General

Recovered 30 exotic vehicles part of my retirement benefits: Samuel Ortom

Published

3 months ago

July 14, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

The immediate past governor of Benue has criticised the current state government for invading his automobile workshop, saying it’s a plot to torment and persecute him. over retirement benefits that were duly allocated to him.

Mr Ortom, who spoke through his spokesman, Terver Akase, said this in reaction to the Benue state assets recovery committee that raided his ‘automobile workshop,’ where about 30 vehicles were towed away.

The said automobile workshop is located along Makurdi-Otukpo Road within Makurdi, Benue State’s capital, and is reportedly owned by Mr Ortom, according to AIT.

Reacting to the development, Mr Akase described the action as a move to humiliate his principal in every unconventional means.

According to a video posted by AIT via its Twitter handle, it was seen that several Toyota Hilux vehicles were moved away from the workshop.

“Before his administration elapsed, the state executive council made a resolution and asked him and his deputy and other officials of the administration to leave with their vehicles,” Mr Akase told reporters.

He further alleged victimisation of his boss, saying several other former administration officials similarly left with exotic vehicles.

“The current administration has not hidden its resolve to torment the immediate past governor, Samuel Ortorm. All former governors left with their vehicles. The vehicles that were officially allocated to them.

“And Governor Ortom cannot be an exception.

“So it appears that the current governor is yet to look into the extracts of excos and handover notes. If and when they do, they would realise Mr Ortom has not done anything illegal. It has been the tradition.

“Even the chief of staff to the current governor was a majority leader of the House, and he left the government with official vehicles,” he said.

Mr Akase, who was Mr Ortom’s chief press secretary throughout the administration’s eight years between May 2015 and May 2023, also listed several other lawmakers and officials from the past administration who left with official vehicles and are currently serving in the current administration.

In his remarks, Hinga Biem, a member of the committee, said the exercise had kicked off in the past weeks, where the government have been conducting tracing of movable and immovable properties suspected to be owned by Benue state.

He said the committee is focusing on properties that were bought between 2015 and 2023.

Mr Ortom served as governor for two terms beginning in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) before switching to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he was also re-elected in 2019

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Football

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea: Mudryk, Broja strike to earn Blues their second league win of the season

Published

4 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Chelsea bagged two first-half goals to seal a crucial win over West London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage and move up to 11th on the Premier League table.

The Blues flew out of the blocks as they debuted their new Infinite Athlete kit and created the first chance of the match after only 80 seconds, but Armando Broja could not capitalise.

Chelsea looked bright with Enzo Fernandez conducting affairs, and they picked the Cottagers apart.

Mykhailo Mudryk was looking electric and dangerous. The Ukrainian winger opened the scoring on 18 as he controlled a pass from Levi Colwill before slotting the ball beyond Bernd Leno.

It was Mudryk’s first Premier League goal following his £88 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January. And within seconds, Chelsea had their second.

Tim Ream had a moment to forget as he gave the ball away to Cole Palmer. The young English playmaker then slipped Broja in, but Ream hit the ball off the Albanian striker as the ball trickled past Leno.

Fulham tried to find gaps behind Marc Cucurella and Axel Disasi on the right side of Chelsea’s defence, but it was not working. Chelsea controlled the game and held their two-goal going into the break.

In the second 45, Fulham came out with more attacking poise, and it helped that Mudryk went off with a knock, giving Fulham the impetus to come forward, but Chelsea’s defence stood resolute.

Vinicius and Alex Iwobi came on for Fulham and helped their side find spaces beyond Chelsea’s backline, but the Boys in Blue defended well and showed they were still dangerous.

Ian Maatsen, on for Mudryk, hit the post, and Leno had to be quick to smother Fernandez’s rebound effort. Fulham forced Chelsea to work for their lead, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men looked up to it.

Substitute Tom Cairney created a lovely chance for Sasa Lukic. However, Robert Sanchez stuck out a brilliant leg to save the effort and keep his side in it.

On 83, Willian tried an effort from outside the box, but it did not cause any problems for Sanchez as Chelsea ran out 2-0 victors

General

Tribunal verdict: Governor rejects judgement, calls for calm

Published

6 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has rejected Monday’s judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered in Lafia.

While speaking to teeming supporters of the APC at the Government House, Lafia, Governor Sule says the judgement will be challenged at the appeal court.

He however call on the people of the state to remain calm and law abiding.

Engr. Sule promised to continue discharging his duties as the Executive Governor with more vigor.

Football

Man Utd winger Anthony in contention for Galatasaray UEFA champions league clash

Published

9 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Antony could feature for Manchester United against Galatasaray after rejoining his ranks at Old Trafford.

The Brazil international forward was granted indefinite leave by the Red Devils following a series of alarming allegations made against him by former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin.

Antony has been back in his homeland since then, allowing him to meet with police forces in Sao Paulo.

He returned to England last week and has held five hours of talks with Greater Manchester Police.

The 23-year-old winger maintains his innocence – having also faced accusations from two other women.

United have allowed him to focus on off-field matters of late, but revealed ahead of a Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace that Antony had been given a green light to return to training and was once again available for selection.

He has only taken in one session since then, suggesting that he will be short on match fitness, but Ten Hag says the South American is in his thoughts ahead of the Champions League group stage meeting with Galatasaray on Tuesday.

The Dutch coach has said: “Antony will be in consideration but yesterday was his first time back in team training. We have a final training, then we’ll make a decision.”

Ten Hag added when delivering an update on Lisandro Martinez – with the World Cup-winning Argentine defender still struggling with a long-standing foot injury: “I can confirm, yeah. Licha Martinez will undergo surgery and the team news is Antony can probably return.”

Antony’s last appearance for United came in the club’s 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on September 3.

He was removed from the Brazil squad for the last round of international fixtures and has not registered a goal for club or country since April 16.