Paris Saint-Germain are sweating on the fitness of star striker Kylian Mbappe who has picked up a throat infection ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 return-leg against Dortmund.

The French World Cup star missed team training Monday and Tuesday and was reported to have a sore throat, with his club needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from their first leg defeat in Germany two weeks ago.

Mbappe has scored six goals in his last three PSG matches.

At Monday's training session Argentine forward Angel Di Maria was observed passing the ball around with Neymar. Spanish forward Pablo Sarabia is also a likely inclusion should Mbappe miss the game.

PSG lost 2-1 to an Erling Haaland-inspired Dortmund before a crowd of 80,000 in Germany last month, with the return-leg to be played in an empty Parc des Prices stadium due to the coronavirus.

Bayern Munich versus Chelsea is the latest confirmed Champions League game to be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus.

Bavarian authorities announced on Tuesday that all events where more than 1,000 people would be attending between now and April 19 are to be cancelled.

It means the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at the Allianz Arena will be held without fans present on March 18, assuming the match goes ahead.

Bayern lead the tie 3-0 after a commanding first-leg victory at Stamford Bridge.

The decision comes despite RB Leipzig's match at home to Tottenham on Tuesday proceeding as planned, with supporters allowed to attend.

Valencia against Atalanta, Paris Saint-Germain's game with Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona versus Napoli are also being played behind closed doors as the coronavirus continues to spread across Europe.

There are suggestions Juventus' clash with Lyon in Turin could be postponed after Italy went into lockdown to try to control the outbreak of COVID-19.

Saturday's Bundesliga derby between Dortmund and Schalke will also be staged without fans.

There were 1,129 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Germany as of Monday.

Kylian Mbappe has been given the all-clear after he was tested for coronavirus ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's crunch Champions League clash with Dortmund.

The France international missed two days training with a throat infection, and took a test to see if he was COVID-19 positive.

Mbappe received his test results on Tuesday night, confirming he doesn't have the virus.

Instead, according to Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel, the World Cup winner is suffering from a bout of angina.

"Kylian is sick," said Tuchel. "He was sick yesterday and he is sick today with angina and we are trying to maybe have a light practice (with him) this evening."

Angina can reduce the flow of blood to the heart, but Tuchel is hopeful Mbappe will feature in the must-win Champions League last-16 clash with Dortmund, who they trial by two goals to one from the first leg.

"He did not practice with us the last two days," added the PSG boss. "We must wait and decide tomorrow morning (whether he will play)."

Paris Saint-Germain's task of winning the tie has been made harder after it was confirmed that the match at the Parc des Princes will be played behind closed doors.

The decision was made by Paris police on Monday to help contain the spread of coronavirus.

PSG responded by the news by confirming the club is "fully mobilised" to ensure the match goes ahead in the "best possible conditions".

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain manager Tuchel added: "It's another strange situation because we're playing without our spectators.

"In a match of this importance, they are very important to create a special atmosphere, tension, pressure on our opponent. With what's happening between coronavirus and Kylian Mbappe's illness, we have to adapt and think.

"Kylian has a sore throat and we'll see if he can train a bit on Tuesday evening, but he hasn't been with us for two days. We'll wait and see and decide on Wednesday morning."

UPDATE

According to the Punch, Mbappe tests came out negative and he has resumed training with his other colleagues and would be ready for their champions league crunch tie against Borussia Dortmund in an empty Parc des princes stadium.

The Premier League has announced that Wednesday’s match between Manchester City and Arsenal has been postponed.

The Premier League noted that the decision was taken “as a precautionary measure,” to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

The league said that the decision followed the announcement on Tuesday that the owner of English second-tier club Nottingham Forest and Greek side Olympiakos, Evangelos Marinakis, tested positive to the virus.

“Thirteen days ago, Olympiakos played Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Europa League and Mr. Marinakis, the Greek club’s owner, met with several Arsenal squad members and staff.

“Following medical advice, Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC consider it is necessary to postpone their fixture due to be played this evening, Wednesday, March 11, to give time to fully assess the situation,” the Premier League said in a statement.

However, this is the first match in the Premier League to be called off due to the novel coronavirus.

Arsenal FC Statement

Following yesterday’s news that Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has recently contracted Covid-19, we have been taking medical advice and tracing any individuals who had what the guidelines define as close contact with him at the game 13 days ago.

As a result of this exercise we identified that a number of players met the Olympiacos owner immediately following the game.

The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing Covid-19 at extremely low. However, we are strictly following the Government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact.

As a result, the players are unavailable for tonight’s match against Manchester City and the Premier League has decided the game should be postponed.

The players will remain at their homes until the 14-day period expires. Four Arsenal staff – who were sitting close to Mr Marinakis during the match – will also remain at home until the 14 days are complete.

We fully understand how disappointing this is for our supporters, in particular those who were travelling to Manchester for tonight’s match. Tickets will be valid for the match when it’s rearranged.

As a further precautionary measure, whilst we do not believe there was any close contact with any other Arsenal guests or staff in the directors box restaurant, we are contacting them to advise they should follow the relevant advice if there has been any such contact.

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Mr Marinakis a swift recovery and we look forward to the players and staff returning to work on Friday in preparation for our match at Brighton.

The Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association, popularly known as Yellow Taxi/Eko Cab, on Tuesday, unveiled EkoCab Mobile App to promote the transit system in the state.

The app tagged “EkoApp: A New Approach to Lagos Transport” was launched in Ikeja at an event attended by stakeholders in the transport sector.

Mr Taiwo Omolekan, the General Secretary and incoming President of the association said that the development was to ensure that it was not left behind in the technology-driven world.

Omolekan said that henceforth, commuters could download the app and book for a taxi (branded) or a cab (unbranded) in the comfort of their homes to commute around the state.

“With the advent of technologies, taxi business has moved from the traditional flagging down of taxi on the road to electronic ride-hailing services, in which taxi drivers could be called from the comfort of one’s home for a ride to any part of the state.

“Therefore, the Yellow taxi, which is the pride of the Lagos State, is not ready to be left behind. This has prompted us to introduce our own taxi apps to the members of the public as EkoCab.

“You can call us from the comfort of your home and our good air-conditioning vehicles will be available to drop you at your destination at a minimal cost,” Omolekan said.

According to him, the Yello taxi is an institution that is well established all over the state with correct data-base of all members with a sticker that is displayed on the front and back windscreen.

“It is very easy to know the location and the taxi park that each driver belongs for security purpose. We are the best alternative as the traditional taxi of the state.

“Also, we have an edge over other taxi apps because we are very conversant with the road and know how to manoeuvre in case of gridlock, unlike others that depend on google maps for direction,” he said.

Omolekan urged Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to the aid of the association by providing loan to re-fleet vehicles like his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, did for the association.

The general secretary also urged the Lagos State Government to assist the association by instructing all housing estates, hotels and local airports to allow Yellow Taxi and Cab entrance to pick and drop commuters.

He said that without access to such places, the essence of the apps would be limited and defeated.

Omolekan said that e-taxi and cab services like Uber and Bolt would redefine the transit system by providing quality ride services at affordable fares.

In his address, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, the Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, who welcomed the operators to the digital world, said the launch was in line with Sanwo-Olu’s vision for efficient traffic management and transportation.

Oladeinde, who was represented by Mr Sewedo Whenu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, urged the operators to continue to obey traffic laws to reduce gridlock and road crashes to the barest minimum.

According to him, technology has reduced the world into a global village and there is the need to move all sectors of the economy, including transportation, to meet current global technological practices.

Oladeinde said: “As an emerging Smart City of the world with an estimated population of over 22 million people, we can no longer afford to live in the past.

“We must imbibe the necessary technology that will change our ways of life, especially our transport system so that we can be at par with other civilised climes that have made significant progress in digital mobility.

“The government has not relented in her commitment to providing suitable public transport system that is functional, effective and affordable with dedicated lanes expansion and development of other modes of transportation like the rail system and water transportation.

“The administration has continued to invest heavily in the transport sector because transportation has remained an integral part of the economic development anywhere in the world.”

He pledged government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that would attract more investors into public transportation.

Oladeinde, who urged operators to adhere to extant laws, assured that the government would continue to support the association to ensure the success of the initiative

On the journey so far, Mr Segun Cole, the EkoCab Chief Executive Officer, said that the association, after conceiving the idea, approached all relevant stakeholders, conducted training for drivers and carried out pilot programmes.

Cole, who noted that the App would provide the Ministry of Transportation a dashboard to monitor the operations, said that the operations would start on March 17.

In their goodwill messages, the representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicle Inspection Services, Lagos State Drivers Institute among other agencies in the sector, urged the operators to heed traffic rules and regulations.

Twenty-nine-year-OLD Vincent Okwose on Tuesday appeared in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos charged with locking up a woman in his apartment against her will.

He pleaded not guilty.

Police prosecutor John Iberedem, an inspector, told the court that Okwose committed the offence on February 29 in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Iberedem alleged that the defendant locked up one Hadiza Haruna inside his apartment, adding that he also injured her right foot while trying to escape.

Chief Magistrate F.A. Azeez granted Okwose bail and adjourned the case until April 16 for mention

A 54- year-old man, Olusegun Akinrinlola on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N690,000 from the company where he is a consultant.

Police prosecutor Clifford Ogu, an assistant superintendent, told the court that Akinrinlola committed the offence between October and November 2018 at Alausa, Ikeja.

Ogu alleged that the defendant’s company, Step Development Limited, was supposed to pay N10,000 into the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) account.

Ogu alleged that the defendant forged the LIRS demand notice and wrote N690,000 on it and presented it to his company.

The prosecutor also alleged that the money was given to the defendant to pay into the LIRS account but instead, he converted it to his personal use.

A man identified as Gbenga Owoosi, a secondary school teacher in Ekiti, has been arrested and dismissed for allegedly impregnating a 17-year-old SS3 pupil.

This was confirmed by the Chairman of Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Babatunde Abegunde, on Tuesday.

Abegunde noted that the decision to dismiss Gbenga Owoosi was approved after thorough investigation and due process were followed.

Abegunde said the dismissal would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to indulge in such a “depraved and unethical” act.

He, however, praised the Ekiti state government for swinging into action by arresting Owoosi.

Abegunde also assured members of the public that Governor Fayemi’s administration will restore the Ekiti values by ensuring justice and bringing offenders to justice without hesitation.

Gbenga Owoosi was until his dismissal a Grade Level 10 Economics teacher at the Alarelu Comprehensive High School, Igbara Odo-Ekiti, in the Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the state.

Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on March 10, 2020 ordered the interim forfeiture of a four-bedroom bungalow belonging to a self-acclaimed herbalist, Jamiu Isiaka, who defrauded a South Korean, Keun Sig Kim, of about N30million in an oil and gas contract scam.

The property, located at Oke Foma in Ilorin Local Government Area, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is believed to be part of the proceeds of Isiaka’s fraudulent activities.

The EFCC Ilorin Zonal Office had on June 10, 2019 arraigned him for impersonating the then Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Makanti Baru; the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Aminat Zakari among others, to defraud Kim.

Counsel for the EFCC, Andrew Akoja, who moved the application for the interim forfeiture, further prayed the Court to “appoint a competent person or firm to manage the property”.

Justice Abdulgafar, afterwards, granted the application and ordered for interim forfeiture of the property. The order, the judge added, should be published in a national daily newspaper.

The case has been adjourned until March 19, 2020.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Port Harcourt Zonal Office, on March 9, 2020 arraigned one Ebioenang Monday George before Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on 23 counts of forgery and obtaining by false pretence involving an oil fraud.

George through his company, Bravem Service Limited, while posing as a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, allegedly obtained N37million from his victim in the guise of helping to supply two barrels of Bonny Light Crude.

The defendant who was docked alongside his company, Bravem Services Limited, however pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ebioenang Monday George, being the managing director of Bravem Services Limited on or about the 11th March, 2015 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N19,000,000.00 (Nineteen Million Naira) from ICS Energy Limited through your company’s account, Bravem Services Limited domiciled in First Bank Plc by false pretence, when you presented yourself as a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and capable of selling one Cargo carrying Two Million Barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) b of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. No 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

In view of the defendant’s plea, counsel for the EFCC, N.A. Dodo urged the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.

Defence counsel, N.A. Obiecheton prayed the Court for a short adjournment to enable her file an application for the bail of the defendant.

Justice Obile, thereafter, ordered that the first defendant be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre while the matter was adjourned to April 7, 2020 for commencement of trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Kaduna Zonal Office has re-arraigned three businessmen, Baba Alhaji Aliyu, Musa Shuaibu and Abubakar Ismaila on a seven-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and criminal breach of trust before Justice A.B. Aliyu of the Federal High Court Minna, Niger State.

Aliyu and Shuaibu were first arraigned on November 28, 2019 on nine counts bordering on N22.4million fraud. Ismaila at the time was at large.

Their arrest and prosecution was consequent on a petition by the Managing Director of Tomgray Engineering Services Limited, Thomas Ogwu, who alleged that they deceived him into believing that they work with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited Minna, Niger State and requested for the supply of 1,800 bags of Nigeria Parboil Rice worth N30.6million from his company.

Ogwu further alleged that after supplying the bags of rice he received payment of N8.2million only, leaving a balance of N22.4million, but all efforts to get his balance proved abortive.

At the resumed sitting, on March 9, 2020 prosecuting counsel, Y.J. Matiyak informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing, but prayed the Court to grant him leave to amend the charges.

“The 3rd defendant Abubakar Ismail who has been at large has been arrested on Thursday last week and the name of Joshua Agbaji Unazi and Micheal Godwin Okibe dropped from the earlier charges,” he said.

Count three of the amended charges reads: “That you, Baba A. Aliyu, Musa Shuaibu and Abubakar Ismaila between November and December 2018 in Minna within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained 859 (eight thousand and fifty nine) bags of Nigeria Parboil Rice worth N14,600,000 ( Fourteen million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira) only from Tomgray Engineering Services Limited under false pretence of being staff and members of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited Minna, a pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b)of the advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

They pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges.

Justice Aliyu, thereafter, fixed March 30, 2020 for hearing of bail application.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Tuesday, rejected the call by human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), for stolen funds, especially the ones linked to the late Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, to be returned to the Federal Account.

Malami, through his spokesperson, Dr Umar Gwandu, was reacting to the suggestion recently made by Falana in Akure, Ondo State that the recovered loot ought to be paid the Federation Account and shared between the Federal Government and the federating units.

The minister’s statement was titled, ‘Looted funds: Don’t confuse public with myopic views – Malami replies Falana’.

He said Falana made “erroneous assertion” on the process of disbursement and use of recovered stolen funds based on the provisions of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act and Section 153 (1) (n) of the Nigerian Constitution.

This, he said, “depicts a rash analysis devoid of clear legal foundations.”

The minister said the RMAFC Act “has nothing specific on funds recovered from indicted public officers or assets recovered internationally.”

He added, “The recovery of stolen assets and the subsequent uses to which these funds may be employed are subject to international agreements between Nigeria and the affected countries, thereby bringing conflict of laws into contemplation.

“Importantly also, these repatriated funds are based on cooperation and mutual assistance agreements, especially the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Implementation of the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Principles on the Repatriation of Stolen Assets.”

But Falana insisted on Tuesday that the recovered loot ought to be paid into the Federation Account.

He said, “It is on record that the report of the investigation set up by the Federal Government under the Abdulsalami Abubakar junta confirmed that the estimated $5bn Abacha loot was part of the revenue of the federation stolen from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Therefore, the recovered loot has to be returned to the Federation Account.

“Any agreement between the Federal Government and foreign countries on the recovered loot has to be read subject to sections 12 and 162 of the Constitution.”

THE new Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, on Tuesday visited the graves of his father, Ado Bayero, and other past monarchs at the Nasarawa Royal House in Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Bayero, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), left his personal residence at Mandawari quarters of Kano Municipal Local Government Area at about 11am to pray for his late father,Aminu, who was the13th Emir of Kano and his ancestors.

On his way to the Nasarawa House, Bayero was cheered by thousands of supporters, who thronged the streets of the city to have a glimpse of their new first class traditional ruler.

The new Emir in company with some district heads and other traditional title holders converged at the Nasarawa residence where he offered special prayers for the souls of his ancestors.

THE Kano State Government on Tuesday gave more reasons it deposed Muhammad Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

It said Sanusi was queried fTour times by the administration of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for disrespecting tradition. This is apart from being at loggerhead with Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in the past three years.

Spokesman to the Kano governor Mr. Salihu Yakasai spokes on a private radio station Rave FM in Osogbo.

Yakasai said: “No matter how highly-placed the emir is, constitutionally, he is at the mercy of the governor. If you remove sentiment and emotion from the issue, you will know that emir is an appointee of the governor. There are certain expectations from the Emir and part of it is to respect the constituted authority and he has a limit to which he has been crossing for three years.

He said Sanusi was not sacked for allegation of corruption but on the grounds of disobeying the law.

He said: “The position of Emir comes with its own restrictions which Sanusi didn’t take cognizance of. Sanusi did not grow up in Kano State. He does not understand the traditional institution that he was occupying.

“Sanusi always goes to the gallery to talk about issues to get the applause. At the tail end of the administration of former governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso reintroduced ban of street begging and that time Sanusi was accommodating the Alimajiris in his palace, feeding them and on that particular issue, he was given four queries for disobeying him.”

A 70-year old native doctor, Olawole Shodolamu, arrested for buying human skull at a cemetery has confessed to the Police in Lagos that he bought the human parts from cemetery attendant in order to prepare strong charms for his clients.
According to P.M.EXPRESS , Shodolamu was arrested by the Police operatives with two other suspects namely Dauda Tijani, 42 and Seun Falana, 32.
The Police did not disclose the kind of charms he used the human parts to prepare and those who patronise him.This was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, who stated that the three suspects were in Police custody undergoing interrogation.
He said that on 1st March, 2020, at about 1330 hours, a team of Policemen from Area E Command, FESTAC Town, while on routine stop and search patrol at Alakija Bus Stop along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, intercepted one Dauda Tijani ‘m’ 42 years old of No. 23 Omomwunmi Street, Orege Ajegunle, with a black polythene bag containing a human skull.
He confessed that he was sent by one herbalist, Olawale Shodolamu ‘m’ 70 years old to collect the skull from a cemetery attendant.
DSP Elkana said that the said herbalist was also arrested and he claimed that he bought the human skull from one Seun Falana ‘m’ 37 years old, a staff of Trinity Cemetery Ajegunle, at the sum of ten thousand Naira only (N10,000).
That he usually grinds the human skull together with other substances to prepare herbs and charms for his clients. DSP Elkana explained that the third suspect was equally arrested and he confessed digging graves to remove human skulls in order to sell to herbalists.
He said that investigation is ongoing and the suspects will soon be charged to Court after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.

Exiled deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi will no longer go to Loko as he has been moved to another town in Nasarawa state. His new abode is Awe, capital of Awe local government.

Loko, a town on the bank of River Benue, was ruled out as it is said to be far from the capital. It is part of Nasarawa LGA.

Reports said he was flown in a helicopter to his new abode today from Lafia, capital of the state, less than 24 hours after he was ejected from Kano palace and began his exile journey via Abuja.

From reports, the deposed Emir never even got to Loko, before the Nasarawa State Government decided to change his exiled place from Loko to Awe.

According to Daily Trust “Notable Nigerians like the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd) personally met Governor Abdullahi Sule and requested for a change of location.

“Others who called the governor were Alhaji Aliko Dangote and General Aliyu Gusau amongst others,” the source said.

The newspaper said: “Actually, the deposed emir was scheduled to be exiled from Kano to Opanda town in Toto Local Government but there was a change of decision at the last minute.

A downward review of the N10.57 trillion 2020Appropriation Act is inevitable, the Federal Government said on Monday.

The adverse effects of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economy, especially the sliding crude oil prices, is responsible for the decision.

Finance, Budget and National Planning Minister Zainab Ahmed dropped the hint at the State House in Abuja after an emergency meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

At the meeting were: Minister of State for Finance Clement Agba; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director Mele Kyari.

They deliberated on the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on the economy.

Briefing reporters on the issues discussed with the President, Mrs. Ahmed, who is the chairman of the Committee, said the group has a mandate to do a quick assessment of the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the nation’s economy, especially as it affects crude oil benchmark price.

According to her, the committee would today submit its findings to the President, adding that the quantum of the cut on the budget would depend on what the assessment reveals.

She said: “We just met with the President to discuss the matter of the impact of the Coronavirus on our economy and Mr. President has formed us into a committee, with the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, the GMD NNPC and myself as members.

”Our mandate is to make a quick assessment of the impact of this Coronavirus on the economy, especially as it affects the crude oil price. We will be writing a report and brief Mr. President tomorrow (today) or Wednesday (tomorrow) morning and after that we’ll also have more substantial information for the press.

“But it is very clear that we will have to revisit the crude oil benchmark price that we have at $57 per barrel, we have to revisit it and lower the price. Where it will be lowered to is the subject of the work of this Committee.

“What the impact will be on that is that there will be reduced revenue to the budget and it will mean cutting the size of the budget. The quantum of the cut is what we are supposed to assess as a committee.

“This is just an initial update to inform you on the directives that we have and subsequently we will be sending a report to the President, after which we will be briefing the press on the actions that government will be taking.”

Responding to a question bordering on the ongoing crude oil trade disagreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia, which had led to the recent slide in the oil prices to between $30 and $31 per barrel in the global oil market, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Sylva, said negotiations to regulate the prices is beyond Nigeria’s capacity.

Sylva explained that the conflict is not just between Saudi Arabia and Russia, but between two regulating authorities; Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+, respectively, adding that discussions would have to be at that level.

On the issue of engaging Russia, we as a member of OPEC are not in a position to take that engagement on our own unilaterally. There was a disagreement between OPEC and OPEC+, it’s not just Russia, but the biggest producers within OPEC and OPEC+ are Saudi Arabia and Russia.

“We believe that in the coming days when all of us would have begun to see effect of the reduction of prices, OPEC and OPEC+ might need to meet again and reconsider our positions.

“Meanwhile, we expect also that a lot of discussions are going on at the level of Saudi Arabia and Russia, but as Nigeria, we are not in a position to begin to engage members on this matter.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged it National Working Committee (NWC) members and the secretariat workers to return to work.

It denied that the NWC was factionalised, saying disagreement was not out of place in a political party.

A statement on Monday by spokesman Lanre Issa-Onilu said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not been factionalised or in the nature of crisis being repeatedly reported in a section of the media.

“In a political organisation such as the APC, contestations are not unusual and are not necessarily intractable. The issues being alluded to in the media reports are matters before the courts and should be allowed to run their normal and legal course. The exaggerated story foreboding Armageddon is far-fetched.

“We call on members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the party’s secretariat staff to resume at their offices and continue carrying out their scheduled roles and responsibilities without any fear.

“We thank the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, personnel of the Police, Department of State Services and other Security Services for their professionalism in the process of maintaining the peace and preventing hoodlums from fomenting trouble at the APC National Secretariat.

“We assure all our members in Nigeria and across the world that our leaders are capable of resolving any contestations that may arise bearing in mind the best interests of our great party and in the pursuit of progress and development of our country.”

Five days after armed policemen and operatives of Department of State Security Service (DSS) sealed off the National Secretariat of All Progressives Congress (APC), security was relaxed on Monday with workers and reporters allowed access into the complex.

Only Secretariat staff with the newly designed Identification cards which were issued on Monday were allowed into the Secretariat. Accredited Journalists assigned to cover the activities of the party also gained entrance after been issued with new identification cards.

Victor Giadom, was allowed into the complex.

Dethroned Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II has been banished from the ancient city of Kano by the State Government.

He was sacked on Monday by the Kano State Government that immediately installed Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the new Emir.

Sanusi was banished to Loko in Nasarawa State on exile.

The former emir was being sent on asylum amidst tight security.

Sanusi’s removal was said to be in line with the recommendation of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission which summoned the Emir.

According to a documents obtained by Channels Television and signed by the chairman of the commission, Sanusi was accused of obstructing the investigation of the Commission.

The Commission had asked the traditional ruler to respond to a petition accusing him of selling lands belonging to the Kano Emirate to the tune of N2 billion.

Sanusi had, however, secured a restriction order from a court to stop the commission from investigating him.

Controversial singer, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley has surprised Seyi Awonuga a.k.a Shigh Lofe, on her birthday by presenting a Range Rover Evoque to her.

Seyi is a talent manager and Zlatan Ibile’s girlfriend.

Sharing a picture of the ride, Naira Marley wrote: “@shigh_lofe happy birthday again.. I bought u this small car, well u said u want evoque abi? u deserve it sha fvcking hardworking. I’m gonna give u ten sexy b!tches to yourself today”

See his post below;

View this post on Instagram

@shigh_lofe happy birthday again.. I bought u this small car, well u said u want evoque abi? 🎂🍾❤️ u deserve it sha fvcking hardworking. I’m gonna give u ten sexy b!tches to yourself today😂 Car from @datboi_autos

A post shared by Naira Marley (@nairamarley) on Mar 7, 2020 at 6:47am PST

Seyi Awonuga is a young CEO of Bang Mewsic Entertainment. It was rumored that she was the one who signed Zlatan into her record label, and she was there with him all through the time till he started becoming a sensation.