesbrough 6-1 at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the River Side Stadium as the Championship side stunned the five-time League Cup winners. Chelsea quickly took command of the game putting pressure on the away team from the blast of the whistle. The Blues were put in the lead after Raheem Sterling squared for Armando Broja but Middlesbrough defender, Jonny Howson turned the ball into his net. Chelsea doubled their lead through Enzo Fernandez after a fine flow of play…

Femi Adesina, a former presidential spokesperson, has explained why the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, disagreed with him till his death. Adesina revealed that he had a tough relationship with Kyari since the beginning of his assignment He stated that the late Abba Kyari refused to provide him unrestricted access to the President, notwithstanding Buhari’s instructions. Adesina said in his book, ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media, and Publicity (2015-2023)’, that Kyari purposefully barred Buhari from paying the presidential media office for five years. Adesina said in the book, “In June 2015,…