Arsenal Injury News:Cech, Koscielny and Coquelin

Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Hull City:

on team news… 

We lose Coquelin from his bad tackle on Saturday and everyone else looks available. I have to see how everybody has recovered today but overall we should have the same squad that went to Tottenham plus Alex Iwobi will certainly be added to the squad. 

on Petr Cech…

Petr’s scans were better than expected, but it will still be four weeks for him. So after the international break.

on Laurent Koscielny…

Laurent will be short for Hull. he has a chance to be available for the weekend, but I think even for then he will be short.

‘Boko Haram arms manufacturer, gunrunner arrested’ — SSS

The State Security Service has announced the arrest of a man it said manufactures and procures arms for the extremist Boko Haram sect.

In a statement Saturday, the agency said “Musa Garba Abubakar (Engr) aka Muhadis Musa Bin Haddad, was arrested at Jos, Plateau State, during a special tactical operation.

Mr. Abubakar, the SSS said, “is a major gun fabricator, arms-runner and a covert linkman/courier for the Boko Haram group.”

The statement added, “During his arrest, two pistols, 80 rounds of live ammunition and several sensitive documents were recovered from him.

“In a bid to employ propaganda to manipulate the international community against the efforts of the Federal Government, in the ongoing war against terror in the North-West region, Musa (Mr. Abubakar) had approached a foreign mission in Nigeria for logistics and financial support to fight the Boko Haram.

“However, unknown to the mission, he is actually an unauthorized gun-maker/runner with intent for mischief and communal strife in the North Central region.”

Read full statement below.

APC Crisis Deepens; Oyegun Probably 'SACKED', Oni Occupies The Chairman's Office; NWC Shun Office

Silent crisis rocking the leadership of the  ruling All progressives Congress becoming messy as members of members of National Working Committee, (NWC) staged a walk out, insisting that the national Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun resigns, the 

Authority Newspaper says.

Last week, News Punch reported that Chief Oyegun handed over the mantle of leadership of the party to former Ekiti State Governor and the Deputy National Chairman of the Party, Chief Segun Oni, stating that he, Oyegun was going on 10 days vacation.
According to our source, The development has ground­ed activities at the APC Nation­al Secretariat as all the Nation­al Working Committee (NWC) members have continued to stay away from their offices.

The AUTHORITY learnt that the APC had been facing a si­lent leadership crisis as some top members have fallen out with Od­igie-Oyegun over his leadership style and have demanded his res­ignation.

There were also reported is­sues of accountability among the party.
 It was reported that Chief Od­igie-Oyegun was forced to pro­ceed on a compulsory leave to pave the way for the resolution of the feud, but his critics have in­sisted that he must not return to the seat after the expiration of the holidays.

Odigie-Oyegun, howev­er, debunked the claims, stress­ing that he was proceeding on a 10-day leave to have some rest as demanded by his doctors after a hectic period of activities since he emerged as the APC nation­al chairman.

“I have been chairman for how long now? Going to two years, and it has been a very in­tense period building the par­ty and a very intense period put­ting the government together up to this point.

“All that has happened is that I think I deserve a bit of a break and that will start effective Mon­day and in my absence my deputy here, Chief Segun Oni, will cover my beat. It is that simple, it is that straightforward. Any speculation about not being in office is of no consequence. On Tuesday, I was down with malaria; I managed on Wednesday to attend that crucial meeting at the Presidency; yester­day I had to go to the hospital just to be sure and today I am at work, full stop”, the APC national chair­man noted, while reacting to re­ported crisis over his leadership of the party. But it was a more con­fused situation yesterday when it was noticed that the national chairman’s absence has crippled activities at the party’s secretari­at, with only the acting chairman, Segun Oni and the National Youth Leader, Dasuki Jalo, who came in briefly on Monday and Tuesday.

A staff member of the Secre­tariat, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen in confidence that “all the national officers are stay­ing away because they don’t want to answer questions as regard the running of the party.”

Another source who raised concerns over the future of Odi­gie-Oyegun as the national chair­man of the party, revealed that the acting national chairman, Segun Oni, has already moved into Odi­gie-Oyegun’s office, saying “that is an indication that the APC chair­man might not come back be­cause if he is acting as chairman, he is supposed to do that from his own office, not Odigie-Oyegun’s office.”
The APC National Caucus will meet on March 22, ahead of the March 23, 2016 Board of Trus­tees meeting, while the party’s NEC is billed to meet on March 24 to tackle most of the crises fac­ing the party.

Several attempts made by The AUTHORITY to get the reaction of the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Bunu, who is also act­ing as the party’s Publicity Sec­retary, proved abortive as he did not pick several calls that were put across to him.
When Oni was contacted on the issue, he said that he was in an APC campaign rally ahead of the March 19 council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

K1 DE ULTIMATE IN IGBA OTUN

Senate President Saraki Upset Over The Leaking Of Secret APC Meeting To Discuss His Trial

Embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki is enraged over a story broken by SaharaReporters on Wednesday that he met with All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to beg them about his forthcoming trial for corruption.
Embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki is enraged over a story broken by SaharaReporters on Wednesday that he met with All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to beg them about his forthcoming trial for corruption.                      Sarakai reportedly drew the attention of the meeting to tweets emanating from SaharaReporters indicating that went to beg party leaders concerning how best to end his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal which starts on March 10.

The meeting was held in the office of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.  

Following his complaints at the meeting, his media aide also sent text messages to SaharaReporters claiming they had seen text messages our reporters sent to party leaders about the event.

A source at the meeting disclosed that largely owing to speculation in the media; Saraki’s case was not brought up at the meeting.

SaharaReporters authoritatively learnt from APC insiders that Saraki had mobilized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and APC chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, to discuss the trial at the meeting, a point which informed the decision to hold it behind closed doors. 

A spokesperson for the office of the VP later issued a statement stating that the meeting by APC leaders was very successful. Saharareporters learnt that the party leaders discussed upcoming elections in Ondo, Edo and other areas across the country.

Prior to today’s meeting, Saraki had sent religious leaders from Ilorin to help beg Tinubu.  He also sent the Senate Majority leader, Ali Ndume, to help beg President Buhari to halt the trial.

However, a Presidency source told SaharaReporters today that President Muhammad Buhari will not intervene in Saraki’s trial under any circumstances.

As it did previously, Saraki’s legal team has decided to stage a walkout on the judge when the trial resumes in two weeks.

Sunday Oliseh resigns as Super Eagles coach

Sunday Oliseh has announced his resignation as Super Eagles Coach.

The former Nigerian International announced his decision to end his increasingly controversial tenure on Twitter early this morning.

He attributed the decision to lack of support and contract violations by the Nigerian Football Federation.

The 41-year-old, who was appointed as the Super Eagles Head Coach in July 2015, has had a tough time leading the National team with a poor run of results recently. He had recently had to apologise to the NFF and Nigerians after posting a video in which he attacked his critics. Earlier in his tenure he had fallen out with former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, leading to the latter’s decision to quit the team. Oliseh noted that he was, however, grateful for the opportunity to lead the Super Eagles.

Details of his resignation remain unclear as the NFF has yet to comment on the matter.

Moro for trial over Immigration jobs scandal

             

 ALL is set for the trial of former Minister of Interior Abba Moro, a former Permanent Secretary and a director over the N650million proceeds of the Immigration recruitment scandal.

The three suspects were re-invited by the Economice and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ahead of their arraignment in court today by the anti-graft agency.

The fate of  a former Comptroller-General  of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Parradang, was unknown as at press time.

About 6.5million applied for 5,000 immigration jobs but the conduct of the test in March, 2014 led to the death of 15 applicants. Scores were injured in stampede in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Minna.         
Each applicant paid N1,000.

Although Moro blamed the former Comptroller-General of Immigration for the incidents, those loyal to Parradang traced the tragedy to Moro and those they described as his business partners

The EFCC  stepped into the job scandal to ascertain the whereabouts of the N650 million proceeds of the exercise.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said last night: “We have detained Moro, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and a director.

“We need to tidy up a few things but it is likely that these former public officers will be arraigned in court any moment from now. I think they might go to court on Tuesday (today)  from detention.

“No one can account for the whereabouts of the N650million collected from applicants. Out of the fees, N212million was budgeted for the March 2014 recruitment exercise but N45million was eventually released and some officers still helped themselves with it.

“So far about N167million meant for logistics on the test day could not be accounted for by anyone or group. “

Some of the issues that arose from the investigation are:

• Why did the ministry sideline Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Service Board?
• What accounted for the engagement of a consultancy firm, Drexel Technical Nigeria Limited and at what cost?
• Did the  consultancy firm serve as a front for some powers that be?
• Why has the ministry refused to refund the fees to applicants?

Besides, there were evidence of financial mismanagement.

On Parradang’s fate, the EFCC source said: “We have not taken a decision on him. But do not forget that we also quizzed him.”

The Secretary to the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Service Board, Mr. Sylvanus Tapgun, told the former Senator Atiku Bagudu-led Senate Committee on Interior, that the consultant released N45million out of N212million requested by the board for the conduct of the exercise.

Tapgun said Drexel Technical Nigeria Limited – the consultant who anchored the exercise on behalf of the ministry— provided only the N45million as “discretionary contribution” for the screening.

He admitted that the development created “serious logistics problems on the day of the exercise.”

Earlier, Moro, said Parradang should be held responsible for the tragedy.

He said Parradang abandoned the important recruitment exercise for birthday parties in Jos.

Moro said: “If I prevented Mr. Parradang from carrying out the job of recruitment as Minister of Interior, did I go with his sense of responsibility of knowing how not to conduct employment without budgetary provision and utter disregard for extant rules?

“Yes, I wrote to the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice to seek clarification to guide the Board when I discovered that the Presidential Committee assisting the Board had assumed a life of its own and was conducting the recruitment rather than assist the Board.

“What value was Parradang adding to the work of the Presidential Committee when on March 15, 2014 he abandoned his duty to provide leadership to the conduct of the recruitment to attend birthday parties in Jos?

“The same way he chose to gallivant in America and the UK during the 2014 Promotion Exercise against official advice.

More troubles for PDP as leaders ask National Chairman to resign

A group of concerned Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders and elders has called on the new National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu-Sheriff, to resign.

The group, under the aegis of PDP Rescue Group led by Wilberforce Juta, who also contested for PDP chairmanship, made the call during a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr. Juta said that the party leaders were upset about Mr. Modu-Sheriff’s appointment as PDP national chairman.

He said “most PDP members did not see in Sheriff a model of impeccable integrity that the party badly needed to lead it at this critical moment.

“We are upset by the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in appointing Ali Modu-Sheriff as national chairman.

“We are convinced that this decision is against the will and wish of the generality of members.

“We know for a fact the North-East Zonal wing, having been directed by the National Caucus of the party to forward nominees from the zone, did not nominate Modu-Sheriff for the position of national chairman.

“Consequently, Modu-Sheriff should do the needful by stepping down honourably as it is evident that party members nationwide have overwhelmingly rejected him.”

He said that the current leadership crisis in PDP was a challenge to every Nigerian.

He emphasised that “having the PDP destroyed by acts of error of judgment as being witnessed now is denying Nigeria of a strong opposition party that is badly needed if Nigeria’s democracy is to be strengthened and all tendencies toward civilian dictatorship checked.

“The crisis must challenge all party members to action to halt the party from further drift. The plan of PDP Rescue Group is to mobilise party members and leaders to help attain this noble goal.

“It is, therefore, critical if the PDP must come back to national reckoning, that we remodel its leadership on the platform of honesty as required by the party manifesto.”

He then urged all party organs to rise to the challenge by insisting on the removal of Mr. Modu-Sheriff.

Mr. Juta also urged the different organs, as well as past and present leaders to commence the search for persons with high integrity, strategic insight and fear of God Almighty to lead the party.

“It is our considered view that we endeavour to elect only those with discernible traits,” he said.

He called for early Congresses and National Convention of the party to elect new leaders as the term of the current leadership was due to end in March 2016.

He said “under no guise should the tenure of the current leadership of the party be extended, if we must make the needed fresh beginning.”

While answering questions, former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wabara, who is the Deputy Chairman of the group, said Mr. Modu-Sheriff’s appointment was imposed on the party.

A former Deputy Governor of Sokoto Sate and Secretary of the group, Mukhtari Shagari, also called on Mr. Modu-Sheriff to resign.

Mr. Shagari added that leaders of the party could not sit down and allow the party to die.

Others at the briefing include John Odey, Kabiru Mohammed, Akilu Indabawa, Umar Ardo, Bashir Maidugu, Mohammed Kabir, Pogu Bitrus, Lancelot Anyanya, and Muyiwa Oladimeji.

Ooni of Ife appointed UNN chancellor

– Obab Adeeye becomes the youngest chancellor in Nigeria with his recent appointment 

– The monarch has been applauded for his efforts to promote unity 

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the chancellor of the University of Nigeria. His appointment is historically significant as he is the youngest chancellor in Nigeria The Nation reports that Yera Moses Olafare who is the director of media, Ooni’s palace said the appointment was made on Thursday, February 18. In a statement issued by the director of media, the president was commended for recognizing the Ooni’s promotion of unity in the country.

“Ile Oodua is thankful to the people’s President Mohammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the appointment of Ooni, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as the chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN” “This appointment would develop further and enable the monarch to build more bridges of friendship most especially across the Niger.” The statement added that Oba Ogunwusi was ready to promote unity in the university with his influence. The statements reads: “It is incontrovertible today that Ooni Ogunwusi is a bridge builder and being the youngest chancellor appointed for the only university bearing “Nigeria” is worth the celebration.

“His appointment as chancellor, University Of Nigeria, Nsuka is considered as a positive sign that can further enhance peaceful coexistence of our dear nation as it was clearly stated in the letter of appointment written and signed by honorable minister of education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu on behalf of Mr President that Kabiyesi’ appointment is based on his wealth of experience and his capacity to manage men and resources which he has demonstrated in the administration of his Kingdom in the last three months.” The Ife monarch has been since as an agent of unity since he was installed.  He rewrote history when he visited Ibadan for the thanksgiving ceremony of the Alaafin of Oyo. The Ooni has reiterated that God ordered him to promote peace and unity with his position.

Metuh's Attempt To Destroy Statement: Lawyers React

Olisa Metuh, the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come under criticisms for allegedly tearing his confessional statement. 

Some lawyers said tearing up his statement at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commisssion (EFCC) does not stop him from being prosecuted, The Nation reports.

Report had surfaced some days back thatMetuh tore a statement he made to the EFCC, concerning his alleged involvement in the $2,1billion arms fraud and tried to eat it.

The lawyers include professor of Law, Itsay Sagay(SAN), Professor Kanyisola Ajayi (SAN), Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), Wahab Shittu, chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Yinka Farounbi, member of Ogun state Judicial Service Commission, Abayomi Omoyinmi and national president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Malachy Ugwummadu.

According to Sagay, the EFCC could prosecute Metuh for criminal conduct as what he did amounted to a criminal act saying, “It is a bad example by somebody of his status.”

He noted that the torn statement could still be tendered in court if the pieces could be put together.

On his part, Prof Ajayi said: “The alleged tearing up of the confessional statement shouldn’t affect the EFCC’s prosecution. The EFCC as an organisation will most likely have other evidence to support its case before it proceeds to court. It should have other things in store that’ll prove that the crime it alleged was committed was indeed committed by the defendant.”

Also speaking, Fagbohungbe said Metuh may have decided to destroy statement after he realized he wrote incriminating things against himself.

“His action will raise a lot of suspicion in the mind of security agents. It is a suspicious conduct,” he said.

According to Omoyinmi, the implication of Metuh’s action was that he could be charged with willful destruction of property belonging to the government because the matter at hand is a criminal offence.

Lending his voice to the matter, Farounbi said it was unfortunate that Metuh did what he did, “If the statement is not badly torn, it could be used; otherwise it will constitute a separate offence and the torn paper constitutes an exhibit against him,” he said.

On his part, Ugwummadu said if indeed Metuh attempted to destroy his confessional statement, it exposes his thuggish nature and level of civility.

Metuh, who has been in detention since Tuesday last week, allegedly admitted to receiving N400m from the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

He was said to have told investigators that he would rather starve than refund the money he is being prosecuted for.

Report had it that he indicated his interest to make public all the assignments he did for Nigeria’s past president, Goodluck Jonathan during the last presidential election.