Credit : CBS This Morning
Saturday, 27 May 2017
Mourinho set to use de Gea as part of Morata deal
Spanish outlet Marca claim, Jose Mourinho is set to use David de Gea as part of a deal to get Alvaro Morata to Old Trafford this summer.
If Real Madrid are going to go back in for de Gea this transfer window then Mourinho will want €75 million for the shot-stopper, however, the fee could drop to €25 million if the striker moves in the opposite direction.
Although the Red Devils will be losing a great goalkeeper, the extra €25 million could go straight into the transfer kitty to find his possible replacement.
For Morata, his preferred destination is Italy over England but if the right amount of money is offered to the player then he can easily be swayed.
Morata, who has been linked with Chelsea already this season, could be tempted to Old Trafford for regular first-team football, something he is not getting at Real Madrid.
Zidane hails 'extraordinary' Buffon
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane labelled Juventus great Gianluigi Buffon as "extraordinary" ahead of the Champions League final between the teams.
Buffon, 39, and his stellar Juve defence stand between Madrid and a 12th European crown as the clubs prepare for the June 3 decider in Cardiff.
Zidane, who left the Serie A giants as a player as Buffon arrived, hailed the shot-stopper for his career.
"I think it's about what he has achieved. He's a born leader," Zidane told UEFA.com. "He has been an extraordinary player throughout his career.
"He's a leader on the pitch and a great captain. In terms of everything he has said about players that he has met, he has always looked out for his fellow professionals.
"That shows you the sort of person he is, besides being a great goalkeeper and leader."
A World Cup winner, Buffon has claimed eight league titles with Juve, but is still searching for his first Champions League crown – having twice been a runner-up.
Russians warned against visiting UK over terror threat
Russian authorities on Friday warned its citizens against visiting Britain after London raised its threat level in the wake of the Manchester suicide attack.
“The Russian embassy in Great Britain recommends Russian citizens refrain from travelling to the country, especially from visiting major cities, if such trips are not absolutely necessary,” Russia’s state tourism agency said in a statement.
“This is due to the fact that the government of Great Britain has raised the level of the terrorist threat in the country to the maximum possible,” it said.
The agency called on Russians to “take the warnings as seriously as possible” and ordered tour operators to inform their clients about the threat level in the UK.
British police are currently hunting for a jihadist network believed to behind the deadly bombing of in Manchester that killed 22 people.
Manchester-born Salman Abedi launched the attack on young fans attending a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande in the latest atrocity claimed by the Islamic State group in Europe.
Authorities raised the country’s threat level to maximum and deployed soldiers to key sites as Prime Minister Theresa warned that another attack “may be imminent”.
Ties between Moscow and London are currently at their lowest level since the Cold War over the crisis in Ukraine, but Russian leader Vladimir Putin said he was ready to boost anti-terror cooperation with the UK after the bombing.
Pastor and Wife in big crisis Over Certificate
Investigation by Trail Reporters has revealed that, the crisis currently rocking the Kairo’s Embassy Church and its founder, Pastor Nsikak Nseabasi, has other roots unknown to the public.
Trail Reporters had published a story, yesterday, May 25, 2017, with details of how alleged thugs beat the pastor’s wife in the church premises, with allegations of sexual scandal surrounding the pastor.
Trail Reporters had published a story, yesterday, May 25, 2017, with details of how alleged thugs beat the pastor’s wife in the church premises, with allegations of sexual scandal surrounding the pastor.
Findings from our investigation shows that, the wife, Idongesit Ukpong ,who is now referred to as the former wife of the pastor, got married and had a daughter, without his knowledge, and the pastor married her again on 30th September, 2012, when her first husband, Anietie Samuel is still alive, and never divorced her.
Information obtained by Trail Reporters says, Idongesit Ukpong had lied to Pastor Nsikak, that she holds a Master of Arts degree in English, and did her National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) in Abakiliki, when she actually did not graduate from the university.
The discovery we learnt, was made, when she was to be employed in the University of Uyo as an Assistant Lecturer, and the husband was asked to tell her to bring her certificates, which turned out that, she had none, including a first degree.
Pastor's wifeProbing further, our medium also gathered that, Idongesit Ukpong’s international passport carries 22nd December 1977 as her birth age, but had told the pastor that she was born in December 22, 1981, when the pastor was born in 28th August,1982.
Furthermore, we also learnt that, her younger brother, Enobong Ukpong was born in 1977, and she would not have been of the same age with the younger brother, who is a pastor.
Former Pastor’s wife We gathered that, with these discoveries and having another husband, the pastor sought for dissolution of the marriage on February 13, 2016, and left the house, while commencing the court process of dissolution in May, 2016, which was the beginning of his troubles.
In an exclusive video clip and pictures available to Trail Reporters, the events that happened in Kairo’s Embassy church on Wednesday was well captured, as some Journalists were brought in with consolidated chapel bus of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State council, were the protocol unit of the church, prevented them from gaining access into the church premises.
We further gathered that, Idongesit Ukpong, the former wife of the pastor had disguised herself, and came in a keke motorcycle, where she was first prevented from entering the church when service was on, before the arrival of the Journalists, which later led to an outburst, where the Journalists had to scamper for safety.
Sources who spoke with our Reporters said, Evelyn Etim who is being accused of having sexual affair with the pastor, was in the hotel with about 9 persons seated, when the former Pastor’s wife stormed the hotel, and she is only a church member, who had nothing with the pastor.
Policemen at IBB junction, eagle 7 who came in their SUV, advised the Journalists and others to leave the church premises, before the arrival of the men of the Special Anti Robbery squad from the State police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia.
The case, we learnt is currently in Onna customary court, awaiting formal dissolution. - Trail Reporters
The case, we learnt is currently in Onna customary court, awaiting formal dissolution. - Trail Reporters
Woman Seeking Miracle At TB Joshua’s Church Nabbed Over Kidnap Of Policeman’s Son
Four-year-old Godwin Shekidat was abducted on February 13, 2017 by a couple at Masaka area of Nasarawa State, while he was on his way back from school. But when the boy’s father, Monday, a police inspector, received a message from someone claiming to know where his son was, his joy knew no bounds.
But it turned out that the message was sent by a Cameroonian, 30-year-old Tanla Mirabel, who had lodged in Ikotun area of Lagos and seeking healing for her Asthma at TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations. Mirabel, it was learnt, was working in collusion was her Nigerian boyfriend, Rafael Adedayo.
The police said both Mirabel and Adedayo saw an opportunity to extort money from Monday and grabbed it. The duo were said to have got hold of Monday’s phone number through an alert circulated on the social media, which included the phone number of the victim’s father.
Saturday Punch learnt that as soon as Monday knew that his son was indeed abducted, he had informed police authorities who tasked the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team with tracking down the suspects.
According to a source in the team, the duo contacted Monday claiming to know those behind the kidnapping of his son. They also demanded he pay them a certain amount of money for that information.
The text messages through which the duo contacted Monday were sent through Mirabel’s number.
One of the text messages, read, “Good evening, I know where your son is, don’t call but just send SMS. I am risking my life to tell you this but I am doing it on one condition. Will you accept it? I am not joking, I know where he is and my parents are keeping him for rituals.
“Send me airtime so I can send you more text messages because my airtime has almost finished. I need N40,000 from you and I will tell you where your son is, I am not joking, I promise to tell you where he is.
“The moment you send me the money; I will personally call you to come to my parents’ house with the police. I will send you my account details, but let me know when you are ready, but delay is very dangerous.
“I have seen the airtime, when are you sending the money. Tomorrow you will see your son but don’t just involve the police, if you do, you will not see your son again.”
Monday was said to have reported the development to the IRT, which tracked down Mirabel.
The IRT also trailed the owner of an account number in which they instructed Monday to deposit the money. The account belonged to one Mary, a resident of Ikotun area of Lagos.
Mirabel, who is two months pregnant for Adedayo, explained that she met her boyfriend when she travelled to Synagogue Church of All Nations for healing but became stranded.
Narrating how she met Adedayo, an indigene of Bamenda in Cameroun, Mirabel said, “ I came to Nigeria three months ago and I stayed in my brother’s house in Kano State. I had only N10,000 on me when I left Kano and came to Lagos. I went to TB Joshua’s church that day because I am an asthmatic patient and I wanted him to pray for me for healing. But when I arrived the church, the ushers did not allow me to see him.
“I became stranded and stood at the bus stop when I had nowhere to go that night. Adedayo approached me there and asked where I was going. I told him I had nowhere to go. He told me he had a lodge where he paid N500 per night and offered to accommodate me.
“I lived with him and he fed me for two weeks. There was a day he left the room with my phone and when he came back, he said he saw a post on my phone about a missing boy and the parents of the missing child published their phone numbers, offering a reward for anyone with information that could lead them to the child.”
Mirabel said Adedayo then directed him to send an sms to the phone number informing the parents that she knew where the missing boy was.
He allegedly told her to request N40,000 for his return.
Mirabel told the police that when she refused, Adedayo threatened to destroy her travelling documents, which he had in his custody.
“I had no choice but to send the SMS to the phone number he provided. I did not even know about any missing child until Adedayo told me about the post,” she said.
According to her, she did not know the person she was sending a message to was a policeman, adding that her boyfriend thought the boy’s parents were wealthy.
“Adedayo said he had spent a lot of money on me and hoped to recoup it from the money he gets from the missing boy’s father. He said my role was to make sure that the man pays the money,” Mirabel said.
But Adedayo, a Kogi State indigene, denied involvement in the scam.
He said in his statement to the police that he gave an account number to Mirabel without knowing what she wanted to do with it.
He said, “I met Mirabel in February. I approached her and asked if she needed a lodge. She told me that she was stranded and she had no money and begged for assistance.
“I accommodated her for two days. Later, she called and said she needed an account number.
“I then approached one Mary who lives around my lodge and she gave me her account number, which I gave to Mirabel.
“I went to work but by the time I came back, Mirabel was gone. I don’t know where she went to. But four months later, I was arrested and was taken to Abuja.
“Mirabel told the police that I was part of the plan to extort the boy’s father but I had no hand in it. Between God and man, I wasn’t the one who asked Mirabel to send those messages.”
Adedayo said she did not have any sexual relation with Mirabel until March 2017, when some women in their lodge started calling her his girlfriend.
“I didn’t know that she got herself into this mess, I hadn’t seen her in a long time until I was arrested. She is making this whole thing up,” he said.
The police said investigation was still ongoing on the case and that the suspects would be charged to court when investigators finish their work.
But it turned out that the message was sent by a Cameroonian, 30-year-old Tanla Mirabel, who had lodged in Ikotun area of Lagos and seeking healing for her Asthma at TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations. Mirabel, it was learnt, was working in collusion was her Nigerian boyfriend, Rafael Adedayo.
The police said both Mirabel and Adedayo saw an opportunity to extort money from Monday and grabbed it. The duo were said to have got hold of Monday’s phone number through an alert circulated on the social media, which included the phone number of the victim’s father.
Saturday Punch learnt that as soon as Monday knew that his son was indeed abducted, he had informed police authorities who tasked the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team with tracking down the suspects.
According to a source in the team, the duo contacted Monday claiming to know those behind the kidnapping of his son. They also demanded he pay them a certain amount of money for that information.
The text messages through which the duo contacted Monday were sent through Mirabel’s number.
One of the text messages, read, “Good evening, I know where your son is, don’t call but just send SMS. I am risking my life to tell you this but I am doing it on one condition. Will you accept it? I am not joking, I know where he is and my parents are keeping him for rituals.
“Send me airtime so I can send you more text messages because my airtime has almost finished. I need N40,000 from you and I will tell you where your son is, I am not joking, I promise to tell you where he is.
“The moment you send me the money; I will personally call you to come to my parents’ house with the police. I will send you my account details, but let me know when you are ready, but delay is very dangerous.
“I have seen the airtime, when are you sending the money. Tomorrow you will see your son but don’t just involve the police, if you do, you will not see your son again.”
Monday was said to have reported the development to the IRT, which tracked down Mirabel.
The IRT also trailed the owner of an account number in which they instructed Monday to deposit the money. The account belonged to one Mary, a resident of Ikotun area of Lagos.
Mirabel, who is two months pregnant for Adedayo, explained that she met her boyfriend when she travelled to Synagogue Church of All Nations for healing but became stranded.
Narrating how she met Adedayo, an indigene of Bamenda in Cameroun, Mirabel said, “ I came to Nigeria three months ago and I stayed in my brother’s house in Kano State. I had only N10,000 on me when I left Kano and came to Lagos. I went to TB Joshua’s church that day because I am an asthmatic patient and I wanted him to pray for me for healing. But when I arrived the church, the ushers did not allow me to see him.
“I became stranded and stood at the bus stop when I had nowhere to go that night. Adedayo approached me there and asked where I was going. I told him I had nowhere to go. He told me he had a lodge where he paid N500 per night and offered to accommodate me.
“I lived with him and he fed me for two weeks. There was a day he left the room with my phone and when he came back, he said he saw a post on my phone about a missing boy and the parents of the missing child published their phone numbers, offering a reward for anyone with information that could lead them to the child.”
Mirabel said Adedayo then directed him to send an sms to the phone number informing the parents that she knew where the missing boy was.
He allegedly told her to request N40,000 for his return.
Mirabel told the police that when she refused, Adedayo threatened to destroy her travelling documents, which he had in his custody.
“I had no choice but to send the SMS to the phone number he provided. I did not even know about any missing child until Adedayo told me about the post,” she said.
According to her, she did not know the person she was sending a message to was a policeman, adding that her boyfriend thought the boy’s parents were wealthy.
“Adedayo said he had spent a lot of money on me and hoped to recoup it from the money he gets from the missing boy’s father. He said my role was to make sure that the man pays the money,” Mirabel said.
But Adedayo, a Kogi State indigene, denied involvement in the scam.
He said in his statement to the police that he gave an account number to Mirabel without knowing what she wanted to do with it.
He said, “I met Mirabel in February. I approached her and asked if she needed a lodge. She told me that she was stranded and she had no money and begged for assistance.
“I accommodated her for two days. Later, she called and said she needed an account number.
“I then approached one Mary who lives around my lodge and she gave me her account number, which I gave to Mirabel.
“I went to work but by the time I came back, Mirabel was gone. I don’t know where she went to. But four months later, I was arrested and was taken to Abuja.
“Mirabel told the police that I was part of the plan to extort the boy’s father but I had no hand in it. Between God and man, I wasn’t the one who asked Mirabel to send those messages.”
Adedayo said she did not have any sexual relation with Mirabel until March 2017, when some women in their lodge started calling her his girlfriend.
“I didn’t know that she got herself into this mess, I hadn’t seen her in a long time until I was arrested. She is making this whole thing up,” he said.
The police said investigation was still ongoing on the case and that the suspects would be charged to court when investigators finish their work.
Man City close in on Ederson & Mendy and could make official announcement on Monday
Manchester City are closing in on Benfica goalkeeper Ederson and Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy, Goal understands.
City are confident they will conclude negotiations for Ederson shortly after Benfica's Taca de Portugal final against Vitoria Guimaraes on Sunday.
And it has also emerged on Saturday afternoon that City agreed personal terms with Mendy during last week, despite rival interest from Manchester United.
It is also believed a move for Tottenham's Kyle Walker is close to completion.
City confirmed the signing of Bernardo Silva from Monaco on Friday and Goal has learned the club have prepared staff for another official announcement on Monday.
The Blues may have to pay upwards of £35 million for Ederson, according to the Portuguese press. That figure would eclipse the world record £33m fee Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
Whether the eventual fee surpasses the world record or not, City believe they are buying a goalkeeper who has the potential to be one of the very best in the world and, crucially, one who fits into Pep Guardiola's plans.
Benfica only own 50 per cent of the keeper's rights and are therefore holding out for as large a transfer fee as possible, as they will have to split half of the total between Rio Ave, the Brazilian's former club, and football agency Gestifute.
Mendy could cost City around £39m, with the Blues keen to finalise a deal as soon as possible having identified the 22-year-old as a priority target some time ago.
As with Bernardo Silva, who signed for £43m on Friday, the Blues have been working on deals for Ederson, Mendy and Walker in recent months and are now close to making official announcements long before the transfer window officially opens in July.
Ederson could arrive in Manchester at the start of next week following Sunday's cup final with Benfica. Jorge Mendes, who has been at City's training ground to facilitate Silva's move, is also the Brazilian's agent and owner of Gestifutre, and will help resolve any lingering third-party issues.
Given Ederson's rights are owned by a former club and Mendes' own company, City believe they will be able to find a swift resolution.
Although any transfer fee above £33m would represent a world record fee for a goalkeeper in pound sterling, Juventus actually bought Buffon for €55m, which is around €15m more in euros than Benfica could receive for Ederson.
Whatever the current conversion rates or potential records, City are ready to pay big money for their top targets this summer as they realise the best players on the market will be coveted by the biggest and richest clubs around Europe.
2 arrested for trying to force alligator to drink beer
Two men who admitted to blowing smoke into a young alligator's mouth and pouring beer down its throat have been charged with harassing wildlife.
State Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Kyndel McConchie said Friday that 20-year-old Joseph Andrew Floyd Jr. and 21-year-old Zachary Lloyd Brown admitted to officers that they picked up the alligator after they saw it crossing the road.
McConchie said the two Ridgeland men also acknowledged posting photos of their actions on social media.
Authorities said Floyd told officers they released the alligator and watched it swim away in a nearby pond.
The misdemeanor charge of harassing wildlife carries a maximum fine of $300.
The Island Packet of Hilton Head Island reported that concerned citizens tipped off the Department of Natural Resources. - AP
Rooney likely to leave United
Wayne Rooney is likely to leave Manchester United this summer, Sky sources understand.
Rooney is eager to play first-team football, with the 31-year-old having been dropped from the latest England squad by Gareth Southgate, and has offers from both the Premier League and abroad.
The former Everton forward is unlikely to be offered a deal from an English top-flight club which matches what he is currently earning at Old
"I've played for two Premier League clubs and they're the only two Premier League clubs I'll play for," said Rooney.
Rooney still has two years remaining on his current contract at United and on Wednesday said he would take a few weeks to finalise his plans having "more or less" made up his mind on where he will be next season.
Manchester United remain relaxed about Rooney's situation, with the club happy for him to stay but also prepared to offload his high earnings onto a new recruit.
City sign Bernardo Silva
Manchester City have completed the signing of midfielder Bernardo Silva from Monaco.
Sky Sports News HQ understands the 22-year-old has joined City for £43m and has signed a five-year deal at the Etihad.
Silva, who will wear the number 20 shirt at City, becomes Pep Guardiola's first major signing of the summer.
"It feels great. To be honest I'm now at one of the best teams in the world. To be part of this club and to have this opportunity is great," Silva told the club's website.
"I'm very happy to be part of Manchester City's team and I look forward to trying to do my best to help the team reach their goals.
"If not the best coach in the world, [Guardiola] is one of the best.
"Of course when you have the opportunity of being trained by Guardiola, you don't say no.
"As we all know, what he did in Barcelona and Bayern Munich was amazing and we expect also here that he will win titles. It's great to be working with him and to have this opportunity."
A product of the Benfica academy, Silva has 12 caps for Portugal's senior side and has helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title this season, scoring eight goals in his 36 French top-flight appearances.
Wenger to give away FA Cup medal if Arsenal beat Chelsea
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he will give away his FA Cup winners' medal even though victory would make him the most successful manager in the competition's history.
The Gunners face Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday as they look to claim their third FA Cup in the last four seasons and seventh overall for their manager.
That would give Wenger the outright record, which he currently ties with former Aston Villa boss George Ramsay.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are eyeing a double and first Cup crown since 2012, but Wenger will not be keeping any memorabilia if Arsenal can stop their rivals.
"I have no medals at home from anything," the Arsenal boss told reporters.
"You come to my home you will be surprised. There is no trophy, no medal, nothing.
"I give them always out. There is always a guy at the club who did not get a medal, a member of staff so I have given it to him. So you are always a medal short and you will always find someone who takes it.
"I am not a back-looker. I am always forward. At home you would not even guess that I am a football manager, apart from the fact that a football game is on.
"I am not separated from football. I am completely in football. I watch the game that is on the night but I don't look back what we have won, what we have done and all that, what we have lost.
"I have memories of the human beings, human experiences. That is more shared emotions and things like that."
Arsenal are under pressure coming into the game, having failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Wenger must cope with a selection crisis in defence, with Laurent Koscielny suspended, Gabriel injured and Shkodran Mustafi doubtful – meaning Per Mertesacker is set to make his first start in over a year.
Despite those issues, Antonio Conte has claimed Arsenal are favourites, a stance Wenger laughed off ahead of the match.
Wenger said: "Chelsea think we are favourites? He can think what he wants.
"If he can justify it during the game it is even better.
"I expect us of course to win. But it is true that Chelsea in the neutrals' opinions might be the favourites."
Silva to become Watford boss
Former Hull City boss Marco Silva has agreed a deal with Watford to become their new head coach, according to Sky sources.
It is understood the Portuguese will start his new job on July 1 and there is likely to be an official announcement in the next 24 hours.
Hull confirmed on Wednesday that Silva had activated a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave his position as the club's head coach.
Silva was appointed as Hull boss in January following the sacking of Mike Phelan, with the club languishing in 20th place in the Premier League.
Silva, previously of Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos, won eight of his 22 matches in charge of the Tigers, but was unable to prevent them from suffering relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
Watford have been looking for a new first-team boss since confirming the departure of Walter Mazzarri as head coach earlier this month.
The Italian was in charge of the Hornets for less than a year and was relieved of his duties following a run of 10 defeats in 14 matches.
This is why Prince Harry hasn't proposed to Meghan Markle yet
In the wake of Pippa Middleton's wedding, people are already looking forward to the next "royal" nuptials, with all signs pointing to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Though fans may be eager to see the couple take their relationship to the next level, Prince Harry is taking his time before proposing. (He and Markle have barely been dating for a year.) Specifically, he wants her to get used to royal life before he considers popping the question, according to royal biographer Ingrid Seward.
"He wants her to acclimatise to it all," Seward told People. "It's such a whole different world to move into - there's so much to get used to."
It seems like the actress is smoothly transitioning into royal life. She and Harry often take overseas trips to visit each other in London and Toronto; she's already met numerous members of the royal family; and there are even reports she might move in to Kensington Palace to live with him.
Though the pair's relationship might be getting serious, they could still have a long way to go. Harry's older brother Prince William and Kate Middleton took their time before saying "I do."
The now-Duke and Duchess were first reported to be dating in 2004, before getting engaged in 2010. (They briefly split and reunited in 2007.) They finally tied the knot in April 2011. It wouldn't come as a surprise if Harry and Meghan went at the same speed. - Harper's Bazaar
Dbanj welcomes first child, Daniel Oyebanjo (Photo)
Two Notorious Nigerian Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking in Cambodia (Photos)
Two Nigerians -33-year-old Adibe Paschal and his partner in crime, 42-year-old Okafor Ifeanyi Anthony, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly smuggling 1.27 kg of cocaine in their stomach to Cambodia.
The two excreted about 70 wraps of cocaine after their arrest in May 2016. After appearing in court on Wednesday, the Judge in charge of their case, sentenced them to life imprisonment and $10,000 fine each for smuggling more than 1kg of cocaine into Cambodia.
The Thailand-bound drug smugglers departed Nigeria for Vietnam and arrived Cambodia via Dubai from where they were arrested.
Drama in church as wife accuses pastor of impregnating female member
It was an embarrassing scene at a local church in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Wednesday, when the wife of the founder and pastor of the church openly informed worshippers that her husband was not just living an adulterous life but had impregnated a female member of the church.
The pastor’s wife, Idongesit Ese, was prevented from entering the auditorium of Kairos Rhema Embassy. But she defiantly stood at the church premises to tell her story.
“I want every man and woman who has conscience in this church to ask my husband why he is doing this to me, why would he be sleeping with a young girl who came to seek counseling and prayers from him,” Mrs. Ese said with teary eyes to a handful of churchgoers who gathered around her.
“I caught my husband in a hotel having sex with Evelyn Etim, a member of our church. As I speak to you, Evelyn has given birth to a baby boy and she is living in Eket with my husband.”
Ms. Etim, accused of having an affair with the pastor, could not be reached.
Nsikanabasi Ese, the pastor of Kairos, may have had a hint of the wife’s intention, it seemed. As soon as the wife stepped out of the car and walked up to the front of the church, a dozen of young men said to be hired thugs accosted her and told her that she did not have the pastor’s permission to attend the church service.
The incident occurred around 12 noon at Bassey Esau Street, off Aka Itiam, where the church is located.
Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that they saw one of the thugs slap the pastor’s wife.
Mr. Ese is the same pastor who, some weeks ago, knocked down a customs officer on a highway in Akwa Ibom while trying to evade duties check, as reported by this newspaper.
Journalists who went to cover Wednesday’s incident in Mr. Nsikanabasi’s church, were violently attacked by the thugs, despite the fact that they were driving in a bus that had the name and logo of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on it. One journalist had his shirt torn. Another was beaten with a club.
The situation became a bit calm when policemen arrived.
The pastor’s wife, Mrs. Ese, now being more relaxed, brought out photos from her handbag and showed them around to buttress her points. She showed people a photo of herself with a bloodied face.
“That’s when my husband, so called man of God, beat me and hit me with his car and ran away with Evelyn Etim when I caught them in the hotel,” she explained.
She also displayed a photo of a young woman whom she said was that of the alleged intruder, Evelyn Etim.
“I want members of the church to know why I haven’t been attending programmes in the church,” Mrs. Ese said. “Many people have been calling my telephone line to inform me that my husband lied to the congregation that I traveled out of the country.
“This is the moment of truth. Let the people know what has been going on in my marriage and in the church…. I believed and trusted this man with my whole life. I am still asking myself one question, is this the same man who once woke me up late in the night, stood stark naked before me, poured anointing all on his head and swore that God should destroy him and his ministry the day he sleeps with any woman other than his wife!”
Mrs. Ese said she was pregnant for the pastor but that the baby died mysteriously in her womb two days to delivery some three years ago.
The programme that was going on in Kairos on the day of the incident was a “special emergency deliverance service” with the theme “One of Us Is in Trouble”.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr. Ese sneaked out of the pulpit through the backdoor to an unknown destination when the commotion outside became intense. The congregation became uneasy, but the guest minister, Rufus Willie, senior pastor, Living Fire Ministries, Eket, who was delivering the sermon persuaded them to remain calm.
“God should be feared. When this programme was fixed and a theme was given for it, nobody knew what would happen today ….. Truly, one of us is in trouble,” a woman who was in the congregation quoted Mr. Willie as saying during the service.
Mr. Ese did not respond to requests from reporters for comment on the issue.
An assistant pastor of the Church, Timaro Christo, told a reporter that he was going to make available to journalists a telephone contact of the church spokesperson. But he did not as at the time of filing this report.
According to some persons who claimed to have spoken with Mr. Ese, the pastor was accusing the wife of having lied to him about her age and her level of education.
The pastor has filed for divorce in a customary court in the state, PREMIUM TIMES learned.
A clergyman, identified as Moses, who stood in as Mr. Ese’s father during his traditional marriage, told PREMIUM TIMES that he was disappointed with what was happening in the pastor’s five-year-old marriage.
“He (Mr. Ese) didn’t give me any vital reason why he should divorce the wife, he just said the woman is harsh, the woman is this. I said to him, ‘have you reported to me since I came and signed as a father to you (during the marriage ceremony), have you brought the woman to say this is what the woman did?’
“I told him since you’ve never brought the woman to tell me this is what she has done wrong, I am not in support of your divorce,” Mr. Moses said.
“I don’t believe that Nsikanabasi is called by God…. I have told him and his mother not to come to my house anymore,” he said. Premium Times
3 Nigerian scammers jailed 235 years in the U.S
Three Nigerian scammers who befriended many of their victims on dating sites have been slammed huge prison sentences by a Mississippi court after making tens of millions of dollars from their schemes.
Oladimeji Seun Ayelotan, 30, was sentenced to 95 years in prison; Rasaq Aderoju Raheem, 31, was given 115 years and Femi Alexander Mewase, 45, got 25 years behind bars, according to a report by Infosecurity magazine
A court in the Southern District of Mississippi had in February found them all guilty of crimes including mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud and theft of government property. Ayelotan and Raheem were also found guilty of conspiracies to commit bank fraud and money laundering.
Oladimeji Seun Ayelotan, 30, was sentenced to 95 years in prison; Rasaq Aderoju Raheem, 31, was given 115 years and Femi Alexander Mewase, 45, got 25 years behind bars, according to a report by Infosecurity magazine
A court in the Southern District of Mississippi had in February found them all guilty of crimes including mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud and theft of government property. Ayelotan and Raheem were also found guilty of conspiracies to commit bank fraud and money laundering.
Dating back to at least 2001, the scammers were involved in multiple internet fraud schemes, resulting in losses in the tens of millions, according to the Department of Justice.
It claimed that they would befriend women on dating sites, establish a romantic relationship and then either get them to send money or have them participate in fraud schemes, usually without the victim’s knowledge.
The unsuspecting women would sometimes be required to cash counterfeit checks and money orders; use stolen credit card details to purchase goods; and use stolen personal information to take over victims’ bank accounts.
They were also apparently used to launder money via Western Union and MoneyGram, and re-package and re-ship goods obtained fraudulently.
A whopping 21 defendants have already been charged in this ongoing case, 12 of whom have pleaded guilty to charges involving conspiracy and 11 of whom have been sentenced.
The three Nigerians were among the six extradited from South Africa by US Department of Justice in 2015 to face charges of running a series of scams against gullible Americans over the past 16 years.
Fourteen others resident in the US were also arrested to face trial in Gulfport, Mississippi on nine federal charges, including conspiracy to commit identity theft, wire fraud, bank fraud, theft of US government funds, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The indictment states that since 2001 the accused, were part of a string of scams against Americans, facilitated by internet communications. These include the longstanding 419 scheme, whereby a massive windfall is promised once a small number of payments have been provided, but the DoJ claims it went much further than that.
The team was also accused of running romance stings to bilk the lonely of funds, shipping fraud, running fake work-from-home businesses, check fraud, and plain-old hijacking of other people’s bank accounts and credit cards to divert funds.
NDLEA Makes Big Catch at Seme Border
Anti-narcotic officials with Seme Border Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Friday intercepted 5,863 kilogrammes (kg) of compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.
The Agency`s spokesperson, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, said that the illicit drugs were seized in two separate operations in Badagry, Lagos State.
“Four suspected drug traffickers were apprehended in connection with the seized drugs while two vehicles used in conveying them have been impounded by the agency.
“The estimated value of the drugs is N60m.
“The twin shipment of cannabis was made within 48 hours.
“The first consignment of cannabis weighing 3,525 kg was discovered in a clandestine warehouse where a Ghanaian and two female Nigerians were apprehended," Ofoyeju said in a statement.
He said that the following day, the command made a similar seizure of cannabis weighing 2,338 kg being smuggled in a Bus meant for distribution in Lagos.
According to him, a male suspect, was equally arrested in respect of the second seizure.
“The criminal group specialises in smuggling compressed cannabis through the water ways into the country and use yellow commercial bus in inter supply to dealers within Lagos.
“They also used ladies who pretend to be legitimate traders conveying their wares to preferred destinations,” he said.
The statement quoted the NDLEA Chairman, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, describing the seizures as a sweet victory against the activities of drug trafficking syndicates working at Seme border.
“I am very pleased with the latest seizure by Seme border command.
“The illicit activities of the criminal group have been closely monitored by undercover officers until it was expedient to intercept the drugs.
“This is a sweet victory for the agency and a demonstration of our capacity to dislodge drug trafficking groups in the country.
“We are taking legal steps to sanction those arrested for smuggling the drugs and also forfeit both the warehouse and vehicles used in conveying the drugs.
“These are essential elements in ensuring absolute dismantling of drug trafficking cartels.
“Let me warn that the entire border and water ways are under our watch to uncover drug smuggling and prosecute offenders in accordance with the NDLEA Act,” Abdallah said.
The NDLEA boss urged security agencies to collaborate towards a common goal of enhancing national security.
He also called on the public to report suspected drug activities in their neighbourhood to the agency for prompt action.
“All the suspects will soon be charged to court,” he said. - NAN
Police raid Ekweremadu’s residence
The Nigeria police force raided the Abuja residence of Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, on Friday.
In a statement issued hours after the raid, Uche Anichukwu, media aide of the lawmaker, said the police did not find any incriminating item on the property.
“At about 8am on Friday, May 26, 2017, men of the Nigeria police force from the inspector-general of police special squad raided the official guest house of the deputy president of the senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, located at No. 10 Ganges Street, Maitama, Abuja. The police, however, stated at the end of the search that nothing incriminating was found,” he narrated.
“They met the steward, Oliver Ogenyi, and some of Ekweramdu’s staff and their children in the house. In spite of the fact that they were informed that the property is the guest house of the deputy president of the senate, they nevertheless proceeded to thoroughly search the house without establishing any contact with the deputy president of the senate or any of his senior staff.“The steward was taken away by the police to the Special Anti-Robbery (SARS) Office, Garki, Abuja, where the IGP Special Squad’s office is also located. Ogenyi was later released after making a statement.”
“The steward was taken away by the police to the Special Anti-Robbery (SARS) Office, Garki, Abuja, where the IGP special squad’s office is also located. Ogenyi was later released after making a statement.”
Anichukwu emphasised that his principal is a law-abiding citizen, who does not dispute the fact that security agencies are empowered by law to carry out searches on premises, but that the law requires the owner of the property or his representative to be informed or present during a search.He said Ekweremadu was worried about the manner in which his guest house was raided.
He said Ekweremadu was worried about the manner in which his guest house was raided.
“The questions are: Was there a search warrant? What were they looking for? Who searched the police officers before the search? Who supervised the search?” he asked.
“Instructively, this incident comes just a few weeks after Senator Ekweremadu, on May 3, 2017, read to the senate in plenary a written, but anonymous tip-off by a patriotic Nigerian on a plot to plant incriminating sums of foreign currencies, arms, and ammunition in a house linked to him under the pretext of the whistleblower policy. The aim, according to the source, was to rubbish, arrest, prosecute, and ultimately remove Senator Ekweremadu from office.
“It is also apposite at this point to inform Nigerians that the deputy president of the senate had received at least three different forewarnings from various highly-placed sources before the written tip-off he read before the senate, and they all pointed in the same direction: a clandestine effort to uproot the Senator from office by all means possible.
“Therefore, this latest act of desperation, intimidation, and disregard for due process further substantiates all the forewarnings.”
Anichukwu also said that agencies of the government were “currently scavenging through all the land registries and various banks within and outside the country to find incriminating reasons to arrest, embarrass, and prosecute him”.
“The deputy president of the senate is also aware of a report revealing that some people within the government met with some top echelons of the security and anti-graft agencies at Maitama, Abuja, on May 17, 2017, to explore strategies to the arrest, prosecute, and remove him and some other senators out of political circulation, by hook or crook to pave way for a total takeover of the national assembly,” he said.
“These schemers have scheduled to meet again on June 13, 2017 as they hope to conclude their evil and anti-democratic machinations during the annual recess of the national assembly when lawmakers will not be on ground to resist them.
“The orchestrated political trial, calculated witch-hunt, barefaced intimidation, and clear attempt to emasculate the parliament and silence the leadership of the senate, was eventually, but reluctantly withdrawn when external counsel briefed by the AGF, after studying the file, advised the federal government to do so.
“It is also worth recalling that neither the police nor any of the security agencies have cared to investigate or even to interview the deputy president of the senate on the attempt on his life on November 17, 2015, even when the dastardly act was duly reported to them.”- The CableNG
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