REGULAR TRADE MARK !! Magu: Alleged cover-up in EFCC as unknown men attack NFIU office, destroy computers

There is an alleged plot to frustrate the probe of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ongoing investigation of its suspended chairman, Ibrahim Magu, after some unknown people broke into the office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and destroyed computers, This Day reports.

The NFIU office which is inside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa was burgled and at least seven computers containing sensitive financial information were taken away and others badly damaged.

The attack is believed to have happened overnight and was discovered Friday morning.

Some NFIU officials on Thursday appeared before the Justice Ayo Salami’s panel, which is investigating allegations against Magu.

It is understood they told the panel that by operational protocols, they don’t go about with sensitive documents. The officials then advised members of the panel to visit their office Friday morning, to sight the documents requested for.

However, before the panel members got to NFIU office in the morning, the room where the documents were kept in computers was broken into.

NFIU was only recently severed and is the agency that investigated all the allegations of financial malfeasance against Magu.

Following the incident, the Director-General of NFIU, Mr. Modibbo Hamman-Tukur, met with President Muhammadu Buhari to report the incident, a situation sources said, resulted in the president’s decision to approve Magu’s suspension. 

- DAILY POST

Nigeria records 575 new COVID-19 cases, total figures hit 31,323

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Friday announced that Nigeria recorded 575 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total cases reported in the country to 31,323.

According to NCDC‘s post on Twitter, Lagos which remains the epicenter of the deadly virus recorded 224 new cases.

12, 795 patients have been discharged upon treatment and recovery, while 709 associated deaths have been recorded all over the country.

Below is the breakdown of cases recorded on Friday:



- PM NEWS

Facing Atalanta like going to the dentist – Sarri agrees with Guardiola

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri agreed with Pep Guardiola's assessment that facing Atalanta was "like going to the dentist".

Sarri's side face a huge test on Saturday when they host Atalanta, who are third in Serie A and nine points behind leaders Juve with seven games remaining.

Manchester City manager Guardiola compared playing Atalanta to going to the dentist, having beaten and drawn with the Italian side in the Champions League group stage.

Sarri agreed with Guardiola's description as he expects a difficult clash against Gian Piero Gasperini's men.

"It's an important moment of the season. Atalanta are not a surprise. They have done really well throughout the season, particularly away from home," he told a news conference. 

"They are a really difficult opponent. Atalanta have been a difficult opponent for everyone for a long time now.

"Guardiola gave the best description of them. It's like going to the dentist. You can end up well but you feel the pain. It's a really difficult team to face."

Sarri will come up against Guardiola in the Champions League quarter-finals if their respective teams get through their last-16 ties.

But the Italian said his focus was on Serie A before a clash with Lyon, who won the first leg of their tie 1-0 in France.

"I am not interested. We have only one goal now – the league. And after the league we have Lyon," Sarri said.

"It's really far away now so we don't have to waste any energy [thinking about it]."

- GOAL

US Citizenship and Immigration Services could stop running by end of summer without bailout

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) could stop running by the end of the summer if it doesn’t receive a bailout from Congress, and its operations have already been significantly affected by a sharp decline in revenue.

The agency asked for a $1.2 billion bailout back in May, citing a decline in immigration caused by the coronavirus pandemic over the last few months, but it still hasn't received an answer, as thousands of legal immigrants see their lives affected by the agency's crisis.

Democrats have shared concerns about providing the agency with emergency funding, arguing the Trump administration has previously used the agency to tighten its grip on immigration.

USCIS’ funding depends almost entirely on fees from filing applications for green cards, visas, work permits, US citizenship and asylum, receiving little to no taxpayer funds.

Because of factors such as the coronavirus pandemic as well as the Trump's administration's recent moves to limit legal immigration, there has been a sharp decline in these requests. The agency has seen a massive drop in revenue, and it is only expected to get worse, as applications are estimated to drop by 61 percent through September.

Acting USCIS chief Joseph Edlow told BuzzFeed News’ Hamed Aleaziz back in May that to help mitigate the financial crisis, the agency was would add a 10 per cent surcharge to application fees, which currently can cost hundreds of dollars.

Without a congress bailout by August, the agency has said it will have to furlough as many as 70 per cent of its workforce - 13,400 employees.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration has shut USCIS offices, implemented a 60-day ban on the issuing of new green cards and practically stopped processing asylum requests at the US-Mexico border.

In June USCIS's contract with the company that prints documents such as green cards and work permits, so about 50,000 green cards and 75,000 other work permits haven't been printed, leaving thousands of legal immigrants in limbo. The agency told the Washington Post this was due to “the agency’s financial situation" and that it it could not "speculate on future projections of processing times.”

Moreover, hundreds of thousands haven't been able to take the citizenship oath, and thus could be left out of the November presidential elections.

- UK INDEPENDENT 

England 1966 World Cup hero Jack Charlton dies

England World Cup hero and Leeds United legend Jack Charlton has died.

The 85-year-old passed away peacefully at his Northumberland home on Friday, his family said.

He had been suffering from a long-term illness.

Charlton, the older brother of Bobby Charlton, was part of England's World Cup-winning team in 1966.

He was a one-club man for Leeds United, making a record 773 appearances over a 23-year career as a player.

Widely hailed as one of the all-time great central defenders in the game, Leeds United said they were "deeply saddened" by the news.

His family said in a statement: "Jack died peacefully on Friday 10 July at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side."

Nottingham Forest described Charlton as a "true great of the game", adding that he was a "great adversary, a fine manager and a terrific person".

The England football team tweeted: "We are devastated by the news that Jack Charlton, a member of our World Cup-winning team of 1966, has passed away.

"Our deepest sympathies are with Jack's family, friends and former clubs."

Charlton joined Leeds United at the age of 15 as part of the ground staff, before debuting as a player against Doncaster Rovers in 1953.

He helped the club to win promotion from the Second Division twice, and was also part of the side which won the League Cup in 1968 and the FA Cup in 1972.

He scored 96 times for Leeds, making him the club's ninth highest scorer in their history.

The popular player, affectionately known as "Big Jack", also won a total of 35 caps for England.

With the Three Lions, he played in every match during the 1966 World Cup tournament and helped to defeat West Germany in the final at Wembley.

A famous image from the team's World Cup victory showed the defender sinking to his knees at the final whistle before embracing his younger brother.

He later admitted he did not remember too much about it, saying: "There's a picture of me at the end down on my knees. I don't remember if I was saying a prayer or just knackered.

"I had chased after Geoff Hurst to give him a hug and chased our kid [Bobby] to give him a hug and then collapsed to my knees, so I suppose I must have been knackered."

Charlton retired from playing in 1973, later going into management.

He had spells in charge of Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and the Republic of Ireland.

Charlton managed to guide the Irish team to three major tournaments, with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald describing him as "Ireland's most beloved English man".

"Sorry to hear of his passing. He kept 'em all under pressure and kept us all cheering the boys in green on. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam," she said.

- SKY NEWS

Zangon Kataf fresh attack: 7 killed, houses, others destroyed

The Atyap Community Development Association, ACDA, in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, has condemned in strong terms the alleged killings of about seven people in Chibwob village in the early hours of today (Friday) by suspected Fulani militias.

The ACDA General Secretary, Mr. Tinat. S. Bodam, in a press statement, said, “Gentlemen of the press, am here to address you on the recent attack of Chibwob village of Zangon Kataf LGA in Atyap chiefdom, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, July 10, 2020, by Fulani militia where 7 people were killed, many others injured and over 20 houses burnt.

“This attack is coming exactly one month after the killing of Yusuf Musa Magaji allegedly by Fulani’s and in the midst of the 24hours curfew.”

The Atyap people recalled that threats earlier issued by Malam Ibrahim Bayero Zango, Director Media and Publicity, MACBAN Kaduna State Branch and the Bandiraku Fulbe Youths Association, under the leadership of Abbas J. Julde and Haruna Bello Laduga warning the “The Federal, State and Local Government to take note of this for fear of what might happen next” have begun to materialize.

The statement added, “The Atyap Community Development Association condemns this barbaric act in totality as all lives are given by God and are precious to us irrespective of their religious or ethnic inclinations.”

The Atyap people also recalled that their Paramount ruler, the Agwatyap, Mr. Dominic Yahaya, accommodated and fed over 100 Fulani women and children on the 11th and 12th of June, 2020 in his palace, and directed all District and Village heads to go and broker peace with the Fulani in their domains.

“It is in this light that the leaders of Atyap have been making concerted efforts to ensure that normalcy returns to the land, through village meetings,” the statement explained.

The statement further explained that just last Saturday, July 4, 2020, the Gora District, held a joint meeting of Atyap and Fulani after extensive discussions, money and food items were voluntarily donated by the Atyap to assist the Fulani whose properties were destroyed during the last crisis in June 2020, adding that the Fulani Ardo of Sagwaza thanked the Atyap for the kind gesture and also reported that even though no Fulani was killed or houses burnt in his domain, he pledged that they will live in harmony with the Atyap people and report any trouble maker to relevant authorities.

It observed that in spite of these efforts, instead of Miyeti Allah and other Fulbe groups to team up with the Atyap and government through the security agents, they have continued to make inflammatory statements, inciting their members through devious propaganda with fake figures of “99 people killed and over 2000 cattle” rustled.

The statement asked, “We will want Miyeti Allah to show us the mass graves where these bodies were buried and how the over 2000 cattle were moved without notice during a 24hour period.”

“While we condemn this heinous act, we call on all Atyap people to remain calm and law-abiding and we call on government and security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this inhuman act and bring them to book,” the statement advised.

- DAILY POST

Redeemed Church sacks adulterous pastor Gideon Bakare

Pastor Gideon Bakare of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Akure, Ondo state capital, has been given the boot by the church after being caught while trying to have sex with a member’s wife.

In a statement, RCCG spokesperson Olaitan Olubiyi said Bakare was sacked for attempted adultery and for putting the church in a bad light.

Pastor Olusola Bakare, in combo picture, as grabbed in viral video last weekend. Photo Kemi Filani

The statement read;

“The Redeemed Christian Church of God has excommunicated Mr Gideon Bakare and relieved him of all ministerial duties in the Mission.

“Bakare, who was an Assistant Pastor in the Church was recently accused of attempted act of adultery with a woman in her matrimonial home in Akure, Ondo State.

“The Church dissociated itself from such immoral act of Mr Bakare and described it as being completely contrary to the core values, doctrines, beliefs and practices of the RCCG and the undiluted word of God.

“The Church, after reviewing the report of her investigation, noted that by his conduct, Bakare has not only tainted his personal reputation but has portrayed the Church in a bad light.

”Mr Bakare has therefore been directed to return all official items in his custody and stay off all associated connections with the Mission with immediate effect.”

A video surfaced at the weekend which showed Pastor Bakare stripped in the bedroom of a married female church member in Akure.

The woman had pretended she was consenting to the sexual act and had asked the pastor to strip before opening the door for her husband and others to come in to capture him live on video.

- PM NEWS

LaLiga table: Real Madrid two matches away from winning title

Real Madrid are two games away from winning the LaLiga title, following a 2-0 victory over Alaves on Friday night.

Karim Benzema scored one and provided an assist for Marco Asensio, as Los Blancos went four points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table.

With three games left for Real, they need at least five points from two matches to be confirmed champions.

Barcelona will be hoping to close the gap, when they travel to play Real Valladolid on Saturday night.

Real Madrid’s next three fixtures are against Granada, Villareal and Leganes.

Zinedine Zidane’s men also hold a superior head-to-head advantage over Barca.

- DAILY POST

U.S. sets third day record of COVID-19 cases

New cases of COVID-19 rose by nearly 69,000 across the United States on Friday, the third consecutive day of huge COVID-19 numbers in the 60,000 range.

The U.S. caseload is now over 3,200,000 and death toll over 135,000.

Texas, California and Florida have been responsible for the high numbers.

Eight other US states – Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin – also reached records for single-day infections on Friday.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott warned on Friday he may have to impose new clampdowns if the state cannot stem its record-setting caseloads and hospitalizations through masks and social distancing.

“If we don’t adopt this best practice it could lead to a shutdown of business,” the Republican governor told local KLBK-TV in Lubbock, adding it was the last thing he wanted.

Another hotspot California announced on Friday the state will release up to 8,000 inmates early from prisons to slow the spread of COVID-19 inside the facilities.

At San Quentin State Prison, outside San Francisco, half of the facility’s roughly 3,300 prisoners have tested positive for the virus.

In spite of the exploding COVID-19 cases in Florida, the Walt Disney Co. said the theme parks in Orlando would open on Saturday to a limited number of guests.

The guests, along with employees would be required to wear masks and undergo temperature checks.

The park also cancelled parades, firework displays and events that typically draw crowds.

Disney’s chief medical officer said earlier this week she believed the rules would allow guests to visit the park safely.

Roughly 19,000 people, including some theme park workers, have signed a petition asking Disney to delay the reopening.

The union representing 750 Walt Disney World performers has filed a grievance against the company, claiming retaliation against members over a union demand that they be tested for COVID-19.

Other theme parks opened in Orlando in June, including Comcast Corp’s Universal Studios Orlando and SeaWorld Entertainment Inc’s SeaWorld.

Florida remains one of the worst hotspots for the virus in the nation and is among a handful of states where deaths are rising, based on a Reuters analysis of fatalities in the last two weeks, compared with the prior two weeks.

On Thursday, the state reported a record 120 deaths and added another 92 on Friday.

It recorded 11,433 new coronavirus cases on Friday, just short of the state’s record, and nearly 7,000 hospitalisations.

- PM NEWS

Reps to FG: Exempting Nigerian students from WASSCE will create confusion in education sector

The house of representatives committee on basic education and services says the federal government’s decision to exempt Nigerian students from participating in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will create confusion in the education sector.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Julius Ihonvbere, chairman of the committee.

The federal government had announced on July 6 that schools across the country could resume in order to allow students participate in the WASSCE scheduled to commence on August 4, 2020.

However, on July 8, Adamu Adamu, minister of education, announced a reversal of the decision to reopen schools, and exempted students in federal government colleges from participating in the examination.

According to the statement titled, “WASSCE Should Not Be Cancelled”, the lawmakers said stakeholders were not informed beforehand on the decision.

“The House Committee on Basic Education and Services received with amazement the announcement by the Honourable Minister of Education that Nigerian students would not be participating in the forthcoming WASSCE examinations,” the statement read.

“He did not inform the country if this was in agreement with other West African leaders or in consultation with the examination bodies, the state governments and other stakeholders in the education sector.

“The Minister did not also inform the public if the decision was the outcome of a meeting with all State Governments that are in charge of all but the Unity Secondary Schools that are owned by the Federal Government.

“This sudden policy reversal is not good for the country. It is bound to create further confusion in the education sector, create disappointment and suspicion among parents, frustrate the students, and show to our development partners and Nigerians that the distortions and disarticulations in the sector are only getting worse.

“The reversal also shows that our policy makers may just be adopting a laid-back approach to the need to confront the novel coronavirus rather than taking proactive and creative steps to manage and contain it.”

Ihonvbere, who noted that Nigeria is not the only country expected to write WASSCE in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, urged the government to increase the number of invigilators and work out an agenda for the provision of COVID-19 protocols and fumigation of classrooms.

“The original plan of opening hostels for boarding to facilitate so-called revision classes should be cancelled immediately and the students should come from home, write the paper and disperse immediately,” he added.

- THECABLE