Manchester United have fined defender Lisandro Martínez following his public criticism of the club’s hierarchy after Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid. The club, however, considers the matter resolved.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Argentina international questioned United’s summer transfer business, arguing that the club had failed to strengthen the squad sufficiently and had left head coach Michael Carrick with limited options.

Martínez specifically expressed disappointment with the club’s technical director, Jason Wilcox, saying he “expected more from our technical director”. He also suggested that the club’s board should accept responsibility for the team’s struggles.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on X on Friday, October 16, that United had imposed a fine on the 28-year-old defender over his remarks.

“Manchester United have fined Lisandro Martínez as punishment and consider the case now closed,” Romano wrote.

“Lisandro spoke to Carrick and the directors to clarify the situation, apologise, and is now moving on.”

Martínez reportedly held discussions with Carrick, Wilcox, chief executive Omar Berrada and other senior club officials at United’s Carrington training ground in an effort to resolve the dispute. The meeting was described as positive.

Following the talks, the defender issued a public apology on social media, acknowledging that his frustration over the defeat had influenced his comments.

“Today I met with the club’s leadership and the manager. It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday’s game,” he wrote.

“Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise.

“Our club is at its best when we are all united, and I recognise that my words in that moment did not help with that. I know that every single person at Manchester United is doing everything possible to achieve our shared ambition: bringing the success that this club and its supporters deserve. With this situation now behind us, we are fully focused on winning together.”

Although reports indicate that United fined Martínez, the club has not publicly revealed the amount involved or provided further details about the disciplinary measures.

The defender’s current contract with Manchester United runs until the end of the 2026–2027 season, although the club has the option to extend the agreement by an additional year.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has dismissed reports alleging that Nigeria is recruiting underage soldiers to fight terrorists and tackle other security challenges across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Musa made the clarification on Thursday while speaking to journalists after a National Security Council meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

The minister maintained that the Nigerian military does not recruit underage individuals, suggesting that the allegations may have stemmed from reports of terrorist groups using children in their operations.

“We are all professionals. We are fully committed, and it’s also important for us to mention the issue of recent (alleged recruitment of underage soldiers). We have seen some people trying to make a case as if the emphasis is using underage children in our operations.

“There is nobody that is underage that is being brought here. I think the discussion that was made was that the accusation was on the terrorists using the underage.

“Well, we know that we don’t have control over what they do, and that’s why it’s important for us to understand that we must not allow them remain wherever they are,” he said.

Musa also disclosed that Tinubu had directed the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue people kidnapped or abducted in different parts of the country.

He assured Nigerians that the security forces were prepared to carry out the President’s directive.

“The directive from the president is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped wherever they are. There shouldn’t be any camp of any tourists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria.

“As we go forward, we are showing Nigerians that we’re fully committed, and that is what we’re going to work towards. So, we thank Mr. President for his support and to assure Nigeria that we’re all working as a team, as Nigerians for Nigeria. We assure you that,” the defence minister stated.

Tinubu To Commission 10 New Aircraft, Helicopters

The minister further revealed that Tinubu would soon commission 10 additional aircraft and helicopters acquired to strengthen aerial surveillance and enhance the country’s security operations.

He also disclosed that the President was considering extending the recent salary increase enjoyed by members of the armed forces to police officers, other paramilitary personnel and pensioners.

“I want to assure you, very soon Mr. President is coming to commission a set of new aircraft and helicopters that have been bought. I think about 10 of them, and to show Nigerians that despite the economic issue, the issue of security is in the front burner of Mr President’s view.

“And so, for us, we are very happy. The recent increment of salaries for members of the armed forces. I’m sure very soon the police and all others are being addressed, including those of the pensioners.

“Nobody is going to be left behind. Mr. President wants every Nigerian and every citizen to be happy with what is ongoing, and he is fully committed in the peaceful efforts on what we are doing today,” Musa said.

The minister also called on Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies, stressing that maintaining peace and tackling insecurity required collective responsibility.

According to him, citizens should promptly report suspicious activities and any misconduct by security personnel to the appropriate authorities.

“And we want Nigerians to put their hands together to make sure that Nigeria remains free. Security is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not only for members of security forces.

“Everyone has a role to play. And we keep on preaching. Whatever you see that is going wrong, even with our members that are not doing what is right, please, don’t hesitate to report. Action will be taken,” he added.

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has said he would die a happy man if the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) could address the persistent failure of government agencies to comply with court judgments.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The renowned author criticised delays in enforcing judicial decisions, lamenting that some victims die without enjoying the benefits of justice they spent years fighting to obtain.

Soyinka made the remarks on Thursday while delivering a goodwill message at the inaugural Nigerian Ombudsman Annual Conference organised by the PCC in Abuja.

“If you can solve that for me, believe me, I will die happy,” he said, highlighting the gap between the delivery of justice and the enforcement of court rulings.

“Why is it that we cannot guarantee the implementation of the declaration of a judgment between the plaintiff, between the judgment itself, between the judges, the structure of justice and the victim?” he asked.

The Nobel Laureate also questioned why government agencies often disregard judicial decisions, even when they are delivered by competent courts in open proceedings.

“Why is it that people we know have actually died without seeing the fruits of their endeavours for justice?” he asked.

Soyinka cited cases in which citizens were forced to wait for years for government agencies to obey court orders, including directives requiring the return of confiscated passports.

He described such delayed justice as “medicine after death” and urged the Public Complaints Commission to make addressing the failure to enforce court judgments one of its primary responsibilities.

According to him, resolving the problem would help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and ensure that citizens who secure favourable court rulings can enjoy the benefits of their legal victories.