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Court Grants Senator Natasha N50m Bail

BREAKING: Abuja High Court Grants Senator Natasha N50m Bail, Adjourned Till September 23rd For Trial

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BREAKING: Abuja High Court Grants Senator Natasha N50m Bail, Adjourned Till September 23rd For Trial—-The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, has granted bail to the suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to the tune of N50million.

The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Chizoba Orji, rejected application the Federal Government made for the defendant who was arraigned on a three-count charge, to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of the case against her.

Justice Orji held that she found no reason to deny the defendant bail, saying there was sufficient evidence that she is willing to face her trial.

Consequently, aside from the N50m, the court held that the defendant must produce one surety who must be a person of integrity that owns a landed property in Abuja.

The court based its decision on section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as section 163 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The case was subsequently adjourned till September 23 for trial.

FG is prosecuting the lawmaker for allegedly making a false claim that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, were behind plot to assassinate her.

In the charge marked: CR/297/25, FG alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was listed as the sole defendant, made the false and defamatory remarks when she appeared as guest on live television.

It specifically accused her of making “imputation, knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person.”

According to the charge, by making such false imputation that tarnished the image of others, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, committed an offence under
391 of the Penal Code, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

It added that the alleged offence is punishable under section 392 of the same law.

Giving particulars of the offence in count-one of the charge, FG, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged crime on April 3, during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Among those listed as witnesses in the matter, included the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who were cited as nominal complainants.

Other witnesses billed to testify in the case are two police officers that investigated the matter, Maya Iliya and Abdulhafiz Garba; a Senator, Asuquo Ekpenyong and one Sandra Duru.

The charge, dated May 16, came on the heels of a letter Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, wherein she accused police of exhibiting bias in the investigation of her petitions against the Senate President.

It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed June 27 to determine the legality or otherwise of the six-month suspension that was slammed on the defendant by the Senate.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the court after she was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee following a faceoff she had with the Senate President during plenary on February 20.

While protesting alleged arbitrary change of her seating position, she repeatedly raised a point of order to be allowed to speak, even though she had been overruled by the Senate President.

Irked by her conduct, the Senate President referred her case to the Ethics Committee.

In a television interview she granted on February 28, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her travails in the Senate began after she rejected unwanted advances from the Senate President, Akpabio.

In an ex-parte application she brought before the court, she applied for an order to declare any action the Senate Committee took within the pendency of her suit, including her suspension, as, “null, void, and of no effect.”

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BREAKING: Manchester City Agree £125m Deal to Sign Enzo Fernández From Chelsea On Deadline Day

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BREAKING: Manchester City Agree £125m Deal to Sign Enzo Fernández From Chelsea On Deadline Day—-Cityzens have reached a British record-equalling agreement with Chelsea for the Argentina international on Deadline Day, with Fernández set to undergo his medical.

Manchester City have agreed a £125 million deal with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernández in one of the biggest transfers of Deadline Day.

The agreement, reported by Sky Sports and other leading outlets, will see the Argentina international leave Stamford Bridge for the Etihad Stadium in a move that matches the British transfer record previously set by Liverpool’s £125m signing of Alexander Isak.

Fernández is expected to undergo his medical before completing the transfer, with City working against the clock to finalise the deal before the summer transfer window closes.

Maresca Reunites With Fernández

The move will see Fernández reunite with Enzo Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea and is now Manchester City’s manager.

Maresca is understood to have been a major driving force behind City’s pursuit of the midfielder as he looks to reshape his squad and strengthen the centre of midfield.

Fernández played an important role during Maresca’s time at Stamford Bridge, helping Chelsea win major silverware before the Italian manager’s move to Manchester.

Chelsea Accept Record Fee

Chelsea signed Fernández from Benfica in January 2023 for approximately £107 million, making him one of the most expensive players in Premier League history at the time.

Just over three years later, Chelsea have agreed to sell the 25-year-old for £125 million, representing a significant return on their original investment.

The Argentine had recently been left out of Chelsea’s squad for successive matches, increasing speculation that his Stamford Bridge future was coming to an end.

City Make Deadline-Day Statement

Manchester City had been pursuing Fernández for much of the summer, but negotiations intensified dramatically as the transfer deadline approached.

Chelsea had previously valued their midfielder at around £120 million and had initially expected him to remain at the club after an earlier deadline for bids passed without a formal offer. However, City’s interest never disappeared, and the two clubs eventually found an agreement on Deadline Day.

The final £125 million package now puts Fernández level with the British transfer record.

Fernández Begins New Chapter

For Fernández, the transfer brings an end to a turbulent period at Chelsea and opens a new chapter under a manager he already knows.

The World Cup-winning midfielder arrived in England with enormous expectations after starring for Argentina and Benfica.

At Manchester City, he will be expected to become a central figure in Maresca’s midfield and help the club compete on multiple fronts.

A Record-Breaking Transfer

The £125 million agreement places Fernández among the most expensive players in football history and makes the Deadline Day transfer one of the biggest stories of the summer window.

City are now racing to complete the remaining formalities, including the medical, before the deadline.

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BREAKING: Leo Messi Announces Retirement From International Football After 21-Year Argentina Career

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BREAKING: Leo Messi Announces Retirement From International Football After 21-Year Argentina Career—-Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player has called time on his international career after guiding the nation to the 2022 World Cup title and the 2026 final.

Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 21-year career with the national team.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision on Monday through an emotional statement posted on Instagram, saying he had reached a point where he felt there was “nothing more to give” and that a new generation of Argentine players deserved an opportunity.

Messi’s announcement comes weeks after Argentina reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where they were defeated by Spain. He had captained his country throughout the tournament and remained one of Argentina’s most influential players.

A Difficult Decision for Argentina’s Greatest

Messi admitted that walking away from the national team was an extremely painful decision.

The Argentine icon revealed that he had already written his retirement message on July 21, two days after the World Cup final, but did not immediately make the decision public.

The recent death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier in August further strengthened his resolve to step away from international football.

Messi said he had always given everything to Argentina and believed the time had come to allow younger players to take over.

A Record-Breaking International Career

Messi leaves the Argentina national team as the country’s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, having made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals.

His international career finally brought the major trophies that had once appeared out of reach.

After heartbreaking defeats in major finals, Messi eventually led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, followed by the 2022 Finalissima and, most importantly, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He also helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final, giving him another memorable chapter in the national team’s history.

The End of an Era

Messi made his Argentina senior debut in 2005, beginning a journey that would span more than two decades.

He endured criticism and disappointment early in his international career, particularly after Argentina’s defeats in major finals. But his persistence ultimately transformed his relationship with the national team and its supporters.

The World Cup triumph in Qatar cemented his status as an Argentine football legend, while his record-breaking statistics placed him among the greatest international players in football history.

Messi Says He Will Support Argentina From Outside

Although his playing days with Argentina are over, Messi made it clear that his love for the national team has not changed.

He said he would now support the team as a fan, cheering them on through the good times and the difficult moments.

His departure leaves Argentina without the player who has been at the centre of its football identity for more than 20 years.

For a generation of supporters, the sight of Messi wearing Argentina’s famous No. 10 shirt will now belong to history.

Lionel Messi leaves international football with 207 caps, 125 goals, a World Cup title, two Copa América titles and an extraordinary legacy as one of Argentina’s greatest-ever footballers.

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