World's best players valued

Just how valuable would the world’s most sought-after players be in the Premier League?

Sky Sports Fantasy Football have provided us with their projected valuations based on how they would price players if they moved to England.
Harry Kane is currently Fantasy Football's most expensive player at £12.9m but he would be trumped by four global superstars, including PSG's £195m target Neymar.

The Tottenham striker would still cost more than Kylian Mbappe, who has been linked with a £161m move to Real Madrid.
Based on statistical performance in relation to the Sky Sports Fantasy Football points scoring system plus their Premier League experience, here's how the world's highest rated players would be valued...

Kylian Mbappe - Monaco (£12.2m)

Linked with a world-record move to Real Madrid, Mbappe has also attracted interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.
If he moved to England, the France international would immediately crack the top five most expensive Fantasy Football forwards.
The most prolific teenager across Europe's top five leagues last season, Mbappe would cost £0.4m more than compatriot Alexandre Lacazette.
That's despite the former Lyon man being involved in a goal every 88 minutes, compared to Mbappe's 101.

Alvaro Morata (£12.2m) and Harry Kane (£12.9m) also registered better minutes-per-goal averages, but 18-year-old Mbappe would bring an unrivalled minutes per goal/assist ratio - scoring or providing an assist every 66 minutes.

Neymar - Barcelona (£13m)

Neymar is also being linked with a record-breaking move this summer and a projected Fantasy Football value of £13m would make him the most expensive in the game - a shade ahead of Kane at £12.9m.
Kane out-scored Neymar last season, but the Brazil forward was one of only eight players in Europe's top five leagues to hit double figures for goals and assists - something only managed in the Premier League by Alexis Sanchez (£12.7m).
Neymar also completed the most dribbles (166) across the five leagues and hit the top 10 for chances created - stats that suggest he would be one of the game's top scorers.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid (£13.3m)

It's no surprise that Ronaldo would be Sky Sports Fantasy Football's most expensive player if Manchester United were to complete a sensational swoop for his services - having the highest projected value of all global superstars.
Injuries last season meant the four-time Ballon d'Or winner had his worst scoring season since 2009/10, but his 25-goal haul was still the third best in La Liga and would have put him behind only Kane in the Premier League.

That return - and his total of six assists - was the same as former Everton man Romelu Lukaku (£12.4m), but Ronaldo registered his in over 700 fewer minutes than the Belgian, justifying his greater price tag.

Lionel Messi - Barcelona (£13.3m)

Sky Sports Fantasy Football sits on the fence in the Messi v Ronaldo debate, with the Argentine also priced at £13.3m.

Across Europe's top five leagues, Messi was last year's top scorer (37) and he also registered an unbeatable ratio of 61 minutes per goal or assist.
However, the Argentina star has yet to feature in the Premier League, so Sky Sports Fantasy Football refrains from pricing him higher than Ronaldo.

Luis Suarez - Barcelona (£13.1m)

Luis Suarez would be Sky Sports Fantasy Football's most expensive player if he returned to England.
Like Neymar, Suarez also contributed double figures for goals and assists last season, though his tally of 28 goals and 13 assists was some distance ahead of the Brazilian's 13 and 10.
Having lit up the league in the past, Suarez is a proven Premier League star who would certainly be a popular pick.

Gareth Bale - Real Madrid (£11.9m)

Another proven player in the Premier League, Bale's name is regularly linked with a move to United.
Injuries limited the Wales international to seven goals and two assists last season, but in 2015-16, his 19 goals and 10 assists - from only 23 games - forced Ronaldo to share the Bernabeu limelight.
Having claimed three Champions League winners' medals and a La Liga title since leaving Spurs, Bale would return to the Premier League as the most expensive midfielder, edging Eden Hazard by £0.1m.

The best of the rest
At the other end of the pitch, Gianluigi Buffon would be Fantasy Football's most expensive goalkeeper if he swapped Italy for England (£8m).
Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer is the only 'keeper who tops that valuation, with his £8.2m price tag the result of a higher saves-per-goal ratio and more accurate distribution.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta (£10.3m) is currently the game's most expensive defender, but that would be eclipsed by Real Madrid's seven-goal centre-back Sergio Ramos (£10.5m) if he entered the game.
That's despite Azpilicueta's far superior defensive stats - committing the least defensive errors, making more interceptions and clearances, winning more headers and winning more than double the number of tackles.

Who will make your team? Draft your side, create and league and invite your mates to play for free here.- Sky Sport

I had to beg Real Madrid to let me go - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho claims he had to "beg Real Madrid to let me go", but does not expect to suffer a similar ending to his time at Manchester United.

Mourinho's turbulent three-year spell at Santiago Bernabeu came to an end in May 2013 by mutual agreement with the Spanish giants despite the fact he still had three years remaining on his contract.
Man Utd 10/3 to win the Premier League
The Portuguese returned to Chelsea for a second spell a month later before moving to United for the start of the 2016-17 season.
Mourinho won the EFL Cup and the Europa League in his first year at Old Trafford - the second of those trophies guaranteeing United a place in the Champions League - and the 54-year-old is confident his time in Lancashire will be more successful.

Asked what he considered the hardest part of rebuilding United following the underwhelming reign of Louis van Gaal, he told reporters: "The hardest part in my opinion was the period where there was an evolution in football overall, in terms of every other team, not just the typical powerful teams, but all the others. Their evolution in relation to the changes in football allowed them also to be economically strong.

"At the same time there was an evolution and Man United did not follow that evolution and my work is not just about arriving at a football team and developing the football team to attack, football targets and objectives, it was more than that.
"It was to go into the structure and to try to adapt the structure around the football team to a new dynamic. And that was the same at Real Madrid, a big club with big expectations but a difficult period with the evolution of other teams and the distance between Real Madrid and Barcelona growing bigger and bigger and bigger.

"When I arrived it was not just about developing a football team to try to stop that domination, but to also develop everything around the team and in that respect I can see similarities in terms of the difficulties and similarities in terms of the dimension of my job.
"I think what we did last season, Europa League, League Cup, sixth in the Premier League is what gets into your eyes. But I know that my job was much more than just the success in some competitions and being unsuccessful in the Premier League.
Why Milan not Man Utd are the perfect club for Sanches

"To be honest, with the club [Real]'s structure, they wanted me to stay, they didn't want me to leave. Everybody in the club, president, CEO, the board, myself, we all felt after the years I was there that the difficult part of the job was done and they wanted me to stay.
"In fact, I almost had to beg to let them let me go. I don't think that at United is going to happen, because I don't want to go.

"Real Madrid, for me, was really something that I wanted to do. It was something I had a chance to do twice before and didn't. And on the third time, I don't think you can say 'no' three times to such a club. I wanted to go and win the title in Spain, but it was not for me to stay. I was not in love with my life there. I wanted to come back to England and in that case, to Chelsea." - Goal

PL : Hart keen to keep England spot

Joe Hart admits the desire to keep his place as England's No 1 motivated his move to West Ham.

The England goalkeeper joined West Ham from Manchester City on a season-long loan last week and is currently away on the club's pre-season tour of Germany.
Hart was deemed surplus to requirements by City manager Pep Guardiola last summer and spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan at Serie A side Torino.
With the 2018 World Cup in Russia less than a year away, the 30-year-old was keen to ensure he was not left out in the cold with Jack Butland, Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton all pushing to dislodge him as England's No.1.

"I've said before there's absolutely no chance I'd play for England without playing for a team," Hart exclusively told Sky Sports reporter Paul Gilmour.
"To be playing for the national team you have to be playing, especially for a team as high quality as England.
"That was part of the thought process, but it's a short career and I love football. I didn't really stand a chance of playing at my previous club, so there was no point hanging around.

"I want to play for a team that wants me, wants me to play and I want to give that back to them."
Hart, who has two years remaining on his contract at City, also revealed that he expects to go out on loan once again next summer.

"My career is in a bit of a weird situation at the minute as far as permanent things go," he added.
"It's a hard one to work out for me. I'd love to be permanent at a club, but that's not the case, I'll have to go out on loan again which isn't difficult for me because I give 100 per cent wherever I am.
"I'm 150 per cent committed to West Ham - they're the only team for me. West Ham and the national team are the only teams I care about this season."

Transfer updates : Monaco refuse to sell Lemar

Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev has claimed that Arsenal target Thomas Lemar will not be leaving France this summer.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Lemar over the course of the transfer window.
It has even been claimed that Arsenal are prepared to offer the winger £100k-a-week to join the club.
With Lemar already eager to join Arsenal and make his move to the Premier League from France, although it looks unlikely now that he will make the switch.

As quoted by The Mirror,Vasilyev said this about Lemar’s future:

“Fabinho and [Thomas] Lemar are essential players, they will stay with us.”

“We have kept all of the key players we intended to keep.”

Monaco have already rejected two offers from Arsenal for Lemar and are desperate to keep him but Vasilyev is confident of keeping the winger at the club.
Arsenal have already made one signing from Ligue 1 this season, breaking their transfer record to land Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.
The centre-forward joined Arsenal for a club-record £52m earlier this summer and Lemar does not appear to be joining him.

Na wa o !!! Man with four wives dies after rounds of sex with girlfriend

A middle aged man identified simply as Atere has died after a sex romp with his girlfriend.
The incident occurred at a hotel in the Upper Gaa-Odota area.

Atere, married to four wives, lived at Upper Gaa-Odota area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
According to Punch, Atere had just returned to Ilorin after visiting one of his wives who lives at Iseyin in Oyo State.
He afterwards checked into the hotel with his mistress

But the lady later left the building, leaving the deceased behind.
Workers in the hotel, who became suspicious, broke into the room only to see the naked lifeless body of Atere.
The matter was reported at Adewole Police Station in Ilorin.

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okansomi confirmed that he got a report of a man who died in the hotel.
He added that investigation into the matter had commenced.- Daily Post

Looters too !!! Kidnappers in Nigeria should die – IGP, Idris

Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday urged the National Assembly to enact stringent laws on kidnapping to include capital punishment.

He said this during the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers of the Force in Abuja.

His words: “When I went to the National Assembly, I told them that what we need to challenge kidnapping is punishment. I think these boys see us parade people but they don’t see them taken to court or sentenced to death.
“In some states where kidnapping leads to death of somebody, the penalty is death but they only see the court sentencing such persons to 10 years or life imprisonment.
“I feel that is why they feel more relaxed and I told the National Assembly that we need to have more stringent punishment for kidnappers. I think that is the only way to check the menace because they see it as child’s play.

“If you go all over the Command across the states, you would discover that some of these youths are getting more involved in kidnapping. Like I told the National Assembly, I believe if we can get laws to check it, we are going to see several changes.
“In Niger Republic, a Boko Haram suspect was arrested and within one week, judgement was passed. That sent a very strong message that whoever that is planning to go into it should desist but here, we have suspects year in, year out, appearing in in court and matter continually adjourned.

“It does not serve as deterrent to them and even most of them kept in police cells are more comfortable there. So, I think to address the level of kidnapping in the country, a law should be passed,” the Nation quoted him as saying.- Daily Post

More money more suffering for masses !!! Customs set to net its highest revenue ever — records N486.7bn in 6 months

The Nigeria Customs Service says the revenue recorded from January to June 2017 increased by N101 billion from the revenue generated in the same period in 2016.

The agency, which recorded N898 billion in revenues for 2016, lowered its target to N772 billion for 2017, but its current momentum shows it may record the highest revenue in its history by the end of 2017.

In a statement signed by Joseph Attah, public relations officer, the agency said it is determined to raise its 2017 revenue target of N772 billion.
“The service collected a total sum of N486.7 billion between January to June 2017 as against N385.7 billion collected in the same period last year,” the statement released on Thursday read.
“The half year collection demonstrates NCS determination to meet the 2017 revenue target of N772.8 billion despite the challenging economic environmment with negative consequences on international trade.”

According to the statement, Hameed Ali, Customs comptroller general, has ordered the dismantling of all illegal check points.
“In line with the presidential enabling business environmnet council (PEBEC) drive to ease ways of doing business in Nigeria, the comptroller-general of Customs, Hameed Ali, has directed the immediate dismantling of all illegal check points.
“The CGC reminded all commands that any check point mounted outside 40 kilometres to the land border is illegal, while information patrols beyond 40km limit should not last more than 24 hours at any given time.

“The 40km radius applies to land borders, while no check point should be erected within the port areas.” - Cable Nigeria 

SANs frustrating corruption cases should be barred from courts - Sagay

Itse Sagay, chairman of the presidential advisory committee against corruption, says senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs) frustrating high-profile corruption cases should be denied the right of appearance during the court hearing of such cases.
Sagay said this on Wednesday at a media roundtable organised by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Lagos.

Sagay, a SAN, said such measure should be part of “stiff” punishment for counsels, particularly SANs, that have “turned obstruction and frustration of proceedings on high-profile corruption cases into an art.”
He urged prosecuting counsels in grand corruption cases to always apply to reinstate any case struck out for want of prosecution.
He also said there is need to sensitise judges on the importance of the anti-graft war and its benefits to Nigerians.
“In cases requiring appeal, the authorities must apply for leave to appeal out of time, and prepare evidence and legal arguments thoroughly, including by inviting consultants to advise,” he said.

“Prosecuting authorities must insist on full application of sections 306 and 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, namely: No stay of proceedings under any circumstances – S. 306. Any preliminary objection must be taken together with the substantive issue – S. 396(2), and hearings shall be on a daily basis, but in exceptional cases, adjournments not to be in excess of 14 working days, may be granted. Such adjournments not to exceed five in any proceedings – S. 396 (3) and (4).
“A high court judge who is elevated whilst presiding over a criminal case should be allowed to conclude the case without any effect on his new status.
“The heads of various courts in the country should be sensitised about the very critical nature of the fight against high-level official corruption to Nigeria’s development and the welfare of its peoples.

“Pending the establishment of a special crimes court for the whole country, criminal divisions should be created in the federal and state high courts. Specially vetted and selected judges, known for integrity and self-discipline should be posted to man such courts.
“All suspected proceeds of crime should be placed under temporary forfeiture during the trial of a high-profile person. Prosecuting authorities should resort to non-conviction based asset forfeiture, where proof beyond reasonable doubt is difficult to achieve because of technicalities.”
Also speaking, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, represented by Okoi Obolo-Obla, special assistant on prosecution to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the fight against corruption demands collective efforts.

“I admire what SERAP is doing. It is not Buhari’s work to fight corruption alone, it is all our fight. It is corruption that is fuelling this agitation by the different groups,” he said.
Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said the commission is not working at cross purposes with the ministry of justice.
“We are cooperating with them. We have a wide range of corruption cases in concert with state agencies. The attorney-general office has the right to initiate new high-profile corruption cases and investigate it themselves without waiting for cases initiated by the EFCC,” he said.- Cable Nigeria 

4 Migrants Die Trying to Cross Rio Grande Into the U.S.

At least four people have died since Monday trying to cross the Rio Grande into Texas, the authorities said Tuesday, another deadly sign of the extremes to which migrants will go to reach the United States.

Heavy rains have transformed the usually slow-moving stream near El Paso into a treacherous torrent, engulfing people trying to make the already-dangerous journey. Members of the city’s water rescue team pulled the first victim from the water around noon Monday, a 37-year-old woman who died a short time later at a hospital.

Early Tuesday, firefighters retrieved three other victims — two teenagers, a boy and a girl, and an adult woman. Seven people were rescued, the authorities said.

A spokesman for the El Paso Police Department said local and federal authorities were searching the Rio Grande for several people who were unaccounted for.

The Guatemalan Foreign Ministry said the three people recovered Tuesday were Guatemalan nationals, The Associated Press reported. The ministry, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, identified the victims as a 15-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy and a 37-year-old woman. - Culled from NY times 

Fraud : Bank employee jailed after stealing over £150,000 from a dementia sufferer

A bank employee who stole over £150,000 from the bank account of an elderly dementia sufferer was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, yesterday, Tuesday, 25 July at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Issachar Stainrod-Holness, (27.10.93) of Old Hospital Close, Balham was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one count of Fraud by Abuse of Position.

Between December 2014 and April 2016, Stainrod-Holness accessed the victim’s bank account, whilst employed as an employee of HSBC in Bayswater. Stainrod-Holness transferred money on various dates to an account in his name. He then opened a telephone banking account in the victim’s name, changing the telephone number to his own. In total he transferred £156,700 to his own account.

The offences were spotted by the victim’s wife, after her husband died. She subsequently alerted the bank who called in police.

DC Stephen Westlake, the investigating officer from FALCON, the Met’s response to Fraud and Linked Crime Online, said: "Stainrod-Holness shamefully plundered the victim’s account and it is tragic that the victim died before Stainrod-Holness could be brought to justice.”  - Met Police 

Transfer news : Jorge Mendes holds talks with AC Milan over Costa deal

It’s a matter of when not if Diego Costa will leave the club this summer, with the striker determined to complete a summer exit.

Chelsea are prepared for it having brought in Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for a club-record £70m fee, not to mention that Michy Batshuayi has looked very impressive in pre-season thus far as well.
Costa wants to return to Atletico Madrid and the La Liga side want to bring him back to Spain, but they’re reluctant to meet Chelsea’s asking price for Costa, while their current transfer ban is also a stumbling block.

Eager to sort out his client’s future, Jorge Mendes has held talks with free-spending Serie A giants AC Milan over a potential deal for Costa, claim Italian source Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan have already brought in Andre Silva from Porto but have tried and failed to recruit Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund and Andrea Belotti from Torino this summer, forcing them to try for Diego Costa.

Whether Milan’s move for Costa is a temporary loan until Atletico Madrid are able to sign him in January or a permanent transfer remains to be seen. - Read Sport

Crime : 19-year-old who robbed and raped 45-year-old woman remanded in prison

A 19 year old teenager, who sexually assaulted a 45-year-old during a robbery attack was on Wednesday tried before a magistrate court in Ikeja.

The teenager, identified as ThankGod Christopher with other gang members were on a robbery operation at the woman’s house when the incident happened.

It was learnt that while other members of the gang were busy searching for valuables to steal, Christopher reportedly marched the woman to her matrimonial bed, pulled her clothes and forcefully had sex with her.

The other gang members watched the teenager perform the dastardly act as they left with valuables such as plasma television, microwave oven, phones and other valuables.
Christopher was tried on a two count charge of robbery and rape under the Criminal Code.

He, however, pleaded not guilty as other members of his gang are still at large.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs C.A. Layinka in her judgement granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody till bail conditions are met.

The case was adjourned till 8th of August, 2017. - Daily Post

Father arraigned for killing daughter in Enugu

A 60 year old man identified as one Romanus Ugwuodo of Ogor village in Ikem Isi-Uzo local Government Area of Enugu state has appeared before an Enugu magistrate Court for allegedly killing his daughter.

He was arraigned on a four count charge of conspiracy, murder, land and criminal.
No plea was taken. The case was adjourned to August 31 this year pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution on the case file.
According to a bulletin released by the Enugu police command spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, a superintendent of police, the accused  had allegedly “on 23rd day of April, 2017 directed  for an unlawful trial by ordeal through Akolo Juju Shrine in Ogor village Ikem Isi Uzo and also the alleged possession of various charms together with the use of the Akolo Juju  which is reported to possess the power of causing natural phenomenon and disease and which in all, resulted in the death of his daughter identified as one Ebere Ugwuodo and that of his son identified as one Uchenna Ugwuodo said to have been killed through same means in January, 2016.”

“The state criminal intelligence and Investigations Department of Enugu state command of the Nigeria Police Force”, states the bulletin, “had through the directives of the commissioner of police Danmallam Mohammed swung into action based on the petition received on the account of the alleged nefarious/criminal activities of the suspect who has allegedly and variously murdered his children using dangerous charms and Juju in 2016 and 2017 respectively and allegedly celebrating their death.”

The bulletin further states: “It was further gathered that his nefarious activities came to the limelight after the death of his daughter Ebere  in which her burial became a problem as the irate mob besieged the suspects house where various charms and juju were removed leading to their unleashing of mayhem on the suspect and also burning down his house and were about sending him to his grave before police operatives from Isi uzo Division arrived the scene to save the situation and following this, the incident was brought to the state criminal intelligence and investigation Department on the directives of the state commissioner of police and after a discreet investigations suspect was arraigned formally in a law court.” - The Nation

Silly people !!! Why legislative immunity ??? Senate approves independent candidacy, restricts tenures of govs, president

The senate has approved a provision in the constitution alteration bill which gives room for candidates to participate in elections without being members of political parties.

Eighty-two senators voted in favour of this, while five rejected it.
The upper legislative chamber also restricted someone who has been sworn in as president or governor to complete the term of the elected president or governor from contesting twice.
The senate approved a provision for the funding of the house of assembly of states directly from the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

The provision reads: “section 121 of the principal act is altered by substituting for subsection (3), a new subsection (3) – ‘(3) any amount standing to the credit of the- house of assembly of the state, and judiciary, in the consolidated revenue fund of the state  shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in the case of judiciary, such amount shall be paid directly the heads of the courts concerned.”

The senate also approved the provision which requires the president and governor to submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 30 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the senate or state house of assembly.

Constitution amendments only become operative after they have been passed by at least 24 state houses of assembly and two-thirds of the national assembly.
Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, laid the report of the constitution review committee, which had worked on some sections of the 1999 constitution, last Thursday.

The senate commenced on debate on the report on Tuesday, and voted on its provisions on Wednesday.
TheCable had reported some other provisions in the bill.
Below are the 33 bills they considered and how they voted:

BILL	YES	NO	REMARK
Members of the Council of States	95	NIL	Passed
Devolution of Power	90	5	Passed
Financial Autonomy of State Legislature	90	5	Passed
Distributable account for LG’s to have their own special account	84	8	Passed
Democratic Existence funding and tenure of LG council	88	7	Passed
State creation and boundary adjustment	47	48	Not Passed
Immunity for legislators for Acts in Course of Duty	93	1	Passed
Political Parties and Electoral Matters : Time to conduct Bye Elections and Power to deregister parties	90	0	Passed
Presidential Assent	95	1	Passed
Time frame for submission of names of ministerial nominees	75	19	Passed
Submission of Ministerial Nominees with their Portfolios	78	16	Passed
35% affirmative action for women as ministers	49	43	Not Passed
Submission of Commissioners Nominees with their Portfolios	84	7	Passed
Submission of names of office of commissioners shall be attached with portfolio	87	8	Passed
35% Affirmative action for women as States Commissioners	61	35	Passed
Authorization of expenditure	93	1	Passed
Appointment of Minister from the FCT	77	12	Passed
Change of names of some LG councils: Ebonyi, Oyo, Ogun, Pleateau and Rivers	84	2	Passed
Independent Candidacy	82	5	Passed
The Nigeria Police Force to become Nigerian Police	87	2	Passed
Restriction of the tenure of President and Governor	88	0	Passed
Separation of Office of the Accountant-General	89	0	Passed
Office of Auditor General to be included in first line chat of consolidated revenue	95	0	Passed
Separation of Office of the Attorney General from the Minister/Commissioner of Justice	95	1	Passed
Submissions from the Judiciary	95	2	Passed
Determination of pre-election matters	97	0	Passed
Consequential Amendment on Civil Defence	97	0	Passed
Citizenship and indigenship	49	46	Passed
Procedure for Overriding Presidential Veto in Constitutional Alteration	87	4	Passed
Removal of law making power from Executive Arm	89	3	Passed
Investment and Securities Tribunal	76	14	Passed
Reduction of Age for Election	86	10	Passed
Authorization of expenditure time frame for laying Appropriation bill, Passage etc	94	0	Passed
Deletion of NYSC decree from CFRN	88	33	Passed
Deletion of Public Complain Act from CFRN	90	1	Passed
Deletion of National Security Agencies from the CFRN	92	2	Passed
Deletion of land Use Act from CFRN	46	44	Passed
Deletion of State INEC from CFRN	73	19	Passed

- Cable Nigeria

Republic of scammers and schemers : EFCC quizzes MDs of Forte Oil, Oando, Total, ‘recovers’ N329bn debt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it recovered N328.9 billion debt after quizzing the managing directors of nine major oil companies, including Forte Oil, Oando and Total.

The other companies are Conoil Plc, OVH Energy Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc, and NIPCO Oil Plc.
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, who disclosed this in a statement, said the recovery was sequel to a petition against the leadership of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

Uwujaren said the petition alleged that N40 billion was diverted by the major oil marketers in connivance with the leadership of the NNPC and PPMC.
He said the anti-graft agency referred the petition to a special task force which swung into action by conducting discrete investigation.
“Findings by the operatives of the EFCC revealed that the oil marketers were actually indebted to the federal government of Nigeria to the tune of N91,519,485,204.44 (ninety one billion, five hundred and nineteen million, four hundred and eighty-five thousand, two hundred and four naira, forty-four kobo) between 2010 and 2016,” he explained.

“Further investigation into the allegation also revealed that the oil marketers had continued to obtain petroleum products from the government without proper payment, in violation of the NNPC/PPMC credit facility regulations; a probe of which further led to the discovery of N258,928,926,351.93 (two hundred and fifty eight billion, nine hundred and twenty eight million, nine hundred and twenty six thousand, three hundred fifty one naira, ninety three kobo).
“Following the latter discovery, the total amount of debt stands at N349,818,411,556.37 (three hundred and forty nine billion, eight and eighteen million, four hundred and eleven thousand, five fifty six naira, thirty seven kobo).

“Upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, officials of NNPC/PPMC and all the managing directors of the concerned companies which are NNPC retails, Conoil Plc, Total Plc, OVH Energy Plc, Oando Plc, Forte Oil and Gas Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc, and NIPCO Oil Plc were invited to the Kano zonal office of the commission where their statements were recorded following which the recovery process commenced.
“So far, a sum of N328,988,296,990.62 (three hundred and twenty eight billion , nine hundred eighty eight million, two hundred and ninety six thousand, nine hundred and ninety naira, sixty two kobo) has been recovered from the major oil marketers.

“The outstanding debt now stands at N20,765,919,869.48 (twenty billion, seven hundred and sixty five million, nine hundred and nineteen thousand, eight hundred sixty nine naira, forty eight kobo).” - Cable Nigeria

Title rematch : November 11th for Joshua vs Klitschko

November 11th has been pencilled in as date for Wladimir Klitschko’s world title rematch against Anthony Joshua.

Over the past few months Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has been scouting out venues to hold the heavyweight clash, but, now it looks like a location and date has been decided.

Cardiff, Dubai and even Nigeria have been considered, however, Las Vegas is now looking like the preferred option.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hearn revealed that he has met with representatives from the MGM Grand and T-Mobile Arena.

“I’ve been in Vegas with AJ, officially applying for my Nevada boxing license to promote there and that went well.”

“I met with the MGM and met with the T-Mobile Arena, Vegas is the front runner and November 11 is the date that is pencilled in.”

When it comes to British fight fans making the trip over to Vegas, Hearn is confident that they will travel in their numbers.

“The amount of British fight fans that would travel there, it will be a momentous occasion and one that we will savour for a long time so fingers crossed it’s a party in Las Vegas on November 11.”

Joshua beat Klitschko back in April with an eleventh round stoppage at a historic night at Wembley Stadium. - Read Sport

Ibrahimovic bang on the money in latest Instagram post

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has, without question, a certain penchant for the outlandish.

The exuberant striker is a colourful character on and off the pitch and his latest humorous social media post is very Zlatan.
Ibrahimovic posted a picture on Instagram of his face with the trademark stare printed on a large 1,000 Swedish krona note and an accompanying caption that read: "You have Benjamin Franklin and you have me #bingorimer."

Sadly, you won't be able to spend Ibrahimovic bank notes in the shops of Stockholm or Malmo as it is not legal tender but a work by photographer Bingo Rimer.
The former Manchester United striker is no stranger to art and last month revealed that his "Symbol of Sweden" statue is close to completion. - Goal

PL news : Arsenal want to sign Jean Michael Seri as well as Spurs

According to L’Equipe, Arsenal want to sign Jean Michael Seri from OGC Nice with North London rivals Tottenham also being interested.

Seri had a great season for OGC Nice last campaign, leading to many clubs being interested in the Ivorian.
Roma showed interest in Seri but they did not go for him as they were scared off by his £33m release clause in his current contract at the French club, with Nice unwilling to sell for a penny less.
Swansea have also had a bid rejected for Seri by Nice and Arsenal are still in the race for the midfielder, showing a real interest in bringing him to The Emirates.

Arsene Wenger looks to dive back into the French market by signing Seri, with new signing Alexandre Lacazette already brought over from Ligue 1 and both Thomas Lemar and Kylian Mbappe of Monaco on his radar as well.

Seri bagged seven goals and nine assists from 39 appearances in all competitions for Nice last season from a central midfield position which is a very good record for the 25-year-old.
The Ivorian has made 13 caps for his national side, scoring once since his senior international debut in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie in September 2015.

Transfer updates : Monaco aim to keep Mbappe, Lemar

Monaco have confirmed they are in talks to extend Kylian Mbappe's contract and insist Thomas Lemar is staying at the club.

The French club have already confirmed to Sky Sports News they have not agreed a world-record £161m (€180m) transfer fee with Real Madrid for Mbappe, and have now said there will be no more departures from the club.
Manchester City have not made a bid for Mbappe, according to Sky sources, but after Pep Guardiola claimed "anything could happen" when it comes to the teenage striker, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev revealed the club intend to keep Mbappe long term.
"This [Mbappe] is the biggest hope of European football, all the big clubs want him," he said.

"We are discussing an extension with Kylian. I hope we will get there. This is a very important decision, especially for Kylian. We must give him time and not rush things too fast.
"Today there is no agreement. Monaco's wish is to extend it."
Arsenal have had a bid rejected for another Monaco forward, Lemar, this summer, while midfielder Fabinho had admitted he would be tempted by a move to Manchester United.
Tiemoue Bakayoko (Chelsea), Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) have already left for the Premier League this summer, though, and Vasilyev is not looking to allow any more exits.

"I have also seen speculation about the case of Lemar," Vasilyev added. "But he stays with us, we talked together, he has a tremendous talent, he is also a must for our team.
"We have kept all of the key players that we intended to keep. Fabinho stays, he is an essential player in the midfield."

 

Sane : City can challenge Madrid

Leroy Sane believes Manchester City need to "improve a lot" to become Champions League contenders this season, but backed Pep Guardiola's side to match the likes of holders Real Madrid.

City were knocked out of Europe's top competition by Monaco in the round of 16 last season while Madrid - their opponents in Thursday's International Champions Cup friendly - went on to lift their third Champions League title in four years.
Sane scored two goals in four European appearances during his first season as a City player and he has set his sights on reaching at least the semi-finals in the forthcoming campaign.

However, he readily admits that Madrid's success in the competition has set a high benchmark.
"Real had a very good season last year," Sane told ESPN FC. "They are the best team in Europe at the moment, so it will be difficult [to win the Champions League], but it is a new season.

"They are two-time Champions League winner, so I think it is going to be difficult, but we can do it if we improve a lot and work on our problems.
"I don't think we are one of the favourites, but we can go through to the semi-finals. We have a team that can do it, experienced young players who play very well. If we work a lot and improve, we can do it.

"Pep [Guardiola] has won many trophies and he gives us a lot of belief. It is a big year. I want to win some trophies."
City have spent heavily on defenders in the transfer market, with full-backs Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy all moving to the Etihad Stadium.

But Sane believes it is in attack where City remain strongest, highlighting the importance of Gabriel Jesus' arrival from Brazilian club Palmeiras in January.
"We have great striker and midfielders, that's true," said Sane. "Of course, up front we want to have a good season again and hopefully we can score many goals.

"We are all young and when you are the same age together you have the same interests.
"Gabriel, of course, is a special player but he is also very young. When he came over from Brazil, he was exciting on the pitch and really pleased to play for Manchester City and everyone could see it. He is a very special player for us." - Goal

 

Trump bans transgender people from serving in US military

President Donald Trump has effectively banned transgender people from serving in the US military, blaming the "medical costs and disruption" they would cause.

He made the announcement in a series of three tweets, saying: "After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military.

"Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you."

Coutinho agrees terms with Barcelona

Liverpool are facing the prospect of losing one of their key players this summer as Barcelona step up their effort to lure Philippe Coutinho to the Camp Nou ahead of next season.

The Catalans have reignited their interest in the Brazilian midfielder after failing in their attempts at signing Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti and have now made Coutinho their number one summer transfer target.

The Reds have already rejected Barcelona's first offer of around €80m (£72m), but they are not giving up the chase and are expected to return with another offer closer to the £80m mark. Recent reports suggested that the La Liga giants have sent representatives to London to hold talks with the Brazilian's camp and persuade Liverpool to sell one of their key midfielders.

Jurgen Klopp has made it clear that Liverpool will not sell players they want to keep, but the Daily Mail via Catalan Radio RAC1 are reporting that Coutinho has already agreed personal terms with only the fee holding up the deal. The report claims that Barcelona are keen to bring in another Brazilian in the hope of further convincing Neymar, who has been linked with a move to PSG, to remain at the Camp Nou.

Coutinho is viewed by Barcelona as a long-term replacement for skipper Andres Iniesta, who is in the final-year of his contract. Neymar has backed their pursuit of the Liverpool midfielder with whom he shares a close relationship from their time together with the national team.

The 25-year-old, however, is at the mercy of the club after agreeing a new five-year deal until the summer of 2022 earlier this year. Liverpool have made three signings thus far this summer including a club record deal for Mohamed Salah and will be reluctant to sanction a move for Coutinho, who is arguably their best player at the moment.