'I Drank a Glass of Champagne After Euro 2016 Win and Got a Little Drunk' - Cristiano Ronaldo

​​Juventus and Portugal superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on the recent successes of his career with both club and country and specifically reference the Euro 2016 win, believing that it was the "most impressive" win of his career.



The 34-year-old called it the most "important" trophy of his career while also going on to reveal that he indulged in a glass of champagne following their win and that it went to his head considering that he is a teetotaler.













"It was the most important trophy of my career. I laughed, I cried, I got a little drunk. During that game, I cried so much that I was dehydrated. At the end of the game, during the celebrations, I drank a glass of champagne and immediately it went to my head. I never drink, but that day was so special," he said to DAZN, as quoted by ​Marca.



​Ronaldo was recently hailed as an inspiration by his fellow countryman, Bernardo Silva who called for his ​Manchester City team-mates to look upto him on how to retain that hunger to keep winning trophies over a period of time.



Despite this, h​e has not had the best of times in 2019 in front of goal, netting 39 goals in the calendar year, which is his lowest haul in the past decade.

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Former President Jonathan confirms armed attack near his home

Former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan has confirmed an attack by unknown armed men near his home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

He also confirmed the death of one soldier and another injured in the attack at a military post near his country home.

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja on Tuesday, the former president was not in his residence during the attack.

The statement read: “A security post stationed near the Otuoke residence of former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Bayelsa State was attacked by unknown gunmen early Tuesday morning.

“The hoodlums who came in with about five engine boats stormed the security post located about 100 metres away from former President Jonathan’s residence in his hometown Otuoke by 1:30 am on Tuesday and attempted to take away a gunboat belonging to the military stationed at the creek beside the residence. They were however resisted by gallant soldiers who engaged them in a firefight.


“The gunmen who couldn’t stand the firepower of the military were forced to beat a retreat. One soldier, unfortunately, lost his life in the fight while another was injured. The injured soldier who is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Yenagoa is in a stable state.

“The former President who was not in Otuoke at the time of the attack, however, returned to his village early this morning to assess the situation.

Dr Jonathan promptly condemned the attack and reassured his people that there was no cause for alarm. “The former President has also condoled with the family of the deceased soldier, the military and has urged the concerned security authorities to swing into action and bring the culprits to book.”

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DSS releases Omoyele Sowore

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Mr Omoyele Sowore.

This followed an order for his release by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.


Malami also ordered the release of ex National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, in obedience of court orders.

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Real Madrid Gift Their Players and Staff Latest Audi Cars for Christmas

Real Madrid players and their club's staff received brand new Audi cars of their choice as their present for Christmas.



Los Blancos have a pretty cordial partnership with the car manufacturing giant from Germany and they run this initiative of handing new cars to players every year.



In a nutshell, every player is allowed to choose any car model and colour they want and can keep their new ride until the end of the season.

Club captain ​Sergio Ramos was the only player to select the most expensive vehicle worth an incredible £87,000, with the likes of ​Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, ​Toni Kroos, Nacho Fernandez, ​James Rodriguez too going big with their £74,000 worth cars.



But, Los Blancos manager ​Zinedine Zidane decided to go for the least costly car - a £74,000 RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic in Mythos Black to be exact - and was joined by ​Karim Benzema and ​Thibaut Courtois, who opted for the same car in white and grey respectively.






As per AS, here are all the details for every Real Madrid player's pick:



Sergio Ramos ' A8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Lunar Blue ' £86,000



Dani Carvajal ' Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Orca Black ' £74,000



Lucas Vazquez ' Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Daytona Grey ' £74,000



Toni Kroos ' Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Daytona Grey ' £74,000



James Rodriguez ' Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic 'Glaciar White ' £74,000



Eden Hazard ' Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Silver ' £74,000



Fede Valverde ' Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Daytona Grey ' £74,000



Nacho Fernandez 'Q8 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Navarra Blue ' £74,000



Raphael Varane ' e-tron 55 quattro ' Red ' £71,000



Vinicius Jr ' A7 Sportback 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Mythos Black ' £67,000



Alvaro Odriozola ' A7 Sportback ' 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Mythos Black ' £67,000



Marco Asensio ' A7 Sportback 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Silver ' £67,000



Marcelo ' A7 Sportback 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Sky Blue ' £67,000



Brahim Díaz ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Silver ' £65,000



Luka Jovic ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Silver ' £65,000



Mariano Diaz ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Orca Black ' £65,000



Luka Modric ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Daytona White ' £65,000



Rodrygo ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Daytona White ' £65,000



Casemiro ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Glaciar White ' £65,000



Ferland Mendy ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Silver ' £65,000



Gareth Bale ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Orca Black ' £65,000



Isco ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Daytona Grey ' £65,000



Alphonse Areola ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Mars Red ' £63,500



Eder Militao ' Q7 50 TDI quattro tiptronic ' Mars Red ' £63,500



Karim Benzema ' RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic ' Glaciar White ' £57,000



Thibaut Courtois ' RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic ' Daytona Grey ' £57,000



Zinedine Zidane ' RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic ' Mythos Black ' £57,000

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Why Ronaldo is not normal – Benatia

Medhi Benatia recalled an experience he had with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Juventus.

The 32-year-old spent six months with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in Turin before he left for Qatar to join Al-Duhail in January.

The moments shared with the former Real Madrid star remain memorable and Benatia recalled a particular request Ronaldo made to him after being an unused substitute against Atalanta which got him surprised.

“It dates to a trip back from Bergamo. The two of us didn’t play and we were left on the bench because three days later we had another game,” Benatia told RMC Sport.

“In the bus on the way back, Ronaldo said to me: ‘What are you going to do now as soon as we get back? I replied: ‘It’s 11 pm, I’m going home, why?’

“And he added: ‘Don’t you want to have a small training session with me? I didn’t sweat in the game, I have to train, don’t you want to keep me company?

“And again, I had to explain to him that it wasn’t possible, I just wanted to go home, sit myself down, in front of the TV.”


“When we arrived, everyone was dressed in normal clothes, but he put his shorts on, sneakers, music and went to the gym. I thought, ‘this guy is not normal’.”

Aside from the experience, Benatia praised Ronaldo for his sacrifices and also disclosed how he goes about his individual training routine.

“When you are in touch with him in everyday life, you respect the boy before the player. He sacrifices his whole life for football,” he added.

“I was surprised to discover the intensity he puts into every workout, and above all, he repeats it every day.

“In addition to the stuff we did in the group, he had his own personalised programme 25 minutes before leaving the pitch. He worked a lot on his explosiveness, with rubber bands, weights and much more.”

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President Buhari approves N37 billion for renovation of National Assembly complex

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex.

The amount, which is included in the 2020 budget, is however not part of the N128 billion allocated for the National Assembly for next year.

The money is instead part of the 2020 budget of the Federal Capital Development Administration, the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, told journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Lawan said there has been no major renovation of the National Assembly building for 20 years and many parts of the property had become dilapidated.

“We met the president and (it was) related the condition of the complex,” he said.

“The president responded and said he was going to renovate the complex. The phase one renovation will commence – the chambers and committee rooms in the white house.

“N37 billion was sourced and was given. It was put under the FCT, not national Assembly. All we required is to have the complex renovated.


“When we are through with phase 1, we will go to phase 2. It is not under the control of the National Assembly. The complex is a national asset and is for the FCDA to take care,” he said.

In recent weeks, lawmakers have called for urgent renovation of the chambers where they hold plenary meetings.

A number of times, during plenary, senators have complained about malfunctioning microphones in the chamber.

This renovation comes at a time when Nigerians have accused members of the National Assembly of inflating the figures of the 2020 budget before passage.

The National Assembly increased the budget 2020 from N10.33 trillion as proposed by the executive to N10.6 trillion.

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We must handover strong, vibrant nation to young Nigerians - Tinubu

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has identified the need for all and sundry to be committed to steadying the nation with a view to handing over a vibrant and strengthened nation to young leaders.

Tinubu stated this while receiving an honorary degree of Humane Letters given to him by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State.

Describing young Nigerians as the destiny and true greatness of the nation, Tinubu noted that the youths will be better equipped if their education is entrenched on innovation and new technology.

While stating that the nation’s youths had much to offer for the nation to become great, Tinubu stressed the need for universities to build an educated generation.

He charged universities to embrace innovation and new technology so as to mould the minds of young people for a better Nigeria.

Furthermore, Tinubu implored young Nigerians to dare to be great and be committed to moving the nation away from underdevelopment and expanding the boundaries of economic, intellectual and moral growth.

“Education is the light of a nation, the lamp that helps us see where we are, and the path we must take to realise our greatness. To educate a generation is to secure that path and that greatness.

“Indeed, all of us must continue to do all within our capacities, individually and collectively, so that we direct the ship of state with a steady helm and hand over a vibrant and strengthened nation to these young leaders assembled before us.


“Our young people deserve the best of what we can give them. Founded in 2005, this university is dedicated to that excellent and correct purpose.

“We must all board the train of progress; otherwise, it will pass us by. Our universities must embrace innovation and new technology so as to equip our talented youth with the skills for progress in the 21st Century.

“This way, we break the fetters of underdevelopment and expand the boundaries of economic, intellectual and moral growth.

“And finally, to you young people, you have much to learn. Some of the learning will be in the classroom of this university. Some will be in the classroom of life. Never stop learning.

“Yet, you also have much to offer. Do not be afraid to dare to be great. You are the destiny and true greatness of this nation. Never forget it,” Tinubu said.

While receiving the award in recognition of “patriotism, contribution to national development, humanity and human welfare, which had significantly impacted the lives of the younger generation”, he assured of not relenting in living up to the expectations of the award.

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Adeniran Ogunsanya college to be upgraded to university – Lagos governor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the state government owned Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education is to be upgraded to a University of Education.

The Governor disclosed when he received the newly elected Zonal Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, led by Comrade Kappo Olawale at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu assured the students of the continuous commitment of his administration to the reforms in the education sector stating that the sector has the highest vote in the year 2020 budget.

He said: “We want to elevate Adesanya Ogunsanya College of Education to a University of Education. This is one of our plans as a government.”

“We are training all primary school teachers and also recruiting new ones. We will ensure that the quality in our classrooms are the same. And this is based on development of teachers first. Once we are able to push that, we will also improve the quality of teaching. We will see better outcome and that will give us better pupils.


“We will also duplicate this in secondary schools across Lagos. We want to continue to reduce truancy, cultism and all those unhealthy acts amongst pupils. We will increase infrastructure in Schools.”

He stressed that his administration will build new facilities for State institutions and complete the ones that are yet to be completed.

He urged the student leaders to ensure that they uphold peace in their various institutions and be good representatives of their citadels of learning.

“We want to have positive impacts at all levels of education but we need you to understand and appreciate the efforts of the government. To be able to speak to your fellow students to ensure that we continue to work in an environment where there is peace, harmony, understanding and collaboration”.

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Anthony Joshua beats Andy Ruiz Jr to reclaim heavyweight world titles.

ANTHONY JOSHUA has hit back at his critics after he clinically reclaimed his heavyweight world champion status with a defeat of Andy Ruiz Jr.

TheBritsh born boxer controlled the bout as he took revenge for the defeat he suffered at the hands of Ruiz in June with a composed points victory in Saudi Arabia.



Many wrote Joshua off after his loss to Ruiz and the 30-year-old believes regaining the WBA, IBF and WBO belts proves his enduring quality.

“It’s all about preparation. One day when I release a book I will talk about my career. It’s all about experience – life is a rollercoaster, what do you want me to do, give up? Retire? Come on man,” Joshua told Sky Sports.


“I want to thank God. Next I want to say ‘man, the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice’.

“A man like me don’t make no excuses, my boy (Dereck) Chisora said I am ready to win this if I am ready to D.I.E.”

After suffering a seventh round stoppage in his previous meeting with Ruiz, Joshua came into the bout with a refocused mindset which saw him adapt his training and weigh in over three stone lighter than his opponent.

The 2012 Olympic champion was clearly more aware of the threat posed by Ruiz and kept the Mexican at distance to command proceedings on the night.




“This is about boxing, I am used to knocking people out, but last time I got hurt, so I gave the man his credit and said I would correct myself again. I respect Andy so much,” Joshua said of his approach.

“The sweet science of this sport is about hitting and not getting hit. Never a change in mentality, you know the saying ‘stay hungry, stay humble’ – I am hungry and I am humble.”

While Joshua, who eluded to a possible rematch to complete a trilogy with Ruiz, said prior to the fight that he would not get carried away should he win, he admitted to feeling emotional in the aftermath of the success.

He said: “I didn’t want to get too carried away but it is emotional. This is about the public, and about British boxing. They won tonight and we created history by opening the floodgates.


“To Andy Ruiz and his family and team, love and respect and I want to see him in the ring again because he is very talented. l can box but I like to fight. I’m a warrior at heart, and sometimes when you’re used to knocking a man out, it can happen to you.

“I’m a man that has made mistakes and when I was on losing path in life, I matured and bounced back. After I took my loss I had to mature as a fighter. Life is in boxing and that is why I love it because they go hand in hand. “

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Omoyele Sowore | DSS invasion rape on sanctity of the court – Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said that Friday’s invasion of a courtroom at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), was a rape on the sanctity of the court.

Armed operatives of the DSS had invaded the court during sitting had had forcefully arrested the convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Adebayo Bakare.

The DSS had released Sowore and Bakare on Thursday on the orders of the court that granted them bail in a treason trial brought against them by the federal government.

The two activists had been in the DSS custody since August, against a lawful order of the court that granted them bail. The DSS, however, released the two activists on Thursday following a 24-hour ultimatum issued against it by the trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

However, the security operatives stormed the court on Friday when the activists appeared in court for the adjourned hearing of their case when the security operatives swooped on them and forcefully took them back into detention. Videos of the ugly scene have since gone viral.

Atiku, in his reaction, said the action of the DSS is unacceptable, describing the invasion as a desecration of the court and the entire judiciary.

In a statement on Friday, which he personally signed, Atiku said never in the history of Nigerian democracy has a judge been treated in such a disdainful and brazen attack on not just her person and office, but on the entire judiciary.

The statement said, “Today, I am in extreme anguish of spirit having watched the unfortunate drama that played itself out at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in which agents of the state not only caused a commotion in court in order to frustrate a judgment of a court of competent authority.


“This is unacceptable. It is a rape on the sanctity of the court. Nigeria is not a dictatorship. We are a democracy, no matter how inconvenient this fact is to the powers that have forced themselves on us”.

Atiku called for investigation into the invasion with a view to identifying those responsible for the maltreatment meted out to Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu and the desecration of her court, and indeed the Nigerian judiciary.

“They must be sanctioned to the highest extent permissible by our laws”, Atiku said and called on law enforcement agencies in country to immediately respect not just the court order made by Justice Ojukwu, but the order of any court in Nigeria, on other detainees like Sambo Dasuki, Ibrahim Zakzaky, among others.

“We cannot have a situation where our government is quick to obey foreign court orders and even quicker to disobey domestic court orders. This is symptomatic of a mindset that is servile to foreign powers and brutal to Nigerians.

“Without the rule of law, there can be no rule at all. Power in Nigeria still flows from the people, not from the barrel of a gun. I call on all men and women of goodwill not to keep quiet or sit on the fence at times like this.

“To keep Nigeria a democracy is the paramount duty of all concerned stakeholders. Please speak up against this tyranny and side with the Nigerian people”, he added.

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Sowore | Ondo lawmaker decries DSS court room invasion

A senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Nicholas Tofowomo, on Saturday condemned the re-arrest of Omoyele Sowore by the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) inside the courtroom on Friday where Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was presiding.

He noted that the manner in which the court and her premises was overrun by men of the DSS to re-arrest Sowore and Bakare over alleged fresh charges, was a gross transgression on constitutionalism and a profane of the hallowed courtroom.

Watch the video below.

Tofowomo in a statement by his Special Assistant (SA) on Media, Olumide Akinrinlola, urged the DSS officials to act professionally within the confine of the law, stressing that they should allow the court to try Sowore and his co – defendant over allegations they leveled against them.

Read Also: Omoyele Sowore |DSS invasion rape on sanctity of the court – Atiku Abubakar

His words” The DSS should be more interested in proving the allegations they leveled against both of them. Whatever fresh charges could have been included through a mere application for amendment of their charge sheet before the court.


”Sowore is my constituent from Kiribo community and as much as I know, he is not a terrorist and does not have any criminal record in the past. The invasion of the courtroom to re-arrest him was unnecessary.

”I appeal to men of the DSS to change their approach to remove their reproach, especially while carrying out their official duties in any case, because power transcends from one political dispensation to the other.

The lawmaker urged the DSS, to urgently release Sowore, stressing that their actions and inactions would determine what their tomorrow will be.

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Why Tottenham lost 2-1 to Manchester United - Dele Alli

Tottenham Hotspur forward Dele Alli has said they lost to Manchester United on Wednesday night, because of “arrogance and overconfidence”.

Spurs saw their winning streak under Jose Mourinho ended at Old Trafford, with a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League.

Marcus Rashford scored either side of Alli’s fine finish, to give the Red Devils all three points.

“It’s difficult when you lose to take any positives,” Alli told reporters after the match.

“We know what we had to do. We had to match their energy. We lost the game not by them outplaying us – just attitude. We weren’t hungry enough and we were slow to every second ball, losing 50-50s.

“Maybe it was a little bit of arrogance and overconfidence. We’ve been playing well.


“You have to have confidence and arrogance in games like this but have to use it in the right way. We were a bit sloppy but you can’t do it in games like this or you’ll get punished.

“We’ve spent a lot of years together. We have to learn from this. Games like this bring your feet back down.

Alli also admitted they disappointed Mourinho, by not defeating his former team.

“We want to win any game and you want to win for the new manager at his old place,” he added.

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Lionel Messi Admits to Feeling Hurt When Cristiano Ronaldo Won the Ballon d’Or in 2017

​Barcelona star Lionel Messi admitted to feeling hurt after Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 2017 and tied him with five Ballon d’Ors. The Argentine won his sixth Ballon d’Or award last night to go one ahead of the Portuguese.



The Argentine star stated that he enjoyed the fact that he was the only with five Ballon d’Ors and was hurt when Ronaldo reached that summit. He, however, understood why Ronaldo won most of the awards in the last few years since he was winning the Champions League with Real Madrid while the Catalans were failing to do so.



“On the one hand, I enjoyed having five and being the only one,” Messi said, as per Goal.




“When Cristiano moved level, I admit that it hurt me a bit. I was no longer alone at the top. But it made sense, although it was good when I was alone at five. Was I frustrated in the last few years? Let's say I understood why I did not win.



“As a team, we had not achieved our major goal, which was to win the Champions League, which gives you more chances to win the Ballon d'Or. When Cristiano Ronaldo won it is because he had achieved great seasons by winning the Champions League and being decisive. It was deserved, there was not much I could do."

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‘Now Our Data Bundles Do Not Expire’ – MTN Tells Customers

Mobile Telecommunications giants, MTN has announced to their numerous customers that their data bundles do not have any expiration dates.

This move was put in place to address the growing concerns and complaints of customers about how their unused data bundles are being taken.

They announced on their social media handles by sharing a photo with the caption;

“Our bundles no longer expire. What could be better? Dial *138# or *567# or download the MyMTN App to access the new and better bundles and buy ANY amount you want!! #Wedey4U”

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Manchester United ‘a closed chapter’, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says his time at Manchester United is “a closed chapter” and he is only interested in beating them when he takes his in-form side to Old Trafford on Wednesday.

It is the new Tottenham manager’s first return to the touchline at United’s home ground since his sacking by the club last December.

“This is a closed chapter for me,” said Mourinho, who has won all three of his matches in charge of Spurs. “I left the club, I took my time to process everything that happened, I took my time to prepare myself for the next challenge.

“Honestly, United for me is in my book of experiences, it’s in my history book.”



United are struggling under Mourinho’s successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but go into the game just two points behind fifth-placed Spurs.

“It is not for me to analyse United now,” Mourinho said at his pre-match press conference. “I analyse them as an opponent, how they play. How can we beat them? How can they beat us? For me, that is the important thing.”

Mourinho is excited about the prospect of returning to Old Trafford.

He said: “I feel good, I like to play big matches, I like to play against the best teams and go back to a place where I was happy.

“I have a great relationship with Manchester United supporters. I went back as a pundit and I was humbled by such a beautiful reception.

“Tomorrow I go back as the coach of the team that will try and beat Manchester United.

“I understand that what they want is the exact opposite of what I want. Of course, during the match I expect them to forget me.”

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Senate: Why we can’t initiate death penalty bill for treasury looters

The Senate has explained the reasons why it is impossible to initiate a bill that prescribes death penalty for looters.

This is coming after some Nigerians and groups called for a bill that prescribes death penalty for treasury looters instead of the lawmakers devoting time to social media and hate speech bills.

The spokesperson for the Senate, Godiya Akwashiki, explained that death penalty for looters is impossible because the Senate President cannot direct any senator to produce a bill.

Akwashiki, however, challenged the executive arm of government, groups or individuals to initiate bills that prescribe the death penalty for treasury looters and see if the upper chamber would not push them through.

“It is not possible for the Senate President to direct any senator to go and produce a particular type of bill. All of us are elected to represent our constituency from various parts of the country,” he said

The Senate spokesperson also said different punishments were already prescribed against corruption in the acts that established the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“We have the ICPC Act and the EFCC Act and there are punishments there for offenders. I want to believe we are going gradually. However, any bill that would criminalise looting is a good proposal that the Senate could consider,” he said.

He also described as untrue insinuations that senators, particularly former governors and ministers in the red chamber, would reject such legislation in order to protect themselves.

He said, “We started a serious fight against corruption a few years ago when President Muhammadu Buhari got into office.

“The issue of a bill against corruption and looters in the Senate is a constitutional right of every senator, the executive arm of government, groups or private individuals.

“Anybody in the country is free to propose a bill through any senator. If you have such a proposal, get in touch with your senator, sit down with him and convince him why you want that type of law to be enacted.”

Stressing that the red chamber would support any bill that criminalises corruption, Akwashiki said, “This country belongs to all of us. Every person in this country has the right to present their opinion in terms of enacting an Act for the benefit of the people.

“When the Senate discovers there are many people requesting a particular bill, one day, one senator will just wake up and initiate a proposal and present it before his colleagues.”


He also said not all former governors or former ministers in the red chamber were corrupt.

He said, “We have 109 senators. How many are former governors or ministers?

“Are you saying we could get 60 senators who are either former governors or ministers?

“Senate is a place where everybody is free to express their opinions, according to the wishes of the people who elected them.

“The Senate chamber is higher than any former governor or minister.”

Meanwhile, the Senate spokesperson said the red chamber had yet to discuss the issue of the death penalty in the hate speech bill because the proposal still remained the personal property of the sponsor until it passed second reading.

He said, “The issue of expunging the death penalty from the hate speech bill is not the decision of the Senate yet. There is a process of enacting an Act. The bill will pass first, second and third readings.

“The hate speech bill has just been mentioned for the first time. It has not come up for a second reading. It is when it is introduced for the second time that the senators will for the first time voice out for or against the bill.

“For now, the sponsor has said he will expunge the clause that prescribes the death penalty for hate speech; that is his own personal opinion.

“I have said it times without number that the hate speech bill is a private member bill. When we get to its second reading, that is when Nigerians will know the position of the Senate on the bill. If the bill does not pass second reading, that will be its end.

“The senators may even decide to remove other clauses apart from the death penalty provision.”

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