Author: David Great

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, January 9, 2023, in Abuja, commenced the sale of forfeited real estate assets by sealed bids, to the highest bidders. At today’s session, there was no successful bid for the properties in Lot 1 comprising 24 units of luxury flats at Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was expected to be sold as a single unit. A bidder who turned in the highest bid of N13.1 billion was disqualified for failure to include the stipulated 10% of the bid amount. Other bidders did not make the reserve price. Consequently, Secretary to the…

Cristiano Ronaldo will serve his suspension before making his league debut for his new Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr but he could play against Paris St Germain in a friendly this month, coach Rudi Garcia has said. Ronaldo missed the first of two domestic games for Al Nassr on Friday after being suspended by England’s Football Association (FA) for knocking a phone out of a fan’s hand following Manchester United’s defeat at Everton in April. Garcia confirmed the 37-year-old forward would also miss the league game against Al Shabab and make his debut against Ettifaq on Jan. 22 – unless…

President Muhammadu Buhari says he looks forward to the peaceful conduct of this year’s general elections, and retirement since he has satisfied the constitutionally required two terms in office. The president said this at the State House, Abuja, when he hosted the Special Envoy of President Evariste Ndayishimiye of the Republic of Burundi, who came with a message, in the course of week. Buhari said Nigeria would support Burundi in diverse ways as necessary, saying this would be in the spirit of African solidarity and brotherliness. The Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning of Burundi, Mr. Audace Niyonzima, said…

Graham Potter retains the support of Chelsea’s board despite Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester City. The former Brighton boss has been under pressure after a run of six losses in nine games in all competitions, with Chelsea exiting both domestic cups and slipping to 10th in the Premier League. Fans sung the name of former boss Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked in September, during Sunday’s game. But Chelsea see Potter, who replaced Tuchel, as a long-term appointment. There is belief he can turn around the club’s form, which has not been helped by a long list of injuries.…

Portugal named former Belgium coach Roberto Martinez as their new manager on Monday and the Spaniard said he would sit down with Cristiano Ronaldo to talk about his future in the team. Martinez, 49, replaces Fernando Santos, who left his job after Portugal suffered a shock defeat by Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals. “I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he (Martinez) received the invitation,” Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) President Fernando Gomes told a news conference as Martinez stood next to him. “This is an important moment for the national team,” he said. Martinez stepped down as Belgium…

Brazil’s Supreme Court late on Sunday removed the governor of Brasilia from office for 90 days due to flaws in security in the capital, after thousands of backers of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro ransacked government buildings. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes also ordered social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to block coup-mongering propaganda. Brazilian authorities have begun investigating the worst attack on the country’s institutions since democracy was restored four decades ago, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowing to bring those responsible for the riot to justice. Tens of thousands of anti-democratic demonstrators on Sunday…

Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate has condemned the attack on Edo train station, stressing that, he will implement community and state policing if elected. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the former Vice President of Nigeria explained that there is a need to revamp Nigeria’s security architecture. “The attack on a train station in Igueben LGA of Edo State, during which armed men kidnapped an undetermined number of people, is the latest in a long condemnable line of security breaches previously unseen in our national history,” Atiku said. “The thoughts of my family, and I are with the…

Manchester United are considering a move for 36-year-old Inter Milan and Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko, who spent four years at Manchester City. (Mail) Arsenal are interested in 19-year-old Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde, who is yet to sign a contract extension. (Sport – in Spanish) Newcastle are preparing for a summer move for Bayer Leverkusen’s 23-year-old France forward Moussa Diaby. (Bild – in German) Aston Villa are close to a breakthrough in talks to sign 29-year-old Spanish defender Alex Moreno from Real Betis. (Football Insider) Southampton are considering a move for Celtic’s 25-year-old Japan forward Daizen Maeda. (Sky Sports) Racing Club have rejected Southampton’s bid for 20-year-old Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz. (The Athletic – subscription) Southampton have had a £15m…

Supporters of Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday invaded the country’s Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court, in a grim echo of the US Capitol invasion two years ago by fans of former President Donald Trump. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in the most fraught election in a generation last year, announced a federal security intervention in Brasilia lasting until Jan. 31. He blamed Bolsonaro for the invasion, and complained about a lack of security in the capital, saying it had let “fascists” and “fanatics” wreak havoc. All of the rioters will be…

Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Manchester City walloped Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium to progress to the next round. City took the lead after Mahrez curled a delicious free-kick past Kepa Arrizabalaga who was helpless in goal. The Citizens grabbed the second after Kai Havertz handled the ball in the box. Argentine striker, Julian Alvarez stepped up and converted. Phil Foden scored third for City before Mahrez second his second of the evening by scoring from the spot after a foul by Kalidou Koulibaly. Chelsea fans turn up heat on Potter Chelsea’s supporters gave their…