Stowaway gets scholarship, NCAA probes Arik pilots, FAAN

Stowaway: Pix 1: A teenage boy, Daniel Ihekina, who hid in the tyre hole of Arik Air flying from Benin to Lagos. Pix 2: The boy being led away by security agents.

Aviation industry regulator, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has started probing the ArikAir pilots and officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria over alleged security breaches that led to the arrest of a 15-year-old stowaway, Daniel Oikhena, at Lagos Airport on Saturday.

This is even as the boy on Wednesday landed a scholarship to study free to university level and fulfil his dream of flying to the United States of America.

The pilot, as it was learnt, might lose his licence or be fined huge sum of money if ongoing investigation by the regulators found him guilty of not aborting the  flight for safety checks, following the alleged passenger’s report of presence of a strange boy some meters from the plane.

Already, the regulatory authority has commenced full investigation into the matter, the Director-General, NCAA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, disclosed to our correspondent on Wednesday.

Although the NCAA boss declined to specify the nature of penalty it would impose on Arik Air, its pilot or the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria if they were found guilty, he however said, “If at the end of the day we discover that somebody has not done what it should do, then the appropriate sections of the law will take its full course.”

Akinkuotu stressed that there were penalties and sanctions for breaches in the sector’ and assured that the regulatory agency would not shy away from upholding safety and security regulations in the aviation sector.

On the blames being traded by Arik and FAAN, the NCAA boss said the investigation would reveal whoever was liable.

He said, “Arik might say that FAAN did not provide adequate security, but safety challenges are assuming new trends everyday. The responsibility of any flight lies with the operator. Arik too has responsibility. It was reported that a passenger raised an alarm. If there is merit in that, it means there was a possibility of doing something about it. All these our investigation will unravel.”

The NCAA boss however said that the agency, in the meantime, had put in place measures to stop future re-occurrence.

“Every aircraft that is departing will be followed until take-off. FAAN security will follow them. On our part, we have to continue to monitor everything. There will be greater monitoring at the perimeter fence and access control now.”

Akinkuotu said that the issue of stowaway was age-long and not peculiar to Nigeria and the aviation sector.

 “Stowaway has been age-long since the time when ship was invented; those with criminal intent will also be looking for ways to break the law,” he said.

Aviation security expert and former Military Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu, retd, said the Benin incident had shown that the NCAA needed to audit and investigate the Arik Air security programme and the Benin Airport security programme.

Ojikutu said, “That boy could have been a courier for terrorists. The NCAA needs to find out how the boy knew part of the aircraft and where to enter. How are we sure somebody did not assist him. If the Benin Airport access control and perimeter fencing is not porous, how did he get into the aircraft.”

Meanwhile, Oikhena has been offered a scholarship by the De Raufs’ Volunteer Group, a group of supporters of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The Director-General of the group, Amitolu Shittu, in a statement on Wednesday, said the scholarship was offered to the stowaway to enable the boy to achieve his target of travelling through the air.

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger Hits Out At Media ‘Brainwashing’ Fans

Wenger feels media are overly critical.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has launched a scathing attack on the British media, saying they have tried to ‘brainwash’ the club’s fans into thinking they are in crisis, according to theDaily Mirror.

The Frenchman’s role at the club came under serious scutiny again last week after his side lost their opening game of the Premier League season, in a surprise 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa.

A large number of the club’s fans have been calling out for new signings this summer to help bring silverware to Arsenal for the first time since 2005, but Wenger has so far been unable to complete deals for his main targets.

The 63-year-old has come under criticism for missing out on the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo when deals looked all but completed, and he has been perceived by some as showing a strong preference to avoid spending money on big-name signings if possible.

Arsenal bounced back this week with two impressive wins away to Fenerbahce and Fulham, and Wenger feels his team’s response shows that the press were over the top in their criticism last week.

“The media in general has brainwashed a little bit the Emirates,” he said. “Maybe rightly so, I don’t know, because we haven’t won trophies for years everything is negative. But we have to live with that and focus on playing well football.

“We lost one game since the beginning of March. That’s why it was a shock. But we won in the Champions League at Bayern Munich. We won at Fenerbahce. It is just like that at the moment.

“People always want news. We live in a world which is very interesting but very excessive.

“I care about this club and when we had last week’s result I was deeply disappointed. This is not a personal trip. This is about doing things well for the club I love and I am happy we are back on track.

Man United Agree £24m Fee for Everton Midfielder Marouane Fellaini: Bid for Belgian Accepted

Belgian midfielder could be set for Goodison exit.

A summer of speculation could finally be coming to an end with Everton reportedly accepting an offer of £24million from Manchester United for Marouane Fellaini, according to the Liverpool Echo.

New United manager David Moyes has been targeting Fellaini as well as left-back Leighton Baines ever since leaving his post as Everton boss at the end of last season.

So far Moyes had failed with bids for the pair, with Everton even releasing a statement slamming the offers as “derisory and insulting”, as they were deemed to fall way below their valuation of the players.

However, the Toffees now seem to have accepted an initial offer of £20million rising to £24million, which will see the 25-year-old become Moyes’ first major signing since moving to Old Trafford.

A midfielder has been high on the Scot’s priorities this summer, with the likes ofThiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas also linked with moves to the club.

Everton are now likely to sign Wigan midfielder James McCarthy as a replacement for Fellaini, though they will face competition from Newcastle for the Irishman’s signature.

Fellaini’s fine form last season also saw him become a target for Arsenal at points this summer

Man United Linked With Fresh Move to Sign Dutch Playmaker Wesley Sneijder

Old Trafford side retain interest in Galatasaray midfielder.

Man United are once again being strongly linked with Dutch international Wesley Sneijder with David Moyes expressing an interest in the long term Sir Alex Ferguson target according toCalcioMercato.

The experienced playmaker has revived his ailing career in Turkey thus far enjoying his time at Galatasaray after something of a struggle in the latter stages of his time at Inter Milan.

The 29 year old moved to Galatasaray in a cut-price €7.5m (£6.4m) deal back in January and proceeded to help his side to reach the Champions League quarter-finals before helping the Istanbul side to a Super Lig title, his fourth championship in four different countries, could the former Ajax and Real Madrid man be tempted into looking for a fifth via the Premier League?

David Moyes is still yet to secure a high profile addition to the squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson and could perhaps consider a move for the experienced playmaker as a possibility as he looks to add more creativity to a somewhat brittle midfield.

Sneijder has proven himself in the Eredivisie, La Liga and Serie A and may well be excited by the prospect of a fresh challenge in the English top tier.

Whilst the likes of Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley, seemingly Moyes’s first choice central midfield options, offer a fair bit of momentum neither creates much in the way of assists and the pair do not get on the score-sheet all that often, Sneijder could offer a better link between midfield and attack and could well be inexpensively purchased

Chelsea Offer Samuel Eto’o One Year Deal as Wayne Rooney Move Falters

Stamford Bridge side make alternative plans.

Chelsea have offered experienced Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto’o a one year contract according to the Daily Mirror.

The move to bring in the 32 year old Cameroon may well be as a result of Jose Mourinho’s move for Man United striker Wayne Rooney faltering with the Guardianstating that the Blues boss has set a 48 hour deadline on a move for the Old Trafford striker.

It’s a move that Mourinho may now feel is unlikely following Rooney’s run out against Chelsea last night, a match in which he was perhaps one of the few on show to impress.

Chelsea’s return of four goals from their opening three Premier League matches may concern Mourinho, not least as none of those goals came from strikers, and the Stamford Bridge manager’s decision to not use Fernando Torres or Romelu Lukaku as starters against Man United could leave some to surmise that he is not all that happy with the options he does have in his Blues squad.

Eto’o is a proven striking commodity, though clearly in the latter stages of his career, and knows Mourinho well from their shared time at Inter Milan.

The lethal finisher has scored goals wherever he has pitched up, netting 288 goals in 543 appearances for Real Madrid, Real Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Anzhi during which time he has secured four domestic titles and three Champions League winners medals.

Man United Set to Make Astonishing £30m Bid for Chelsea Defender David Luiz

Old Trafford side have made ‘secret’ approaches for Stamford Bridge star.

Man United are reportedly preparing a big money move for Chelsea defender David Luiz with Old Trafford boss David Moyes having already made secret approaches for the Brazilian according to the Daily Mirror.

Moyes has made his interest in the Brazilian international a priority and hopes to make an offer that tempts the West London club into selling Luiz before the transfer window slams shut on Monday evening.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho is said to have his doubts about the former Benfica man and Man United are keen to make the most of that uncertainty with an offer of £30m for the Chelsea fan favourite.

Moyes will look to play on any doubts Luiz could have about his standing in Mourinho’s plans as he looks to strengthen his defence, knowing that his first choice central defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have their fair share of injury concerns, not to mention both players clearly being in the latter stages of their careers.

Alternatively Moyes may actually see Luiz as a player he can use in a defensive midfield role, one that the Chelsea man has excelled in when called upon.

David Luiz has on occasion shown a lack of maturity at the back but is still undoubtedly a player with a great deal of talent.

The 26 year old moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2011 and has helped the club to Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup titles over the past two and a half years, making 109 appearances and scoring 12 goals in the process.

Jose Mourinho has not been able to use Luiz this season due to a hamstring injury but has seen his defence manage well without his presence, which could perhaps leave him open to the prospect of selling the player

Wayne Rooney Rejects Jose Mourinho’s Advice To Submit Man United Transfer Request

Rooney rejects opportunity to force United exit.

Wayne Rooney could make a shock u-turn and remain at Manchester United, with Sky Sportsclaiming that the 27-year-old has rejected the advice of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho tosubmit a transfer request at Old Trafford.

The England international has been unsettled for much of the summer after becoming one of Chelsea’s main transfer targets, but United have been adamanent throughout the saga that he would not be sold, and David Moyes may now have persuaded him to stay with the club.

There were doubts over whether Rooney would be first choice for United this season, but he started for them against Chelsea in last night’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford, and gave a strong display against Mourinho’s side in a 0-0 draw.

It was after the match that Mourinho set Rooney a deadline for submitting a transfer request, but it appears now that Rooney will not be doing so, forcing Chelsea to consider other options such as Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto’o.

Moyes also commented on the Rooney situation after the game, praising him for his performance and suggesting that he doesn’t need to seek a move away from the club.

“I was very pleased with his performance and I was very pleased with the reaction from the crowd,” said the United manager.

“I think Wayne has a positive mind at the moment. I don’t think he needs to change. I think his performance said enough. I think his actions showed what he thought.”

This news will come as a big boost to Moyes in his first season in charge at United, as he will have been desperate to avoid losing a big name player to a major title rival.

Sex-for-fixing Lebanese refs won’t testify

Two Lebanese match officials jailed in Singapore for accepting free sex from an alleged match-fixer have refused to return to the city-state to testify at his trial, a court heard on Tuesday. 

Assistant referees Ali Eid, 33, and Abdallah Taleb, 37, were deported in June after serving three-month prison sentences for accepting the services of a prostitute as a bribe from Singaporean nightclub owner Eric Ding Si Yang.

Another Lebanese national, referee Ali Sabbagh, testified for the prosecution last month while he was still in Singapore serving a six-month jail term.

Tan Kian Tat Jeffrey, an investigator from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, told the court that Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb had communicated to him through the Lebanese Football Association and a Lebanese diplomat in Singapore their unwillingness to return to testify.

State prosecutors had earlier said they hoped they could get the Lebanese pair to appear in court.

“Each of them say they have made clear and detailed statements on their involvement with Ding Si Yang and have nothing to add to the statement which can assist the prosecution in the trial,” Tan said.

OPC, police clash at Idimu, five arrested

There was pandemonium at the Idimu area of Lagos State on Tuesday when suspected members of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress and some officials of the Nigeria Police Force clashed.

Some policemen were said to have been wounded in the fracas which lasted for over 20 minutes.

Eyewitnesses said that the OPC members in a number of buses had passed through the area on their way to Agege.

It was learnt that when the convoy got to Car wash bus stop, there was a traffic hold-up. The OPC vehicles subsequently maneuvered and drove against the traffic. It was gathered that some policemen directing the traffic challenged the OPC members, which led to the altercation.

A fresh team of policemen from the Idimu Police Division later arrived at the scene after the overwhelmed policemen had radioed for backup. Five persons were arrested, while guns were recovered after the OPC members were eventually dislodged from the area.

Those arrested have been identified as Paul Adeola, Kemi Ajayi, Sunday Ogunbiyi, Kazeem Oloyede and Augustine Ekufeze.

There was no response from the OPC leader,  Dr. Frederick Fasheun, despite repeated calls and text messages to his phone.

However, a factional leader of the group, Mr. Gani Adams, denied the involvement of his faction in the fracas.

He said, “It is the Fasheun-led faction that was involved in the fight with the police. As I speak to you, we are presently holding our executive meeting at Abule-Ado in my house.

“Fasheun’s faction was on their way to Agege for the inauguration of the Unity Party of Nigeria when they confronted the police.”

Police spokesperson for the state, Ngozi Braide, said, “It happened at 11.30am. Some 300 members, masquerading as OPC members attacked our men at Car wash bus stop. The DPO led a team of policemen to the scene and dislodged them and arrested five persons.

“One double-barreled  gun, one pump action rifle, one locally made pistol, two cutlasses, one dagger, OPC banners, two Volkswagen buses marked X7 31 GGE; XT 29 FKJ; one Nissan saloon car marked DU 721 GGE; and unregistered Toyota Camry were recovered from them.”

Blind man sues blind man for enticing wife

A blind man, Shaibu Ibrahim, 26, on Tuesday dragged Shehu Sarki, another blind man to a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ibrahim accused Sarki, 32, his friend and the chairman of the blind peoples’ association of the area of allegedly enticing his wife, Lami Ibrahim, 23.

He said, “Sometime in June, our chairman, Sarki, helped me to get a woman, Lami, for marriage.

 “After our marriage in July, Sarki later enticed my wife and took her away from my house.

 “I later discovered that my wife is staying in one of his rooms and he has been sleeping with her.”

The offence was said to have contravened Section 389 of the Penal Code, and if convicted, the accused could spend two years in prison.

 The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

 The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N20, 000 and a surety in like sum.

He adjourned the case till September 9 for hearing.