The French Supreme court has rejected an appeal by Real Madrid/France forward Karim Benzema in relation to the Matthieu Valbuena sex tape case in 2015.

Benzema's lawyers hoped the court will  bury the accusation that has been plaguing his national career since 2015 for his alleged involvement in an attempt to blackmail his then national team mate Matthieu Valbuena over a sex tape, but the court sitting today ruled that the investigators had not used illegitimate means to obtain evidence, contrary to what the player’s defence had argued in its appeal.

His lawyers argued that the evidence obtained by the prosecutors were invalid because they were wrongly obtained, but with this new ruling, Benzema will have to appear in court.

Benzema was charged with collaboration to engage in blackmail after he admitted speaking to Valbuena at the request of a childhood friend, who was approached by three blackmailers who were in possession of Valbuena's sex tape,".

Benzema, who was arrested by police when the investigation started, made incriminating comments towards Valbuena during the saga that have resulted in him being charged with "complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal association planning an offence punishable by at least five years imprisonment.

Benzema has not played for France since the alegations against him were made public in 2015, with the French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet recently ruling out a potential return for 31 year old.

IBF, WBA, IBO and WBO boxing champion of the world, Anthony Joshua has stated that he will like to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury and he has the necessary style and technique to beat them both.

Tyson Fury and Wilder are the only undefeated heavyweight boxers in the division, and fans are hoping for a mega fight that will involve Joshua and either Fury or Wilder after Joshua defeated Andy Ruiz unanimously in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night to take back his heavyweight belts.

Fury will face Wilder on February 22 in Las Vegas in a rematch that is sure to spin heads with the Lineal heavyweight belt and WBC belts on the link, after their last fight in 2018 was adjudged a draw despite Fury being the more technical and clinical of the pair.

Fury and Wilder have both been critical of Joshua with both fighters accusing Joshua of avoiding them for the last two years but Joshua has now come out to say he will beat both fighters if and when they ever fight.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain programme live from Saudi Arabia on Monday morning, Joshua was asked whether he was going to fight them next and said: “I would love to make that my next fight.

“I’m taking it one step at a time. Whenever they are ready they know where to find us.

I’m not a running champion, I’m someone who will fight the best in the world.

“Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are those guys.  I’d love the opportunity to beat Wilder or Fury.

“You can see I’d beat them.

“I’ve displayed different styles of fighting. Sometimes inside fighting, sometimes knockout fighting and sometimes a boxing man’s fight.

“So I feel like I have their number because I can display a variety of skills when it comes to boxing.”

There's also the possibility of Joshua defending his IBF belt against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, and Joshua says he'll relish it.

Asked about the prospect of fighting the Bulgarian bruiser in London, AJ said: “It would be mega. Looking at how many people came out here shows there’s still a big interest in the heavyweight division, especially now we are taking the belts back.

“To defend them back on home soil would be big news.

It would be better against another Brit but, if not, I will follow my mandatory and crack on that way.

“London’s calling, I think. We’ve been away for the whole year but it’s nice to have a breather.

“It’s nice to have a bit of controversy, a bit of doubt.

It just shows that British supporters do play a big part in my career. Any time I’m on home soil I can’t lose.

“The work begins again because around March I’ll be defending those titles again. I’m already focusing on my next fight.”

President Buhari has rejected the reappointment of Babatunde Fowler as the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and appointed Muhammad Nami as Fowler’s successor.

Fowler, who is a childhood friend and former classmate of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, was appointed as FIRS chairman on August 20th 2015. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 9th 2015.  Fowlers tenure of four years, though renewable on the discretion of the President, expired today Monday December 9th.

A statement by the Presidency says Nami’s nomination has been conveyed in a letter sent to the Senate on the composition of a new board for the revenue agency. According to the statement, Nami is a well-trained Tax, Accounting and Management professional with highly rated qualifications and professional practice and licenses from relevant professional bodies”.

He has almost three decades of practical working experience in Auditing, Tax Management and Advisory and Management services to clients in the banking, manufacturing, services and public sectors as well as non- profit organisations.

He attended Bayero University Kano and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (1991) and a Masters of Business degree (2004) respectively. He is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Institute of Debt Recovery Practitioners of Nigeria and Associate Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

He started his career with PFK in 1993 and rose to the position of a senior Consultant in charge of Tax management and advisory services. He is currently the managing consultant of Manam Professional Services (Chartered Tax Practitioners and Business Advisers) based in Kaduna, Abuja, Niger State.

Mr Muhammad has served, and is still serving, on many companies’ Board and Statutory Board Audit Committees. He was appointed as a member, Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Stolen Assets in November, 2017 by President Buhari.

He is married and has children.

Babatunde Fowler is expected to hand over to the most senior director on the board, who will take charge, pending the senate confirmation of the new board.

Anthony Joshua reclaimed the world heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night by outclassing Andy Ruiz Jr over 12 rounds.

Joshua gained revenge for his nightmare in New York earlier this year, when he fell four times in defeat to Ruiz Jr, by winning a unanimous decision in their rematch and clawing back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.

This time in Diriyah, in a purpose-built 15,000-seat arena, there had been a downpour in the desert but a disaster for Joshua was averted by his most disciplined and controlled performance to date.

He had to come through a torrid eighth round when Ruiz Jr landed the type of punches that won him the first fight - this time, Joshua teetered but remained upright, and eventually sauntered over the finish line.

Joshua drew blood from Ruiz Jr in the earliest exchanges - he immediately seemed far more relaxed than during the ill-fated first fight and fired a swift right hook which did the damage.

But Joshua then suffered a similar cut in the second round, above his eye, although he remained poised and unhurt.

Joshua was able to keep the shorter and heavier Ruiz Jr at his preferred range by moving quickly on his back foot, and flicking out a jab whenever the champion tried to creep forwards.

Ruiz Jr finally had success at the end of the fourth round when an overhand right crashed home. Joshua felt it, and the bell came at a good time for him.

But still Joshua was still able to execute his game-plan, geed on by Rob McCracken, the long-serving trainer in his corner who he unequivocally backed after the first fight. At his lightest ever for a world title fight and 10lbs lighter than the first fight, the Brit had enough to gas to keep Ruiz Jr at bay.

Joshua landed a strong left hook in the sixth but Ruiz Jr would not be dissuaded from plodding forwards and threatening his own punches. The build-up to this fight had been respectful but, at the end of the sixth, Joshua shot a spiteful stare when Ruiz Jr threw two illegal punches.

Mexico's first ever heavyweight champion, by the seventh, was getting frustrated and the referee admonished him for more illegal shots.

They went toe-to-toe for the first time moments later, in scenes reminiscent of the first fight when Joshua fell, but this time he remained firm.

Ruiz Jr's eyes lit up in the eighth round when he landed hard punches to the side of Joshua's head. There was a collective intake of breath at ringside but Joshua did not go down. Joshua then had to absorb even more in the ninth.

It was Joshua's skill and finesse (although he crashed a right hand home in the final round) that ultimately made him a two-time heavyweight champion, joining esteemed company such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in reigning again after suffering defeat.

Two scores of 118-110 and another of 119-109 meant the world titles returned to Joshua, who celebrated with his family and embraced Ruiz Jr after the decision.

Two goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on Saturday night were enough to do all the magic as a tactically aware Manchester United defeated Manchester City 1-2 at the Etihad.

Guardiola confident of a victory, started the match with a 4-3-3 formation with Sterling, Jesus and Bernardo Silva his preferred front three while Man U. started with a pacy front three of Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Marcus Rashford.

Guardiola was hopeful of a win, while Solksjaer would have happily taken a draw if a genie gave him a draw at the beginning of the match-but the god of football had other plans!

Solksjaer's front three partnership caused Man City's shaky back line of Walker, Stones, Fernandinho and the inexperienced Angelino all sort of problems in the first 30 minutes of the first half.

Martial, Rashford all had their chance to score and were either saved by the post or the goalkeeper Ederson.

in the 23rd minute, Marcus Rashford opened the scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down by Bernardo Silva before Anthony Martial made it 2-0 when he sent a fine left foot shot past Ederson in the 29th minute. At the end of the first half Man City saw a penalty appeal rejected after Fred handled Kyle Walker's cross.

Man city pounded, prodded, flexed and rigmaroled around United's defence but United were resolute and the first half ended 0-2.

Manchester United's defensive acuteness and attacking verve on the counter was so mature and impressive that it was beginning to look like they will score more goals in the second half and with the time entering the last ten minutes, City were fighting for their life, with Guardiola visibly frustrated.

United nearing the last minutes of the game started playing more compactly and left only Rashford upfront but were soon broken in the 85th minute as Nicolas Otamendi headed home a late consolation after escaping the attentions of Aaron Wan-Bissaka..

On this night, this special occasion, this Manchester derby, Man United coach Ole Gunnar Solksjaer proved he could be a tactical hero, and what better way to prove yourself than against one of the greatest coaches in the world, Pep Guardiola.

Liverpool are now 14 points clear of the reigning champions Manchester City, a gap that has never been overturned before i Premier league history.

The Department of State Security, DSS says its officers did not arrest Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, in court, claiming that the journalist’s supporters were only acting an “orchestrated drama”. 

A statement signed by Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, the state secret police, said there were none of its officers involved in the incidents recorded in the courtroom.

See the full statement below....

It has become important that the Department of State Services responds to the serial misinformation being circulated in the media about its involvement in the incident that occurred on 6th December, 2019 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

It is instructive to note that during the court proceeding of the day under reference, Defence Counsel, Femi FALANA (SAN), called the attention of the Judge to a suspicion that the Service was planning to re-arrest Omoyele SOWORE immediately after the court session.

The Court discountenanced his alarm and asserted that the Service was law abiding and would not engage in such and subsequently adjourned to February, 2020.

However, when SOWORE stepped out of the court and sighted operatives of the Service within the premises, he ran back into the courtroom. In a bid to shield him from an imaginary arrest, his uncontrollable supporters mobbed him while chanting “you can’t arrest him” thus the pandemonium that ensued.

A critical look at the videos in circulation would convince any objective viewer that there was no DSS personnel during the entire period the Sowore crowd acted out its orchestrated drama. Its personnel were never, at any time, involved in the incident. In actual fact, it was his people who seized him. And from the latest developments, it has become obvious what the intent for such mischief was meant for – simply to serve a propagandist purpose as well as bring the Service to disrepute.

Eye witness and several media accounts have disclosed that the Court had adjourned peacefully without an untoward incident when suddenly the unruly crowd imported into the Courtroom went into frenzy on the mere suspicion that DSS was sighted at the court premises. The eventual re-arrest of Sowore by the DSS was effected outside the courtroom. His lead counsel has affirmed this.

The DSS, as a professional, responsible and law abiding Organization, could not have invaded a courtroom including the one presided over by a respected Judge who is not only handling its case but whose Order was unconditionally obeyed within a 24 hour ultimatum. The Service holds the judiciary in utmost respect and will continue to work with it for national peace and public safety in Nigeria.

It has therefore become unarguable and raises a moral question as to who, between Sowore and the Service, dislikes or disobeys the Courts. In this regard, public attention may be drawn to the 25th July 2019 statement of SOWORE that “I’m not talking of protest. I’m embarking on revolution… Don’t tell me about legal implications or what a Judge will say. I don’t care …” On 5th December when SOWORE was released, he had, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja addressed a group of persons who, he reassured of his cause to create anarchy in the country.

It may be recalled that the Service had on 3rd December, 2019 raised alarm about a plot to destabilize the country. It is quite remarkable that the plot has already started playing out.

To ensure this objective is further achieved, some persons and groups are scurrying to seize the opportunity of the misleading court incident and the wrong narrative against the DSS to organize an insurrection in the country. They have continued to falsely curry and mobilize international sentiments and attention, through clear misrepresentation of the facts, for their selfish ends.

For emphasis, it should be noted that SOWORE is facing trial not as an activist, journalist or a politician, but for his resort to call for violence, forceful takeover of government and suspected transnational illegal activities.

It is most unfortunate that SOWORE, shortly after being released from custody, based on court order, resorted to acts inimical to security. To this effect, only SOWORE has been re-arrested as his co-defendant, Olawale BAKARE, was not picked up even when FALANA had promised to deliver him to the Service that is not presently interested in him.

Though sections of the populace have been fed with spurious narratives about these developments, Nigerians and the International Community should not be gullible or even vulnerable to the machinations of groups desirous of misleading them.

The Service is committed to the discharge of its mandate of detecting and preventing threats against the internal security of Nigeria. It supports democracy in the country and will do all that is legal to protect it. It will also ensure that efforts of anti-democratic forces are frustrated.

Peter Afunanya, Ph.D

Public Relations Officer,

Department of State Services,

National Headquarters,

Abuja

7th December, 2019

Popular evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, has died. He was 79 years old.

A statement released on his verified Facebook page, explained that Bonnke who was popular for his evangelical work all over Africa, passed away peacefully and was surrounded by his family today December 7th.

“It is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019. For the past 60 years he has preached the glorious Gospel of Jesus throughout the entire world. We want to thank you on behalf of him and our family, for your kind love and unwavering support, which enabled him to preach the matchless message of salvation to countless people'' the statement read

Young activist, Olawale Bakare popularly known as Mandate, who is standing trial with pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, in a case brought against them by the Nigerian Government, has been declared missing. 

Operatives of the Department of State Services had stormed the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday morning during the commencement of their trial and disrupted proceedings in an attempt to forcefully rearrest the two men. 

After facing resistance from other activists inside the courtroom, the DSS operatives retreated outside to lay ambush. The situation led to tension within the court premises for several minutes. 

According to a report by SaharaReporters, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and lawyer to the two men, Femi Falana, was said to have ferried the defendants in his car to the DSS headquarters where they were said to have been detained. However, it has now emerged that only Sowore, who was in Falana’s vehicle as they left the court, was submitted back to the DSS. 

Operatives of the agency are currently searching for Bakare in different parts of Abuja. The armed security personnel in their search for the young activist, stormed Falana’s chamber in Abuja this afternoon hoping to find him there. 

A lawyer at the chamber confirmed to SaharaReporters that armed DSS operatives visited the place minutes ago looking for Bakare after claiming that he was not in their facility. The lawyer, who asked not to be named, said;

“DSS operatives just stormed our chamber now looking for Olawale Bakare. They claimed it was discovered he was not with them by the time they arrived their office. They are currently searching everywhere for him. We are hoping that he is safe wherever he is.”

After releasing Sowore and Bakare on Thursday evening, the DSS on Friday filed fresh charges against them, rearresting and detaining Sowore in the process. The uncertainty surrounding Bakare’s whereabouts at the moment has indeed added a new twist to the matter. 

He was arrested in Osogbo, Osun State, on August 5, 2019 for participating in a nationwide peaceful demonstration aimed at demanding a better country from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Together with Sowore, Bakare was ordered to be released twice by the Federal High Court in Abuja after meeting stringent bail conditions.

Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard is now free to sign new players from January transfer window after Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the club's transfer ban by FIFA for breaking youth transfer rules.

The English club were given a two-window ban last season after FIFA found the London club guilty of breaching article 19 of its regulations on the status and transfer of players (RSTP), as they failed to register young overseas players over a number of seasons but that has been cut to one following a successful appeal.

CAS announced on Friday, December, 6, that the Blues have had their two-window ban reduced to one, which was served in the summer.

The decision for club Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire owner of the club can now release money to coach Frank Lampard to sign new players next month.

The CAS statement read: "The following sanctions have now been imposed by the CAS: Chelsea is banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally for one entire registration period, which the club already served during the 2019 summer registration period.

"Chelsea is ordered to pay a fine to FIFA of the amount of 300,000 Swiss Francs.

"The warning and the reprimand are confirmed."

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja abruptly suspended sitting and fled her court on Friday as operatives of the Department of State Service invaded the courtroom to rearrest Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, less than 24 hours of releasing him from earlier illegal custody.

Sowore’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN),  described the development as a “horrendous, bizarre, and barbaric contempt of court” never witnessed under “even the most brutal of past dictators that had ever ruled Nigeria”.

He added, “Under the military regime, the so-called enemies of the government would not be arrested in the web of the court which is considered a sanctuary.

“The military regimes would always show some respect for the court and would only arrest after the person left the court premises.

“What we have witnessed today is alien to Nigeria.”

He said at a meeting which Justice Ojukwu called to be held in her chambers with him and the prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), the judge “expressed dismay” over the development as she said, “she was made to flee her court”.

The commotion which paralysed judicial activities in the court broke out on Friday as armed DSS operatives cocked their guns to rearrest Sowore just after the judge had adjourned his trial till February 2020.

Sowore and his co-defendant, Adebayo Bakare, who are being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony following their call for ‘Revolution Now’ protest, were earlier released from a four-month custody after the 24 hours ultimatum issued the DSS for their release by the judge.

The judge had adjourned till Friday for a report of compliance with his fresh order for the release of the two men.

At the close of Friday’s proceedings,  Sowore and Bakare were leaving the courtroom and the judge was already attending to another case, when about 15 armed DSS operatives who appeared to have laid an ambush for them, made to arrest them.

The move forced Sowore and Bakare to turn back to return to the courtroom, but Sowore was quickly held by an operative.

Sowore who managed to free himself ran back into the court with the invading operatives cocking their guns as they went after him.

The development disrupted the ongoing proceedings at Justice Ojukwu’s court.

The judge quickly fled the court and called off the day’s sittings.

Sowore, with his supporters, was able to resist the arrest for a while, raising the alarm that the DSS’ moves were an attempt to kill him.

After the meeting Falana and the prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), held with the judge, the defence lawyer criticised the operatives’ move to make an arrest within the court premises.

He offered to drive his client to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

The operatives agreed with the arrangement as they drove in vehicles in front and behind Falana’s car while they made their way to the DSS headquarters.

Falana said on reaching the DSS office, he was not allowed to meet with Sowore as he was asked to come back later.

Rotimi Amaechi, Nigeria’s Minister for Transport, was attacked by some Nigerians in Spain today Friday, December 6th.

The Minister announced this via twitter earlier today. He wrote;

“Some minutes ago, I was attacked by a few misguided Nigerians while on national assignment at a climate change event in Madrid, Spain. They were quickly repelled by the Spanish police before they could do any harm. I am fine. I was not hurt. Thanks for your support & prayers.”

Recall that former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was attacked by aggrieved IPOB members at the New Yam festival in Germany in August this year.

Philanthropist and business mogul, Mr. Femi Otedola, has once again demonstrated his generous and giving spirit by donating the sum of N100 million to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, making him the largest individual

Zenith Bank took the lead for corporate donors, with its donation of N300 million to the fund

The donors were appreciated by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at an event tagged “Transformational Security’ and organised by LSSTF at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Other top corporate donors on the list include Access Bank, First Bank, Xenon Construction Ltd and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). The governor of the state, while addressing the guests present said he was happy that other states had adopted the security trust fund idea initiated some years back, and that this showed that the initiative is worthy of emulation.

“The present administration under my watch also introduced new security strategies to combat security issues including making available new equipment for our security agencies,” he said.

He went on to state that “We have revitalised security strategies to combat security coverage in Epe and Ikorodu waterways and other areas through a regional security outfit code-named ‘Amotekun’, to combat banditry and kidnapping.

“Also with the ongoing road upgrades across the state I believe that we can achieve significant improvements in security of our state.”

Chairman of LSSTF Board of Trustees Oye Hassan-Odukale, also noted that crime fighting is mandatory and the fund will not stop promoting the fight against crimes.

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) was established 12 years ago with the aim of reducing the critical deficiencies in equipment, training and logistics of security agencies operating in Lagos.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has signed the new law backing the creation of four new emirates in the state.

The new law which sought the creation of new emirates and first-class emirs in Gaya, Rano, Karaye and Bichi, was unanimously passed by the state lawmakers on Thursday December 5.

Ganduje who insisted that the new emirates will facilitate active participation of rural dwellers in governance, said the fresh bill was approved by the state executive council and presented to the lawmakers on Monday December 2, following the nullification of Kano Emirs Appointment and Depositions Amendment Laws 2019 by Justice Usman Na’Allah of the state high court.

“As a law-abiding administration, we came and deliberated upon that at the State Executive Council. After which we sent the Bill to the State House of Assembly, seeking for the creation of 4 additional Emirates, namely Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye,” he said.

He further explained that “After successfully passing the Bill by the House, here we are, as you are all witnessing the singing of the Bill into a Law. And our Emirates have come to stay.”

All things concerning the new Emirates were done, according to the governor “To bring development closer to the people. We need sustainable socio-economic development for our dear state. We need further improvement in the security system and well being of our people.”

The new law will give the state five emirates, including the Kano Emirate headed by Muhammadu Sanusi. The state house of assembly has also approved Mr Ganduje’s request to appoint 25 special advisers.

After 126 days in their custody, the Department of State Security DSS, have finally released publisher and convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.

Omoyele was released in Thursday evening December 5, to his lawyer, Femi Falana.

Omoyele's release comes few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the agency to release him immediately. He was arrested at his home in August and granted bail in September.

The Department of State Services (DSS) also paid the N100k fine issued by the Federal High Court which ordered the release of #RevolutionNow Convener, Omoyele Sowore within 24 hours.

Sowore’s lawyer, Femi Falana who confirmed that his client has been released also disclosed that the SSS has paid the N100,000 fine to the #RevolutionNow convener as ordered by the judge.