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Women World Cup: Super Falcons plott ‘transformational’ victory over England

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Randy Waldrum. coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons believes knocking European champions England out of the Women’s World Cup would be “transformational” for the sport in the country as the sides prepare to meet in the last 16 on Monday.

The Super Falcons have appeared at every Women’s World Cup going back to the inaugural edition in 1991 but their build-up to this year’s tournament was overshadowed by a row with their national federation over bonuses.

They had even threatened to boycott their opening game but put that behind them to draw with Olympic champions Canada and then beat co-hosts Australia.

A draw with the Republic of Ireland then ensured that they qualified for the last 16 at the expense of Canada and set up a clash with strongly-fancied England in Brisbane.

“It would be a huge win, obviously,” Waldrum said Sunday when asked about what knocking out England would signify.

“Already with what we have accomplished Nigeria is buzzing again, from what I understand.

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“I don’t think people expected us to get out of the group and to get the results we have got, so I think it has already been a big success.

“But obviously if you can not only beat the Olympic gold medallists but turn around and beat the European champions then it would be something extremely special back home for all the people in Nigeria, and more importantly for this squad, for what they have worked so hard to do.

“So it certainly could be transformational in a lot of different ways.”

‘So many weapons’
It is the third time that Nigeria have made it out of their group at the World Cup but they have never won a knockout tie.

Waldrum confirmed that star striker Asisat Oshoala is “fit and healthy” and said fellow forward Desire Oparanozie could feature for the first time since picking up an injury before the tournament.

He also said he was preparing his team to face an England side with, or without, Keira Walsh after the star midfielder missed the Lionesses’ last group game with a knee injury.

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Walsh trained with the squad on Sunday for the first time since being stretchered off in England’s 1-0 win over Denmark in their second group game.

But England coach Sarina Wiegman could opt to stick with the three-woman defence which helped them outclass China 6-1 without Walsh, or revert to a back four.

“We have to prepare for both,” Waldrum said of the different tactical possibilities.

“As a coach I would expect her to go with a back three because they played ever so well in the last match with that and I don’t know why she would change.”

Of Walsh, he added: “Obviously she is a key player in their midfield for them.”

“But England also has so many weapons. You go down the list and you look at their players and all of them play in a high-profile setting so there are certainly more that can do damage to us than just her.

“They have given us a lot of challenges to prepare for and that will be just another one if she comes in.”

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Metro News

Alleged abuse of office: EFCC files additional proof of evidence against Emefiele

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an additional proof of evidence against Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are facing trial on a 26-count charge before a Lagos high court.

 

The former CBN governor and Omoile pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The commission had presented two witnesses to testify against Emefiele in the trial.

 

At the resumed hearing on Friday, Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Emefiele, was expected to continue the cross-examination of John Ikechukwu Ayoh, the second prosecution witness.

But Ojo told the court that he just received the additional proof of evidence from the EFCC which was filed on Thursday.

The counsel said he needed to study the additional proof of evidence to be able to cross-examine the prosecution witness.

 

He also accused Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel, of attempting to engage in “trial by ambush” at the expense of the defendants.

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“My lord, there is a need to adjourn this case. We were just served these huge documents by the EFCC in court,” Ojo said.

 

“The prosecution keeps dumping documents on us at every sitting. This is trial by ambush.”

On his part, Adeyinka Kotoye, counsel to the second defendant, said he was served the additional proof of evidence five minutes after arriving in court.

 

Kotoye accused the EFCC of not being diligent in the prosecution of the case and attempting to ambush the defence team.

In response, the EFCC counsel said it is unfair to describe the service of processes by the prosecution as “ambush by trial”.

 

Oyedepo said the additional proof of evidence served by the commission was some of the documents retrieved from the phone of John Adetona, a former aide to Emefiele, who was listed as a witness.

 

Oyedepo said the documents were served in preparation of the testimony to be given by Adetona before the court.

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He added that Adetona was not meant to appear before the court today or on May 9.

“The witness (Adetona) whose device the documents were printed from has not given evidence before the court,” Oyedepo said.

 

“In preparation for his testimony which is not coming up today or May 9, the prosecution rather waiting for the defense to formally place a demand for the hard copies, the prosecution team printed the documents out.

“How does that amount to prosecutorial unfairness?”

 

Oyedepo prayed that the court should order the defence team to complete the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.

 

He added that the new documents do not affect the continuation of cross-examination of the witness.

 

However, Emefiele’s counsel disagreed, saying that he needs to study the new documents and that there might be new information to help the cross-examination.

 

In his ruling, Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, agreed with the defendants’ counsel and adjourned the matter to May 9.

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Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’s daughter as senior aide

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, has appointed Basirat Damilola Marshall, daughter of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, a.k.a KWAM1, as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

The development was leaked to the public in a viral video of her father thanking the governor, and congratulatory messages on her Instagram page, @damimarshall_.

 

In the viral video, her father, KWAM1, while performing on stage at the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena on Thursday, thanked Sanwo-Olu for appointing his daughter into his cabinet.

The fuji singer noted that it was his daughter, Damilola, who asked him to publicly thank the governor for her appointment.

Congratulating her on the appointment, a Nigerian, Olanrewaju-Smart Wasiu wrote, “Congratulations Barr. @damimarshall_ on your appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism. This is a deserving recognition for your hard work and contributions to our party”, to which she responded by saying “Thank you, sir.”

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Another person, Balogun Basia wrote, “Please, join me in congratulating my friend K1 and the entire family on the appointment of my daughter Barrister Basirat Damilola Marshall as the SSA to the governor of Lagos State on Tourism. Damilola, this shall be the beginning of many good things that will come your way and that of your siblings Insha Allah, Alaumoh Amin.”

 

Until her appointment, Damilola was a principal partner at a law firm, Damilola Ayinde Marshal and Co.

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Metro News

Police identify officer who shot man dead at Lagos petrol station

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The Lagos State Police Command says it has identified a police officer who shot a man dead at a petrol station in Obalende area of the state on Wednesday.

 

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

He said that the officer whom he did not name is serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU), Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos. The PRO said investigation on the incident is still ongoing.

 

He wrote, “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos. Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available.

 

“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.”

The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.

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Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with… https://t.co/apTMnaIbsm

— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) May 2, 2024

 

The tragedy reportedly happened while motorists and residents in the area struggled to purchase fuel at petrol station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The deceased alongside others who had been on a queue to purchase petrol was said to have resisted an attempt by the police officer to jump queue and buy fuel which resulted in ensuing fracas that led to the officer shooting the victim who eventually died.

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