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Ladipo warns detractors to stay away from Supporters Club

Rafiu Ladipo, President-General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club ( NFSC ), on Thursday said that detractors should stay away from the club because it would remain an indivisible entity during his lifetime.

Ladipo made the assertion in an interview while speaking about efforts to unify the supporters club this year.

He said that the club was open to everyone, but that things must be done according to the laws guiding the club, adding that the present administration of the club would ensure unity.

“Nigeria Football Supporters Club will remain indivisible and I want all detractors to please stay away. We have rules guiding the club and those disgruntled elements should toe the line of the constitution.

“I want to say that supporters club is a registered entity with a valid constitution, so our actions are guided by the law. We don’t just wake up to change rules.

“It is disturbing and laughable for a group of people that are suspended for going against the rules and provisions of the club to form a splinter group.

“What do these people know about the supporters club? Unfortunately they are new members not for more than five years, yet, they want to usurp authority,’’ he said.

Ladipo said that the club formed about 62 years ago remained a legacy that must not be allowed to be disjointed because of those agitating for positions not meant for them.

“Those agitating in the supporters club said they want leadership position and they want it by all means, that is not what leadership is all about. I have demonstrated what leadership is.

“I will not sit back and watch what we have laboured for in the past 62 years to be rubbished; we sweat for this club, energy and time not to talk about financial obligations.

“When talking about the operations of the club, even our sponsors are aware and we have the records of those they are sponsoring because we need to keep appropriate records.

“We operate an open door policy, so there is no reason to have any splinter group; those that are ready to work will be accommodated but those that want trouble should be out,’’ he said.

Ladipo said Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should have midwifed the unity of the club and not fanning an embers of disunity; a position he said he noticed.

Also Read: 1,000 supporters club members to cheer Super Eagles in Russia

“If NFF is coming to support us, that should but not be to divide us. We have been doing our things over the years and getting sponsors for all competitions.

“It will not be proper for us to have two supporters club in a competition; it will have dire consequences and this will not be good for the country.

“World Cup is a big project at hand now and all hands must be on deck to ensure our success. We need to make a mark at the World Cup and the African Championship of Nations ( CHAN ).

“Nigeria Football Supporters Club has always been the best in any competition we attended, ranked above some footballing nations, this is our legacy and we must strive to protect that,’’ he said.

NAN

January 5, 2018
1,000 supporters club members to cheer Super Eagles in Russia

Samuel Ikpea, National Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club ( NFSC ), on Thursday said the club would take 1,000 of its members to cheer the Super Eagles at Russia 2018 World Cup.

Ikpea made the disclosure in Lagos while reviewing the club’s preparations for the World Cup holding from June.

He said the club had set machinery in motion toward ensuring that the supporters club was adequately represented in the quadrennial football fiesta in Russia.

“We are already mobilising our members for the World Cup in Russia. We have sent messages to the 20 registered member states and Abuja to send 50 of their members for the competition.

“We have been in the business of doing that for a very long time now, we also have members outside the country and we are ensuring that wherever they are, they are going to Russia.

“Our Marketing Unit is already saddled with sourcing of funds and the sponsors of our trip to Russia because we are a non-governmental organisation (NGO), so we need to source for the funds.

“I want to assure Nigerians that we have been doing that for the past 62 years when the club was formed and we will not fail this time around,’’ Ikpea said.

Ikpea said that the club had received little support from the Nigeria Football Federation and the Federal Ministry of Sports, adding that this would not derail its programme in Russia.

“We have not have not been able to receive any good support from NFF or the Sports Ministry, since the inception of the new government as against the last administration when we received N50 million.

“We are hoping that since this is a World Cup, something may come out, but we have been talking to various corporate bodies, we have put a machinery in place to achieve that.

“We have not had any issues like Visa racketeering since the club was formed and to my knowledge of about 16 years in the administration of NFSC, we have yet to record such.

“We have good understanding with all the embassies as far as visa issuance is concerned and none of our member has ever absconded after competitions. The records are there,’’ he added.

Ikpea said that the suspended and dismissed members of the club had their fate decided by the congress of the club, a decision which should be respected by all the football stakeholders.

“There are some people that have been suspended and some dismissed because of their anti-club activities. We have all the evidences against them, including police report.

“All their actions are well documented and I think every good leader should be able to respect the decision of the congress of any particular entity.

“We expect that both NFF and the sports ministry should be able to respect the congress on the expelled members but if they chose not to, that is not in consonance with the change mantra.

“I am aware that those members have chosen to form a parallel supporters club, Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club and Nigeria Athletics Supporters Club. Their actions have truly vindicated us,’’ he said.

Ikpea said that the suspended and dismissed members had ulterior motives of causing disaffection in the club, adding that since they could not achieve that they went on to form another group.

“The dismissed members were able to form another group since they cannot achieve their aim of scattering us in NFSC, so they have formed another group.

“Their actions, I may not be able to clearly state whether they have the support of the Minister of Sports and NFF or not, but they are not part of us.”

NAN

January 5, 2018
SARS arrests two armed robbers in Army uniform

Operatives of Special Anti-robbery Squad ( SARS ) attached to the Police Commands in Kano and Katsina states have arrested two suspected armed robbers in full camouflage Army uniform in Katsina State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Kano State,DSP Magaji Majiya, disclosed this while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.

He said the suspects were nabbed on Wednesday while trying to cross to Niger Republic with a new unregistered Ford Hilux vehicle which they allegedly robbed from port Harcourt, Rivers.

“The operatives of SARS attached to Kano and Katsina State Commands while acting on a tip-off ambushed and arrested Abubakar Ibrahim of Kurmin Mashi Quarters, Kaduna State, and Jaduwa Thalma of Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

“The suspects were in full camouflage army uniform and were about to cross to Niger Republic when the they were picked,” Majiya said.

He said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being dismissed soldiers who deserted from the service when posted to Baga on Operation Lafiya Dole.

He said one of them a.k.a ‘Abu Soja’ was a notorious armed robber who was declared wanted by the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), SARS Rivers Command, and had a pending case at SCIID in Bompai, Kano.

Majiya said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the ongoing investigation was completed.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf, had commended the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), SARS operatives attached to Kano, Katsina and Rivers states for working together toward the successful operation.

NAN.

January 4, 2018
FRSC rescues 90 in Lagos

The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) rescued 90 people unharmed in Lagos State during its “Operation Zero Tolerance Patrol’’ which started on December 18, 2017.

The State Sector Commander of the corps, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, gave the figure in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

“So far, we experienced nine crashes during the patrol, but one was fatal where one life was lost on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“Two other crashes were serious where two victims were injured.

“About 90 other people were rescued unharmed at other incidents,” he said.

Omeje told NAN that the command arrested no fewer than 165 motorists at different corridors for various traffic offences during the patrol.

Read also: Fatality rate in Ogun drops by 38.5% in 2017- FRSC

He said that the corps lived up to expectations in ‘Ember Months’ sensitisation and patrol performances.

According to him, the command established four camps which operated for 24 hours at different corridors, and adopted strategies to avert accidents and curb gridlocks on critical corridors.

“We said before the patrol started that no motorists would sleep on the road as a result of gridlocks; so far, it is a success story,” he said.

Omeje said enlightenment programmes by the corps to educate motorists, especially commercial bus drivers at different parks, accounted for the increased level of compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

The sector commander appealed to motorist to drive safely and observe road signs on highways to avoid accidents.

The patrol which began last year will end on January 15.

NAN

January 4, 2018
Police arraign 35-year old banker for cheating

The police on Thursday arraigned one Daniel George, 35, at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court in the Federal Capital territory ( FCT ) for cheating.

George, a banker and resident of Gwarimpa, Abuja, is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Otu Urom, said that Sanusi Saminu residing at Ishaka Close, Gwarimpa, Abuja, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Abubakar Bello, on December 13, 2017.

He alleged that sometime in July, 2017, the accused and two others now at large, conspired and deceived the complainant.

Urom alleged that they deceived the complainant to invest N1.5 million in their company under name of Global Trust Multipurpose Cooperative Limited.

He said that the accused and the others promised to pay the complainant his money in 90 days but they failed to do so after the stipulated period.

Read also: Police arrest 14 over Ibadan violence

The prosecutor alleged that they converted the money into their personal use.

According to him, the offence contravenes the Penal Code.

When the charge was read out, the defendant pleaded not guilty”.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Musa Jobbo, granted the accused bail for N1 million with one surety in like sum.

He said that the surety must be a civil servant residing within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till February 5 for hearing.

NAN

January 4, 2018
Egyptian singer jailed for inciting debauchery in video

An Egyptian investigative judge on Thursday ordered a female singer jailed for 15 days pending further interrogations on charges of inciting debauchery in a music video, a local media reported.

According to the news report, this is the second of such case in recent months.

Little-known singer Laila Amer was arrested earlier this week over her online video “Look at Your Mother’’ after a lawyer accused her in a legal complaint of making sexual innuendos and outraging public morals.

However, Amer has denied the charges.

The title of the video is a play on an offensive colloquial Egyptian phrase.

Read also: Egyptian security kill 11 suspected militants

The case came three days after an Egyptian appeals court reduced by one year the prison sentence of pop singer Shyma on similar charges related to a video clip deemed too racy in the conservative country.

In December 2017, a lower court handed down Shyma a two-year jail sentence.

NAN

January 4, 2018
Lagos commended for hosting successful carnivals

The Lagos State Government ( LASG ) has been commended for hosting successful carnivals in 2017 which were devoid of violence and vices.

Benedict Afagwu, popularly known as ‘DJ Humility’, told newsmen in Lagos that the success was due to the provision of security agents at strategic locations where the events took place.

“The Lagos State Government carnivals held in 2017 were successful and glamorous.

“The carnivals attracted lots of people and provided avenues for revellers to relax and cool off in preparation for harder work in 2018,” he added.

DJ Humility also said that the carnivals provided opportunities for petty traders to make an income which alleviated the harmful effects of unemployment in the country.

“Lots of traders were seen around carnival grounds making sales and increasing their incomes as they engage with fun seekers in an atmosphere of merriment.’’

Read also: Wazobia FM pledges more carnivals

DJ Humility started making waves when he emerged the overall winner in the Benson & Hedges DJ Championship in Year 2000.

He has won several awards and worked with several popular music artistes to create beats for melodious songs.

Some of his hit songs include, “All Over Me” featuring Ice Prince, “DJ’s Anthem” featuring Kevino, “Conga” featuring Timaya, and “Badman”, featuring Sugarboiz, among others.

DJ Humility is currently a radio DJ in one of the radio stations in Lagos State.

NAN

January 4, 2018
Man jailed 14 months for stabbing woman

A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State, on Thursday jailed a 22-year-old tailor, Sabiu Musa to 14 months imprisonment for stabbing a fellow tailor with scissors.

The Judge, Ibrahim Shekarau said he based his judgment on the evidence before the court and the guilty plea of the convict.

“Musa is hereby sentenced to six months imprisonment or an option of N6, 000 fine for the offence of criminal trespass.

“For the offence of causing grievous hurt, the accused is sentenced to eight months imprisonment without an option of fine,” the judge ruled.

The convict, who resides at Orange Market, Mararaba, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal trespass, causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit theft.

He admitted to the crime and pleaded for mercy before he was jailed.

Read also: Man jailed five months for cheating

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Hamen Donald, had told the court that Hussaina Ibrahim of Aso Pada, Mararaba, reported the matter at `A’ Police Division, Mararaba on January 2, at about 1.30 p.m.

“The complainant alleged that the convict trespassed with the intention of stealing her sewing machine.

“When the complainant raised alarm, the convict removed scissors from his waist and stabbed her on the breast, stomach, knee and back.

“He left her in the pool of her blood and while trying to run away, he was caught by the mob,” Donald said.

The prosecutor also said that the offences contravened Sections 352, 245 and 95 of the Penal Code.

NAN

January 4, 2018
Tailor bags 14 months in jail for stabbing woman

A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State, on Thursday sentenced a 22-year-old tailor, Sabiu Musa to 14 months imprisonment for stabbing a fellow tailor with scissors .

The Judge, Ibrahim Shekarau said he based his judgment on the evidence before the court and the guilty plea of the convict.

“Musa is hereby sentenced to six months imprisonment or an option of N6, 000 fine for the offence of criminal trespass.

“For the offence of causing grievous hurt, the accused is sentenced to eight months imprisonment without an option of fine,” the judge ruled.

The convict, who resides at Orange Market, Mararaba, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal trespass, causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit theft.

He admitted to the crime and pleaded for mercy.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Hamen Donald, had told the court that Hussaina Ibrahim of Aso Pada, Mararaba, reported the matter at `A’ Police Division, Mararaba on Jan. 2, at about 1.30 p.m.

“The complainant alleged that the convict trespassed with the intention of stealing her sewing machine.

“When the complainant raised alarm, the convict removed scissors from his waist and stabbed her on the breast, stomach, knee and back.

“He left her in the pool of her blood and while trying to run away, he was caught by the mob,” Donald said.

The prosecutor also said that the offences contravened Sections 352, 245 and 95 of the Penal Code.

NAN

January 4, 2018
Mechanic in court for alleged N200,000 engine fraud

A 35-year-old mechanic,Adebori Sabitu, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining N200,000 from a customer to fix his car engine.

Sabitu, a resident of Igbogbo, Lagos, is standing trial on two count charge for fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP. Ezekiel Ayorinde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on September 22, 2016 at Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Abule-Egba, Lagos.

He said that the accused obtained N200, 000 from Mr Adeola Fadairo under the pretences of buying a new car engine to fix his Mitsubishi montero jeep but failed to fix it.

Ayorinde said that the complainant also gave N18, 000 to the accused for workmanship.

He added that 15 months after the complainant gave his vehicle to the accused to repair and all efforts to retrieve his money proved unsuccessful.

According to the Prosecutor, the complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

The offence contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Also Read: Court remands man for defiling minor

Section 314 prescribes 15 year jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum by magistrate Mrs O.J Awope.

Awope said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidences of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until January 29, for mention.

NAN

January 4, 2018