Furore over a Killing Order

 

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole

A directive by President Goodluck Jonathan that governors should sign death warrants of condemned convicts, is now generating widespread condemnation following the killing in Edo State last week of four persons condemned to death, write Shola Oyeyipo and Nkiruka Okoh

The presidency has come under fire following the statement by President Goodluck Jonathan during the activities marking the 2013 Fathers' Day celebration at the Aso Villa, Abuja on June 16 that it was the constitutional responsibility of governors to approve the death sentences passed on convicted criminals.

When giving his message at the Villa Chapel to commemorate the Fathers’ Day celebration, the president said the negative impacts of modernisation were eroding discipline, which he said used to be the hallmark of the family.
He said: “These days, because of modern life, discipline is almost gone. Discipline can be in various forms. In the states, it could be admonition. Magistrate can just admonish and allow him to go. From admonition to various forms of punishments, it could be imprisonment. The extreme is capital punishment.

“In the case of capital punishment, the state governors will sign the death sentence. Even governors sometimes find it difficult to sign. I have been telling the governors that they must sign because that is the law. The work we are doing has a very sweet part and a very ugly part and we must perform both. No matter how painful it is, it is part of their responsibilities.”

But hardly had the president finished talking about the issue than he started receiving knocks from Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), lawyers and international organisations, which warned that the directive must be reversed or ignored for various reasons.
Constitution lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), was one of those who came out early to condemn the statement credited to the president.

Though he acknowledged that the execution of the 912 convicts who are awaiting the hangman's noose in prisons could be part of a bid to tackle the problem of prison congestion, he warned that if the directive was carried out without allowing the conclusion of the legal procedures that the convicts have rights to, the president or any state governor who carries out such a directive might have issues to answer at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“I would like to call on President Jonathan to withdraw the directive for the immediate execution of condemned prisoners. However, if the directive is carried out in utter violation of the constitutional right of appeal of the convicts and they are killed before the determination of their appeals, it will be tantamount to crime against humanity for which the president may be charged and tried before the International Criminal Court. State governors are particularly cautioned to refrain from implementing the president's directive to avoid being dragged with him before the International Criminal Court," he said.

The European Union (EU) was also agitated by the issue. On June 18, the body publicly urged state governors not to sign execution warrants of death row inmates in compliance with the directive by the president. Instead, the EU urged for joint efforts to uphold the strong abolitionist trend which prevails on the African continent and as a first step towards that, the union advised Nigeria to amend its legislation in order to end the use of the death penalty as a punishment.

Similarly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) waded into the matter and asked the Commissioner, Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi, and Chairperson of the Working Group on Death Penalty to “order the Nigerian government to withdraw the directive to the states governors which implies that they should swiftly execute prisoners on death row across the country.
In a request for provisional measures dated June 25, and signed by solicitor to SERAP, Falana, the organisation said: “Unless the African Commission urgently intervenes in this case, there is a risk of irreversible denial of several death row prisoners in Nigeria, which in turn will render nugatory the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.”

The African Commission was also to request of Nigeria to “give assurances that the directive by President Jonathan will not be implemented by any of the 36 states of the federation of Nigeria and that the Nigerian government should also give assurances that they will fully implement the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.
A pan-Yoruba group, the Yoruba Youth Assembly (YYA), in its reaction contained in a press statement signed by its National President, Olarinde Thomas and the General-Secretary, Adegboyega Rasaq, also took a swipe at the presidency over the directive.
"Rather than acting swiftly at implementing punitive measures against youths, government must be seen as responsive to the plight of hapless Nigerian youths by addressing the problem of mass unemployment ravaging the country and which is the harbinger of criminal acts," Olarinde stated.

Interestingly, despite the heated argument and opposition that followed the president's directive, four condemned prisoners were killed last week by the Edo State Government. The action was trailed by widespread condemnation.
Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, while defending the state government, identified those executed as Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarenmwinda Aiguokhan and Richard Igagu, adding that one of the condemned convicts, ThankGod Ebohs, was yet to be executed because he was sentenced to death by firing squad whereas, the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) had only one hangman's noose for executing condemned persons.

Justifying the execution, he narrated the crimes committed by each of the condemned. According to him, Ebohs was convicted in Kaduna, by a Robbery and Firearm Tribunal for robbing a family, raping the wife of the family and forcing a bottle into the private part of the woman, an action that led to her death. The judgment stipulated the method of execution.
Ejiofor, a spare parts dealer in Benin City, killed a child delivered to him out of wedlock. Like, Ejiofor, Chima who had a child by an Edo woman remarried an Igbo woman, but during a Christmas celebration, he invited the child to spend the holiday with him. When the child came, he killed him, saying he does not want to have a child outside wedlock.

Aiguokhan, on his own part, killed his victim and buried the dismembered body in different places. Idahagbon, therefore, advised those against death penalty to direct their appeal to the National Assembly for an amendment to the law on murder and armed robbery.
“These are gory murders done by hardened criminals. If a person is convicted for armed robbery, the only thing the judge can give is the death penalty,” he added.

The explanation did not however go down well with a lot of people as condemnations trailed the execution of the four who were hanged in Benin City last Monday after their death warrants were signed by the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
Immediately, the United Kingdom Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, condemned the execution and urged authorities to halt further execution. He expressed regrets that the execution came only a few months before the Universal Periodic Review of Nigeria by the UN Human Rights Council.

The EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, also expressed deep regrets over the execution of the four prisoners, stating that the act represented a break of a seven-year moratorium on the death penalty and most regrettably, constituted a setback to Nigeria’s human rights record.
The body stated that the action of the Edo State Government went against the commitment repeatedly made by the Nigerian authorities most recently at the EU-Nigeria human rights dialogue held in Abuja in March and at the annual ministerial meeting in Brussels in May 2013, to maintain the de facto moratorium on executions.

“The executions can never be justified. I reiterate the longstanding opposition of the European Union to the use of the death penalty and recall the importance of UN resolutions calling for the establishment of a moratorium as a first step towards abolishing the death penalty. I urge the Nigerian authorities to refrain from further executions and urge state governors not to sign execution warrants," Ashton said.

SERAP, on its part, has asked that adequate compensation be paid to the families of the four prisoners already executed in Benin prison.
Issues pertaining to death penalty have remained controversial over the years, not just in Nigeria but worldwide. Many have called for its abolition or at least, moratorium. Some have suggested that death sentences be converted to life sentence (an option available to only pregnant women under S.271 (3) of the CPC and S.368 (2) of the CPA).
Others classify the law as outdated and proffered that it be expunged from the statutes and the constitution of the country.

About 98 countries in the world have abolished the death penalty from their statutes, while 57 nations, including Nigeria, still retain the law. Though the provision of the constitution of Nigeria is clear on death penalty or capital punishment, since the commencement of the democratic dispensation in 1999, there has been reluctance on the part of governors to sign the death warrant

The Drumbeat of War

 

Obi and Wada

If not quickly addressed, the lingering fight over an oil well between Kogi and Anambra States may degenerate, writes Shola Oyeyipo

The dispute between Kogi and Anambra States over an oil well located between Ibaji (Kogi) and Aguleri (Anambra) is yet to be resolved and one of the consequences of this, among other things, is the bitter rivalry that is silently claiming the lives and property of indigenes of both states.

The trend has continued to degenerate given the continued hostilities between the border communities. While residents of Ibaji would not budge until they are able to get back their land and fish ponds trapped within the disputed area, their counterparts in Aguleri will not allow any act of trespass on the land they vehemently claim ownership. In the midst of this sharp division, both sides have continuously pointed fingers at each other over who is the aggressor.

Recently, the Anambra East Local Council Chairman, Chinedu Obidigwe, accused the Kogi State Government of fanning the ember of discord in the troubled zone. According to him, the state is encouraging violence in the disputed area. "While in Anambra, officials continue to address their people to eschew violence, there is nothing to show that the Kogi State Government has been talking to its people concerning the dispute.
“As I am speaking to you, there is an ongoing communal war. And in a situation where there is a gun battle, you can’t rule out death; you cannot rule out casualties. A few days ago, (Ibaji) people invaded our area again and there was gun battle among three communities in the area. Eight of our people sustained gunshot wounds and three of them are still in hospital now. If somebody invades your place and starts burning your houses, what will you do?

“Of course, you will defend yourself. When they invaded our villages, they also burnt some schools. One of such schools is Okpaeze Migrant Fishermen School. That school has been there for almost 15 years now. They also burnt Okpuoka Migrant Fishermen School, one of the finest schools in that area. When they started shooting our people, the bullets hit some people while some people escaped.
“But when you have exhausted all your bullets, the people you have been shooting will start pursuing you. They may even pursue you beyond where you took off from. That is what happened a few days ago", Obidigwe said, recounting what propelled a recent clash that led to the death of some people.

The Kogi State government however disagreed with Obidigwe's allegations. The state maintained that Anambra officials were the actual aggressors that victimise the Kogi people in unprovoked attacks.
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, said it was unfortunate that a government official in the class of a council chairman in Anambra State (Obidigwe) is uttering comments capable of threatening peace and therefore advised the Anambra State Government to call Obidigwe to order.

Awoniyi expressed disdain for the allegation against Kogi State, which he felt was frivolous and deceptive. In his views, a well informed and cautious person like the Anambra State deputy governor or Secretary to Anambra State Government should adjudicate on behalf of the state in a sensitive matter as the disputed oil well, to avoid inflammatory statements.
Also, the Kogi State Liaison Officer for Oil and Gas at Ibaji, Mr. Daniel Omatola, said: "Obidigwe is accusing us of doing what they are doing exactly: Harassment, intimidation, provocation and abduction of Ibaji people and then rush to the media to pass the buck.
"It is not about oil; let us have our farmlands and fishing ponds. We warned our youths not to destroy the refinery because if they destroyed the refinery, they are destroying their own property. It is our farmland; it is our fish ponds we are concerned about. Even if we are not without our own mistakes, on the balance, we are not the aggressors; we are the victims.
"You can feel it from our voices, we have dead relations. The man in Anambra is combative. The man in Kogi is reconciliatory," Omatola said.

As it is, communities in Kogi State seem to be saying they are not too keen about the oil but the farmlands and fish ponds. On the other hand, the Anambra State Government has in place a security patrol team comprising soldiers, police and vigilante groups to protect the assets of the refinery.
Anger raged recently among the Ibaji people when the security reportedly arrested two Kogi indigenes from Odeke community for allegedly burning of thatched roofs in a farm in Anambra area. But the arrested persons were promptly released on the request of the Kogi State Government, which appealed to Anambra State.

“When this patrol is moving around, our people see their movement as an impending attempt to take over and colonise their farmlands. On the other side, when the patrol team sees our people, they are not sure whether they are moving towards their asset or going to their farmlands. The mutual suspicion that exists on either side is a major source of tension, constantly.
“And because Kogi State does not have a similar patrol team along that area; because we don’t have any need for it, our citizens who see this Anambra patrol team and feel threatened now constituted a vigilante group to forestall an imagined invasion. Kogi State Government has appealed to them to leave the bushes.

“After hearing their concerns, a detachment of policemen from Kogi State Police Command has been deployed in the two communities within Kogi State. The presence of police gives the assurance that they will not be invaded.
“With this development, my boss, Capt Idris Wada has sent top government officials from Kogi who are in touch with our counterparts in Anambra. I am in constant touch with the deputy governor of Anambra; the Divisional Police Officers, traditional rulers, DSS, commissioners of police on both sides are in constant touch," Awoniyi explained.

As the dispute persists with accusations and counter-accusations and sustained hostilities and suspicions, which constitute a drawback to efforts by both state governments to maintain peace, the pending demarcation exercise by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) ordered by President Goodluck Jonathan recently made many Nigerians to heave a sigh of relief.
The president's proclamation followed a meeting with Wada and his Anambra State counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi, in Abuja, where they deliberated on the matter.
After the meeting, a road map to peace was drawn with the creation of buffer zones as the NBC was charged to commence demarcation exercise on the land, expeditiously. Ironically, the exercise meant to commence on April 15 has been stalled by the resumption of hostilities, which has compelled the NBC officials to postpone the exercise indefinitely.

A group, Networks of Igala Association, has appealed to the aggrieved communities to avoid actions capable of sparking "unnecessary ethnic war." It also implored President Jonathan to wade into the lingering boundary dispute between Ibaji community in Kogi State and Aguleri Otu in Anambra State in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
President of the group, Dr Goodman Akwu, said since the Orient Oil has the right of exploration of the said oil well, the people of Ibaji in Kogi State, have the right to enjoy the benefit of their land. “It will be a shame if the people or the land that produced the oil for Orient Oils is refused to enjoy the benefit of it.”

In the midst of the controversy, the Chairman of Ibaji Council, David Ina Ogu, has down played the tendency for war and assured the people that peace was in sight.
He said: “People who have influence in their communities must not encourage violence. These are the things we should collectively address. We have always maintained that we can live peacefully with our neighbours. The people at the border share common affinity. We share common language. We fish together and farm together. We share the same natural environment and many of us have inter-married. I do not see any reason for friction if people have the fear of God.

"We must caution people who do not have understanding. We should live in peace and enjoy what God has endowed us with. Our people will continue to remain peaceful. There is no amount of provocation at the moment that will make us to retaliate. That notwithstanding, there must be efforts to protect the lives of people and property at the border communities. People who are involved in the security or other peace processes must not be bias or do anything that will create tension in the area."

Okonjo-Iweala Under Fire over Statement on Economy

National Assembly

2013 Budget Amendment Bill…

•Jonathan asks N'Assembly to restore budget cuts
•Minister: I never said economy would collapse 
•Nigeria's $1bn dual-tranche Eurobond over-subscribed by 400%

Ndubuisi Francis,Nzeshi Onwuka and,Omololu Ogunmade

The National Assembly is up in arms against the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over her warning that the government would not be able to pay salaries by September if the legislature failed to resolve the lingering impasse over the 2013 Budget Amendment Bill.

President Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded a bill amending the 2013 budget of N4.987 trillion to the National Assembly four months ago, an action the lawmakers have not been favourably disposed to.

Rather, the National Assembly has asked the executive to immediately commence work on the 2014 Appropriation Bill.

The delay over the amendment had prompted the minister to warn during a radio interview on Ray Power FM Monday that if there was no resolution on the bill, the government would not be able to pay public sector workers by September.

Reacting to Okonjo-Iweala’s statement, the Senate yesterday warned her to desist from any act capable of putting the National Assembly on a collision with the presidency on the 2013 budget amendment.

The Senate's spokesman, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, who said the Senate was perplexed by the comment, dismissed insinuations that the economy would collapse.

He said: “Firstly, the Senate does not view the comment kindly. The feeling of the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, has always been that we don't expect ministers, appointees of the president, to make comments that tend to make the legislature to be on a collision with the executive.

“We are working towards the same purpose. We do not agree with the minister that the economy will shut down if the National Assembly does not do anything about the budget.”

According to Abaribe, the third budget amendment proposal sent by Jonathan to the Senate was more voluminous than the original 2013 budget document, adding that as a result of the size of the new proposal, the Senate could not deliberate on it until senators returned from their annual vacation in September. The vacation begins in August.

“If there are differences, we shall discuss with the president in order to trash them out. The president cannot expect us to pass the proposal without looking into the volumnious document.

“The finance ninister should not put us on a collision course with the president. The Senate will consider what was sent,” he said.
Abaribe's reaction also coincided with the receipt of a new amendment proposal read on the floor of the Senate yesterday before the parliament suspended sitting in honour of the late Senator Pius Ewherido who passed on June 30.

In the new proposal, Jonathan accused the National Assembly of removing some capital votes from the initial proposed amendments thereby making execution of such projects impossible.

But in his reaction, Abaribe said it was impossible to pass a budget as submitted to the National Assembly.

As reported by THISDAY last week, the president's proposal indicated new changes across the expenditure categories.
He also sought to restore the original budgetary allocations of some capital projects “to promote national development”.

Some of these projects under contention include some projects under the Ministries of Works, Health, Power, Transport and Education, as well as the budgetary allocation for projects under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P).

“You will further recall that the personnel cost was cut across all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) which will make it difficult for government to meet its obligations to its workers,” the president said.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday postponed voting on the constitution amendment slated for this week as a result of the demise of Ewherido. Debate on the amendment will now take place next week.

The upper chamber also set up a nine-man committee to liaise with the family of the late senator on his burial.
Also reacting to Okonjo-Iweala’s statement on the budget amendment bill, the House of Representatives accused the minister of blackmailing the National Assembly and mandated its Committees on Appropriation, Finance and Legislative Compliance to invite her to explain the rationale behind her recent predictions on the economy.

The summon came just as the House also resolved to invite the top brass of the Nigerian security and intelligence forces over the increasing incidents of illegal oil bunkering in the country's coastal waters.

The House said the briefing on the   security situation across the coast would take place behind closed doors.
The House also appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities  (ASUU) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to call off the current strike embarked upon by both unions in the interest of the nation.

Rising on Order 8 Rule 46 of the House Rules, Deputy Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Samson Osagie (ACN/Edo), said the assertions of Okonjo-Iweala were intended not only to blackmail the legislators in the discharge of their constitutional mandate but also to incite Nigerian workers against the National Assembly.

Osagie argued that the non-passage of the budget amendment bill could not be an excuse for the non-implementation of the substantive budget.

He said the National Assembly had always been alive to its responsibilities and would not be stampeded by “any government appointee” in the discharge of its duties.

“We are aware that there is a valid Appropriation Act duly signed into law by the president which is the operating budget for the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the 2013 financial year.

“We are also aware that from available field reports, the executive organ of government is deliberately delaying or exercising undue tardiness in the implementation of the 2013 budget.

“The House is worried that the Minister of Finance has consistently insulted the sensibilities of the National Assembly through her constant umbrage and blackmail of this institution,” he said.

After Osagie’s comment, there was no further debate on the matter as the House endorsed the motion and insisted that the 2013 Appropriation Act must be implemented to the letter in spite of the amendment proposal pending before the National Assembly.
In another motion, Hon. Ali Madaki drew the attention of the House to dwindling oil exploration in Nigeria and its attendant consequences on the economy.

Madaki said the rising incidents of theft of crude oil in Nigeria, estimated at 300,000 barrels per day, was taking its toll on the economy.
He recalled that in order to stem the tide of crude oil theft, the federal government had awarded pipeline surveillance contracts to some firms to secure the nation's waterways but observed that the incidents have remained on the rise.

Adopting the motion, the House asked the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to install automated metering to verify actual oil production from the oil wells, flow heads and export terminals. 

It also urged the federal government to fully equip the security forces so that they can discharge their constitutional mandates as provided for in Section 217 (2) (b) of the constitution.

The lawmakers also urged the federal government to prosecute those involved in oil theft no matter how highly placed as this would   serve as a deterrent to others.

But in response to the National Assembly’s anger over her statement, Okonjo-Iweala informed THISDAY that she never said the economy would collapse in the interview, insisting that it was the interpretation given by the media.
She maintained her position that the budget amendment should be passed to forestall the non-payment of public sector wages by September.

She said: “N32 billion was shaved off from the personnel cost by the National Assembly. Although our total wage bill is N1.7 trillion, by removing N32 billion, it has affected our ability to meet our obligations to workers.

“It is not that all civil servants will be affected by the N32 billion deduction, but how do we determine who to pay and those we should not pay by the alteration of the personnel cost by the National Assembly.

“So all I was saying was the legislature should please restore the costs that were deducted for personnel as well as those of other ministries.”

In the meantime, Nigeria yesterday successfully returned to the markets with a $1 billion dual-tranche international bond offering comprising a $500 million five-year bond and $500 million 10-year bond at coupons of 5.125 per cent and 6.375 per cent per annum respectively, which were over-subscribed by 400 per cent.

In a statement issued by Okonjo-Iweala last night, the minister said the issuance came on the back of highly volatile international financial markets, which saw sharp drops in prices of equities and bonds following expectations of a tapering of quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank.

The anticipation of reduced liquidity and higher interest rates saw investors sell off some assets especially those from the emerging markets (EM) sector.

During this period of market turmoil, investors became averse to EM risk, switching significant portion of their holdings into cash and near-cash assets and away from tenored assets.

She said the success level of the two new Nigeria international bonds against the backdrop of volatile financial markets in which only a few new deals were priced, is further captured in the high level of subscription recorded for each of the two new issues and the ability to tap both the medium and long-term parts of the yield curve.

"The two tranche offering gave Nigeria the opportunity to achieve an overall cheaper cost of borrowing (the 5-year bond was priced 125 bps cheaper than the 10-year bond) while also creating new 5-year and 10-year sovereign benchmark reference points," the minister explained.

The transaction was distributed primarily to U.S investors, followed by those in Europe, Asia and other regions of the world.
Investors that participated in the transaction included fund managers, private banks/banks, pension/insurance funds and other investors.

Okonjo-Iweala added that the strong sponsorship and demand for Nigeria’s sovereign debt securities in the international capital markets (ICM) was evident during the roadshow in Europe and the U.S., where top institutional investors considered Nigeria to be one of the top performers among EM countries and certainly one of only a few African countries with the appropriate credit story for investors during this time.

The transaction marked the largest international public benchmark bond issuance from a sub-Saharan African sovereign in 2013 year-to-date and testifies to investors' ongoing interest in the unlocked potential in Nigeria.
The minister disclosed to THISDAY that the bonds were 400 per cent over-subscribed at 275 basis points lower than what Nigeria offered in 2011 when it issued a $500 million Euro bond 

Messi and Friends match in Los Angeles canceled

  The exhibition match for Messi and Friends, originally scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, has been canceled.

"After hours of trying to convince Lionel Messi's management team to fulfill their contractual agreement and come to Los Angeles, it is clear they have no respect for these fans and this market. We feel that this is a blatant attempt to defraud American citizens and businesses that sponsored this event," said Todd Graham - CEO, El Padrino Spirits, Inc. in a barbed press release.

The three-city tour already played a match on June 29, in Medellin, Colombia. Messi and Friends beat the Rest of the World, 9-6. The status of the match in Chicago on July 6 is unknown.

Spain U-20 2-1 Mexico U-20: Heartbreak for eliminated El Tri

Mexico's Under-20 national team had Spain on its heels for the vast majority of their FIFA U-20 World Cup round of 16 encounter Tuesday, but a late surge from the tournament favorite cut Mexico's upset bid short in heartbreaking fashion.

Jese's deflected stoppage-time goal guided Spain to a come-from-behind, 2-1 victory over Sergio Almaguer's Mexico in their round of 16 clash in Istanbul, eliminating El Tri and clinching Spain's place in the quarterfinals of the competition.

Mexico had taken an early lead through Arturo Gonzalez, who stunned Spain with a 2nd-minute wonder strike. Gonzalez ran onto a 40-yard pass from Jesus Corona and hit a vicious left-footed volley in stride to put Mexico on top. Mexico maintained control of the game and had another chance later in the half, as Jorge Espericueta rattled the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.

Mexico and FC Dallas goalkeeper Richard Sanchez preserved the 1-0 lead in the 50th minute, extending to rob Paco Alcacer of a would-be equalizer after a nifty combination with Jese put the Spanish attacker in on goal.

Buoyed by the play of its goalkeeper, Mexico looked to build its advantage and nearly did through Corona, who was robbed of a chance to extend the team's lead in the 67th minute. He cut back on a defender inside the box and rifled a left-footed shot that was stuffed by a diving Daniel Sotres.

Spain asserted itself in the final stages of the match, though, and finally got its equalizer in the 74th minute. Derik tallied the goal, with the center back volleying home a flicked-on header by the far post off a corner kick to bring Spain level.

Spain nearly went ahead in the 79th minute, with Sanchez being forced to dive to his right to deny Denis Suarez's shot to the near post. In the 90th minute, Sanchez kept an Alcacer shot from the edge of the box from reaching the upper 90 with a sprawling save.

Sanchez could do little to stop Jese's deflected shot from 20 yards, though, as Mexico was forced to bow out despite a strong showing and Spain advanced to face either Nigeria or Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

Kings make $56 million offer to Andre Iguodala

The Sacramento Kings are pursuing Andre Iguodala with a four-year, $56 million offer, making them the frontrunner to sign the Denver Nuggets free-agent forward, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

  Kings general manager Pete D'Alessandro recently left the Nuggets front office to become Sacramento's top executive and he's pushing hard to convince Iguodala to be a cornerstone for the franchise. 

Iguodala, 29, has an initial five-year offer to return to the Nuggets, but it is below the Kings' unexpectedly aggressive bid for him, league sources told Y! Sports. The $14 million-a-year offer is a steep price for Iguodala in this marketplace, and it is possible that the Nuggets won't go that high to hold onto him.

Iguodala averaged 13 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists a game for the Nuggets a year ago. He had spent the first seven years of his career in Philadelphia.

The push for Iguodala, if consummated, likely means the end for Tyreke Evans in Sacramento. The Kings are prepared to let restricted free agent Tyreke Evans sign a four-year, $44 million offer sheet with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told Y! Sports.

Broke Olympic speedskating hopeful raises more than $17,000

  The hard truth of training to be an Olympian doesn't just involve the sacrifice of time, blood, sweat and tears. Most Olympic hopefuls also sacrifice financially. Outside of the marquee athletes in top sports, many struggle to pay the bills.

USA Today profiled speedskater Emily Scott, who took second at the short track national championships in December. Scott's stipend from the U.S. Speedskating Association was cut from $1,950 to $600 this month, and she has applied for food stamps as well as picked up a part time job at a factory.

"The last thing you want to be worried about in a year like this is being able to pay your rent and eat, and you want to eat healthy," she said at lunch as she twirled a spoon in a bowl of soup. "That was pretty hard. ... But I'm not the only one suffering."

Unlike every other Olympic committee on the planet, the United State government does not give any financial support to its athletes. American Olympians get their support from corporate sponsors and private donations.
But there is good news. Since USA Today's story ran this morning, Scott has raised more than $17,000 on her Go Fund Me page. She said thank you was not enough:

I know that Thank You is not enough but sincerely, Thank You to everyone that has donated and everyone for just believing in me. I promise that I will give 110% every single day. Every single one of you are truly a blessing to me, Thank You.