Man murders wife with a matchet and Teen throws baby in pit

THE Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 60-year–old Nwankwo Nnabuobu, who allegedly murdered his wife over allegation of infidelity.

Also in the police net is a 17-year-old girl who threw her five month–old baby girl into a pit because, according to her, she could no longer afford to feed her. Both were paraded along with several other suspects involved in various criminal offences in the state in the last one month.

Nnabuobu, who claimed to be a farmer and a palm wine taper, told reporters at the police headquarters in Awka that he could no longer bear the alleged illicit affair between his wife, Adanma, and her lover, adding that when he confronted her on the issue, she told him to go and die and it was that statement that angered her into cutting her with a matchet.

He said that the climax was when his wife eloped with the man with the N130,000 he saved for feeding their six children and used the money to buy a motorcycle, a generating set popularly called “I pass my neighbour” and a stove.

He said he reported the matter to the police at his home town, Achalla in Awka North Local Government Area, adding that even when the police arrested the man, his wife was sending food to him in detention from her matrimonial home.

For the 17-year-old Ozioma Ezeude, who threw her baby into a pit, her reason was that her mother abandoned her with the baby and she had to throw her away to regain her freedom because the baby was disturbing her and she could also not afford to take her to hospital whenever she fell sick.

She added that her cousin who impregnated her had disappeared from the village and there was nobody to run to for assistance, as her mother relocated from their village in Ezinifite in Nnewi South Local Government Area for Delta State.

Vanguard

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President Goodluck Jonathan reverses Super Eagles suspension

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday rescinded an earlier decision withdrawing Nigeria from all international football competitions, apparently caving in to threats of sanctions from world football governing body FIFA.

The lift of the withdrawal, announced an hour before the FIFA deadline of 5pm yesterday was to elapse, was taken at a closed-door meeting between the president and the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the State House in Abuja.

In announcing the earlier ban on Wednesday, Jonathan said it was to enable the country reorganise its football administration and audit the finances of the World Cup project following the poor performance of the Super Eagles at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa.

FIFA, however, told Nigeria to reverse the decision or risk suspension from the football community, an action that would have led to withdrawal of financial help, suspension of Nigerian referees from officiating in international matches and other punitive measures.

A statement by presidential spokesman Ima Niboro yesterday said the government rescinded the withdrawal from international football based on assurances given by the NFF that it would evolve an enduring football development programme for the country.

"NFF at a meeting with President Jonathan (yesterday) tendered unreserved apology to the president and the Nigerian people on the dismal performance of the country's football team, the Super Eagles, at the World Cup appearance," Niboro said.

"They also informed the president of their decision to disband the team and address the numerous shortcomings evident in the management of football in Nigeria.

"They assured the president of their commitment to evolving an enduring football development programme and grow a new senior national team that will bring glory rather than consistent embarrassment to Nigeria on the world stage.

"They informed the president that as a first step, they have proceeded to put their own house in order by removing the former leadership of the NFF and replacing it with an interim leadership.

"Based on these assurances and the appeals of well-meaning Nigerians, including former leaders, President Jonathan has decided to review the earlier two-year ban on the country from all international football competitions."

The review of the earlier decision would enable other categories of Nigerian players to participate in global football competitions, while a new senior national team was being developed, the statement said.

It said the president had directed the sports minister to call a meeting of all relevant stakeholders to resuscitate football academicals and other talent spotting outlets to produce a new crop of footballers and other sportsmen for the country, so "that this kind of rather embarrassing outcome we had from South Africa will not repeat itself."

Following the initial presidential order, FIFA threatened to sanction Nigeria over government interference in football administration, saying its rules prohibit political interference in football administration.

"We consider that this governmental decision would only completely isolate Nigerian football and could thus stall reforms and further development and improvement of Nigerian football for a long time," FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke said.

The NFF on Sunday fired its president Sani Lulu Abdullahi and two other executives over the Super Eagles poor outing in South Africa, finishing bottom of Group B and crashing out in the first round.

Daily Trust

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FIFA rules on suspending Nigeria today

World football governing body, FIFA has warned the Federation government that if it fails to withdraw its recent decision regarding a self-imposed ban on the country's teams, it will not only ban the country but also extend the tenure of the present executives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by President Sani Lulu.

The Lulu-led NFF board is seeking a new term in office next month and FIFA said they would be compelled by the present situation to extend their tenure, which runs out on August 28.

"As long as this decision is not withdrawn, FIFA will deal exclusively with the legitimate executive committee of the NFF, even it that means that its term must be extended over the 28 August, 2010, date originally fixed for the next elections," informed FIFA in a letter dated July 2 and signed by FIFA secretary-general, Jerome Valcke.

The world football ruling body said they haves established a case against the government for "a clear and blatant interference" in the way football is run in Nigeria. They said this violates Article 13 paragraph 1g and Article 17 of the FIFA statutes.

They equally directed that elections to the NFF board slated for August 21 in Lagos proceed accordingly and be guided by the NFF statutes.

Government officials have argued that the tenure of the NFF has expired and as such they have asked FIFA to allow them set up a caretaker management committee to run football in the country until elections are conducted into the board of the Nigeria FA.

Former internationals Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha and Samson Siasia have been named by government in this management committee, which will be inaugurated today.

However, FIFA have turned down this request, warning that it will not recognise the committee.

FIFA warned that if this directive by the government is not withdrawn by 6pm South African time (5pm Nigerian time) today, July 5, their emergency committee will meet and suspend Nigeria from international football with immediate effect.

Valcke stated very clearly that dire consequences await football in Nigeria should government fail to back down.

"We would like to underline the dire effects a suspension could have on the future of Nigerian football. It would mean that no Nigerian team of any sorts (including clubs) could have any international contacts," declared FIFA.

"We consider that this governmental decision would only completely isolate Nigerian football and could thus stall reforms and further development and improvement of Nigerian football for a long time.

"It puts the whole future of Nigerian football in danger."

Already FIFA have informed Nigeria that arrangements have begun for another country to replace the country at the Under-20 World Cup, which kicks off in July 13 in Germany.

This will be the case should the government fail to reverse its decision.

Daily Champion

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Former Super Eagle John Fashanu duped by British convict

A Briton convicted four times in the United Kingdom has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly duping Nigerian sports Ambassador, John Fashanu of 300,000 and $10,000.

Davis Littlechild who is the Managing Director of Business Mart Ltd in Ikeja, Lagos, was arrested by operatives on Thursday. A source said investigations so far revealed that Littlechild who is currently in detention allegedly obtained the money from John Fashanu under false pretence.

EFCC's spokesman, Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest.

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President Goodluck Jonathan suspends Super Eagles

Nigeria's president has suspended his nation's football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.

Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro told reporters the decision by Goodluck Jonathan will "enable Nigeria to reorganise its football".

The Nigerian Football Federation is to be dissolved and an interim board appointed, the BBC understands.

Nigeria were knocked out in the group stages without winning a game.

Niboro said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order.

"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing World Cup."

The president also plans an audit of the country's World Cup organising committee.

"If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable," Niboro added.

The NFF released a statement apologising to "all football-loving Nigerians" for the country's early exit from South Africa.

"No previous board has qualified Nigeria for all major tournaments internationally," the statement read, adding that officials wanted Swedish coach Lars Lagerbeck to remain at the helm.

Rotimi Amaechi, head of a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football's world governing body Fifa to explain its decision.

"We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward," Amaechi told reporters.

Under Fifa rules, government interference with national teams is strictly forbidden.

"At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter," a Fifa statement read.

"However, in general, Fifa's position regarding political interference in football is well known. Our statutes do not allow for any political interference."

Nigeria's risks their national and club teams, plus referees, being banned from all international competitions - and their officials would not be allowed to attend meetings or events.

Nigeria were set to begin their bid to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup finals in September against Madagascar.

BBC

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