Prince Odutola

Alleged N101.4bn fraud: Court orders service of hearing notice on Yahaya Bello

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, has directed that a hearing notice be served on Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, at his residence and on the court’s notice board. This follows his repeated failure to appear in court for arraignment on charges of fraud involving N101.4 billion. In a ruling on Thursday, November 14, 2024, Justice Anenih instructed that the hearing notice be pasted at Bello’s residence at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, and displayed on the court’s notice board. The court issued this order as the public summons requiring Bello’s appearance is set to expire on November 17, 2024, allowing him a few remaining days to comply. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC requested an adjournment to allow Bello more time to respond to the public summons, which provides a 30-day period for his appearance. According to the counsel to the EFCC,  Jamiu Agoro, the option of issuing a warrant of arrest is premature as the 30-day compliance period has not yet expired. Justice Anenih thereafter granted the EFCC’s request for an adjournment, setting November 27, 2024, as the new date for Bello to appear in court for arraignment. Recall that the court had previously issued a public summons on October 3, 2024, after Bello failed to attend prior hearings related to the new 16-count charges filed against him by the EFCC. The charges include allegations of fraud amounting to N101.4 billion.

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Emefiele’s CBN new Naira notes different from President’s approval, Witness tells Court

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor Godwin Emefiele continued on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, with a  fifth prosecution witness, Kingsley Obiora, former CBN Deputy Governor in charge of policy, disclosing that the new naira notes printed and released into circulation under Emefiele’s leadership did not match the President’s approval.

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AFCONQ: Osimhen, Lookman lead Eagles assaults against Benin Rep

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman will lead Super Eagles attack in a potentially-explosive Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against neighbours Benin Republic later this evening. Both players are expected to replicate their top form in Europe this season when they file out against the Beninoise at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Cote d’Ivoire. Stanley Nwabali kept his place in goal and will be provided cover by Calvin Bassey, newly invitee Gabriel Osho, William Troost-Ekong and OlaOluwa Aina. Wilfred Ndidi will be joined in the midfield by Bruno Onyemaechi, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho. The substitutes are; Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Bashirun, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Collins, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Umar Sadiq, Samuel Chukwueze, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Frank Onyeka. Nigeria will qualify for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations final tournament if they overcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. Victory will render Monday’s concluding qualifier against Rwanda, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, an academic session. The tie is slated to kick off by 8pm Nigeria time.

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Bobrisky: My godfather ‘ll remain anonymous forever 

Controversial crossdresser, Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, has vowed not to reveal the identity of his godfather.  After denying that audio that was widely circulated was Artificial Intelligence generated, Bobrisky on Thursday, admitted that he has a godfather in a post on his Instagram page.  According to the social media influencer said he won’t revealed the identity of his backer despite the  curiosity of some certain persons.  Bobrisky wrote; “The moment we sue them they were shocked that Bobrisky sue us? (Sic).  “Who is that strong man behind her?  “You will never know him. He will be anonymous forever.  “I’m not even telling my own family about him, not to talk of one nonsense friends. (Sic).  “I should you so that you can go to his page to insult him? Never.” about who is his backer but the  It can be recalled that was accused of spending his jail term at private faculty as against the Correctional Center, Kirikiri, Lagos following his conviction by a Lagos Court a few months ago. 

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2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight commences

The 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight will commence in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Thursday, November 14, 2024.Eight clubs have been drawn into two groups and matches will commence from 10:00am.All matches will be decided at the picturesque Basketball Stadium, 53 Niger Street, Old Port Harcourt township.The venue is the home ground of the reigning Basketball champions in Nigeria, Rivers Hoopers Basketball club of Port Harcourt.Meanwhile, Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barr. Chris Green who fielded questions from journalists at a world press conference in Port Harcourt promised that the State is set to put up a show and host the best ever finals of the competition.“We hosted the final eight competition last year and it was described by many as the best and we intend to raise the bar a notch higher,” Barr. Green said.“Rivers State is a home of hospitality and excellence. Like the former Minister of Sports in Nigeria, Sam Enoh once said, Port Harcourt and indeed Rivers State has fast become a hub of Sports in the country. “We welcome all participating clubs and visitors to Port Harcourt. They are assured of the traditional Rivers hospitality and may the best team win,” he concluded.Fixtures for day one (Thursday, November 14, 2024)Gboko City Chiefs vs Police Baton (10:00am)Niles University vs Kwara Falcons (12:00pm)Hoops and Read vs Kano Pillars (2:00pm)Rivers Hoopers vs Gombe Bulls (4:00pm)All games to be decided at the BasketBall Stadium, 53 Niger Street, Old Port Harcourt township._At a glance: 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Eight in Port Harcourt Rivers State*There are two groups of four teams each.These are the groupsGroup AGboko City Chiefs Police BatonHoops and Read Kano Pillars Group BRivers Hoopers  Gombe BullsNiles University Kwara Falcons

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Eagles set to punch 2025 AFCON ticket 

Reigning African vice-champions Nigeria know they will qualify for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations final tournament if they overcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign Matchday 5 encounter in Abidjan on Thursday. This knowledge will inform a feisty approach from the first blast of Senegalese referee Issa Sy’s whistle. After three wins out of their earlier four games (the only draw being the Matchday 2 session with Rwanda in Kigali), the Super Eagles are riding high with 10 points, four more than second-placed Benin Republic, who suffered a glitch in Kigali in the last round of games. A win virtually guarantees Nigeria’s leadership of the group going into the final-day tussles. On the other hand, the Cheetahs, with six points, know they cannot afford any more slip-ups following the tumble in Kigali, as they could still be tossed if they lose their last two games and Rwanda, on five, earn a minimum of two points in their own final two. Even Libya, with only one point, can still leap over Benin Republic if they beat Rwanda in Kigali, the Cheetahs are bumped by the Eagles, and the Knights rout the Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday. The foregoing dynamics will make for a vicious 90 minutes at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the heart of the Ivorian capital on Thursday evening. With England-based centre-back Semi Ajayi absent as a result of injury, Coach Augustine Eguavoen is most likely to start with the rearguard that squared up to the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Uyo last month, meaning Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre back, with wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and the couple of defensive midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika are available for the spaces in the middle, while Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar and Kelechi Iheanacho are in the selection pool for the fore. Victory will render Monday’s concluding qualifier against Rwanda, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, an academic session, with only the visitors keen to try and get something out of the clash while the Eagles play for sheer pride.         

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