Author: David Great

Doyin Okupe, the former Director General of Peter Obi-Datti’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, has left the Labour Party. Okupe’s resignation letter, published in the media on Monday, cited ideological disagreements following the 2023 election as the reason for his departure from the party. Okupe was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja in December 2023 after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him with N700 million in money laundering. He was accused of fraudulently obtaining money from former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki from monies intended for military purchase. He was sentenced to two years in prison, but…

Subscribers on the platform of telecommunication giant Globacom may soon be unable to make calls to MTN lines owing to unresolved interconnection payments. The Nigerian Communications Commission announced this on Monday in a public notice signed by Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs Department. It added that the commission gave partial clearance to the disconnection of the network from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. The notification states in part, “Globacom was notified of MTN’s application and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case.” Block SIMs without NIN, NCC directs MTN, Airtel, others “The Commission, having examined the application and…

Sadiya Umar-Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has arrived at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters to clarify allegations of fraud and money laundering levelled against her. Umar-Farouq appeared to the EFCC offices to accept the anti-graft agency’s request to provide explanation on various issues under investigation. The former minister had earlier indicated her readiness to honour the Commission’s invitation. “I remain proud to have served my country as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and will defend my actions, stewardship, and programmes during my tenure…

President Bola Tinubu has called for an investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which is led by Betta Edu. Tinubu’s order was contained in a statement released on Sunday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. Chronicle NG reports that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs ad Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu denied any fraud allegation against herself  after a memo surfaced in which she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget who who the ministry claimed is currently the Project…

France and Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, 25, has agreed a deal to join Real Madrid at the end of his contract. (Foot Mercato – in French) Madrid have offered Mbappe, whose deal at PSG ends this summer, less money than they did in their discussions in 2022. (Athletic – subscription required) However, Mbappe could yet make a move to the Premier League. (Times – subscription required) Mbappe was linked with a move to Premier League leaders Liverpool but it appears to have fallen through. Juventus have pulled out of the race to sign Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips because of the loan fee and the breakdown of the 28-year-old’s salary. (Fabrizio…

The police in Lagos State arrested two men on Thursday for allegedly beating a man to death over an allegation of car door theft, the command spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Sunday. Hundeyin said the arrest was made after the widow of the deceased reported the case at the Iponri Police Division. He said the woman reported on Thursday that while she was at home, she received a call that some people were beating her husband. “In her report, she said they were beating her husband because he allegedly stole two doors of a car. “She reported that on…

An own goal by Jakub Kiwior and a thumping late strike by Luis Diaz sealed a 2-0 victory for Liverpool at Arsenal in the weekend’s headline FA Cup third round tie as the hosts’ dismal form extended into the New Year on Sunday. Arsenal wasted a handful of chances in the first half and were made to pay as Liverpool skipper Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free kick glanced off the head of Kiwior in the 80th minute. Diaz then made sure of eight-time winners Liverpool’s place in the fourth round draw as he lashed home in stoppage time. Earlier on Sunday holders…

President Bola Tinubu has settled the overdue arrears owed the Super Eagles and other national sporting teams by the Federal Government. In a statement on Tinubu’s Media Centre’s X (formerly Twitter) handle sighted by Chronicle NG on Sunday, the payment includes the clearance of senior national team coach salary for up to 15 months, as well as payments of allowances and pledges owed to the senior national teams, ladies, and Under-20 national team. The statement adds, “President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, including Super Eagles and others.” “The…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kano State has arrested a 25-year-old man, Alkasim Ya’u, for allegedly stabbing his father to death at Tudun Yola ‘C’, in the Gwale Local Government Area of the state. The NSCDC Corps Commandant, Mohammed Falala, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Kano on Sunday. He said the incident occurred on Friday at about 1:30 p.m. at the residence of Salisu Bala. “The deceased father, Ya’u Mohammed, brought his mentally ill son, Alkasim Ya’u, to Psychiatric Hospital Dawanau for medical treatment, where they booked to see a medical doctor…

England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 33, wants to return to the Premier League from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq and will seriously consider any offers the club receives this month. (Mail) Chelsea could move for Henderson, which would increase the likelihood of Conor Gallagher moving on. (football.london) Gallagher is however expected to remain at Chelsea this month despite interest from Tottenham in the 23-year-old England midfielder. (Mirror) Manchester United are interested in signing Crystal Palace’s French midfielder Michael Olise, 22, and could use English defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 26, as part of an exchange deal. (Star) Wolves are looking at loan moves in the January transfer window, with West Ham’s English forward Danny Ings,…