February 2025 | Trendbrio.com

President Federation Cup: NFF insists on this weekend for finals in all States and the FCT

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago01 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has again declared that all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory must stage the final matches of their 2025 President Federation Cup competition on Saturday, 22nd February or Sunday, 23rd February 2025. In a statement to secretaries of Football Associations in all the 36 States and the FCT, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, reiterated: “Final matches are to be played ONLY ON 22nd/23rd, except in special cases and as approved by the NFF “Failure to adhere to the above attracts a fine of N1,000,000 (One million naira only).” The National Play-Off of this year’s competition has been scheduled for 5th March, with the National Draw one week later, while the Rounds of 64, 32 and 16 are scheduled for 19th March, 2nd April and 16th April 2025 respectively. The quarter-finals have been slated for 3rd and 4th May, with the semi-finals fixed for 17th and 18th May.

NFF sets Tuesday deadline for CAF B-License Coaching Course registration

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that midnight on Tuesday, 25th February 2025 will be the deadline for registration, for those who desire to participate in the four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that will run between April and August this year. The course, according to the NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges, and is for both men and women coaches. “As I stated some weeks ago, the CAF B-License course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules. It will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, and to be eligible, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-License certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course. “The response has been pretty awesome, and that is why we now have to bring the deadline forward. The new deadline is midnight of Tuesday, 25th February 2025 for intending participants.” Last year, the NFF organised a CAF C-License programme exclusively for women – the first-ever – which drew 30 women coaches from across the country, including a good number of former Nigeria international players. The three-module course took place between July and September 2024.

Blockbuster Man City-Liverpool clash live on Showmax

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

Manchester City hosts Liverpool on Sunday, in a highly anticipated clash, which kicks off at 5:30 PM, and will be available to stream live on Showmax Premier League mobile. City and Liverpool have been the standard setters in the Premier League for much of the last eight years. While City are ahead in the trophy count, Liverpool have pushed them to the limit in title races, including their 97-point campaign in 2019. The landscape has shifted this season, with Liverpool sitting comfortably at the top of the table. On the other hand, City have already suffered seven league defeats and sit in an unfamiliar fourth place, 17 points adrift. A win for City would disrupt the title race, giving Arsenal and other contenders hope, while a Liverpool victory would reinforce their grip at the summit. City go into this fixture buoyed by a 4-0 win over Newcastle, but reeling from a Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s side has lacked their usual dominance this season, struggling with injuries and defensive lapses. Liverpool, meanwhile, was held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa during the week. Despite their strong league form, inconsistency in key moments has left them vulnerable. A positive result at the Etihad would strengthen their title charge, while a slip-up could open the door for Arsenal, who have quietly built momentum in recent weeks. Beyond the title race, the weekend offers plenty of intrigue across the league. Arsenal host West Ham, as they look to keep the pressure on Liverpool. The Hammers, who have lost their last two games, face a difficult task against an in-form Gunners side. Chelsea, still struggling for consistency, travel to Aston Villa after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Brighton. Meanwhile, Manchester United face Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off, with both teams looking to climb out of mid-table mediocrity. With the season entering a decisive phase, every point matters. Fans can catch all the weekend’s action, including Sunday’s high-stakes clash between City and Liverpool, live on Showmax Premier League mobile. Sign up at www.showmax.com

Man Utd scouts Osimhen

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to monitor Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, according to talkSPORT. Osimhen, 26, recently scored twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 victory over Rizespor, further solidifying their lead at the top of the table. This performance has reportedly intensified United’s interest as they seek to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. However, securing Osimhen’s signature may prove challenging. The Nigerian international commands a significant wage, reportedly around £200,000 per week, and is keen to play in the Champions League. While United are interested, they face competition from other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly preparing for the departure of Randal Kolo Muani. Osimhen has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, stating last year, “Future in the Premier League? Of course, I would like to play it one day, for now I have other plans for my career. When the time comes you will know everything.” Since acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United nearly a year ago, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented a cautious approach to spending, including workforce reductions to free up funds for player acquisitions. The club’s ability to make a substantial offer for Osimhen will likely depend on their financial position concerning Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). While sending scouts suggests United are exploring the possibility of a deal with both Napoli and the player, it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe will mandate squad trimming before any major purchases. Osimhen’s prolific 2022/23 season, where he scored 26 goals in 32 games and led Napoli to the Serie A title, earned him the African Player of the Year award for 2023. Napoli subsequently extended his contract, including a £113 million release clause, to protect their asset. Despite this, his goal-scoring form dipped slightly the following season, making European giants hesitant to trigger the release clause. The arrival of Antonio Conte at Napoli further complicated Osimhen’s situation, leading to his season-long loan to Galatasaray. There, he has rediscovered his scoring touch, leading the club to the top of the Turkish league.

Napoli, Owner dragged to Court over Osimhen deal

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

Italian prosecutors on Wednesday called for Napoli and the club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis to stand trial for false accounting related to transfers, including that of Serie A title hero Victor Osimhen. Napoli, De Laurentiis and one of his key advisors Andrea Chiavelli are suspected by prosecutors in Rome of filing falsified accounts between 2019 and 2021, with their investigation focused on the signings of Kostas Manolas from Roma and Osimhen from Lille. The 70 million-euro deal for Nigeria striker Osimhen — now on loan at Galatasaray — in 2020 raised eyebrows due to four players valued at around 20 million euros moving to Lille, three of whom never played for the French club. Napoli and De Laurentiis’ lawyers said that the decision to ask for a trial was “incomprehensible”. “In the documents there are opinions from consultants and independent bodies which demonstrate incontrovertibly that Napoli acted legitimately and in compliance with Italian accounting principles,” said Fabio Fulgeri and Lorenzo Contrada. “We are convinced that the proceedings will conclude positively (for Napoli and De Laurentiis).” A preliminary hearing judge will decide within six months whether the alleged offences are worthy of a criminal trial which would likely take years to complete. However, a source at Napoli told AFP that the documents in the prosecutors’ trial request have already been ruled as containing nothing incriminating by disciplinary authorities at Italy’s football federation (FIGC). The source said that there is “no chance” of Napoli being penalised by the FIGC even if the club were eventually found guilty in criminal courts, and added that they were confident a trial wouldn’t even take place. Osimhen was a huge star at Napoli and one of the keys to the club winning a third Serie A title — the first since the days of Diego Maradona — as they romped to the Scudetto with five matches remaining in 2023. Teaming up with breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen scored 26 times in Serie A that season and confirmed his status as one of the world’s best strikers. But he soon began angling for a move away — saying publicly that he wanted to play in England’s Premier League — and after failing to agree a deal to leave last summer he was frozen out before being ignominiously loaned to Galatasaray in September. Osimhen’s move to Italy was one of a series of transfers from the same period which were investigated by the FIGC but which ended with all defendants, including Napoli and De Laurentiis, acquitted in April 2022. However the probe opened a can of worms and just over a year later Juventus were deducted 10 points after being found guilty of managing capital gains from transfers to artificially benefit their balance sheet. Juve were punished thanks to new evidence from a separate criminal investigation — named “Operation Prism” — carried out by prosecutors into the club’s accounting practices. A raft of Juve figures including ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli were handed long bans from football and also await a decision next month over whether they will face criminal trial.

Court jails 30 internet fraudsters in Ibadan

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago06 mins

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of 30 internet fraudsters before Justices Ladiran Akintola, Adebisi Adetujoye and K.B. Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan. The convicts are: Gbadega Ayomide, Ojo Oluwapelumi Oluwatomiwa, John Odey Ade, Ezekiel Oluwatobi Damilare, Usman Olamilekan Hammed, Ogunjobi Oluwafemi Oluwadunsin, Abdulrauf Taiwo Adekunmi, Ariyo Adejuwon Iyanu, Ahmed Ridwan Tajudeen, Ayomide Adedara, Oyewale Opeyemi Kayode, Charles Nneji, Obaoye Testimony Isaac, Olisemeka Tochukwu Anakweze, Ojo Opeyemi Makanjuola and Taiwo Kayode Goodness. Others are: Bolarinwa Usman Gbolahan, Olawuni Gbenga Samuel, Segun Michael Balogun, Charles Ifeoluwa Olayode, Sule Taofeek Rotimi, Sodade Oludotun Tolulope, Adeyemo Waris Olabode, Akinnawonu Bidemi Raphel, Ayanda Samuel Oluwaseyi, Adeniyi Oluwasola Oluwatosin, Olorunosebi Toyyib Alabi, Okorie Ifeanyi Favour, Akande Opeyemi Babatunde and Siyanbola Oluwaseun Ibrahim. They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges that bordered on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents. The charge against Ibrahim reads: “That you, Siyanbola Oluwaseun Ibrahim “M” sometimes in June, 2022 at Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Austin Frazier via Facebook messenger did falsely represent yourself as Vivian Harding, a female from Chicago, United State of America, which representation you knew to be false, thereby committed the offence of personation, contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 30, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.” All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, Modupe Akinkoye, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Chidi Okoli, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsuddeen Bashir, David Olubode and A.M. Aliyu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Oluwatosin to one year imprisonment or to pay a fine N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), Oluwaseyi to six months imprisonment or to pay a fine of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), Raphael to three months jail term or to pay a fine of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira). Justice Akintola also convicted and sentenced Favour, Olabode, Tolulope, Gbolahan, Goodness, Makanjuola, Nneji and Isaac to six months community service each or to pay N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, each. Others convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintola are Ibrahim, Alabi and Babatunde who bagged three months community service each or to pay N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) fine, each. Justice Olawoyin on her part convicted and slammed Ayomide, Oluwatomiwa, Ade, Balogun, Olayode and Rotimi with one year imprisonment each or to pay a fine of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) respectively. Also convicted and sentenced by Justice Olawoyin is Samuel who got six months jail term or to pay a fine of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira). Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Damilare, Hammed, Oluwadunsin, Adekunmi, Iyanu, Kayode and Anakweze to two months community service each. Adedara bagged one month community service. Their sentences are without an option of fine. Though Justice Adetojoye convicted Tajudeen, he cautioned and discharged him. Besides their sentences, all the convicts forfeited items recovered from them that include money, phones and a Lexus 350 car with registration number: FKJ–320–HW recovered from Anakweze to the federal government. In addition, Anakweze was ordered by the court to make a restitution of N8,731,000.00 (Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-one Thousand Naira) to his victim.

Alleged N33.8bn: I received N777m on Mamman`s behalf, spent it on his instructions -Witness

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago08 mins

The Tenth Prosecution Witness , PW10, Mifbahu Idris in the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 told a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho how he received the sum of N777,538 (Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-eight Thousand Naira) in cash and transfers from bureau de change operators between 2019 and 2021 on the instructions of the defendant who also directed how they were spent. Idris, nephew and special assistant to Mamman, while been cross- examined by defence counsel, Femi Atteh, SAN, disclosed while reading his extra-judicial statement to the EFCC on April 17, 2023 that the sum were wired from different accounts owned and operated by Maina Goje and Abdulahi Suleiman who are bureau de change operators, which he allegedly disbursed to friends, family members, associates and for payment for household utilities on the instructions of Mamman. Earlier on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the witness had during his examination-in-chief led by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, testified that Mamman was his uncle and that he worked with him for two years in the Federal Ministry of Power, Abuja and that he also knew Mr Abubakar Bida, who works in the ministry too. According to him, “there was a day Abubakar Bida called me on phone, he introduced himself to me that Engineer Saleh Mamman said he should call me and that he will be calling me from time to time to meet one Maina Goje. He told me to go and meet Goje. Whenever I meet him, sometimes he will give me cash or transfer money, and he will say that this is for Oga. I will bring it to Saleh Mamman and hand it over to him. The cash can be in dollars and sometimes naira. He will say keep it with you, I will be telling you how to spend it. Sometimes, I use the money to buy foodstuffs, electricity units or send to his associates, friends and family based on his directives. I usually bring the money to his house.“ Testifying further, he said `I usually receive money from Maina Goje and Abdulahi Suleiman based on the instructions using Saleh’s Mammans name. It was Mustapha Abubakar that asked me to collect the money on behalf of Saleh Mamman which I spent based on instructions. It was Maina Goje that introduced me to Abdulahi Suleiman. Sometimes I will receive the money in my account or cash, sometimes in naira, sometimes in dollars,” he said. He confirmed his statement of account with GTB marked exhibit PWq, when it was shown to him and confirmed receiving N10million through it on August 26, 2021. He also confirmed receiving the sum of N10million through the same account on April 1, 2023, from Sharifiddin Global Enterprises on behalf of Saleh Mammah and he allegedly spent the money based on the defendant`s instructions. He also confirmed receiving money from FirstKlaz’s Construction Projects, Mintage Nigeria Limited, Spinhills Biz International, Fulest Utility Concepts and Silverlines Adventures which are accounts owned and operated by the bureau de change operators, Maina Goje and Abdullahi Suleiman. He further confirmed from his account statement that he received the sum of N10million on August 26, 2021, N10 million on April 16, 2022, and N1million from Silverline on April 10, 2022. Furthermore, he disclosed that he received another N1 million, on May 22, 2022, another N1million from Suleiman Abdulahi on May 7, 2022, another NImillion from Silverline Adventures all of which he said he spent on the instruction of the defendant. The witness further confirmed that he refunded the sum of N190million to the EFCC, which he said was given to him by Mamman. The Eleventh Prosecution Witness, (PW11), Goje Maina, while also giving his testimony narrated how he delivered cash to the former minister in his Maitama, Abuja`s residence . ” I used to carry cash to the minister`s house in Maitama and sometimes Mifbahu will come and collect the money. I can’t remember the number of times I have taken the money there, but there is a boy there that they gave me his number. Anytime I get there, the boy will come and I will open my car and give him the cash. The money sometimes was N20million, N25million or N30million or I will give him dollars in an envelope like $100,000 dollars. Mustapha Bida has never complained that they did not get the money,” he said The matter was adjourned till March 4, 5,17 and 18 2025 for continuation of trial. Mamman is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 12-count charge, bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo).

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Man bags 17-year jail term for defiling 7-year old

Prince Odutola2 weeks ago2 weeks ago02 mins

Justice Rahman Oshodi, of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday, 18th February, 2025, convicted and sentenced a man, Sunday Okoronkwo, to 17 years imprisonment at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, for defiling his neighbour’s seven-year-old granddaughter. His name will be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register as maintained by Lagos State. The trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, sentenced Okoronkwo following his guilty plea to the amended two counts of child sexual abuse by penetration. Oshodi said: “You sexually abused a seven-year-old child who was your neighbour’s granddaughter.” “The prosecutrix’s evidence, which was corroborated by both your confessions, established that you had sexual intercourse with her.” “You have elected to enter into a plea bargain agreement wherein you pleaded guilty to attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault. “The maximum sentence for attempting to commit sexual assault by penetration is 14 years imprisonment, whilst sexual assault carries a maximum term of three years imprisonment.” According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 262 and 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. Okoronkwo was therefore sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on count one and 3 years imprisonment on count two and both jail terms would run consecutively.