Evra: Messi Will Have 15 Ballon d'Ors If He Had Ronaldo's Work Ethic

 Manchester United legend, Patrice Evra said while appearing on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel FIVE: "I want to explain why I say Ronaldo every time. It's not because he's our brother it's because I'm in love with work ethic. I feel like Messi, god just gave him a talent and Cristiano had to work for it. 

He had the talent but he had to work for it. If Messi had the same work ethic as Ronaldo, he would probably have like 15 Ballon d'Ors today. I'm just in love with people working hard so that's why I pick Ronaldo over Messi."

Rashida Bello Wanted By EFCC, Spotted In Aso Rock With Aisha Buhari, Remi Tinubu

 The wife of Kogi governor, Rashida Bello, said to be at large over a N3 billion fraud, has reappeared in the Presidential Villa, meeting with first lady Aisha Buhari and the wife of the president-elect, Remi Tinubu. 

On February 13, the EFCC sued Mrs Bello and others at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion. 

Mrs Bello announced her presence at a meeting with Mmes Buhari and Tinubu at the Villa on Monday, few weeks after the anti-graft agency declared her wanted.

“Few days ago at the Presidential Villa where the wife of the president-elect, (the) wife of the vice-president-elect, myself and other governor’s wives, as well as APC stakeholders and members, paid a courtesy visit to the mother of the nation, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari,” Mr Bello said in a Facebook post on Monday, sharing photos of herself in the company of the women.

EFCC’s spokesman Wilson Uwujaren told Peoples Gazette that “the matter is in court” when asked on Thursday about the anti-graft agency’s claim that Mrs Bello is at large.

Last February, the anti-corruption commission arraigned the Kogi first lady (in absentia) and four others for money laundering and criminal misappropriation.

“That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, Rashida Bello (at large) sometime in June 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E- Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3,081,804,654.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act,” said count one of the charge.

They are facing an 18-count charge.

Joy Jeff, Nigerian ‘Most wanted’ Prostitution Ring Leader, Extradited To Italy

 A woman described as a prominent figure in the Nigerian mafia has been arrested after being on the run since 2010.

She was flown from Abuja back to Rome, Italy, where she has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The crimes of the convict, who was tried in her absence, included running a prostitution ring, Italian police said on Wednesday.

48-year-old Joy Jeff, one of the few women on the country’s most-wanted list, was arrested in Nigeria on June 4, 2022.

The international warrant issued before her extradition was facilitated by a treaty signed by Nigeria and Italy in 2020.

Investigators in the city of Ancona said Jeff played a major role in trafficking women to Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

The victims narrated how they were forced into prostitution by violence and threats.

Video released by the Italian police showed the woman being flown from the Abuja airport to Ciampino airport in Rome.

“Africa today is a strategic location when looking for fugitives and fighting organised crime,” said Vittorio Rizzi, an officer responsible for international coordination.

We Are Compiling Results, BVAS Was Perverted - Labour Party

 Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun has claimed that the Bimordal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was “perverted” during the presidential and National Assembly elections, IGBERETV reports. 

While being interviewed on Channels Television, Osuntokun said Labour Party is compiling its results of the exercise. He also claimed that the party won some states by wider margins.

He said; 

“BVAS has been perverted. Something that is to serve a good course has now been perverted. Because once the BVAS does its role – takes a picture of the results – the polling agents will have it.

“So, the polling agents have all the results and we have our own that is presently being compiled.

“It has been said before – about nine opinion polls – prior to the election said Obi was going to win.

“INEC has another opportunity on Saturday (governorship and state house of assembly elections) to redeem itself.”

Osuntokun also said that the presidential and National Assembly elections should be a source of worry for President Muhammadu Buhari who promised to leave a credible exercise.

He added; 

“He wants Nigerians to remember him for the best election ever conducted. But look at the absurdity of what has happened! Is this the legacy he wants to bequeath?”

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Celebrates His 40th Birthday

 The Labour Party Governorship candidate for Lagos state, Mr Gbadebo vivour Rhodes celebrates his 40th birthday in grand style.

Mr Gbadebo, a true son of Lagos, young and vibrant Labour Party Governorship aspirant for Lagos is 40 years old.

DSS Uncovers Plans To Cause Chaos After Guber Elections

 The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted the public of orchestrated plans by some persons to cause a total breakdown of law and order in the country shortly after the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

The Service also raised the alarm over what it described as unnecessary palpable political tension in parts of the country prior to the elections.

The DSS also advised the citizens to shun fake news, hate speech and such other utterances that may be inimical to peaceful co-existence.

Part of the DSS statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, stated that the DSS “also wishes to draw attention to the unnecessary palpable political tension in parts of the country prior to the elections under reference.

“It is observed that some of the players are at daggers drawn with one another. The development holds dire consequences for national peace and stability. It is in view of these that the Service warns politicians and their supporters to engage constructively.

“Everyone is advised to shun fake news, hate speech and such other utterances that may be inimical to peaceful co-existence. Election should not be seen as a do or die affair. There is no basis for anyone to take laws into their hands. This is even more so that aggrieved persons can take advantage of our courts and seek redress. We should have faith in our institutions.

“Over this election period, the Service has remained committed to providing conducive environment for a peaceful exercise.

“In this regard, it separately and in collaboration with sister agencies, carried out mop up operations to thwart nefarious plans and activities of undesirable elements to outrightly undermine the electoral processes.

“For hitch-free gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the Service has partnered with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the required peace is maintained before, during and after the exercises.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Service will work to make sure that no person or group, no matter how highly placed, disrupts the scheduled elections in any part of the Federation. It is committed to the safety and security of citizens who may wish to go out to exercise their civic responsibility. All and sundry are, therefore, enjoined to abide by the rules of engagement particularly the Electoral Act and extant guidelines.”

Army Recovers 1,671 PVCs, Ballot Papers In Lagos Apartment

 Personnel of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, yesterday, recovered 1,671 Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in an apartment in the Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos State.

Three persons were subsequently arrested in the apartment, while the prime suspect was said to be on the run. 
Vanguard gathered that the startling discovery was made in the course of a preliminary investigation into an incident that occurred in the area, yesterday.

The Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Isang Akpaumontia, who paraded the suspects and recovered PVCs, ballot papers and other items before journalists at the Ikeja Cantonment, said the arrest and recovery were made following a tip-off.

Most of the recovered PVCs had the year 2022 as the registration number, while others had years 2011, 2012 and 2021 with all the owners being residents of Lagos State. 

Briefing journalists Akpaumontia said: “Earlier today (yesterday), three young men were arrested with 1,671 PVCs. This was after early information was received. With the support of the Department of State Services, DSS, we were able to arrest them.

“They were arrested with some drugs, dagger, charms and over 1,000 PVCs. They were arrested at the Apapa general area, in a house where we traced them to. The owner of the house, who is the prime suspect, was traced to a hotel. But he took off.

“We are going to hand these suspects and exhibits over to our immediate headquarters to do the needful because things have to be done the way they should, so as to discourage others who think they can take laws into their hands and go scot-free.”