Courtois go remain for Atletico Madrid

Thibaut Courtois © Action images

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Chelsea Belgium golkipa Thibaut Courtois go still remain for Atletico Madrid on loan for anoda seasin, de La Liga club tok on Saturday.
De tall Belgium kipa wey don dey Spain on loan now reach the third year so go kontinu for dat side as Jose Mourinho dey prepare to start work for Chelsea.
De 21 yeard kipa wey win Spain "Zamora" cupfor kipa wey get de smalles gols for hin net for one season, bin kuku to say hin wan stay for Atletico side dey kontinu to play ball.
Hin tell Atletico website (www.clubatleticomadrid.com) say hin wan stay play Champions League with de Spain team nes seasin.
Courtois don play 98 matches for Atletico, come helep dem win Europa League for 2012, de Euopean Super Cup wen dem beat Chelsea for de final, and also las seasin Kings Cup for Spain wen dem beat Real Madrid for final.

Real Madrid set to sign Isco

Isco warms up © Gallo Images

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Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Malaga for the transfer of 21-year-old Spanish international Isco, according to various media outlets in Spain on Saturday.
Madrid are expected to spend 30 million euros for the midfielder who has become one of Europe's hottest prospects thanks to his performances this season.
"The whites and Malaga reached an agreement in principle for the player yesterday," said Madrid sports daily AS.
"With just a few final details of the playmaker's contract to be finished, he will be a Madrid player for the next five seasons.
"The agreement will be made official next week with the player to be presented at the start of July."
Isco was Malaga's shining light with three goals as the Andalusians reached the Champions League quarterfinals in their first ever participation in the competition and was also on target three times as Spain retained their U-21 Euros tile in Israel earlier this month.
The former Valencia man also admitted last week to already having received offers from Madrid and Manchester City, where he could have rejoined former Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini.
However, the player's first choice was always thought to be Madrid and the recommendation of Zinedine Zidane seems to have convinced Real president Florentino Perez to make the playmaker his first big signing of the summer.

Alberto joins Liverpool from Sevilla

Luis Alberto © Liverpool

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Liverpool announced on Saturday the signing of young Spanish striker Luis Alberto from Sevilla on a long-term contract,
The 20-year-old, who has been capped at several levels of youth football by Spain, completed the deal after passing a medical although international clearance has still to be given.
Alberto spent last season on loan with Barcelona B, where he scored 11 goals and collected 17 assists in 38 appearances.
"We are all delighted that Luis has decided to join Liverpool," manager Brendan Rodgers said.
"He has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player.
"I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club."
Alberto admitted he had been surprised when he became aware of Liverpool's interest, but had no doubts about accepting their offer.
"I feel like I'm in a bubble at the moment," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "For me Liverpool is a top team. I feel like I am dreaming and I want to enjoy it to the full.
"I feel very excited, I've never felt so excited before but I'm very happy. I think I am the happiest man on earth.
"I was surprised [when Liverpool showed interest in me]. You never expect this to happen to you. But as the deal moved forward, I became very happy and I wanted to come to Liverpool.
"I have come here to enjoy moments with the supporters - and I know the supporters will help me to never walk alone."
Alberto came through Sevilla's academy and made his first-team debut in April 2011 before going out on loan.

Bees, DSS NNL tie abandoned

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The Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday 26 Kaduna derby involving hosts, Ranchers Bees and DSS ended abruptly at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday.
The encounter was barely 15th when the referee spotted ball handling in the penalty box against DSS defender and promptly awarded penalty to Ranchers Bees but the visitors did not allow the kick to take place rather decided to walk out of the pitch and never came back leading to the referee to call off the game after consulting with other match officials and match commissioner.
The match officials later directed the sides to wait for the board decision of the Nigeria National League on the inconclusive game. DSS won 2-1 against Ranchers Bees in the first fixture.
However, Ranchers Bees coach, Julius Jatua Alhassan has demanded the three points and three goals for his side as they were not in any way at fault.
“It’s not our fault that the match was inconclusive, there was clear ball handling in the box and the referee rightly awarded penalty to us but the opponents decided to walk out of the pitch.
“We’ve been asked to wait for the league body’s decision, we’re going to wait but we expect them to award the three points and three goals to us as stipulated by the law,” said the former Kaduna United coach to supersport.com.
Alhassan is still optimistic that his side will win promotion to the primary league at the end of the season.
“I’m still very hopeful for promotion to the premier league at the end of the season. We’ve an away game next weekend at Juth in Jos thereafter we’ll play double home game against Spotlight and Kogi United before rounding off the season with an away again at Plateau United.
“If we’re able to pick point at Juth then we’ll come back to fight for maximum points against Spotlight and Kogi. We’re confident of picking valuable points that will see us through to achieving our promotion goal,” he said.
Ranchers Bees lost three points to Zamfara United withdrawal from the league which leaves their points haul at 34 before the Saturday’s Week 26 inconclusive match.

'Spain is not unbeatable'

Spain © Action Images

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Nigeria defender, Efe Ambrose has voiced his belief in the African champions ahead of Sunday’s 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup game against world and European champions, Spain.
Nigeria need a win against La Furia Roja to stand a realistic chance of progressing to the semifinals of the competition as Uruguay are likely to defeat Tahiti in the other Group B game of the day.
Spain have yet to lose in their last 27 matches but Ambrose believes that run can be snapped by the Super Eagles at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on Sunday.
The 24-year-old is drawing from his experience on November 7, 2012, when he helped Celtic stun FC Barcelona 2-1 in the Uefa Champions League at Celtic Park.
"Barcelona are special, and so are Spain. But if we could beat Barca with Celtic, we can beat Spain with Nigeria," Ambrose told Fifa.com.
Eight of Spain’s 23 players currently in Brazil for the tournament are FC Barcelona players.
Spain currently lead Group B of the Fifa Confederations Cup with six points from two games while Nigeria and South American champions, Uruguay have both amassed three points.
Oceania champions, Tahiti prop up the rear with three points after the first two rounds of matches.

Nigeria dare world champions

Super Eagles © Shengolpix

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Nigeria's Super Eagles are underdogs going into the last leg of their group game at the Fifa Confederations Cup against world and European champions, Spain this Sunday.
Group B of the Confederations Cup in Brazil was kicked wide open following Uruguay's 2-1 win over the Super Eagles at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Bahia on Thursday.
Stephen Keshi and his team know that they have a mountain to climb against the tiki-taka playing Spaniards at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.
Spain have been in cruise control of Group B after two wins out of two including the 10-0 mauling of minnows, Tahiti.
Vincent del Bosque's men have not lost a competitive game since their 0-1 loss to Switzerland at the 2010 Fifa World Cup while the African champions just had their 18-match unbeaten run truncated by Uruguay bringing to an end a 13-month streak.
Keshi will lead his men into this tie with two of his key players, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Ahmed Musa, doubtful.
Both players suffered knocks in the loss to Uruguay though Musa could still figure in the tie while Oduamadi has a 50-50 chance of making the squad for this tie.
But Spain could recall the core of their first-team players that includes the like of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Roberto Soldado and Iker Casillas.
Nigeria have a mathematical chance of reaching the last four but will have to beat Spain to give themselves that chance.
However the odds are heavily stacked against the African champions pulling off an upset though they will draw inspiration from their predecessors in 1998 who stunned Spain 3-2 at the Fifa World Cup in France - the only head-to-head meeting between both nations at senior level in competitive football.
Keshi is not writing off his team just yet ahead of the game.
"Anything can happen in football, even beating Spain," Keshi was quoted in this week's Marca as saying.
In January this year, the Super Eagles played against Catalonia in a friendly that ended 1-1 but this Spain will offer a different opposition when the game gets underway from 7pm Nigerian time on Sunday.

Oduamadi in the dark over Spain

Super Eagles © Shengolpix

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Nigeria forward, Nnamdi Oduamadi has revealed that he does not know if he will start against Spain in Sunday’s Fifa Confederations Cup game in Fortaleza.
Oduamadi, Nigeria’s top scorer in the competition, limped off injured during Thursday’s 1-2 defeat to South American champions, Uruguay after he was caught by a late tackle in the 30th minute by midfielder, Egidio Arevalo Rios.
The Varese man was subsequently replaced by Krybas’ Michael Babatunde on the stroke of half time.
With some pundits ruling the tricky forward out of the tournament, Oduamadi has now exclusively spoken to supersport.com about his situation.
“I don’t know if I will play. I feel much better now (than I did on Thursday) but it’s up to the coach (Stephen Keshi) and the medical staff to decide if I will play,” Oduamadi exclusively told supersport.com.
Nigeria’s 1-2 defeat to Uruguay on Thursday means the African champions need an outright win from the game against Spain on Sunday if they are to progress to the last four and Oduamadi believes the Super Eagles can claim a surprise scalp at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.
“People are saying we don’t have a chance but I think that’s unfair. This is football and anything can happen.
“Spain is the best side in the world right now but I know what we (Nigeria) can do on a good day.
“Of course, we can beat them but to do that, we must be ready to play the games of our lives and I am sure we will do that come Sunday,” he said.
Spain has not lost in their last 27 matches.

Anything can happen against Spain - Keshi

Keshi © Gallo Images

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Despite being branded the underdogs ahead of their clash against world champions, Spain, Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, is still believing "anything can happen."
Keshi, 51, still fancies his team's chance of creating an upset in a contest some analysts have branded mission improbable and others have termed mission impossible.
"Anything can happen in football even beating Spain and that depends on how determined and motivated my team will be during the game," said Keshi.
The former Mali and Togo manager has refused to draw comparisons between the Spaniard 1998 team which lost 2-3 to Nigeria in a Fifa World Cup game in France and their present squad.
Keshi did not mince words in warning that in footballing terms so much has changed between both nations in the last 15 years since Nigeria stunned Spain at the 1998 Fifa World Cup.
"It was another level of football in 1998 and this is different. But anything can still happen," said the Nigeria manager.
Nigeria will ride on lady luck on Sunday inside the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza to stun the tiki-taka playing Spanish national team and hope that Uruguay do not beat Tahiti by more than five goals.
The Super Eagles still occupy second spot in Group B of the Fifa Confederations Cup behind Spain despite a 1-2 loss to South American champions, Uruguay on Thursday.

'Fifa is the real president of Brazil'

Romario © Reuters Images

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Former Brazil forward Romario has described Fifa as "the real president of Brazil" and said the money spent on stadiums for the 2014 World Cup could have been used to build thousands of new schools.
Romario, who spearheaded Brazil's attack when they won the 1994 World Cup and is now a congressman, said Brazil had spent more than twice as much on hosting the World Cup as Germany did in 2006 and South Africa four years later.
"That is taking the piss," he said in a video posted the web sites of several Brazilian newspapers. "It's taking the piss with our money, with the public's money, it's a lack of respect, a lack of scruples."
Romario, who appeared unshaven and wearing a sleeveless top, said the money spent on stadiums so far was enough to provide "8 000 new schools, 39 000 school buses or 28 000 sports courts in the whole country".
Brazil has been hit by a wave of nationwide protests as it stages the eight-team Confederations Cup, which is considered a dry run for next year's World Cup. The amount of money spent on stadiums is among the protestors' many grievances.
The World Cup will be staged in 12 stadiums, either built from scratch or completely refurbished. Brazil is spending around 28 billion reais ($12.9 billion) on the event.
STATE WITHIN A STATE
"The money spent on the Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia could be used to build 150 000 houses for low income families," said Romario, who said he was speaking as "Romario the Brazilian" rather than as a footballer or politician.
"But no, we spent 1.5 billion reais on a stadium. Is it beautiful? Yes. Is it practical? Not really. But another thing is that after the Confederations Cup, some things will have to be re-done, because they didn't work out, and a few new things will have to be added for the World Cup."
"The real president of our country is Fifa," he added. "Fifa comes to our country and sets up a state within a state.
"Fifa will make a profit of four billion reais which should provide one billion in tax, but they will not pay anything. They come, set up the circus, they don't spend anything and they take everything with them."
Brazil's Congress has passed a bill which exempts Fifa from paying tax on profits in Brazil. It was one of the conditions Fifa made when Brazil was awarded the right to stage the event.
"Since Brazil was awarded the World Cup in 2007, things have gone off the rails," Romario added.
"The budgets that were made for stadiums, airports and urban mobility were all wrong, and it's the people who pay the bill."

Big guns focused on winning starts

Carlos Restrepo © Gallo Images

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With Brazil and Argentina both absent from the field, the Fifa U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 is missing its two traditional favourites.
That has left a number of sides competing for top billing, and while Colombia look strong candidates after clinching the South American title, Mexico will surely have their say too after winning the 2011 Fifa U-17 World Cup and the 2012 Olympic crown. No one should rule out Turkey either, with the host nation desperate to thrill their passionate and demanding fans.
The second day of action thus looks set to deliver plenty of intrigue as all three of those hopefuls begin their bids, following on from the likes of Spain and France. The trio can expect stiff challenges, however, with Australia and El Salvador keen to frustrate Colombia and Turkey respectively in Group C, and Greece targeting the scalp of Mexico in Group D. Elsewhere, Paraguay and Mali will lock horns in what promises to be an evenly matched encounter.
The schedule
22 June
Group C
Colombia-Australia (Trabzon, 18.00)
Turkey-El Salvador (Trabzon, 21.00)
Group D
Mexico-Greece (Gaziantep, 18.00)
Paraguay-Mali (Gaziantep, 21.00)
The absentee
Due to serve a suspension, Colombia's Deivy Balanta is the only player missing out of the eight teams in action.
The match of the day
Colombia-Australia
Confidence is soaring in the Colombia ranks thanks to their recent form. Los Cafeteros followed up their triumph in the South American U-20 Championship by reaching the final of the recent Toulon Tournament. The only down side for Carlos Restrepo's charges is that they are now being eyed by their rivals as a team to treat with special care, despite their own coach claiming that, "Turkey are the favourites." All the same, if they hope to keep their superb momentum going, Colombia will need to overcome an Australia side unlikely to make life easy.
"Australia are very physical and they base their game on their power," said Restrepo, perhaps mindful of the last meeting between the two nations in this tournament. That came in the opening match of the 1993 edition, when the Young Socceroos edged a 2-1 win in a hard-fought game that yielded ten yellow cards.
The other highlights
After Colombia and Australia get the day's action under way in Trabzon, it will be the turn of hosts Turkey to take the field. Feyyaz Ucar's side will start as heavy favourites against an El Salvador team making their debut at this level, and the home favourites will be desperate for he three points to make a perfect start and leave their supporters in good cheer.
Mexico are likely to have a healthy following in the stands as well – as they do in every tournament – but they could easily be outnumbered in Gaziantep as El Tri open their campaign against Turkey's neighbours Greece. Mexico nonetheless hold the advantage in terms of experience, having made a habit of winning youth competitions, whereas Greece are Fifa U-20 World Cup debutants.
The second game in Group D looks to be a more balanced affair on paper. Back in the global showcase after missing Colombia 2011, Paraguay will be eager to make up for lost time, while Mali possess a squad rich in Europe-based talents and have pedigree at this level, the sparkling Seydou Keita having led them to third place in 1999.
The player to watch
Maikon Orellana (SLV)
Boasting the first name of a Brazilian footballer and the family name of a Spanish explorer, El Salvador forward Maikon Orellana seems destined to travel impressive distances with the ball glued to his feet. Billed as his country's Cristiano Ronaldo, the young marksman was born in Chalatenango, made his start in the game for MLS side Real Salt Lake and now plies his trade with Danish outfit Brondby. In terms of his strengths, Orellana resembles Ronaldo with his gift for the spectacular and exciting dribbling ability, allied with pace, excellent technique, and a free-kick method that recalls Real Madrid's Portuguese star. Those qualities could well prove vital as La Selecta look to trouble the hosts.
Source: Fifa.com

Tetteh identifies defensive lapses

Black Satellites © Action Images

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Why did Ghana get floored so quickly in their first game of the World Youth Championships? Defensive lapses, according to the team coach.
The Black Satellites on Friday were beaten 3-1 in the opening Group A match, despite having control of the first 20 minutes.
"It's not good that we lost but I believe there were a few things there we could take home," Sellas noted post-match.
Ghana missed early chances, but France had their moments too. Les Bleuets hit the post in the 51st minute, before Geoffrey Kondogbia put them ahead and Yaya Sanogo got a second moments later.
Christophe Bahebeck scored a third before Ghana's Boakye Yiadom, following his inclusion as a substitute, got a consolation.
"We had a wonderful first half, but we were a little bit sloppy midway in the second. We also conceded that early goal. That created a lot of problems for us," the former World Cup winner said.
In the other group game, Spain thrashed the USA 4-1, meaning that there is still hope for the Satellites going forward.
Sellas also said that Ghana "finished the game stronger and that is positive" and with Spain as their next opponents, sorting out the chinks will have to be done quickly.

Late Kovolos strike hands Greece a win

Dimitrios Kolovos © Getty Images

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Greece pulled off a stunning, smash and grab victory over Mexico, with Dimitrios Kolovos scoring a fgoal in the dying minutes to make it 2-1 in their first game of the Fifa U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 Group D. The central American side had dominated throughout, but went behind to a goal from Andreas Bouchlakis, before Jorge Espericueta levelled the game with wonderful free-kick. However, against the run-of-play, Kolovos struck to give the new boys a huge win over one of the tournament favourites.
Mexico v Greece
Mexico began the brighter in a cagey opening, but were limited to long distance efforts until the 14th minute. A deep corner was fired back, with Stefanos Kapino doing superbly to keep out the deflected shot. However, the ball sat up nicely for Antonio Briseno to head towards the gaping goal, only for fellow captain Konstantinos Stafylidis to clear off the line.
The game swung on that moment, as two minutes later Greece were ahead. Dimitrios Kourmpelis fed centre forward Dimitrios Diamantakos who had peeled away to the left side of the Mexico penalty are. He fired across to Andreas Bouchalakis who dutifully side-footed in at the far post.
The rhythm returned to type as Mexico dominated shots and possession to no avail, until their efforts were rewarded with Espericueta's stunning free-kick five minutes before the break. More than 25 yards out and just to the right of goal, he struck a fierce, curling strike that left Kapino with no chance.
The exciting midfielder had already shown much promise at the Fifa U-17 World Cup in Mexico, where he claimed the adidas Silver Ball two years ago, and looked keen to show more.
Greece burst out of the blocks in the second-half, with Panagoitis Ballas surging forward before unleashing a thunderous drive, which Richard Sanchez did well to get a fingertip to. At the other end Jesus Corona hit back in similar style, with Kapino turning his long-range effort over the crossbar.
The chance of the game came when Raul Lopez's deep cross deceived Kapino, only to see Jose Corona headed over the open goal from four yards. Kapino then produced a fine save with his feet to deny Bueno as time began to run out.
With two minutes on the clock, Greece provided the hammer blow. Dimitrios Kolovos turning on the edge of the area, before firing a rocket past Sanchez to claim a debut victory.

Colombia, Aussies draw in U-20 WCup

Daniel De Silva © Getty Images

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A goal from 16-year-old Daniel De Silva, the youngest player at Turkey 2013, has earned Australia a draw with Colombia at the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium in Trabzon. The Young Socceroos more than merited their point in an evenly matched encounter and had looked set for victory until Jhon Cordoba restored parity 13 minutes from time. Colombia’s victory at their continental championship had established them as one of the pre-tournament favourites here in Turkey, but they found themselves up against a confident Aussie side. Paul Okon’s players proved just as capable as their South American opponents of playing slick, incisive football, and one such move almost ended with Joshua Brillante bustling through for an early opening goal. Australia went closer still midway through the first half when lively left winger Conor Pain slid in to beat the goalkeeper but could only look on in agony as his low effort was cleared off the line.
Colombia’s best effort, meanwhile, came from a left-footed free-kick from no10 Juan Quintero which was fizzing goalwards when Paul Izzo got across to tip it over. Quintero was a probing presence throughout, but he ended up finding himself in the shadow of the game’s headline-maker, young De Silva.
The Perth Glory midfielder made a dream start to the second half, bursting through within a minute of the restart and flicking in a shot with the outside of his right foot that took a touch off keeper Christian Bonilla on its way in.
Stung into action, Colombia surged forward and, after Andres Renteria blasted wildly wide from close range, it took some fine goalkeeping from Izzo to deny both Quintero and Andres Correa. But they would not be denied and, with 13 minutes remaining, Jhon Cordoba ensured a share of the spoils with a precise right-foot shot into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

Brazil braces for more unrest

Brazil Fan © Action Images

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Brazil girded for more street protests Saturday despite President Dilma Rousseff's conciliatory remarks pledging to improve public services and fight corruption, while warning against further violence.
Rallies coordinated via social media were called in several cities, including Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Salvador as the country's intelligence services warned of an escalation in the protests against shoddy public services and sloppy, corrupt government.
As the Rousseff administration fought to deal with the ever rising tide of dissatisfaction, former football star-turned Socialist politician Romario joined the debate, praising the demonstrators and dubbing world football body Fifa "Brazil's real president."
In an address to the nation late Friday, Rousseff offered Brazilians a "great pact" between the government and the people to improve underfunded public services and stressed the need for "more effective ways to fight corruption."
Her remarks came a day after more than one million people marched in cities across the country to slam the huge cost of hosting next June's World Cup, put at some 15 billion dollars, while public services such as schools and hospitals are lacking.
The protests began over a transport fare hike but spread to include a bevy of gripes.
Rousseff's intervention left the protesters unmoved, judging by a torrent of comments on social media sites.

Weeping In Court As Judge Dismisses Case Of Extra-Judicial Murder

It was a pitiable sight at the Anambra State High Court complex in Awka Thursday, as members of the family of the late Onyeka Agupugo from Agulu in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State, who was murdered by the police at a check point in Agulu on Agust 11, 2010, wept uncontrollably when a High Court Judge dismissed the case of the murder for lack of merit.
Onyeka, 29, who was a building contractor before his death, was riding on a motorcycle with another person when the police accosted them at the popular Nwagu junction in Agulu only for one of the policemen to fire at him on the chest following a minor argument over how much to part with.
Onyeka’s wife, Chinenye, who was four months pregnant when the husband was murdered and her mother in-law, Mrs. Florence Agupugo, caused a stir at the court premises by shedding tears and wailing, and it took the intervention of their relations who accompanied them to court to calm them down. They had gone to court to enforce the fundamental right of their husband and son.
Against their expectation, however, the presiding judge, Justice C.A. Emembolu, in dismissing the matter brought to court by Chinenye and her mother in- law, held that ‘the right to life dies when the owner dies.’
Chinenye, who told Saturday Vanguard that the child she put to bed after the death of her husband is one year and four months at present, said her worry is that she has nobody to take care of her and the child, since her late husband was the breadwinner of the family.
Amidst sobs she said: “After the death of my husband, the police promised to come to our aide, but up till now, nothing has been done.  Rather, they are in court defending the person who killed my husband and on top of that the Judge has dismissed the matter. I am confused and this judgment has brought back the memories of what I went through immediately I was informed of the death of my husband.
“Some people are treating this matter as if it was a fowl that was killed, forgetting that it was a full fledged human being who had family and other relations to cater for.
“We had gone to court hoping that court would prevail on the police to pay compensation to the family, but here we are going home dejected. Our lawyer has told us that he will appeal the judgment and we are giving him the go ahead.

Boko Haram Sacks Residents Of Bama, Gwoza In Borno

The outlawed Boko Haram sect has literarily sent residents of Bama and Gwoza communities running after issuing threat letters of an impending bloodbath in the next seven days.
The sect has, in several threat letters said to be written in Kanuri and Hausa languages, also warned resident of the towns, who are civil servants, to resign their jobs and burn their employment documents or risk being consumed by the impending war. The two border towns of Bama and Gwoza have been cut off since the declaration of a state of emergency with soldiers blocking the roads linking the town to the state capital, Maiduguri.
Escapees from Bama were forced to take bush routes through Dikwa, a town 60km away from Bama and 150km from Maiduguri to get to the state capital. The escapees said they paid at least N7000, as against the normal N300, as transport fare before taxi drivers accepted to risk the dangerous escape journey to the state capital.
A Bama resident, Abba Fannami, told reporters at Muna Park along Maiduguri – Dikwa Road, where most of the escapees arrived to in Maiduguri, that “it cost me about N50, 000 to transport my six family members to Maiduguri. It was a bad experience for many people in the bush, especially women and children.”
“They had warned government officials and civil servants in Bama to resign or else face death in the next seven days; we are all scared, this could be more deadly, so we have to run for our dear lives,” Mr. Fannami said. Bama has witnessed several attacks by Boko Haram members including the attack on May 7 that led to the death of over 55 people including 22 police officers. Some of the attacks, which occurred prior to the emergency rule declaration, were preceded by warnings from the sect.
In Gwoza, insurgents, who were forced by soldiers to flee their camps in Sambisa Game Reserve to the rocky hills of Gwoza, have been terrorizing their new host communities. The insurgents were said to have taken over most outskirts of Gwoza including Pulka and Kirawa Towns, forcing residents to flee into neighboring Cameroon villages of Mura and Marwa, some 75km away from Nigeria borders.
A police constable serving in Gwoza, who didn’t want to be named as he is not authorised to speak to journalists, told PREMIUM TIMES that some residents of Gwoza suburbs were forced to hide inside rock caves as Boko Haram insurgents sacked them from their homes. The JTF, the police, and Borno State officials could not be reached for comments on the recent happenings as GSM services in Borno remain shut.
The Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, who speaks on the role of the military in the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe, could also not be reached as his Airtel telephone number was switched off.

Kaigama Emerges TUC New President

Mr Bobboi Kaigama has been elected as the new President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
Kaigama defeated Mr Babatunde Ogun of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria with 356 votes in the election held on Saturday.
Ogun got 314 votes in the peaceful election that was monitored by all past presidents of TUC.
The new TUC President, who is the President of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, is succeeding Mr Peter Esele.
In his acceptance speech, Kaigama said that the new leadership would work with the government and private sector employers to improve the welfare of workers.
"The mandate given to us is to be good ambassadors so that we will better the lot of Nigerian workers," he said.
Kaigama assured that the new executive would build on the existing foundation in the provision of housing for workers and a new secretariat for the congress.
He said that his team had developed a blue print on the welfare of workers and ways to address various challenges.
Kaigama said that he dedicated his victory to past leaders of TUC and called on other contestants to join hands with the newly elected leaders to lift the standard of Nigerian workers, particularly those of TUC.
Esele, the outgoing TUC president, expressed happiness at the peaceful conduct of the election.
Esele said that the congress would be taken to the next level by the newly elected leaders.
Other members of the new executive include Mr Sunday Salako from the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution who was elected unopposed as first deputy president.
Mr Augustin Etafo from PENGASSAN emerged as second deputy president, while Mr Bede Opara from Senior Staff of Electricity and Allied Corporation was elected as third deputy president.
Mr Babatunde Abdulrahaman, President of Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association was elected as treasurer.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 700 delegates voted in this year's conference which elected 10 new officers to run the affairs of the association for three years.

Give Us Back Our Countrymen!! Kenya Appeals!!!

Seven Kenyan officials and five airline crew have been detained in Nigeria for the past two weeks after they travelled to deport Nigerian businessman Anthony Chinedu and others who were flown into the country on a private chartered jet (East Africa Safari Express Airline). The Kenyans and one Swedish national are said to be held at the Park View Astoria in Ikoyi.
According to the detainees, Nigerian authorities have insisted the Kenyans will not be allowed to fly out without the three men Kenya kicked out on drug trafficking claims.
Anthony Chinedu has lived in Kenya as a businessman for the past 18 years. he has been embroiled in a tussle over control of property with his estranged Kenyan wife Joyce Akinyi. The Kenyan government deported him on the grounds that he was involved in “dirty business”
Attempts by Kenyan embassy officials in Nigeria and owners of the plane to get the Kenyans released has been brushed off by Nigerian authorities.
Chinedu has claimed to be behind their detention saying they will only be released after he is paid the value of the investments he has in Kenya. Chinedu said from Lagos, “when you catch a mad man is when you know a mad man has a mother,a mad man has a father.”
The detention of the Kenyan officials and crew of the plane used for Chinedu’s deportation is a huge blow to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive that all foreign drug dealers be removed from Kenya with immediate effect.
The saddest thing is, the state has ruled out talks with Chinedu but will however intensify diplomatic talks with Nigerian authorities.
According to Chinedu, over 20 Nigerians have been deported shortly after President Uhuru’s Kenyatta’s directive and more are still waiting deportation in their detention camps. These are people that own huge properties and strong assets running into millions of dollars.

Immigration Arrests 400 Suspected Illegal Immigrants In Kano

The Kano State Command of Nigeria Immigration Service on Saturday arrested more than 400 suspected illegal immigrants in Kano metropolis.
The Controller of Immigration in the state, Hamisu Maishanu, told journalists at a briefing in Kano that all those arrested would be screened and those without relevant documents would be repatriated to their countries.
He said the exercise would continue to ensure that all illegal immigrants were flushed out of the country. “This is a mop up exercise of illegal immigrants to complement what the Federal Government is doing in the states currently under emergency rule.
‘’We will take the photographs and biometric data of all those arrested so that we can identify them if they return into the country again,’’ he said.
Mr. Maishanu said, however, that any repatriated person, who returned without proper documents, would be arrested and prosecuted.
He said the exercise would be extended to the 44 local government areas of the state. He advised the people not to panic on seeing security men on patrol as the exercise was meant to ensure security of lives and property.

N710, 000 Fraud: Christ Embassy’s Choir Director To Face Charges

An Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday struck out an application for the withdrawal of a N710, 000 fraud charge against a Choir Director of the Christ Embassy Church, Lagos.

The police had on May 15 arraigned the director, Sunday Eboh, who allegedly defrauded another member of the church, David Egaifa, under false pretences of helping him to purchase a Toyota bus.
Chief Magistrate Omolade Awope struck out the application when Egaifa exhibited ignorance of implications of the withdrawal. The complainant, who had earlier agreed with the accused to withdraw the suit, told court on Friday that he was not properly enlightened on the implications of withdrawing the case.
Mr. Egaife made this known after the prosecutor, Corporal Adekemi Adeniran, told him that he would not be able to bring back the case once withdrawn. “Madam, it is during this section that I learnt I can’t come back for the same case after withdrawal, but I was told that l can re-arrest Eboh if he refuses to pay my money.
“My Lord, l don’t want withdrawal again. I withdraw my application,” Mr. Egaifa said. The choir director, who lives at No. 11, Church St., Ketu, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of false pretence and stealing. He had pleaded not guilty on arraignment, and was granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The prosecutor said that he committed the offences in February, 2012 at 12:30 p.m., at the Christ Embassy Church, Ketu, Lagos. “The accused told the complainant that his relatives are living in United Kingdom and that they frequently sent cars home for sale. “The complainant was not totally convinced, so he asked the accused to deposit his B.Sc certificate and his NYSC discharge certificate, to be turned to him when he brings the bus.
After collecting the money, the accused ran away until last week when he turned up to demand for the certificates,” Ms. Adeniran said. She said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 285 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing while Section 312 provides for 15 years imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences.

Funsho Williams’ Murder: Retired DIG Says Disorganised Room Indicates Scuffle Before Death

A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adebayo Adeoye, on Friday, said the police team that first arrived at the home of the late Funsho Williams met his room disorganised.
Mr. Adeoye testified before Justice Adeniyi Adebajo of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos in the trial of six persons alleged to have murdered Mr. Williams, a gubernatorial candidate in Lagos. Mr. Williams was the People’s Democratic Governorship candidate for the 2003 general elections.
He was murdered on July 26, 2006 at his residence at Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The accused are, Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariabie, all male. The retired DIG said that the disorganised room indicated that a scuffle occurred before Williams was murdered.
Mr. Adeoye was examined by the Prosecution Counsel, O.A. Akin-Adesomojo. He said that he visited the scene of the crime on July 27, 2006, following a directive by the then Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero. He told the court that his team met a large crowd outside the deceased’s residence and was led to the room where it found his body lying face down, hands tied and blindfolded, with blood on the floor.
“We didn’t touch anything because we were expecting forensics, but we kept looking for the point of entry, and moved to the adjacent flat which was empty. “While searching the flat, we saw footprints on the wall and a green rope. But we didn’t conclude that it was the point of entry because we were not sure yet,’’ the former police chief said. Mr. Adeoye told the court that he was an Assistant Inspector-General of police at the time of the incident. “Later in the day, the four policemen who were on duty on the night of the incident were arrested and their statements were taken before we handed over to the Force Headquarters, Abuja,” he said.
During cross examination, Defence Counsel, Agbara Okezie, asked the witness if any of the four arrested policemen was among the six accused. Mr. Adeoye said that he could not recollect their faces. Mr. Okezie also asked if the witness saw any mattress with footprints at the scene of the crime. He also inquired whether the two security guards in the house on the night of the incident were arrested.
The former police chief replied: “I did not see any mattress with footprints and I don’t know if any other security guards were arrested.” After the cross examination, the prosecution counsel applied for adjournment to enable her produce another witness; but Mr. Okezie objected to the application. The defence counsel said that the court could not continue to wait for prosecution witnesses.
However, Mr. Adebajo granted the application for adjournment, saying: “the court has to be flexible because of the nature of the charge. I will not rush them beyond their pace.” “The further trial of this charge is adjourned to Sept. 26.” The defendants were first arraigned on March 1, 2013 before Justice Adebajo on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. The defendants, according to the charge, on or about July 27, 2006, at 34A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, conspired to murder Mr. Williams. The offence contravenes Sections 316 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

Adamawa PDP Commends Jonathan, Cautions Tukur

The Adamawa State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for successfully intervening in the crisis rocking the party.
The PDP factional secretary in the state, Phineas Elisha, who spoke to journalists on Friday in Yola, said the president’s decision to take over the reconciliation committee of the party has put an end to the numerous crises in the party and has saved the National Chairman of the Party, Bamanga Tukur, from being removed from office.
Mr. Elisha acts as scribe to the faction loyal to the state governor, Murtala Nyako, and opposed to Mr. Tukur. The scribe said the meeting of the National Executive Committee of the PDP on Thursday, which did not uphold the controversial decision of the National Working Committee, NWC, to dissolve the Mijinyawa Kugama led Adamawa State PDP executives, later reinstated by 12 members of the NWC, meant Mr. Kugama and his team are still in charge of the party in Adamawa.
“Tukur survived because the president had appointed himself as the Chairman of the reconciliation committee less than 24 hours before the NEC meeting; so it was not possible for him to take off by punishing people that deserve punishment like Tukur,” Mr. Elisha said of the PDP National Chairman.
Mr. Elisha further disclosed that reports of three organs of the PDP recommended the removal of Mr. Tukur for peace to return to the party. He said the reports were those by committees led by Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim; and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih.
He likened Mr. Tukur’s fate to a biblical story saying “now that the master, Jonathan, has forgiven Tukur, he too should rethink.” The state party secretary cautioned Mr. Tukur against taking drastic decisions that are capable of sinking the party, stressing that PDP supporters would not allow any attempt by few individuals to run the party as if it was their private enterprises.
“We will all remain in the PDP with President Jonathan to fight to rescue the party from the claws of commercial politicians,” he said.