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  • Apochi battles Pryor in Houston

    Efetobor ‘Nigerian Pitbull’ Apochi will climb back into the ring tomorrow at the Arena Theatre, Houston, Texas, USA as he takes on journeyman Larry Pryor.

    The 31 year-old Ughelli-born boxer is confident Pryor would not last more than four rounds in the scheduled eight-round bout.

    “This fight should be over by the 4th round. He is no match for my ferocity and punching power.

    “The fight will surely end early despite Pryor’s experience because the ‘Nigerian Pitbull’ plays rough,” Apochi told NationSport in a Facebook chat.

    An accomplished amateur in Nigeria where he captained the boxing team to a bronze-winning performance at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Apochi has knocked-out all his opponents in his Eight fights since turning professional in 2017.

    Apochi knocked out Earl Newman in the 7th round in his last fight in Biloxi, Mississippi in May.

    He is trained by the legendary Ronnie Shields who also trains heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba.

    Pryor, 37, a Frederick, Maryland native, is looking to bounce back from a decision loss to Raphael Murphy in August. He has won 11 out of 32 fights since he began professional boxing in 2005 and has lost the remaining 22.

  • N2b ‘fraud’: EFCC grills Maina

    Former Chairman of the Pension Task Reform Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Department of State Services (DSS), it was learnt on Wednesday.

    He was arrested in Abuja on Monday by DSS operatives.

    Maina, who was looking pensive, was brought to the anti-graft agency about 5.30pm.

    The suspect was quizzed over alleged N2 billion biometrics contract.

    It was also learnt that Maina was interrogated over his choice assets in Kado Estate, Abuja, some properties in Kaduna and a large farm in Keffi, the Nasarawa State capital.

    A source, who spoke in confidence yesterday, said: “Maina, who we had earlier declared wanted, was brought to EFCC by the DSS a few hours ago. The security agency handed him over after the completion of its profiling on him.

    “You know Maina has been hiding in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some neighbouring countries and there is need to de-brief him on certain security challenges associated with him.

    Read Also: N84.6m fraud: EFCC grills INEC accountant, three others

    “For instance, intelligence report indicated that Maina was asked how he always succeeded in sneaking in and out of the country and his connection with a safe house in Abuja.

    “But as soon as he was handed over to the EFCC, detectives isolated issues for him on the N2 billion biometrics contact. He was also asked to make statement on the funding of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team.

    “He has also been asked to explain how he came about choice assets in Abuja and Kaduna.

    “The investigation might also be extended to his activities as a former director in Customs, Immigration and Prisons Office (CIPPO), which he superintended with huge cash flow.”

    Replying a question, the EFCC source said: “He will soon be arraigned in court because we have already preferred charges against him.

    “As far back as July 21, 2015, Maina was arraigned at a Federal High Court on a 24-count charge with a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, Osarenkhoe Afe and Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited.

    “He is expected to face trial for charges bordering on procurement fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

    “What detectives are doing now is to obtain a statement from him on some findings about him before the court proceedings.”

    Asked of his status, the source added: “Maina was in pensive mood; he never expected that the law would catch up with him.”

    Also yesterday, Maina’s 20-year-old son Faisal, was alleged to have pulled a pistol on security operatives who arrested him and his father on Monday.

    DSS spokesman at the services national headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya, made the allegation in a statement.

    The statement titled: “DSS arrests Abdul-Rasheed Maina”, said the combined DSS operation, on September 30, arrested Maina at the Pennsylvania Avenue Hotel in Abuja.

    It explained that the arrest followed a request by the EFCC to apprehend the suspect.

    The statement said: “Maina was arrested in company of his 20-year-old son, Faisal Abdul-Rasheed Maina, who unsuccessfully tried to resist the arrest.

    “The lad even pulled a pistol against the security agents involved in the operation. He was, however, disarmed and arrested. He is a final year student at the Canadian University of Dubai where he is studying Telecoms Engineering.

    “Items recovered from the suspects, include a pistol with live ammunition, a bullet-proof Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a BMW saloon car, foreign currencies, a phantom 7 drone and sensitive documents.

    “The suspects and the recovered items will be handed over to the EFCC for further investigations and appropriate necessary actions.

    “It is instructive to note that the operation is as a result of a renewed interagency collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies.

    “The Service has always subscribed to such collaboration believed to be important in national security management and therefore, hopes to sustain the initiative in mitigating the current threats against public safety and national critical assets.”

    Maina, who was picked up by DSS operatives in a hotel in Abuja, had in 2017, been declared Maina wanted, following his refusal to honour the commission’s invitations.

    But in his bid to evade the long arm of the law, Maina, on September 5, 2018, in a suit  asked the court to decide whether the Commission can lawfully exercise powers of declaring him wanted, either on its official website or any other media platform, or ‘harass him.’

    But Justice Folasade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court restrained the anti- graft commission from declaring Maina wanted.

    She also gave an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the EFCC and its affiliates or related bodies from further declaring Maina wanted in relation to the issue of the pension scam.

    The EFCC said the judgment must not be allowed to stand and headed to the Appeal Court.

  • Ajimobi done talking!

    Breaking news: Abiola Ajimobi, perhaps the most colourful — and most formidable — talker of his political generation, is done talking!

    Now howzat, to throw in that cricket-speak?  Would Oyo politics ever be the same, without the lean, mean, colourful and electric Ajimobi-jive?

    Is this some modern-day political Pauline conversation? Or some political end-time in Oyo State, where the Ajimobi sharp tongue had ruled the roost, these last eight years, where the man with class and dash held gubernatorial court; and would allow no one — not when he had his tongue! — to stand between him and the arduous task of building a modern Oyo State?

    Or just, the mood of Ecclesiastics 3 in the Bible, which pronounces a time for everything — in this case, for Ajimobi, a time to speak and a time to be mute?

    Changing times!  Changing fortunes!  Changing moods!

    Yet, you can’t be but be impressed by the context of the Ajimobi no-more-jiving declaration which, at least in Hardball’s opinion, suggests commendable statesmanship.

    On Sunday September 28, Ajimobi was among 95 honorees at the Catholic St. Mary’s Cathedral, Oke Padre, Ibadan.  Asked to assess Governor Seyi Makinde, his PDP successor, across party lines, the former governor said the virtual impossible: “Yes, I have done eight years of talking; now it is time for me to keep silent and allow the other man to do his job.”

    Wise, deep and statesmanlike — particularly as the Makinde camp appears never passing up an opportunity to rubbish the old czar, as part of its own power-entry strategy.   Ajimobi was indeed a flamboyant, no-nonsense gubernatorial czar, whose sharp tongue never suffered fools gladly.

    But perhaps Ajimobi himself was changing tack, a form of silence is golden — and damning — strategy: to confront all post-gubernatorial barbs with loud and deafening silence.

    Still, before the silent treatment (?), the old tiger appeared to have let go some valedictory, self-lifting music: “I feel really elated, I feel happy, very honoured,” he declared of the Catholic honour, “especially when you are being honoured by the people that we serve and the people that serve God.  When you are recognized by clerics, men of God, it is the best honour you can get.”

    Irrespective of whatever partisan foes’ yarn?  Why does this remind Hardball of King Sunny Ade’s Let Them Say musical hit?

    Still, a mute Ajimobi? Ajimobi done talking?  Hardball can’t quite wrap his hands around it!  The Oyo political tapestry would be all the poorer for it!  The most cutting — and caustic — tongue of his political generation is pushing his democratic right to be mute!

    But golden advice from Hardball: the Makinde camp had better not push their luck too far — or the cutting, raking tongue might just be back!

  • Lagos closes Costain Bridge

    The Lagos State government on Wednesday disclosed plans to shut down the Costain Roundabout inwards Funso Williams Avenue for three months, beginning from Thursday October 3.

    The closure, according to a statement, is to facilitate the completion of the ongoing construction of the bridge.

    The Federal Government had embarked on building a new flyover bridge to replace the existing one whose headroom had been inadequate for the speed train being proposed to connect Apapa ports for wet and cargo freight services.

    Government issued a travel advisory for commuters and motorists on the road, urging motorists coming from Funso Williams Avenue  enroute Apapa Road/Iganmu to Apapa to make use of Alaka to Eric Moore to Abebe Village (Nigerian Breweries) and continue the journey, while those heading to Lagos Island from Funso Williams can connect through Eko Bridge from Ijora Olopa or Apongbon.

    Read Also: Civil society groups protest at Lagos Assembly

    Those heading to Lagos Island from Orile can use Iganmu Road to connect Eko Bridge through Costain.

    Motorists coming from Lagos Island that have no business in Costain and its environs can make use of Eko Bridge to Funso Williams Avenue.

    Those foing Costain Roundabout,  Alaka, or Ebute Meta can take Apapa Road to Abule Nla Road to connect Funso Williams Avenue by Leadway Assurance building to continue their journey.

  • Buhari arrives in South Africa for talks

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday arrived at Waterloof Air Force Base, Pretoria, to begin a three-day official visit to South Africa.

    The President left the Presidential Villa, Abuja at about 1:30 p.m. for Pretoria via the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Buhari had earlier presided over the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before embarking on the trip.

    Read Also: 2020 Budget: Buhari to chair extra-ordinary FEC Saturday

    The visit is coming against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.

    The Nigerian leader will hold bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, in Pretoria, to discuss the welfare of Nigerians.

    The two African leaders will also find common grounds for building harmonious relations among their respective citizens.

    Buhari will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country to share in their experiences.

    An earlier statement on the trip issued by Malan Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesperson, said the Nigerian leader would use the opportunity to reassure Nigerians in South Africa of the Nigerian government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.

    The president is expected back in Abuja on Friday.

  • Post primary: Court orders substituted service on Lyon, running mate

    AN aspirant in the  governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, has moved a suit he filed against the party and its candidate, Chief David Lyon, from the state to the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    A copy of the court proceeding showed that the case came up  on Wednesday for mentioning at the Federal High Court 4, Abuja presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo.

    Granting  a motion ex parte filed by Aganaba, Ekwo ordered substituted service of all the processes in the suit on David Lyon and his running mate, Biobaekuma Degi.

    The judge ordered that the substituted service should include pasting the originating process or other processes on the wall or any part of the National Headquarters of the APC.

    Ekwo also described that the mode of service he issued against the APC candidate and his running mate as sufficient.

    But the court turned down one of the prayers by the plaintiff, asking the court to abridge the time which the defendants may enter appearance, file and serve their respective defence process to 14 days.

    Read Also: I won’t disappoint Bayelsa, says Lyon

    Ekwo, who said he could not issue such order in the absence of other parties, adjourned the case to October 16.

    Aganaba in the substantive suit asked the court to void the primaries that produced Lyon as the candidate of the party for the Novermber 16 governorship election in the state.

    Aganaba, a founding member of the APC in Bayelsa, sued the APC, Lyon, Degi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to  court as defendants in a suit he  filed on  Seprember 12.

    The aspirant urged the court to make a declaration that the primaries scheduled for September 4 across the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of the state did not take place.

    He also asked the court to make a declaration that since there were no primaries, the declaration of results that produced David Lyon as the candidate of the party was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

    The aspirant further demanded an order setting aside the results of the APC primary election, which returned Lyon as the candidate of the party for November 16 election.

  • APC chief raises alarm over violence

    The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, has raised the alarm over  what he called the rising politically-motivated violence in Bayelsa State, ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    Nabena, who raised the alarm on Wednesday during a chat with reporters in Abuja, also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Adamu Mohammed, to proscribe the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo over alleged compromise and being used by the state government to harass and intimidate the opposition.

    The deputy national publicity secretary, who spoke  on the backdrop of the violence that erupted in the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, on Monday, following the  House of Assembly’s crisis, alleged that a principal official of the state, had been instigating unrest in the state.

    Read Also: Council primaries: Ekiti APC aspirants, reject imposition

    He said he had reliable information that some elements within Bayelsa State chapter of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had mobilised thugs with dangerous weapons from neighbouring states to cause unrest in the state before the election.

    “With the popular APC candidacy of David Lyon, Bayelsans have already decided to do away with the failed administration of Governor Dickson and his stooge which he has foisted on the PDP. No amount of rigging and intimidation will deter Bayelsans. The wind of change is blowing across the state, regardless of party leanings.” Nabena said.

  • ‘We will keep building on founding fathers’ legacies’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate, in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has assured the people  of his desire to build on the legacies of the state founding fathers if elected on November 16.

    Diri, in a statement to mark the 23rd anniversary of Bayelsa creation and Nigeria at 59 said that Bayelsa and the nation shared the same anniversary, adding  that it was a time for stock-taking and renewal.

    He said that despite the challenges facing Bayelsa State, there were glittering spots to cheer about, adding that successive administrations had made impact and the people should look forward with hope and confidence.

    Diri said his aspiration to be governor was founded on the need to regenerate the cause of development and socio-economic betterment of the  people.

    He vowed to build on the legacies of the founding fathers and in particular the achievements of the Restoration Administration of the incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Read Also: Jonathan’s kinsmen declare support for Diri, running mate

    He said:” On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Bayelsa State, I want to express my heartfelt wishes to all our people, at home and abroad. Like with all states and indeed the nation, the challenges of socio-economic and political stability are issues of concern. But we must be resolute that we would overcome and become better.

    “The challenge is for us to strive harder and rekindle hope and continue to build on the legacies of our founding fathers to make Bayelsa State a distinct land of beauty where peace reigns and enterprise matches prosperity for the good of all Bayelsans.

    “The import of my message is to insist on the right leadership at all levels, a kind of  leadership that is imbued with vision and commitment for the overall welfare of the people.

    “Yet, it is gratifying that despite the situation around us, we can still see some glittering spots of concrete achievements from the past till now as manifested in the remarkable legacies of the Restoration Government ably led by Governor Seriake Dickson. This is a thing we should rejoice about as we look forward with hope and confidence to build on these legacies and create a better Bayelsa State.“

    The PDP governorship candidate also called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the cause of nationhood by embracing patriotism and work collectively to enhance peace and unity.

  • Jonathan’s kinsmen unite for PDP candidate

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsmen in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for November 16 election, Senator Douye Diri and his running mate Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor.

    Rising from their meeting convened by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the kinsmen vowed to vote massively for the PDP candidate.

    The stakeholders at the meeting tagged: Ogbia Unity Congress and organised by the Ogbia Restoration Crusaders, dismissed insinuations that Diri was stingy, describing the candidate as a nice man.

    A member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Fred Obua, said the PDP was stable in the state, adding that Ogbia would deliver 95 per cent of the votes to the PDP.

    Commenting on Diri’s personality, he said: “Douye Diri is a free man , nobody should use the name of stingy as a campaign strategy. He is a nice man, somebody that is accessible.  He is a highly experienced man and somebody you can trust anytime.”

    Read Also: Goodluck Jonathan’s son-in-law shot in Calabar

    In his remarks, the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area , Mr.Ebinyo Turner noted that Ogbia youths were happy with the PDP because of its generosity in bringing development to Ogbia land.

    He said that Ogbia had been a traditionally undivided PDP support base and would rally round the PDP for massive victory in the governorship election in November 16.

    Also a PDP chieftain and Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, hailed leaders and stakeholders  for their support to the candidate  and his running mate.

    He said he was happy that  leaders from the council came out en masse to endorse the PDP candidate.

    He  thanked the Chairman of the Ogbia Restoration Caucus, Chief George Okirinya, Graham Ipigansi and the member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Fred Obua.

  • Civil society groups protest at Lagos Assembly

    A coalition of civil society organisations yesterday stormed Lagos Assembly to complain about the perennial crisis in Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), calling for  urgent intervention of the government to salvage the institutions.

    In a letter submitted to the House, which was jointly signed by the United Action for Democracy (UAD), Sahara Education Development Initiative (SEDI), Workbond International Network (WIN) and Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), the coalition stated that the dismissal of ASUU leaders prompted the peaceful rally, they appealed for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s intervention.

    The group demanded the reinstatement of five ASUU-LASU officials “illegally dismissed by the Prof. Bayo Ninalowo-led governing council, and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lanre Fagbohun.”

    Read Also: HMO denies diverting NHIS fund

    They further requested the governor to constitute a visitation panel to the institution as a matter of urgency.

    Other demands of the coalition included: immediate reinstatement of ASUU-LASU check-off dues illegally stopped by Lanre Fagbohun since January, 2019, immediate promotion of union officers and loyalists who were said to have been denied promotions by the university administration.

    They urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to “investigate N198 million pension funds of LASU staff used to buy exotic cars, and immediate investigation of the N1.3billion NEEDs funds mismanaged by Prof. Obafunwa and Fagbohun.”

    One of the leaders of the group, Mr. Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, said, “We will continue the protest until our demands are met. Nigerians are suffering, the country is rich yet our people are suffering.

    “Why are we suffering, is it that we are poor, no, a few people just sit on our money. They are wasting our resources, they are even using our resources to fight us,” he said.