Transfer news : Chelsea show interest in PSG's Krychowiak

According to L’Equipe, Chelsea have shown an interest in signing PSG’s Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak.

Krychowiak looks set to depart PSG after only one season, with PSG boss Unai Emery looking for funds to sign high profile targets such as Alexis Sanchez and Neymar.
Emery announced that the Polish international would be for sale over the weekend. He stated that the 27-year-old had failed to adapt to PSG’s style of play during his short time in Paris. Krychowiak only made 11 league appearances last season, and struggled to show the form that had made PSG sign the midfielder in July 2016.

The amount of interest shown in Krychowiak from Chelsea is as yet unknown, however. No clubs have shown major interest in signing the former Sevilla midfielder so far.
Krychowiak would add depth in the Chelsea midfield. This would be crucial if Nemanja Matic is to depart the club. - Read Sport

PL news : Lukaku 'could not turn down Utd'

Romelu Lukaku admitted he could not turn down the opportunity to join Manchester United after hearing Jose Mourinho's plan to "rebuild the club".

Chelsea had initially appeared to be strong favourites to sign the Belgium international from Everton, only for United to swoop in and secure his signature for a fee that Sky sources understand could rise to £90m.
Mourinho was in charge when Lukaku was given the green light to leave Stamford Bridge, but three years on he now sees the striker as a key player at Old Trafford.

Despite videos appearing on social media of Lukaku in Los Angeles with his good friend and United midfielder Paul Pogba, the striker insists it was the influence of Mourinho rather than the France international that made him want to move to Old Trafford.
"We were just on holiday together," Lukaku said of the United and France midfielder. "At the end of the day, I had to make my own choices.

"It was the conversation I had with the manager that really convinced me the most, the plans and how he wanted to rebuild the club and he wanted me to be part of it.
"I am grateful for the chance."
Lukaku will be tasked with filling the hole by last season's top-scorer top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as the club's all-time leading marksman Wayne Rooney, following his return to Everton.

The 24-year-old's impressive goals ratio for Everton suggests he is ready to step up at Old Trafford, however, and the striker is keen to get started.
"It feels great [to be a United player]," Lukaku said in Washington. "It is something I always wanted.

"I always wanted to play for a club of this stature. Now I am here I want to take my chance and try to deliver as much as I could for the club.
"I don't want to talk about personal ambitions. I just want to work hard on a daily basis and win as many games as I can." - SKY

Fraud : 47-year-old herbalist dupes three friends of N3.61m over money rituals

A 47-year-old herbalist identified as Ifawale Ibrahim has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Lagos for allegedly duping three friends of N3.61m under the pretense of performing money rituals.
Ibrahim, a resident of Olomowewe Adiyan Area of Ogun, was arraigned on Monday on a one-count charge of obtaining money under false pretense.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Mike Unah told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 26, at Ajisegiri Street, Ojokoro area of the state.
He said the alleged herbalist obtained N3.61m from the complainants, Aminatu Bello, Iyabo Popoola and Keji Lawal with a promise to perform money rituals that would make them rich.
Unah informed the court that the complainants said Ibrahim also deceived them that they had to sleep with him to make the money ritual complete

According to the prosecutor, “Ibrahim who had no intention of doing any money ritual for the complainants converted the money to his own personal use.
“When the complainants later discovered that the accused had no intention of doing any money ritual for them, they reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested. ”
Unah said the offence committed by the 47-year-old contravened Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

When the charge was read, Ibrahim, however, pleaded not guilty.
Following his not guilty plea, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.O Gbajumo, granted Ibrahim bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She consequently adjourned the matter till September 20. - Daily Post

Regional government: State creation hampered South West development – Governors

Southwest governors on Monday lamented the splitting of the old Western Nigeria into six states by the Federal Government, saying the action not only robbed the people of their oneness, but also hampered the region’s socio – economic development.

The governors – Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ayo Fayose Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), spoke during the Southwest Governors’ Quarterly meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Amosun, the host Governor in his welcome speech, said instead of building bridges, state creation led to boundary disputes and security challenges among them.
The governor recalled that many landmark achievements were recorded in Yoruba land during the time of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Premier of the Western Region.

He advised that the time has come for them to unite, promote and re – enact the achievements of the South-West in the Nigerian Federation.
Amosun said: “As a region, it is important that we promote the pre-eminence and achievements of the South-West in the Nigerian Federation. This in reference and in particular to the greatness we have achieved as a people when we were together as a regional government in Nigeria.
“We will recall those laudable feats made us the envy of other regions. Time and space will, definitely, not permit me to begin to list the giant leaps that the South-West took as a region between 1957 and 1967 particularly under the leadership of the late sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.

“Permit me to list a few. We have physical infrastructure such as the Cocoa House at Ibadan, which was aptly named after the source of its funding; the Agodi Secretariat at Ibadan; and the different roads that connect our towns and cities some of which are still standing the test of time. We also have the educational infrastructure of which we are still benefitting from today.
” Indeed, many of us seated in this room are beneficiaries of the Free Education Programme of that time. It is the same Free Education Programme that culminated in the establishment of a University that was once the most beautiful campus in Sub-Sahara Africa, the then University of Ife, and now appropriately named the Obafemi Awolowo University, at Ile-Ife.

“We cannot also forget the economic infrastructure; we have the O’odua Group as the umbrella Investment House for the commercial enterprise of the region such as the Sketch Publication; the Wemabod Estates; the Lafia Hotels; the Premier Hotel at Ibadan; the Area J4 Forest Reserve and others.

“However, the creation of states from the old Western Region in 1976 which should have been an impetus for further socio-economic development had been allowed to create artificial boundaries between our people.
“And to further worsen the situation, some of our people are also making themselves available as instruments of division because of their selfish political gains. The consequence is that our people begin to see themselves as a people of one state or the other rather than as a sub-unit of the entity of the Yoruba people.

“This is not without its attendant challenges of intra and inter-state boundary disputes which have worsened security in some states and, hampered socio-economic development. Instead of building bridges, some of our people are digging trenches for protection against their own brothers and sisters.
“My dear brothers, the onerous task on our hands is to lead our people to further prosperous living. That is why the chosen agenda for this meeting ‘Economic Self-Determination for South-West Nigeria’ with special focus on ‘South-Western Nigeria Export Initiative’ is very apt.

“Instead of the bowl-in–hand practice that each of the states seeks from the Federal Allocation, the time has come for us to map out strategies to harness the natural resources of the entire region for further socio-economic development of the South-West Region as a whole and for more prosperity for our people.
For Aregbesola, the old Western Nigeria recorded greater feats when it operated as single state.
“If we look critically at the achievements we had as singular state of Western Region. We must be mindful of the fact that as singular state then, we achieved more than now when we are divided into six states.

“We must identify our strength, unify those strength and explore them for the benefit of our people. We use the development to galvanise our potentials,” Aregbesola said. - The Nation

On paper or real ??? IMF: Nigeria to grow faster than South Africa in 2018

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Nigeria’s economy will grow at a faster pace than the South African economy in the 2018 fiscal year.

According to its World Economic Outlook (WEO) for July 2017, the IMF said Nigeria will grow at 1.9 percent in 2018, while South Africa will only climb by 1.2 percent.
In 2016, the Nigerian economy contracted by 1.6 percent, while South Africa expanded by 0.3 percent. Projections for 2017 put South Africa’s growth at 1 percent, while Nigeria is expected to muster just 0.8 percent.

The Bretton Woods institution — which held global growth projections at 3.5 percent in 2017 and 3.6 percent in 2018 — said growth was marked down in South Africa, due to elevated political uncertainty.
“In Sub-Saharan Africa, the outlook remains challenging. Growth is projected to rise in 2017 and 2018, but will barely return to positive territory in per capita terms this year for the region as a whole—and would remain negative for about a third of the countries in the region,” the IMF said via WEO.

“The slight upward revision to 2017 growth relative to the April 2017 WEO forecast reflects a modest upgrading of growth prospects for South Africa, which is experiencing a bumper crop due to better rainfall and an increase in mining output prompted by a moderate rebound in commodity prices.
“However, the outlook for South Africa remains difficult, with elevated political uncertainty and weak consumer and business confidence, and the country’s growth forecast was consequently marked down for 2018.”

IMF also added that global growth will be aided by growths in the US and the UK, who are projected to grow at 2.1 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.
“China’s growth projections have also been revised up (6.7%), reflecting a strong first quarter of 2017 and expectations of continued fiscal support.

“Inflation in advanced economies remains subdued and generally below targets; it has also been declining in several emerging economies, such as Brazil, India, and Russia.” - Cable Nigeria 

Faces of criminals : Report corrupt police officers… three just got fired in Lagos

The Lagos state police command of the Nigeria police force has dismissed three officers it found guilty of  illegal arrest and extortion.

The affected officers are Okelue Nkemeonye, Braimoh Sunday and Yusuf Olukoga.
Abayomi Shogunle, an assistant commissioner of police, who disclosed this, encouraged members of the public to report the misconduct of police officers.
He said action was taken against the dismissed officers after a complaint.
The complainant had told the public complaint rapid response unit that he was arrested at gunpoint and money was forcefully collected from him after he was assaulted.

Shogunle said after investigation, it was found out that the allegations were true.
“Upon the receipt of the complaint, a case with tracking number PCRRU637624 was registered and acknowledgment of complaint sent to the complainant,” the statement read.
“PCRRU Investigation team was dispatched to Ikorodu where all the three dismissed policemen including AP No. 98199 ASP Bayo Obadia who led the team were apprehended. PCRRU preliminary investigation reveals that all the allegations contained in the WhatsApp message actually happened.

“Also the four police officers who were armed on the day of the incident falsely paraded themselves as operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) despite not being posted to SARS by police authorities. Investigation also shows that the officers extorted a total sum of N200,000 from the young men who they tagged ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys’, the money was force from them via N90,000 ATM withdrawal and N110,000 mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen.

” All the extorted N200,000 was recovered by the PCRRU Investigators.
“The inspector-general of police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni has commended the complainant for coming forward to report the incident to PCRRU, the IGP has also said that all allegations of professional misconduct reported against any police officer would be treated in line with relevant laws and in keeping to the ‘Change Begins With Me Campaign’ of the federal government.”

He encouraged members of the public to report cases of police misconduct to the PCRRU through the following numbers and platforms: 08057000001, 08057000002 (phone calls only), 08057000003 (SMS/WhatsApp only)  | BBM:58A2B5DE, | Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU | Facebook: www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU | Email: complaint@npf.gov.ng OR PolicePCRRU@gmail.com.
Two weeks ago, four officers in Ogun state were dismissed for a similar offence. - Cable Nigeria

Transfer news : Sanchez ready to accept lower wage from City

Manchester City’s interest in Alexis Sanchez has been well documented, and the enigmatic forward is reportedly ready to take less money in an attempt to seal his move away from Arsenal.

According to the Independent this evening, the Chilean international is poised to turn down the contract offer on the table from Arsenal in an attempt to accelerate his preferred move to City, where he would reunite with former manager Pep Guardiola.

It’s stated in the report that Arsenal would be prepared to cough up a huge wage offer of £300,000 per week. However, Sanchez appears to have no intention of putting pen to paper on a new deal.
Instead, he would rather move on to different things at this stage of his career, with his 29th birthday coming near the end of the year.
Sanchez was superb for Arsenal last season and has attracted interest from several top clubs across Europe

It was my destiny to play for Conte - Morata

New Chelsea signing Alvaro Morata is delighted that "destiny" has given him the chance to play for manager Antonio Conte.
The Spain international completed his move from Real Madrid last week for a reported fee of £70million, making him the Premier League champions' record signing.

Morata was brought to Juventus by Conte in 2014, but the pair did not get the chance to work together for long, with the 47-year-old leaving to take charge of Italy a month later.
The striker stated in April that he expected to work with Conte again "sooner or later" and he is excited to have the chance to do so in England's top flight.
"I know Antonio wanted me in the past and I really want to work with Antonio, and finally destiny put us together," he told the club's official website. "I can't wait to play for him and for Chelsea and to win together.
"It was disappointing in 2014 when he went to Italy, but I played well and had a good year at Juventus, but I really want to work with this coach and finally I can.

"I know his work, the staff. I know it is a lot of tactics and I really like this game and I know how to play with this system.
"It is the perfect situation. I decided to play in the Premier League and I want to play in Antonio's team. Now I need to work hard, score goals and to play well for the team. There are very good players here and I think we can do something amazing this year."
Morata was confirmed as Chelsea's number nine for the 2017-18 season on Monday and he is determined to live up to some of his boyhood heroes at Stamford Bridge.

"When I was little I saw Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko, Fernando Torres and thought probably in a few years I will take this place, and now it is the dream to take the Chelsea number nine shirt. I can't wait to play at Stamford Bridge and in the Premier League," he said.
Chelsea 'persona non grata' in China
Morata won two Champions League titles with Madrid and he sees no reason why Chelsea cannot fight Spain's best sides for the European crown next season.

"It is hard to leave Madrid but it is not so hard when you come to a club like Chelsea, with these players and with this coach, and I think we can play against Real Madrid and Barcelona and win," he added. - Goal

PL news : Perez desperate to secure move away from Arsenal

Lucas Perez is growing increasingly desperate to secure a move away from Arsenal this summer.
According to a report from the Telegraph, the Spaniard is keen to leave the Emirates after just one season in English football. He has grown more and more frustrated with his position at the club, and is looking to seek pastures new.

Perez signed for Arsenal last summer for a fee of £17 million after enjoying a hugely impressive season in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna. However, he has not enjoyed the same success on English soil, and his former club have been linked with a move for him this summer.
The 28-year-old struggled to find first-team opportunities under Arsene Wenger last season, and although the Frenchman himself admitted that he deserved more of a chance to impress, he’s set to struggle even more next term.

Arsenal have signed Alexandre Lacazette for a club-record fee, and this undoubtedly pushes Perez even further down the pecking order. - Read Sport

Transfer news : Everton 'increase Gylfi bid'

Everton have made an improved bid for Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson worth up to £45m, Sky sources understand.

The bid is believed to be for £40m, plus an additional £5m in add-ons.
Everton's initial bid of £40m was previously rejected, with the Swans understood to be holding out for £50m.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has been tracking the Iceland international for some time, with Sigurdsson missing Swansea's 10-day tour to the USA as the club felt he was not in "the right frame of mind to travel" as speculation about his future continued.

The 27-year-old has been a key player for the south Wales side since he joined from Tottenham for £6.8m in July 2014.
Sigurdsson has scored 37 goals in 131 appearances during his two spells at the Liberty Stadium, having previously spent a four-month spell on loan from German side Hoffenheim in 2012.

PL news : A big season for Pep Guardiola

The pressure is on Pep Guardiola after a frustrating debut season at Manchester City, so can he deliver silverware in the new campaign? We put the Catalan under the microscope in the first of a new series on the managers of the Premier League's top six. What happened last year?

Guardiola took English football by storm when he started his Manchester City tenure with 10 consecutive wins, but in the end, that run of form was as good as it got for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss. City slipped out of title contention long before the end of the season and eventually finished 15 points behind Chelsea in third place.
Guardiola's aging defence was routinely exposed in the Premier League, and there was disappointment in the cup competitions, too. City crashed out of the Champions League with a last-16 defeat to Monaco, and they were beaten by Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final. It all added up to the first trophyless season of Guardiola's managerial career.

What are the expectations?Guardiola admitted he would have been sacked by Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the same circumstances last season, saying City had given him a "second chance" by opting to stick with him. In truth, his position never looked in genuine doubt, but the Catalan knows that drastic improvement will be required in the new campaign.
He will be expected to bring the Premier League title back to the Etihad Stadium, and City's owners will also be desperate for a strong showing in Europe. Last season's Champions League knockout came as a bitter blow to owners who expected Guardiola to strengthen the club's standing on the European stage. Anything less than a semi-final spot this season would be seen as a failure.

What has he done in the transfer window?Guardiola is using the summer transfer window to tailor his squad to his liking. The spending started with a £35m deal to sign goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica, and he has been joined at the Etihad Stadium by Bernardo Silva, a £43m recruit from Monaco.
City made Kyle Walker the most expensive defender in history when they agreed a £50m deal with Tottenham. They completed what is understood to be a £26.9m deal with Real Madrid for Danilo and on Monday took their dealings this summer past the £200m mark with the £49.2m capture of Benjamin Mendy from Monaco.
As well as their record outlay - no Premier League club had before spent more than £200m in a single window - Guardiola has also rejected reports that Sergio Aguero could leave the club.

What are the big issues to address?Guardiola has issues to address at both ends of the field, starting at the back. City's efforts were frequently undermined by their defensive struggles last season, with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo struggling badly in his first season in English football. Guardiola will be hoping Ederson fares better, but he'll need to ensure he is well protected.
That could depend on keeping Vincent Kompany fit. City's defence looked far stronger with the Belgian in it in the final weeks of last season. Kompany offers invaluable experience and leadership, and a settled centre-back partnership with John Stones would undoubtedly benefit Guardiola.

The Catalan is already in the process of overhauling their full-back options, another factor which could significantly help his cause. Youthful, energetic full-backs were crucial to Guardiola's Barcelona and Bayern Munich teams, and they could have a transformative effect on a City side that simply didn't have the legs last season.
At the other end, Guardiola must find the best way to use Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, while also coaxing more goals from the supporting cast. 

None of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane or David Silva netted more than seven in the league last season. Guardiola's men did not struggle for creativity, but while they ranked top for clear-cut chances created, they ranked seventh for conversion. It's an area in need of attention.

So what happens next?Guardiola's side are Sky Bet's favourites for the Premier League title at 15/8 and it's easy to see why. The players have had a season to adapt to his physical and tactical demands, and City are also backing him strongly in the transfer market. With a squad finally shaped to the manager's demands, City might finally start to look more like a Guardiola team. 

Carlo Ancelotti admits Renato Sanches could leave Bayern

According to the Metro, Carlo Ancelotti has said that Renato Sanches could leave Bayern Munich this summer with Manchester United being interested.

Before joining Bayern Munich last summer from Benfica, Jose Mourinho was interested in bringing in his fellow countryman to Old Trafford but Sanches didn’t live up to the hype at Bayern, meaning Mourinho could bring him in a year later.
United are said to be close to getting the 19-year-old on loan which would be a great deal for all parties. This would solve United’s midfield problem as they have targeted many midfielders including Nemanja Matic and Radja Nainggolan this summer.

Ancelotti said this regarding Sanches “At this time, he’s training with us, we have to make a decision.
A move could be a possibility but there is also a chance he could stay with us for the season.”

His Bayern Munich side will face Premier League winners Chelsea tomorrow in the International Champions Cup and Manchester United will be watching closely as they can judge Sanches against one of the best teams in the world, albeit being in a friendly. - Read Sport

Niger Delta : How Diezani, Okonjo Iweala, Orubebe, others contributed in impoverishing our people – Asari Dokubo

Ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has accused the people of the region who held various political positions during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, of having wasted glorious opportunities of bettering the lives of people of the South-South.

The former militant warlord called out former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, ex-Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Diezani Maduekwe and others for rather investing in people from other regions of the country than their people.

Asari also accused Niger Delta politicians of making people such as Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and others billionaires with resources from the Niger Delta region.
According to him, Diezani gave out oil blocs to strangers even when the Bayelsa State Government applied and was denied.
Asari, who spoke in a interview with TVC said, “They all failed us. Orubebe failed us. Diezani failed us. Okonjo failed us. Azazi failed us. Wakama failed.

“They all failed us. Because Goodluck Jonathan cannot be in Aso Rock and at the same time be at the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Niger Delta or see to the day-to-day running of the Nigerian Army. He put people there and the people failed woefully.

“Yes some of them may have done better, like Okonjo, but what excuse does Dieziani have. All the people they are claiming she made millionaires, I’m not saying its true, did you see any Ijaw person’s name there?
“There’s no Ijaw person’s name there. So we’re not good to be billionaires with our own resources? At 53, I cannot be billionaire but Dangote, Otedola must be billionaires, so its our people that put us in that condition.

“Bayelsa Government applied for oil bloc they were not given but instead, it was given to a private individual. In a government where Minister of Petroleum is an Ijaw women.
“Her mother, father are from Ijaw, Bayelsa Government applied for oil bloc and it was not given but rather she gave it to an individual from outside this place. And now the man does not even have office in Bayelsa.

“He produces 100 barrels in a day and takes away millions of dollars everyday. That money could have come to Bayelsa even if someone is stealing it from Bayelsa, it will still enter Ijaw man’s pocket.” - Daily Post

Ten people die in Ife-Ibadan auto-crash

No fewer than 10 people died in an accident on  the Ife-Ibadan express way on Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Police Public Relations  Officer in Osun, DSP  Folashade Odoro, confirmed the incident in a statement in Osogbo.
Odoro said six females and four males lost their lives in the accident which occurred at 12 pm.
She also said that two males sustained serious injuries, adding that they were receiving treatment at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC),  Ile-Ife,

Odoro  said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus marked  MUS 702 XZ and a Iveco Tanker  with number plate YNF 327 XA.
The spokesperson  said the bus was coming from Ore in Ondo State  and  heading to Ibadan before  it rammed into a tanker attempting  to make a U-turn on the expressway.

The tanker was said to be conveying petrol and the collision resulted in an explosion.
Odoro said that the corpses had been deposited at  the morgue of  OAUTHC for autopsy while  efforts were  ongoing to remove the  vehicles from the scene  of the accident.
The police spokesperson, who identified  the  bus driver as Najimu Akanni, added  that the  name of the tanker driver had yet to be ascertained.

Court jails dry cleaner three months for theft of ‘burukutu’ pots

A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in the FCT, on Monday sentenced a 33-year-old dry cleaner, Auwal Usman, to three months imprisonment for stealing two pots used for cooking Burukutu, a local drink.

Usman, a resident of Utako village, Abuja, who was arraigned for theft of the two pots, pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for leniency.
The judge, Abubakar Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N10,000.
He warned Usman to desist from criminal activities and ordered him to pay N25,000 as compensation to the complainant.

He also ordered that the recovered pots be returned to the owner.
The First Information Report (FIR) stated that one Charity Bulus of Utako village, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on July 13.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Dalhatu Zannah, told the court that 11 big pots used in brewing the local drink valued N66,000 belonging to the complainant had disappeared from June 24 to date.
Zannah informed the court that the convict criminally went to the complainant’s shop on July 13 and stole the two pots valued at N11,000.
He said that the convict was apprehended and handed over to the police immediately for proper investigation.

Zannah said that during police investigation and interrogation, the convict admitted committing the offence.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.
He, therefore, urged the court for summary trial in line with Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Face of corruption : Bid to seize Diezani’s assets ‘may be the beginning of her legal troubles’

Mathew Page, a former US state department specialist, says a civil forfeiture case to seize assets worth $144 million  from two cronies of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum, may just be the beginning of her legal troubles with the US.

The US justice department last week filed an asset recovery suit in Houston against Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko, seeking the seizure of luxury property, including a New York apartment and super-yacht, owned by one of the businessmen.
Omokore and Aluko allegedly bribed Alison-Madueke in return for oil contracts.
“Although this is the first attempt by US law enforcement to go after assets allegedly stolen by Diezani and her henchmen, it almost certainly will not be the last,” NAN quoted Page as saying.
At present, Diezani faces charges only at home, but her name has appeared in a growing number of international cases that lift the lid on the scale of corruption in Nigeria’s oil sector.

Since leaving office in 2015, she has been implicated in bribery, fraud, misuse of public funds, and money laundering cases in Nigeria, Britain, Italy and the United States.
The first female president of the global oil cartel OPEC — who was one of Africa’s most prominent politicians — denied the allegations, which involved billions of dollars siphoned from oil deals and state coffers.

In one case heard in February, Alison-Madueke was accused of diverting some $153 million from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation coffers.
In another ongoing trial, some N23 billion of NNPC money is alleged to have been used to influence the 2015 presidential election to keep Goodluck Jonathan in power.

Last week, prosecutors in Lagos began proceedings to recover $1.76 billion of assets owned by Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore, whose companies were awarded oil contracts by Alison-Madueke.
Last Wednesday, another judge ordered the forfeiture of the former minister’s $37.5 million luxury Lagos property, saying it was purchased with ill-gotten funds.

Meanwhile, Italian prosecutors allege that she and Jonathan received kickbacks from oil majors ENI and Shell as part of a $1.3-billion deal for an offshore oil block – OPL 245.
Charges relating to the same oil block deal have also been filed against the oil majors and some senior politicians.
Jonathan and Alison-Madueke are not named in the suit but the former president is under pressure from the national assembly to answer questions about the “Malabu deal”. - News Agency 

Rematch : Four possible Venues For Joshua vs Klitschko

After one of the most entertaining heavyweight fights in recent memory, the big question is now whether Word Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will face Wladimir Klitschko for the second time.

This is looking very likely as Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has hinted that Klitschko has activated the rematch clause and venues for the clash are already being scouted.

Hearn has always reiterated that Britain will always be an option for Joshua’s fights, but, with this possibly being Klitschko’s final appearance in a ring, the Ukranian wants a huge send-off.
Joshua also wants to travel the world as he is the ‘world’ champion.
The fact the rematch will be taking place in October or November means an English stadium fight is very unlikely as many do not have roofs and the British winter weather will make it unsuitable for a boxing event to take place.
So here are four possible venues for Joshua vs Klitschko 2.

1. T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

2.Principality Stadium, Cardiff

3.Dubai

4.Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria

- Read Sport

PL news : Morata set to make a sub appearance tomorrow

Chelsea have confirmed on Twitter (@ChelseaFC) that Antonio Conte is going to give new signing Alvaro Morata game-time tomorrow against Bayern Munich, albeit not from the start.

New club-record signing Morata is set to play for Chelsea for the first time tomorrow against Bayern Munich in an International Champions Cup match, even though it will be on the bench.
Morata will hope to impress manager Conte as the new Premier League season is only three weeks away, especially with Michy Batshuayi really coming into his own at the end of last season and in preseason, where he has scored two goals against Arsenal recently, which he expressed his delight with over Twitter using FIFA 17 terminology.

The Spanish forward would also love to fit into the Chelsea side and to make new partnerships in the front line with the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and maybe even Batshuayi.

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Morata will have help setting in already, with fellow Spaniards Cesar Azpilicueta, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro being at The Blues, who he apparently spoke to before joining. - Read Sport

Man City confirm Mendy signing

Manchester City have announced the signing of left-back Benjamin Mendy for £49.2m on a five-year deal.

The 23-year-old France international flew to Los Angeles to undergo a medical and compete the deal on Sunday ahead of joining-up with City's pre-season tour of the United States.
Mendy had been City's first-choice target for a new left-back and joins fellow new full-backs Kyle Walker and Danilo through the door at the Etihad, as City take their summer spending past the £200m mark.

Mendy said: "I am very proud. This is what I wanted from the very beginning. As soon as the championship was over, I talked to my family and it was all clear in my head: I wanted to join Manchester City.
"I think I am the right person for the group. I am easily adaptable. There are some players with whom I exchanged a few emails, I knew them from some years ago.

"Regarding football, I can bring a lot of creativity in the game, I can offer different solutions, I like to take to play as full-back and provide assists for the strikers."
Director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Benjamin has all the qualities we are looking for in a full-back. For such a young player, he has a wealth of top-level experience"

Mendy has emerged as one of the best left-backs in Europe despite just a single season at Monaco following a £13m move from Marseille last summer, and was one of a number of Monaco players of interest to other clubs following their French Ligue 1 triumph.
City have already signed Bernardo Silva from Monaco and are also interested in their highly-coveted striker Kylian Mbappe.

PL news : Amokachi's Everton hopes

Former Everton striker Daniel Amokachi remains a cult hero at the club. Adam Bate caught up with the Nigerian to discuss his memories of Merseyside, his hopes for his old club and why he is enjoying his coaching career in Finland... for now.

Amokachi only made 43 Premier League appearances for Everton but memories of the Nigerian forward linger on Merseyside. Upon his latest return to the country to play in the Star Sixes tournament in London, he enjoyed a predictably warm reception. "It is always good to come back home," Amokachi tells Sky  Sports.

"There are a lot of Everton fans who have been in touch on Twitter and they were there at the hotel too. It was good to see them. It was a lot of fun."
Amokachi always had that sense of enjoyment in his game. The celebrations that greeted his goal in Nigeria's opening game against China at the Star Sixes were reminiscent of his two efforts all those years ago at the 1994 World Cup - performances that persuaded Everton to pay £3m to Club Brugge to bring him to the Premier League that summer.
His first season at Goodison Park was a successful one. Famously, Amokachi brought himself on as a substitute in Everton's FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham while Paul Rideout was off the pitch receiving treatment. "Daniel wandered onto the pitch, the fourth official held up the board, and that was it," said manager Joe Royle afterwards.
Amokachi promptly scored twice and Everton went on to beat Manchester United in the final. It remains the club's most recent major trophy win. "I know we have not won anything since 1995 but we have been in two finals," says Amokachi. "That's just football."

With his twin sons both having had trials at Everton's academy, the ties between the former player and club lasted long after his 1997 departure. Amokachi remains a fan. "Ronald Koeman has come in and the chairman is spending a lot of money to bring in quality players," he adds. "Hopefully we can get into Europe and into the Champions League."

Amokachi's subsequent playing career took him to Turkey, the United States and back home to Nigeria. But perhaps the most surprising move has come since embarking upon his coaching career. He is currently working for Jalkapalloseura Hercules, a semi-professional outfit operating in Finland's lower leagues.
It has been a challenging experience. At times, he has been paid little more than expenses, having to cope with an amateur approach that has seen players miss matches due to unusual reasons such as pre-booked holidays and friends' weddings. Even the spectre of match-fixing has haunted the league and the team. But Amokachi prefers to be positive.

"Things are good in Finland," he says. "I have taken over the technical director role and left my coaching position there. Of course, it is semi-professional level so you just have to manage them and get the best out of them. But I am really enjoying it. The new role also helps me to be flexible and come over here too."

Amokachi has spoken of his interest in the Nigeria national job in the past, having previously served as both assistant coach and interim boss. But could there also be an opportunity to revisit another passion of old and return to Everton? It would mean a reunion with ex-strike partner Duncan Ferguson, an unannounced attendee at his 1995 wedding in Tunisia.

Amokachi smiles at the prospect and he is not ruling anything out. "The big man is still there and it's good to see him on the bench and making an impact with the young players," he adds. "I definitely would like to come back too. It is all about timing. When the opportunity comes then why not? Life is a beautiful thing."

Morata needs fast start - Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas has warned Alvaro Morata he will need to adapt quickly to the demands of English football if he is to replicate the impact Diego Costa has had at Chelsea.

Club-record signing Morata, who joined from Real Madrid last week, is set to fill the void left by Diego Costa's likely departure, after he was told he will not feature in Antonio Conte's plans next season.
Morata, 24, arrived at Stamford Bridge for a reported fee of around £70m from the La Liga champions. Michy Batshuayi is another striker expected to have a greater role at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea preparing to fight on four fronts following their return to the Champions League.

"They are two young strikers who will have to improve as quick as possible because they are our main strikers," Fabregas said.
"When you are the main striker for Chelsea you need to fight for all the competitions and if you are going to fight for all competitions you need your strikers to score lots of goals."
"He [Morata] has a lot of potential, the same as Michy to improve. It's up to them how far they want to go."

Batshuayi started only seven games in all competitions last season and scored nine goals in all competitions in his debut campaign in English football and Fabregas believes he, along with other squad players, will have more chances to prove themselves.
"Last season, because of the schedule with no Champions League and we went out early in the League Cup, we were all fit for most of the season, the manager didn't have to make a lot of changes," Fabregas added.

"The manager has said himself it is a long season ahead with lots of games... I'm sure we will have more opportunities ahead of us."
Conte's side are currently on a pre-season tour in the Far East and enjoyed a 3-0 victory against London rivals Arsenal in Beijing, thanks in part to two goals from Batshuayi.
Chelsea will host Burnley in the opening game of their league campaign on August 12.