CR7⭐ Broke My Dreams Many Times 🔈: Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini admits he is relieved to be on the same side as Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, with the Portuguese having broken his dreams 'many times' in the past.

A five-time Ballon d’Or winner proved to be a serious thorn in the Bianconeri’s side during his trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid.

He would regularly dash Juve’s European aspirations, with crucial – and often stunning – goals recorded in Champions League finals and various stages of the knockout rounds.

Ronaldo is, however, now chasing further titles in Turin, with Chiellini among those delighted to have the 33-year-old on board.

He told BBC Sport: "Cristiano scored many, many, many times against us and he broke my dreams many times - in Cardiff, in Madrid, in Turin.

"Before, the Champions League was a dream. Now it is a target because Cristiano is the best player in the world and we need him to make the last step.

"It's the personality of Cristiano. He has fantastic skills in the field but out of the field, his attitude - how he works, how he prepares for the match, how he lives every day of his life - can help us. The team has changed."

EFCC Arraigns Company Director over Alleged N9m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Monday arraigned the Director, Ctradex Properties Limited, Chukwunyere Thomas Emefu along with his company on a two-count charge bordering on dishonesty and unlawful conversion to the tune of N9,000,000.

He was arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama – Abuja.

EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade in a statement in Abuja said it was alleged that he converted to his personal use, the sum of N2.5 million, being part payment for a plot of land at Corona Garden Estate, Plot 352, Cadastral Zone, Galadimawa District, Abuja.

Orilade added, “It was further alleged that in 2016, he also diverted to his personal use, the sum of N6.5m for same purpose.

“The matter was subsequently reported to the EFCC for investigation; upon completion of investigation, the accused was arraigned.

“Prosecuting counsel, Mary Onoja, told the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and applied that the charges be read to the accused person in order to take his plea.

“The accused pleaded not guilty to the two counts.

“In view of his plea, Onoja applied for a trial date and asked for “accelerated hearing”.

ASUU: OAU Lecturers Start Exams for Students Despite Strike

The Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has commenced exams for its students despite the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The school on Monday commenced its 2017/2018 second semester exams.

The media had reported that ASUU had, on November 4 2018, embarked on industrial action.

Since then, academic activities have been suspended in various universities.

However, some departments in OAU are carrying on with academics as they have lecturers who are not members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The lecturers said they are members of the Congress Of Nigeria University Academics, CONUA, adding that the industrial action was not binding on them.

Students of English and Literary Studies department have been receiving lectures and sat for exams on Monday.

The university’s public relations officer, Abiodun Olarenwaju told TheCable that the school calendar would not be extended.

“There’s nothing that suggests we are going to extend any calendar. Don’t let us be speculative, when we get to the bridge we will cross it.

“The senate of the university is in charge of the academic activities, if they find it to extend, they will and if not, there’s nothing anybody can do about it. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and don’t let us be speculative

“Whether they are going to extend it or not has not stopped the students from reading, they should read.”

Justice Onnoghen: Court Stops CJN’s Arraignment

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the presidency from arraigning the Chief

Justice of Nigeria, CJN Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Justice N.E Maha of the Federal High Court directed that no steps should be taken in respect of Justice Onnoghen’s trial until January 17 when all parties to the two suits should return to court for the hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion on notice.

The CJN was expected to appear before the Danladi Umar-led Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday but was absent from the court. The Tribunal adjourned the matter till January 22.

Justice N.E Maha, while ruling on two separate ex parte applications on Monday, ordered parties to maintain status quo till January 17.

The judge directed that the defendants should be served with all the papers filed and they should appear in court at the next hearing.