Judge hits out at man's 90-lawyer defence team

Mr Tarfa (C) arrived at court flanked by a legion of senior lawyers

A judge has criticised a lawyer facing criminal charges after he turned up to court in Lagos with a defence team of more than 90 people.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo described the approach as tantamount to "harassment and intimidation", a statement by Nigeria's anti-corruption agency says.

Prominent lawyer Rickey Tarfa is charged with the obstruction of justice and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He denies both sets of charges.

Mr Tarfa is accused of blocking the arrest of two suspects wanted in a corruption case by keeping them in his car for nearly six hours on 5 February when they were due to be picked up by the authorities, according to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which brought the case.

In the second charge, he is accused of perverting the course of justice by communicating through his personal mobile phone with a judge overseeing a trial between the EFCC and two private companies which he was representing.

Mr Tarfa was granted bail at the hearing and the case has been adjourned until March.

We Support President Buhari’s Fight Against Corruption – Enough Is Enough

Members of Enough is Enough Anti Corruption Group

Every day, you watch from the television, hear from the radio, read from the newspapers, browse through online platform of people in one form of misappropriation or the other and if you recall earlier this month, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo was reported in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Laoulu Akande, that some elite Nigerians were mounting pressure on the Buhari administration to slow down on the anti-corruption crusade.

That statement also said that there were suggestions by those elite Nigerians for the government to actually cool down and allow those found to have stolen public funds to simply return the loot and go home.

But this is about the Enough is Enough Anti-corruption Group, a group of young men and women who probably were those of the class against Professor Yemi Osinbajo who would not compromise but are beginning to have the sense of what is right and wrong.

Speaking to Ige Ayeni, who is the coordinator of the said group, during one of their campaign, said that “enough is enough for corruption in Nigeria”. He went ahead to say that they hope to achieve more support of Nigerians so that the fight against corruption can continue and also to bring looters to justice. They went ahead to affirm their position to stand with the president against corruption and urged Nigerians to do so.

The basic message is for Nigerians to support collectively to the anti corruption fight by the Buhari administration as well as there should be no sacred cow and the judiciary should also live up to their responsibilities. The war might not be far or lesser than a kilometer but the message they expect should be impressive.

Rooney out of Europa League match

Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United’s Europa League game at FC Midtjylland on Thursday, the English football giants said in a statement on Wednesday.

England striker Rooney, the United captain, was not in manager Louis van Gaal’s 18-man squad which travelled to Denmark on Wednesday for the last-32 tie.

“Wayne Rooney is a notable absentee from the flight and the manager is expected to confirm why his captain has not made the trip during his pre-match press conference at 1700 GMT,” said a statement on United’s website.

Defender Matteo Darmian also missed out on the trip to Denmark after dislocating his shoulder during the 2-1 Premier League away to Sunderland last weekend.

Adnan Januzaj is cup-tied, having played in the competition earlier this season while on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

United’s loss to Sunderland left them fifth in England’s top flight and six points off a top-four finish — the club’s “minimum requirement” in Van Gaal’s words – that would secure entry into next season’s Champions League.

Defeat in Denmark would merely add to the pressure on van Gaal, with speculation mounting that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is set to replace the beleaguered Dutchman at the end of the current season.

PPMC Assures of Ample Products Supply in Lagos Area, Moves to Settle Rift in Mobil PTD Union

PPMC Logo

Following a hitch in the products supply system in the Lagos Area arising from the leadership tussle between the Mobil branch and national office of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (PTD), the Management of the midstream subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), says it has intervened in the dispute and that normalcy will soon be restored.

In a statement by the NNPC, it assured that there was sufficient stock of products in Lagos and across the country and advised motorists not to resort to panic buying as the situation was under control.

The Corporation reiterated its commitment to uninterrupted product supply to the general public in keeping with its mandate.

Justice Kafarati of Abuja High Court Gives EFCC Nod To Arraign Businesswoman For N4m Fraud

According to a report, Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, February 15, 2015 upheld the prayers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute the duo of Bello Esther Olabisi, a director with Sheman Anthill Great Ningo Oil and Gas Refinery of Greater Accra, Ghana and Taibat Atinuke Raheem, a staff of First Bank Plc, for an alleged N4m fraud.

Olabisi had filed a motion before the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, seeking N100m damages against EFCC under the Fundamental Right Procedures Rule for alleged unlawful arrest and detention, unlawful seizure of property and unlawful freezing of account.

This came following a petition received by the Commission on March 26, 1014 from one Okon Offiong, Director, Qua Petroleum Refinery Limited, accusing the applicant of criminal breach of trust, cheating and theft.

The petitioner allegedly transferred the sum of $25,000 (equivalent of N4m) in two installments of N2m on August 12 and 13, 2013, respectively to Olabisi’s First Bank account no.: 2020793429.

The money, according to the petitioner, was meant to be a non-refundable consultancy and legal fee for Sheman Anthill Great Ningo Oil and Gas Refinery of Greater Accra, Ghana, where Olabisi works.

The petitioner further alleged to have transferred the money to Olabisi’s account because it could not be paid in dollars.

Though she assured the petitioner that she would send the financial instrument, otherwise called M7799 proof of fund, a week after receipt of the money, she became elusive.

Olabisi, however, was arrested by operatives of EFCC in a sting operation on September 10, 2014 and granted an administrative bail on the same day.

As a result, she was charged with false pretence and being in possession of forged documents before the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on February 23, 2015 by the EFCC.

However, efforts by the Commission to arraign her have been unsuccessful.

Delivering his ruling yesterday, Justice Kafarati upheld the argument of the respondent counsel, Ibrahim Audu, who had filed a counter- affidavit and a written address, and dismissed the suit filed by Olabisi for lack of merit.

Justice Kafarati also directed Olabisi to make herself available for arraignment by the EFCC, as charges have been preferred against her.

It will be recalled that Olabisi had previously been declared wanted by the Commission.

Govt may sack more heads of departments, agencies

LESS than 24 hours that saw the sacking of about 26 chief executives of parastatals by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, indications have emerged yesterday that more directors-general may soon be removed from office, The Guardian reported.

A source said that about 20 more directors- general are slated for removal due to reports indicating widespread mismanagement of their agencies as well as financial malpractices.

The report indicated that before now, President Buhari has been under intense pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus to sack all heads of Federal Government parastatals to create job opportunities for party members who worked to ensure the success of the party at the 2015 polls.

“Those affected in Tuesday’s shakeup are cited as Grade A agencies while the sweeping broom will reach Grade B and C agencies soon”, the source said.

Nigerian Troops Intensify Efforts Of Clearing Remnants Of Boko Haram Terrorists

Troops of Nigerian Army in various sectors in Operation LAFIYA DOLE have been carrying out raids, patrols, cordon and search operations in a bid to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their respective areas of operations.

According to Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said one of the patrol teams of 254 Task Force Battalion carried out clearance operation at Kubwa village, Borno State in which they arrested 2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists hiding among the community.

Also another patrol team of the same unit, carried out clearance operation at Yakshari village, off Wajiroko along Ajigin-Talala road and proceeded to Korode. It was here also that some suspected Boko Haram elements on sighting the troops, ran and abandoned 6 motorcycles and beans looted from the inhabitants of the area.

He said the same team also recovered 21 motorcycles and Boko Haram terrorists flag at Korode abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. Similarly, a civilian vehicle encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the area which badly affected it. The troops also discovered another IED at Mauvi village which was safely detonated.

‘In their efforts, troops of 7 Division Garrison, 112 Battalion, Army Headquarters Support Group and elements of Armed Forces Special Forces conducted a joint fighting patrol to suspected Boko Haram terrorists enclave in Gajibo, Maula, Gamai, Gamare, Maiwa, Warsale, Tangli, Tushi, Sowa, Hasanari, Changuwa, Malamaja and Marya towns in Mafa and Dikwa Local Governments Areas.

In the encounter, 5 Boko Haram terrorists were killed, an AK-47 rifle, 10 motorcycles and 1 logistic truck belonging to the terrorists were recovered. The troops also rescued 350 people held hostages by the terrorists. Among those rescued were 5 girls abducted from Cameroon.

In order to boost troops morale and to see things for himself, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General VO Ezugwu visited 26 Task force Brigade and commended troops of 121 Task Force Battalion for the successful joint clearance operations at Kirawa and Ngoshe with Cameroonian forces.

PDP Picks Ali Modu Sheriff As National Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday appointed Senator Ali Modu Sheriff the party’s new national chairman, Channel News report.

The decision was reached in a meeting of the NEC held at the opposition party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

The decision of the NEC followed the nomination of Senator Sheriff by the National Caucus, a body with membership drawn from the forum of PDP governors, members of the National Assembly, Board of Trustees and National Working Committee of the party, in the report.

Following other nominations at the NEC meeting, Senator Sheriff emerged the new National Chairman, with 60 out of 71 votes of the NEC members present.

The new National Chairman was sworn-in by the PDP lawyer, Mr Emeka Etiaba, in a short ceremony.

The appointment was in keeping with section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution, which empowers the NEC to fill a vacant position with a person from the zone where the officer originated from.

Members of the party were earlier divided over the choice of the new leader.

Some believed the choice of sheriff would not promote the party’s agenda of strengthening and galvanizing its membership.

After his leadership approval, Mr Modu Sheriff promised to reform the party, defeated in the March 2015 general election after holding power for 16 years.

Senator Sheriff, a former Governor of Borno State, is replacing Ahmadu Mu’azu, the former chairman who resigned shortly after the polls that saw the All Progressives Congress taking hold of most states previously ruled by the PDP.

Mr Uche Secondus has been the acting chairman of the party since Mu’azu’s resignation.

Cristiano Ronaldo walks out of Real Madrid news conference

Ronaldo is the Champions League's all-time top scorer with 88 goals in 121 appearances

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of a news conference on Tuesday after being questioned about his record in away matches this season.

Ronaldo, 31, has scored 32 goals this season but has not netted away from the Bernabeu since 29 November.

"Who else has scored more goals away from home than me since I arrived in Spain?" said Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in the Champions League.

"Name one player who has scored more than me. No answer? OK. Thank you."

Ronaldo was speaking at a news conference before the first leg of Real's Champions League last-16 tie against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

In December, the Portuguese became the first player to score 10 goals in the competition's group stage.

Eleven of his goals this season have come away from home, but he has not scored in his past four away games.

"It's understandable that people have doubts," said Ronaldo. "It's like with a son when you give him everything and then when you take it away, he cries.

"I hope that I can keep this 'bad form' up until the season's end."

Morocco unveil Frenchman Herve Renard as coach

Frenchman Herve Renard has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice

Former Ivory Coast boss Herve Renard has been appointed as the new coach of Morocco on a three-year deal, replacing Badou Zaki.

Renard led Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015, three years after winning it with Zambia.

After his Nations Cup victory with the Elephants Renard left to take over at French club Lille in May but was sacked in November.

Zaki left as coach of the Atlas Lions by mutual consent on 10 February.

As well as the full national team the Morocco football federation have announced that Renard will coach the one for locally-based players and oversee the Olympic side.

He has been set the targets of reaching the semi-finals of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon as well as qualifying for the World Cup a year later in Russia.

Renard will have two assistants, one is his long-time deputy Patrice Baumel and the other is the former Morocco international Mustapha Hadji.

Their first competitive games will be home and away Nations Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde at the end of March.

The two sides are currently top of Group F having won both their matches so far, Libya and Sao Tome are the other teams in the pool.

The Atlas Lions have also progressed to the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Chelsea v PSG Champions League tie is 50-50, says Guus Hiddink

Edinson Cavani has been involved in five goals in seven Champions League games against Chelsea

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink believes his side have a "50-50" chance of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals after Paris St-Germain beat them 2-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

John Mikel Obi cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's opener for PSG, but Edinson Cavani gave the hosts victory.

The second leg will take place at Stamford Bridge on 9 March.

"Scoring away is always good," said Hiddink. "I'm never happy with a loss but it's not a dramatic loss."

This is the third season in succession Chelsea have met the French champions in the Champions League. PSG won at this stage last season after the Londoners triumphed in the quarter-finals in 2014.

Uruguay striker Cavani, who joined PSG for £55m in 2013, came off the substitutes' bench to give his side a slender lead in the tie.

Chelsea, in contrast, had 20-year-olds Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Bertrand Traore, Kenedy and Matt Miazga among their substitutes.

"I envy a bit the bench of PSG," said Hiddink. "They have a very strong bench.

"If you see what this team can bring on in the second half - world-class players as substitutes. This is a very strong PSG."

Prior to Tuesday, interim boss Hiddink had led Chelsea on a 12-match unbeaten run since taking over from Jose Mourinho in mid-December.

He was forced to reshuffle his back four in Paris after captain John Terry was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic formed a makeshift central defence, while Ghana defender Baba Rahman made a rare start at full-back.

"The players did well, not just the four in defence. We also had a disciplined midfield," said Hiddink.

PSG boss Laurent Blanc was disappointed to concede but said his side would strive to score at least once in London in three weeks' time.

"When you play at home you need to be stronger in defence because, if you concede a goal, it effectively counts double," he said. "Chelsea scored, so we go to Stamford Bridge eager to score ourselves.

"We'll have chances, most likely, so it'll be about defending well but we are an attacking team.

"I don't think Chelsea will change their approach for the second leg. Neither will we. So the return game will probably be open and, hopefully, with some goals."