US president Donald Trump has been discharged and acquitted by the US senate over the charges of obstruction of congress and abuse of power leveled against him by the House of Reps.

On Wednesday, the Republican majority senate voted against impeaching the president, bringing the impeachment trial to an end.

'48 senators have pronounced Donald John Trump, president of the United States, guilty as charged. 52 senators have announced him not guilty as charged. 2/3 of the senators present not finding him guilty, the Senate judges Donald John Trump - the president of the United States - is not guilty as charged in the first article of impeachment,' Chief Justice Roberts announced after the vote.

But in a remarkable move, Republican Mitt Romney, a non-fan of Trump, who has been critical of the president in the past, voted against the president in the charge of 'abuse of power'

He was the only Republican to do so in a move that stunned Capitol Hill.

'The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a "high crime and misdemeanor,' Romney said ahead of the vote. 'Yes, he did.'

He voted to acquit on the obstruction of Congress charge. 

Romney, a deeply-religious Mormon, said his faith as the reason behind his decision.

‘The allegations made in the articles of impeachment are very serious. As a senator juror, I swore an oath before god to exercise impartial justice. I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am. I take an oath before god as enormously consequential.

 I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the president, the leader of my own party would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced,’ he said in his remarks on the Senate floor.

Romney said he was convinced President Trump abused his power as because it involved Joe and Hunter Biden, Trump’s political rivals.

‘There's no question in my mind that were there names not Biden the president would never have done what he did,’ Romney said.

Romney acknowledged in a pre-taped interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace that aired just immediately after he voted against the president, that he could lose his next election campaign for not supporting Trump and that his life in Washington D.C. was about to get 'lonely.'

‘It's going to get very lonely. The consequences are significant. They are enough that it made it very difficult process for me. There's not been a morning since this process began that I slept beyond 4:00 a.m.,’ he said.

‘Well, a friend of mine once said that the worst thing that ever happened to them politically had already happened. The worst thing that already happened me politically was losing the presidency in 2012. I have broad enough shoulders to be able to weather personal changes in my career, political or otherwise. What I don't have is the capacity to ignore my conscience,’ he added.

Wallace pointed out to him: 'You realize this is war. Donald Trump will never forgive you for this.'

‘I know in my heart that I'm doing what's right,' Romney responded. 'I understand there's going to be enormous consequence. I don't have a choice in that regard. That's why I haven't been anxious to be in the position I'm in. When I heard there was going to be an impeachment investigation, as I heard the evidence coming forward, I dreaded the responsibility I have. But I was not willing to abdicate the responsibility given to me by the constitution, nor to ignore my conscience out of personal and political significance considerations. I had to follow my conscience.'

‘This is the most difficult decision I've ever made in my life. There's been nothing that compares to this,’ he added.

The impeachment process initiated by House speaker Nancy Pelosi started on the 24th of September after a whistle blower complaint alleged that Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine in exchange for launching investigations into his political rival, Joe Biden.

A video making rounds online captured moment American superstar rapper, Lil Wayne disclosed he is 53% Nigerian.

According to the rapper, he got to know about his Nigerian side after a genealogy search was conducted by a website he shared some of his details on.

Lil Wayne who jokingly said he is going to have a talk with his mum, added that he has to see what Nigeria looks like.

The stocks of Dangote Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Nestle Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, and Seplat Plc are shares of fortune, a report from ARM securities disclosed.

Though, the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed on a negative for the first time in 2020 with the NSE All share Index (ASI) declining by 2.65% from 29,628.84 last week Monday to 28, 843.53 index points by close of trading on Friday, the stockbroking firm is optimistic that the stocks would give their investors expected returns on investment (ROI).

Meanwhile, gains were seen across the Brewers (4.89%), Construction (2.64%) and Insurance (0.54%) sectors.

Where they stand:

Dangote Cement (DANGCEM) is a leading cement manufacturer in Nigeria and it made ARM’s ‘STRONG BUY’ list.

Dangote Cement (Dangcem)  with a Fair Value Estimate (FVE) of N240.87 – DANGCEM’s FY 19 earnings is expected to be pressured (EPS: N14, vs N22 in 2018) owing to lower volumes in Nigeria business (due to increased competition from BUA Cement) and some of its Pan Africa business, as well as high base of tax credits from 2018. However, “DANGCEM currently trades at FY 19E Price Earning (P/E) of 11x on our estimates, which is cheap compared to WAPCO and CCNN of 17.7x and 16.8x, respectively. We believe current valuation is unjustified given the superior Return on Equity (ROE) of 24%.

Research: Stock recommendations for the week as ASI drops by 2.65% 

Zenith Bank Plc (FVE: N31.50) also made the Strong buy list: The stockbroking firm was forced to adjust its expectations for the bank’s FY 2019 following some surprises in its Q2 numbers. In specifics, “we revised net interest income lower due to compressed yields on its loans and treasury asset (H1 18:10.6%, H1 19 9.1%) amidst contraction in funding cost,” it stated. Elsewhere, we adjusted Nominal Interest Rate (NIR) higher due to upward review of electronic fee income and trading book. Thus, we now forecast Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N218 billion (-5.5% YoY), while we cut our FVE to N31.57/share (previously: N33.71/share).

STRONG BUY, Nigerian Breweries Plc – (FVE: N75.82): Intense competition from International Breweries (IB) and graduated excise duty (+17% YoY) that kicked-off in Jan-19, revenue growth is expected to be slow even as we expect higher finance cost (+38% YoY) to be another pressure point to earnings this year. However, given our case for a slight improvement in volumes and decline in cost of sales (-1.1% YoY) which translates to gross (+120bps YoY) and Earning Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) (+101bps YoY) margin expansion, the misery seems moderated. Overall, the net impact of all our adjustments translates to PBT of N29.9 billion and Earning Per Share (EPS) of N2.58 (+6.3% YoY) over 2019.

STRONG BUY, Seplat Plc – (FVE: N828.90): Seplat’s total production declined in Q3 19, as the drop in gas production offset improvement in the oil segment. That said, we remain positive on growth in production going into the final quarter of the year (especially in oil) and into 2020 as Seplat increases capex. Cashflows remain healthy. Upsides reside in the ANOH Gas project and acquisition of Eland Oil & Gas Limited.

However, losses were observed in the Banking (-6.13%), Cement (-0.90%), Telecom (-2.96%), Personal Care (-13.72%), Food (-0.50%), Oil & Gas (-2.58), and Real Estate (-0.14%) sectors, last week.

Major drivers for the week’s decline were stocks such as FBNH (-10.27% WoW), STANBIC (-10% WoW), BUACEMENT (-2.12% WoW) and MTNN (-4.32% WoW).

Meanwhile, the week ended January 31, 2020, was not a fruitful one for some investors in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, as the market delved below N15 trillion when investors lost N403.02 billion.

The market capitalisation dropped from N15.27 trillion on Friday, January 24, 2020, to N14.87 trillion last Friday. Experts attributed the development to the sell-offs witnessed in MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, and Access Bank Plc.

Premium board decliners

The summary of the stock market performance for the week showed that no stock recorded positive growth last week. There were only decliners and retainers.

Lafarge Africa lost the most with a 12.86% decline to close the week at N15.25 followed by First Bank Holdings, which dipped 10.27% to close at N6.55. UBA recorded 6.43% loss to close at N8 with Zenith Bank closing at N20.85 indicating 5% loss while MTN rounded off the list with 4.32% loss to close at N119.6.

Mainboard gainers

Despite the negative performance of the stock market in the week, some company stocks recorded a slight increase in the value of their stocks.

Linkage Assurance gained the most on the bourse with an 18.75% increase to close at N0.57. Neimeth Pharmaceuticals followed with 17.02% gain to close at N0.55 from an initial N0.47. Vitafoam Nigeria also recorded a 10% gain to close at N5.5 as NPF Microfinance Bank grew by 9.73%, from N1.13 to N1.24 while Cornerstone Insurance rounded off the list with 9.26% gain to close at N0.59.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said there is no going back on his administration's decision to ban motorcycles aka Okada and Keke NAPEPs in the state.

The governor said this while speaking at the formal launch of LAGFERRY operations, mobile app and commissioning of 14 commercial boats at Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah today Tuesday February 4th.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, while justifying the ban, said

Let me tell you about the ban which we just enforced. We will sustain the ban on Okadas and tricycles, mainly because of security and safety reasons. Security and safety of citizens is paramount to any government. As a responsible government, we will not fold our arms and allow any security breach in the state.

“We will continue to ensure the safety of our people on all fronts. There have been reports of serious security breaches and safety concerns in areas where these operators ply. We had to respond to these concerns because life and safety matter to this government''.

The ban on motorcycles and tricycles in the state has been widely condemned by many residents of the state.

Robert Pattinson has beaten Brad Pitt and David Beckham to the title of World's Most Beautiful Man.

A new scientific research called the Greek Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi, rated The Twilight actor as the most beautiful male celebrity in Hollywood.

Robert Pattison got a beauty rating of 92.15% compared to other high-calibre male personalities.

Not far behind Robert was Henry Cavill with a score of 91.04%, Bradley Cooper with a rating of 91.08% and Brad Pitt coming in at 90.51%.

George Clooney, Hugh Jackman and David Beckham all scored an average beauty rating of 89% each.

David Beckham bagged a beauty rating of 88.96% and Idris Elba is at 88.01%, according to the research.

Kanye scored 87.94% while La La Land star Ryan Gosling was considered the least attractive male celebrity according to the new scientific scale.

Greek Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi looked at the position of the eyes, face shape, forehead, nose width length as well as nose base length, chin and upper lip.

The rating system worked out a percentage of how attractive the celebrity was on the information. Then it could be compared across the board to highlight which celebrities were the most attractive of the showbiz world.

Below are the top 10 male celebrities and their beauty rating:

1. Robert Pattinson - 92.15%

2. Henry Cavill - 91.04%

3. Bradley Cooper - 91.08%

4. Brad Pitt - 90.51%

5. George Clooney - 89.91%

6. Hugh Jackman - 89.64%

7. David Beckham - 88.96%

8. Idris Elba - 88.01%

9. Kanye West - 87.94%

10. Ryan Gosling - 87.48%

A key HIV vaccine trial that started in 2016 and involved 5,407 HIV-negative volunteers at 14 sites across South Africa has been discontinued after it was found that the vaccine could not prevent infections of human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS.

The trial, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases or NIAID, was stopped after an independent data and safety monitoring board found the vaccine to be ineffective in preventing HIV.

According to NIAID, 129 HIV infections occurred among the vaccine recipients and 123 HIV infections occurred among the placebo recipients. The volunteers were sexually active men and women ages 18 to 35 who were randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine injections or placebo injections.

After the injections, there was no significant difference in subsequent HIV infections among the volunteers in the vaccine group versus placebo group.

"An HIV vaccine is essential to end the global pandemic, and we hoped this vaccine candidate would work. Regrettably, it does not," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the NIAID, said in a statement on Monday.

"Research continues on other approaches to a safe and effective HIV vaccine, which I still believe can be achieved," he said.

The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, an alliance of funders and stakeholders that financially help in the search for an HIV vaccine expressed "deep disappointment" that the  study had been stopped.

"Whilst this is a significant setback for the field, we need to continue the quest for a preventive vaccine. The rates of HIV infection, which continue unabated in this region, should spur greater urgency, global attention and investment to the quest," Linda-Gail Bekker, immediate past president of the International AIDS Society and chair of the Enterprise Advisory Group, said.

HIV, also known as Human immunodeficiency virus, is a disease that causes AIDS and interferes with the body's ability to fight infections.

The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

US President Donald Trump is surely going to be the Republican party flag bearer in the upcoming 2020 presidential election after smashing the very important Iowa caucuses on Monday night.

While Democrats fought a high-profile battle to win the Democratic poll which resulted in a fiasco after the voting app crashed, Republicans showed they were far more united in their choice for president as Trump got 97.09

Trump got 97.09% of the vote, and neither of his competitors reached the 2% mark, with his two opponents, Bill Weld and Joe Walsh getting just 1.5 and 1.4%.

Donald Trump Jr. was among the Trump supporters who went into campaign mode in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday night, with his brother Eric by his side, while celebrated surgeon Ben Carson was also sent to campaign for the president.

Back in 2016, Iowa had not been a victory ground for Trump, with Ted Cruz coming out on top by 27.6% to Trump's 24.3% while Marco Rubio was a close third at 23.1%, and Ben Carson came in at 9.3%.

The United States of America and the Nigerian government on Monday February 3, signed an Asset Recovery Agreement to repatriate over $308 million of forfeited assets to Nigeria.

The confiscated funds were laundered through the US banking system and then held in bank accounts in Jersey in the name of Doraville Properties Corporation, a BVI company and in the name of the son of former Head of State of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha.

Governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, United States of America and the Bailiwick of Jersey commenced the negotiation of the procedures for the repatriation, transfer, disposition and management of the assets in 2018.

It is expected that the money which was forfeited as property involved in the illicit laundering of the proceeds of corruption arising in Nigeria from 1993 to 1998 when General Abacha was Head of State by a U.S. Federal Court in Washington DC in 2014, will benefit the people of Nigeria as it will be administered by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and independently audited.

Three critical projects to be executed with the $308m were previously authorised by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian legislature. The recovered funds will reportedly be used to finance the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano road.

The Federal Government will also establish a Monitoring Team to oversee the implementation of the projects the money is channeled into and also make periodic reports.

The statement also revealed that the US will continue to seek forfeiture of over $177 million in additional laundered funds held in trusts that name Abacha associate Bagudu, the current governor of Kebbi State and his relatives as beneficiaries.

The statement reads in part;

“Specifically, the laundered funds under this agreement will help finance the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano road – investments that will benefit the citizens of each of these important regions in Nigeria.

“The United States has asked the government of Nigeria to withdraw litigation it has instituted in the UK that hinders the US effort to recover these additional funds for the people of Nigeria. The United States entered into the trilateral agreement to repatriate the Jersey assets because of its longstanding commitment to recover asset for the benefit of those harmed by grand corruption and because of the important safeguards embodied in the agreement.

Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Brian A. Benczkowski was also quoted saying;

“General Abacha and his cronies robbed Nigerians of vast public resources and abused the U.S. and international financial systems to launder their criminal proceeds.

“Today’s landmark agreement returns to the people of Nigeria hundreds of millions of the embezzled monies through a lawful process that ensures transparency and accountability."

Ex-Super Eagles captain and Trabzonspor midfielder, John Obi Mikel, was allegedly the target of racist abuse from Fenerbahce supporters after their Turkish Super Lig clash on Saturday.

It was reported that thousands of abusive and harmful messages were sent to Obi Mikel's social media accounts, as well as to his family, as his side defeated their arch-rival 2-1.

Turkish media detailed how abusive messages were sent to the player's Instagram page. 'including use of the N-word and banana emojis'.

His club, Trabzonspor have confirmed an official criminal complaint over racist abuse allegedly suffered by the former Chelsea midfielder.

In a statement released, Trabzonspor wrote: 'Racism is a shelter for helpless and ignorant. 

'We condemn the racist attacks against our player Obi Mikel after the match against Fenerbahce and we bring to the public attention that a criminal complaint has been filed against the assailants. #WeStandwithObi #SayNoToRacism'

Reacting on Instagram, Mikel wrote: 'We are all one and equal. It’s just a game at the end of the day.#saynotoracism.'

During the match on Saturday, Mikel was reported to have been involved in a furious argument with Fenerbahce midfielder Emre Belozoglu at the final whistle, they 'had to be separated by team-mates.'

Turkish citizens, as well as Trabzonspor supporters, have been tweeting their support for Mikel with "#WeStandWithObi"

Back in 2013, former Premier League stars Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue were subjected to monkey chants from Fenerbahce supporters while playing for Galatasaray.

Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed Airport command, have arrested a driver working with Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, at the airport, after the sum of $8,065,615 was found inside a vehicle he was driving.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos today Tuesday February 4th, Mr. Hameed Ali, the customs comptroller-general, said the cash was intercepted while it was about to be loaded into an aircraft from the vehicle. He did not provide details of the aircraft or the name of the driver who was arrested.

The Customs boss added that the money was wrapped in large brown envelopes with the names of would-be owners. He said investigations would be conducted to unravel the identity of the owners of the abandoned money.

“From the day we seized this money, no bank has come to claim ownership. But our investigation will reveal the mystery behind the owners,” Alli said.

Femi Falana, popular Nigerian Human rights lawyer, has said that he knows an ex-governor in one of the South West states who had a killer squad headed by a police officer who was the governor's Chief Security Officer at the time.

Falana who did not give the name of the said governor, alleged that one of those ''mowed'' by the governor's killer squad was a ''World Bank Expert''.

The lawyer said this on Monday February 3rd when he spoke at the maiden memorial public lecture in honour of the late Prof. Olumuyiwa Awe at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.

Speaking on the importance of state police, Falana said;

“Many citizens are opposed to the creation of state police for the fear that it may be used to haunt political opponents of some state governors. I know a state governor in the South-West who once had a killer squad headed by his Chief Security Officer, a police officer.

“One of the unarmed citizens mowed down by the illegal squad was a World Bank expert. All efforts to prosecute the suspects have been frustrated by the state government. The story is the same in a few other states in the country. To that extent the fear of the possible manipulation of state police is genuine.

“To avoid a situation whereby abuse of police powers is decentralized, any security service established by state governments should be democratically controlled. The service will be founded by the state governments and superintended by an independent state police council of five members. The members of the council should be accredited representatives of the state government, labour, women, youths and the business community.

“The service will police the state and see to the enforcement of all the laws enacted by the House of Assembly. The success of the civilian Joint Task Force in the counter-insurgency operations in Borno State has proved that the best way to police a country is to recruit, train and equip young men and women to operate in their own communities.

“The colonial practice of posting police personnel to operate outside their states or regions was meant to suppress and intimidate colonial subjects by strangers. It is a practice which has become counter-productive in a post-colonial state. Every police officer should operate in their community, speak the local language and mix freely with the people.”

The daughter of Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman has married the nephew of another drug baron in a lavish ceremony held in the cathedral of Sinaloa's state capital Culiacan.

Alejandrina Gisselle Guzman married Edgar Cazares, the nephew of Blanca Margarita Cazares, an alleged cartel money launderer on January 25, according to Mexican newspaper Reforma.

The pair reportedly -arrived in luxury armored vehicles and heavily-armed drug cartel hitmen provided security for the couple

Culiacan citizens living and working around the cathedral told Reuters on Saturday that they had noticed an extravagant wedding but didn't know who the couple was.

'The church is for everyone,' Sofia, who declined to give her surname, said. 'But the church shouldn't give privileges to anyone.'

Others agreed. 'With money, you can close any building here,' Francisca added. 'It's unfair.'

Druglord, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman couldn't attend his daughter's wedding as he is currently serving a life sentence in prison in the US. But his second wife, Alejandrina was in attendance.

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola has accepted defeat in his side's defence of the premier league title they won in 2019, saying he will be focusing on other competitions now, after his side were beaten 2-0 by Jose Mourinho's Tottenham on Sunday night.

Steven Bergwijn scored a debut goal while Heung-min Son's scored again after Manchester City were reduced to 10 men following Oleksandr Zinchenko's red card, leaving Guardiola's side 22 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola, whose team is still in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup final and UEFA Champions league believes the EPL title is all over for him.

'They are far away so they are unstoppable. They have a lot of points, we have dropped points quite similar to today.

'Our targets are to win the remaining competitions and qualify for the Champions League next season.'

Guardiola also responded to claims he kept his players locked up in the away dressing room after the match for 40 minutes.

''No, I was not angry. Normally I don't like it if we don't play good, if we don't run or we don't fight,' said Guardiola.

'Never when we lose do I stay away from my players because I know them. But we lost the game so we talked about how to move forward and keep going. There's a lot of months to play.'

He also took a thinly-veiled swipe at former Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore, who once said that City's dominance could affect the EPL's credibility ahead of last season after winning the title by 19 points in the previous campaign.

''The last two seasons they said City winning the title was bad for the Premier League and that it could not happen again,' said the City boss.

'They said someone has to stop City getting 100 points and winning it again. So now it is Liverpool you have to be concerned with about the Premier League.'

Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the BAFTA awards last night and they had an awkward moment where Margot Robbie made a joke about Prince Harry while accepting Brad Pitt's award.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were left laughing awkwardly after Margot Robbie made a joke about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's exit from the roles as senior royals during a BAFTA acceptance speech on behalf of Brad Pitt.

At the 73rd annual EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, Brad Pitt, 56, was named best Supporting Actor for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

With the actor absent from the ceremony in London, his co-star Robbie read out a speech on his behalf.

She said: "He says he is going to name this (the award plaque) Harry because he is really excited about bringing it back to the States with him. His words not mine."

At this point, Prince William, 37, and Kate Middleton, 38, gave an awkward laugh.

Later, Prince William spoke passionately about the importance of diversity in films before handing out the Fellowship award to Star Wars producer Kathleen Kennedy.