What started as a Normal Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA took a chaotic turn when the 2nd Vice President of the Association, Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo Esq, while presenting his annual report to Lawyers accused the NBA President, YC Maikyau SAN of not carrying him along, sidelining his office and undermining his constitutional duties.

“I have not been carried along in everything the President is doing” … the NBA 2nd VP Lamented

“The AGM should look into my plight and empower me to function as if the President and 1st Vice President is not available, I am to represent this Association and I can’t represent the Association adequately if I am not carried along on events” he pleaded with the Meeting which is the highest decision making body of the Association.

“I am not Poor, but my office should be empowered and funded to act effectively” he explained

Also the 3rd Vice President, Mandy Asagba also accused the NBA President of disregard to her office deliberate acts by the President to make her office redundant. In an emotion laden voice, the NBA 3rd vice President narrated to the bewildered lawyers how the NBA President YC Maikyau SAN has disrespected and sabotaged her office.

“The Whole Annual General Meeting and AGC was done without the Knowledge of National Officers” , the NBA 3rd VP lamented to the consternation of lawyers present at the meeting.

Perhaps, the most shocking moment was when the NBA National Treasurer, Caroline Anze-Bishop Esq mounted the podium and disowned the financial statement as not coming from her and accused the NBA President of sidelining her office.

In an emotion laden voice, Anze-Bishop narrated to the shock of lawyers how she was never consulted nor involved in the preparation of treasurers report. She disowned the report and refused to adopt it.

“The Financial Reports was prepared without my singular input, I respect the Bar too much to sign an account I don’t know” .. she told the lawyers.

Attempts by former NBA President, OCJ Okocha SAN to control the situation by suggesting that the issues be dealt with by an Elders Committee was overruled by the NBA President YC Maikyau SAN who insisted that he must respond to the allegations.

In his response, the NBA President accused his fellow officers of fighting him because of his refusal to share the Lawyers Practicing Fees with them. He gave instances where other National officers conspired to share millions of Naira belonging to NBA but his refusal made them accuse him without cause.

The meeting ended abruptly owing to the chaos occasioned by the National Officers fight as the NBA President adjourned the meeting amidst Chaos and shouts from Lawyers.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reversed the economic gains and development it laboured to achieve in the space of eight years.

The opposition party said it prudently and judiciously managed the resources of the country for the development of the nation and betterment of Nigerians, adding that Nigeria witnessed unprecedented growth between 1999 and 2015 under PDP.

The PDP made this known in a statement issued on Thursday to celebrate its 25th anniversary on its official X.

It stated that its government left over $550 billion worth of economy to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in 2015.

PDP accused the APC-led administration of mortgaging the future of Nigeria with reckless accumulation of N85 trillion foreign debt within eight years.

Speaking about its achievement, the party said, “Today, the PDP celebrates the resilience of Nigerians in the democratic process and particularly the founding leaders and teeming members of our Party for their sacrificial roles in returning, nurturing and sustaining democracy in our country.

“It is on record that the PDP administration, through deft management of the economy, achieved $18bn debt relief from the Paris and London Clubs, consolidated the banking sector, revolutionised the telecommunication sector, revamped the oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, real estate and other critical sectors to turn the inherited moribund economy into one of the fastest growing in the world and handed over a $550 billion economy (largest in Africa and 26th globally) in 2015 to the APC.

“Under the PDP’s result-oriented leadership, our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) grew to over $8b; our Foreign Exchange Reserves grew from $2bn in 1999 to over $40bn in 2014. Today, under the incompetent and corrupt APC administration our FDI plummeted to $-0.19bn in 2022. The APC government had remained silent to reports by JP Morgan that Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Reserves had fallen to $3.7bn as at the end of December 2022.

“Sadly, all the gains achieved by the PDP have been rolled back by the APC, which in a space of eight years, wrecked our economy and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world with frightening 35% unemployment rate, where hunger, starvation, strange diseases and sudden deaths now ravage our citizens.

“The fraudulent APC administration has succeeded in mortgaging the future of our nation with reckless accumulation of N85 trillion foreign debt with no corresponding development project to show for it.

“Under the vicious, corrupt and incompetent APC’s watch, major multinational companies are exiting Nigeria; the Naira has fallen from N197 to US$1 under the PDP to abysmal over N900 to US$1; petrol which sold at N87 per liter by 2015 now sells for over N600 per liter. This is in addition to multiple harsh tariffs, taxes and levies imposed on citizens by the APC administration.

“Life in Nigeria under the APC has become very unbearable such that Nigerians are now resorting to suicide and slavery mission abroad as options.”

While calling on Nigerians not to succumb to hopelessness under the prevailing despairing situation in the country, PDP urged the citizens to remain optimistic in the hope that their democratic mandate will ultimately triumph in the end.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed Nigerian banks and financial institutions to scrutinize their records for any ties to five individuals recently arrested in a massive $1 billion counterfeit currency scheme targeting African nations.

In an administrative letter dated August 23rd, the CBN directed banks to immediately check their databases and report any accounts, funds, or economic assets connected to the suspects. The directive was issued per the CBN’s anti-money laundering regulations.

The suspects – identified as Nigerian-Swedish dual citizen Dele Bolade Samson Babaola, Ghanian Kean Kwasi Arhin, Briton Netanel Jacob Weiss, and Swedes BO Nils Olof Forsanker and Peter Willi Herbert Schick – were apprehended for alleged production of $1 billion in fake currency headed to Africa.

Banks were instructed to file suspicious transaction reports to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) on any ties found. Nil reports should be rendered if no connections are uncovered.

The CBN has heightened vigilance against money laundering to further safeguard Nigeria’s financial system. Earlier directives cautioned banks to monitor transactions with Cameroon, Croatia, Vietnam, North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar – nations under increased scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) global anti-money laundering watchdog.

By urging proactive scrutiny of the detained suspects, the CBN aims to uphold financial integrity and prevent infiltrations by counterfeit currency operations. The directive demonstrates the CBN’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s financial system from exploitation through robust detection and reporting.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has unveiled the eight point agenda which the Bola Tinubu-led government hopes to use in transforming the challenging economic environment.

The minister made the disclosure on Friday at a briefing in Abuja.

He said the administration has pointed out eight key priority areas including food security; economic growth; utilizing human resources by focusing on inclusivity, women and youths; focusing on rule of law and anti-corruption among others.

Edun said there would be periodic performance evaluations for the different ministers for Nigerians to see their achievements.

He said, “This is to give you elements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and his strategy for the economy and his plan to give a better economy and a better life to Nigerians.

“(Tinubu) has pointed out the 8 priority areas where he is going to take Nigeria and his key priorities are to improve the lives of Nigerians by providing food security by ending poverty. His plan for the economy is economic growth job creation, access to capital particularly consumer credit that makes growth affordable to the average Nigerian.

“He is concerned about utilizing our human resources by focusing on inclusivity, women youth, making all have the opportunity to come to the table and contribute to the growth of the economy and the society and likewise by focusing on the society, by focusing on the rule of law and anti-corruption. He intends to create, a safer, a clearer playing field for all.”

On where the country is, Edun said the last time that Nigeria had low inflation, low exchange rate, affordable interest rate and considerable economic growth was ten years ago.

“We all know we are not where we should be. The economy is growing barely above the rate of population growth but it was not always so,” he said.

Edun said during the period of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the country had enough foreign exchange to defend the naira and meet its fiscal obligations.

“What that points to is that we have a situation where if government doesn’t have the money, it needs to facilitate and allow private funding and other sources of funding such as foreign direct investments and domestic investments by Nigerians in all areas,” he said.

Manchester City have completed the signing of midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolves for £53m.

The Portugal international, who has 11 caps for his country, has signed a five-year contract with City.

"I'm so happy to be joining Manchester City, the champions of Europe and a club I've admired for a long time," said Nunes.

City had a previous bid for Nunes rejected, with Wolves holding out for a fee closer to their asking price of over £60m.

Nunes had been absent from training for the Molineux club recently after making it clear he wanted to join Pep Guardiola's side.

"The opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest managers ever, and alongside some of the best players in the world was something I simply couldn't turn down," added Nunes.

"I learned so much during my season at Wolves and I'm excited to continue improving in the Premier League, a division which brings the best out of me. I'm really excited to get going, meet the fans and hopefully be a part of plenty more success at City."

Wolves signed Nunes on a five-year contract last summer, paying a club-record £38m to Sporting Lisbon.

He was a key figure during the second half of last season as Wolves successfully avoided relegation, finishing 13th in the table.

[BBC]

AZ Alkmaar defender Pantelis Hatzidiakos has now confirmed that he will not be joining Leeds United after the Championship outfit reportedly agreed personal terms at the start of August. 

According to Greek publication SportTime, Hatzidiakos ‘accepted’ Leeds United’s offer almost a month ago. The talented centre-half would have arrived at Elland Road for somewhere in the region of £3.5 million, while reinforcing a backline which had lost Liam Cooper to a long-term injury during a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City earlier on that very same day. 

But after Leeds turned their attention to Joe Rodon – the Tottenham Hotspur loanee bringing Championship experience to West Yorkshire due to his Swansea City past – Hatzidiakos is instead packing his bags and dusting off his Italian dictionary. 

The 27-time Greek international confirmed after AZ Alkmaar beat Brann on penalties in their UEFA Conference League qualifier that Cagliari will be his destination, rather than Leeds. 

Pantelis Hatzidiakos will not be joining Leeds

“This is my farewell,” Hatzidiakos sighs, his voice trembling with emotion after 12 long years in Alkmaar (Voetbal Primeur).

“I had wonderful years here. My dream was to play for the AZ first-team with a full stadium and in European football. I am very proud of that, and I want to thank everyone for that. I cannot wish for a nicer farewell.

“From tomorrow (Friday), I will be a Cagliari player.” 

Hatzidiakos becomes the third AZ player to join a Serie A club this summer alone. Midfield maestro Tijjani Reinders joined AC Milan, while defender Sam Beukema and enigmatic winger Jesper Karlsson ended up at Brighton.

[hitc]

Birmingham City have signed Leeds United's England Under-21 defender Cody Drameh on a season-long loan.

Drameh spent the second half of last season on loan at Luton, helping the Hatters go up to the Premier League.

A product of the Fulham youth system, Drameh joined Leeds in 2021 and has also spent time on loan at Cardiff.

"It is a project. It is very exciting right now with the new owners and everything. Everybody has a good buzz around them, it seems like a family sort of vibe - that made me want to come here," Drameh said.

As the footballing world is ensnared in the enthralling drama of the transfer window’s last breaths, Tottenham’s ambitions pierce through.

Johnson: A Star in the Making

Tucked away in Nottingham Forest, Brennan Johnson, with fire in his eyes and ambition pulsating through his veins, visualises himself donning the famous white of Spurs. “I expect to be a Tottenham player by the end of deadline day”, a sentiment echoed by insiders at Football Insider.

Johnson’s affinity for the City Ground is undeniable. But the pull of the London giants is palpable, pushing him to put Spurs atop the pedestal, overlooking other admirers.

Haggling Over the Forest Gem

The intrigue deepens. Spurs’ liaison with Forest revolves around the deal’s blueprint and the down payment’s magnitude. The numbers tossed around? A hefty £45-50 million, potentially an unprecedented exit sum for the stalwarts of the Midlands. And while the two sides wrestle over terms, optimism brews over an impending agreement.

Postecoglou’s Vision

Anchoring Johnson’s lean towards Spurs is Ange Postecoglou’s blueprint for the youngster. Immersed in the Australian’s doctrine, Johnson sees a pathway to metamorphose into a footballing colossus. Although this season witnesses a goal and assist drought in his four games, the previous term’s 10 goals and three assists in 44 appearances for Forest, tell a different tale.

Johnson’s ties to Forest are robust, his contract stretching till June 2026. But could the allure of Tottenham, still licking their wounds from Harry Kane’s departure and a mixed summer performance, sway the decision?

Verdict

As the clock dwindles and fans wait with bated breath, Johnson’s potential move could be the storyline that dominates the headlines. Only time will unveil where this tale leads.

[eplindex]

Nuno Tavares has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan from Arsenal, with an option to buy.

Forest revived talks after the deal stalled last week and Aston Villa had considered the deal.

Tavares arrived at The Emirates in 2021, but has failed to establish himself in the Gunners first team and spent last season on-loan at Marseille. 

He is yet to feature for Mikel Arteta's side so far this season, and looks to have no future under the Spanish boss. 

The 23-year-old played 39 times for Marseille last season, scoring six goals, and now looks set for another loan move as he heads for the City Ground. 

Tavares is expected to be one of a number of arrivals at the City Ground on Friday, with Bologna midfielder Nicolas Dominguez and Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, while Callum Hudson-Odoi is another expected to arrive should Brennan Johnson join Tottenham as expected.

The big one to watch is PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare. Forest have followed him all summer for the defensive midfield role and if they can do a deal, it is likely to break their transfer record.

[dailymail]

•  Enzo Maresca's Manchester City connections allowed him to bring defender Callum Doyle to Leicester City on loan.
•  James McAtee, who impressed on loan at Sheffield United, was a potential signing target for Leicester, but he is set to rejoin Sheffield United on loan amid strong interest.
•  McAtee's creative abilities and goal-scoring record would have been a valuable addition to Leicester's midfield, although they have performed well with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in that role.

When Enzo Maresca was appointed as Leicester City manager in the wake of their demoralising relegation back to the Championship, evident perks were attached.

 

One of those, of course, is his Manchester City connections.

The Italian operated as second-in-command to Pep Guardiola prior to trading the Etihad Stadium for the East Midlands over the summer, and also spent time coaching the club's Elite Development Squad, overseeing the nurturing and progression of some of the country's best young talent.

Unsurprisingly, he sought to tap into those relations and brought defender Callum Doyle to the club on a season-long loan, after he starred in Coventry City's ascent to the play-off final last term.

But there was an overarching feeling that Maresca was going to continue to optimise his credit in the bank at City and bring even more prospects to the King Power Stadium across the summer.

A player that seemed destined to potentially make the switch was James McAtee, who had been subjected to extensive interest after impressing on loan during Sheffield United's promotion campaign last time out.

Indeed, Leicester had wanted to add McAtee to their already-strong attacking ranks, but the hopes of that have now been ruled out completely.

 

Leicester City miss out on Man City's James McAtee

This is according to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, who has claimed that McAtee is set to rejoin Sheffield United in the Premier League on another season-long loan amid "strong" interest from the Foxes.

The McAtee development was then followed up by a report from Football Insider that detailed the additional interest displayed from top-flight duo Wolves and Nottingham Forest, meaning that a deal for Leicester will have likely been hard to secure in spite of Maresca's links.

It was previously reported via Alan Nixon's Patreon report that Guardiola had been running the rule over McAtee and was set to decide who would stay at the club this season out of him and fellow homegrown prodigy Cole Palmer, who has now completed oan eye-catching transfer to rivals Chelsea.

Would Man City's James McAtee have been a good signing for Leicester City?

For the Foxes faithful, this one will certainly sting.

McAtee was simply remarkable at times across his stay at Brammall Lane, with his balance and ball control allowing him to evade opposition defenders with ease and travel with possession into dangerous areas of the pitch, which subsequently yielded the nine goals he tallied up amid 21 starts in red and white.

A creative midfielder, the 20-year-old plays beyond his age with intelligence, vision and the inventive ability to break lines and carve out crucial chances, something that would not go amiss at Leicester.

Sure enough, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has occupied that more advanced creative role in Leicester's midfield today, and has done a mightily impressive job at that, but the strength in depth that they would have had with McAtee would really have been something to behold.

It is not necessarily a make or break not getting him, but he undoubtedly would have been a more-than-welcome addition to the side.

[footballleagueworld]