Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Liverpool Confident Of Mohamed Salah’s Future Amid Contract Uncertainty. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed confidence that Mohamed Salah will remain a key player for the club “for a long time” following his stellar display in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park. Despite his contract expiring at the end of the season, Salah, 32, proved his immense value once again. The Egyptian forward provided the assist for Curtis Jones’ opener and scored twice himself before Fabian Schär’s last-minute equaliser denied Liverpool all three points. Slot praised Salah’s contribution, telling Amazon Prime: “Every time we…

Arsenal Outclass Manchester United To Secure Victory. Arsenal capitalised on set-piece dominance to claim a convincing 2-0 victory over Manchester United, handing Ruben Amorim his first defeat in English football. Goals from defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both originating from corners, ensured Arsenal kept pace in the Premier League title race. The win trims Liverpool’s lead at the top to seven points, with the Gunners sitting third on 28 points, level with Chelsea. The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Declan Rice delivered a corner that Timber expertly headed in at the near post. Arsenal nearly…

Liverpool Held To Thrilling 3-3 Draw By Newcastle At St James’ Park. Premier League leaders Liverpool played out a pulsating 3-3 draw with Newcastle United in what has been hailed as one of the most thrilling matches of the season. The encounter at St James’ Park saw Liverpool twice fall behind before Mohamed Salah’s brilliance put them ahead with a sensational double. The Reds appeared set to secure their fifth consecutive league victory, only for Fabian Schär to snatch a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser for Newcastle, ensuring a deserved share of the spoils. Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, speaking…

EPL: Manchester City End Winless Streak With Commanding Victory Over Nottingham Forest. Manchester City returned to winning ways with a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last night, ending a disappointing run of seven games without a win. The Premier League champions put on a clinical display, showcasing their trademark attacking flair to secure a much-needed three points. This victory marks their first since enduring a tough spell that included six defeats and a dramatic 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League—a match where City had squandered a three-goal lead. City’s performance against Nottingham Forest was a…

Security Operatives Dislodge Suspected IPOB Members In Imo. A combined team of security operatives has successfully raided criminal hideouts and dislodged suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aku, located in the Okigwe Council Area of Imo State. Brigadier-General Usman Lawal, Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Obinze, Owerri, confirmed this development while addressing journalists in Aku on Tuesday. The operation, which began on Friday, 29 November, involved a joint effort by the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The raid was…

Human Rights Lawyer Dele Farotimi Remanded Over Defamation Allegations. A Magistrates’ Court in Ado Ekiti has ordered the remand of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over allegations of defamation against Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University. Farotimi was arraigned on a 16-count charge for allegedly publishing a book titled Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, in which he accused Aare Afe Babalola of corrupting the judiciary and influencing Supreme Court judgements. The allegations were said to have subjected the renowned legal luminary to public ridicule and harmed his esteemed reputation. The accused pleaded not guilty…

Rabiu Ali Confident In Super Eagles B Team’s CHAN Qualification. Veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles B team’s chances of securing a spot in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). Speaking ahead of their crucial qualifier against Ghana, the Kano Pillars captain emphasised his determination to contribute to the team’s success. Ali, who was recently called up to the national squad for the qualifiers, described his invitation as an honour and a testament to his commitment to the game. “It’s a great honour to be invited again,” he told *Punch*. “This year, I wasn’t…

Federal Polytechnic Ugep: House Committee Uncovers Imbalance in Staff and Student Numbers. The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and other Higher Technical Education has raised concerns over the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, in Cross River State. The institution, established in 2021, currently has only 142 students but employs 154 academic and non-academic staff, with expenditures exceeding N600 million.   This revelation was made during the committee’s oversight visit to Federal Polytechnics in the South-South region. The Chairman of the Committee, Fouad Laguda (APC, Lagos), criticised the institution’s operations and described its spending as unsustainable. The Rector of the Polytechnic,…

EFCC Explains Decision To Withhold Ownership Details Of Seized Properties. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended its decision to withhold the identities of the owner(s) of 753 duplexes recently seized in Abuja. According to the agency, its actions align with legal procedures under Nigerian law. On Monday, the EFCC announced the forfeiture of the properties, located in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, to the Federal Government. However, the lack of disclosure regarding the owners sparked criticism from various quarters, including Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election. In response,…

Pastor Tobi Adegboyega Loses Deportation Appeal Amid Fraud Allegations A Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has been ordered to leave the United Kingdom after losing his appeal against deportation. The 44-year-old pastor, who led the controversial SPAC Nation church, had contested the deportation, citing family ties and community work. The immigration tribunal ruled against him, stating that his removal was justified. This comes after an investigation revealed financial misconduct involving £1.87 million in unaccounted funds within SPAC Nation, leading to its closure by the Charity Commission and the High Court over transparency concerns. Pastor Adegboyega, a cousin of actor…

Allegations of Police Intimidation Emerge In Dele Farotimi Case. Reports have emerged detailing allegations by activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, that the Nigeria Police Force is acting on a petition filed against him by renowned legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. According to sources close to Farotimi, he disclosed during a conversation over the weekend that the petition accuses him of defamation of character. The allegations are reportedly linked to his recently published book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which recounts his personal encounters with Nigeria’s judicial system. The book includes narratives of a past legal case involving…

NYSC Withdraws Corps Members From Kwara School Following Assault Incident. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has withdrawn all corps members serving at Government Day Secondary School, Kulende, Ilorin, in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. This decision follows an incident in which a corps member was reportedly assaulted by a teacher at the school. According to accounts, the corps member was allegedly beaten for failing to greet the teacher, an act the teacher deemed disrespectful. The NYSC, in a swift response, condemned the incident and emphasised its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being…