Transfer updates : Ronald Koeman hoping to push through Giroud deal

Ronald Koeman is hoping to step up his pursuit of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud as he goes in search of a target man this summer.

The Mirror reports that Koeman would like to bring in three more players before the start of the new Premier League season.
Koeman wants to add Giroud, along with Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson as well as another left-back to his squad within the next two weeks.
Giroud has been touted as a potential transfer target for Everton throughout the summer following the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.

With the 2018 World Cup just around the corner, Giroud will want to be playing regular first-team football this season to ensure him of his place in the French national team.
Throughout pre-season both Lacazette and Giroud have featured in the same team as Arsene Wenger experiments with his new signing. - Read Sport

Racism : Chelsea defender Rudiger wants 'justice' over abuse in Serie A

New Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has called for "justice" from FIFA over the alleged racism he suffered while representing Roma in Serie A.

The Germany centre-back has claimed to have been subjected to abuse from the stands in Italy, while Lazio's Senad Lulic was suspended for 20 days last December for "harmful and offensive" comments aimed at Rudiger.
Rudiger says his treatment left him feeling "alone" and the 24-year-old wants to see harsher sanctions taken against those found guilty.

"I just want justice," he said. "I want FIFA or the FA in Italy just to suspend those people who do that.
"It is not all the people in Italy who are like that. If we always talk about racism in Italy, people think that all Italians are racist people and it is not like that.

"I just mean those specific people who do it. Those people need to be banned from the stadium or fined.


"You cannot even put yourself in my position of how that feels. In that moment, it is like this. You are alone. You have to be strong. But each human is different. Someone takes it and doesn't react. Others react. I can understand both."
"You feel alone. People love to say 'stay calm' or 'don't do anything'. It is easy for you to say those things when you are not black and you never feel what it is like. - Goal

Expert : Stop eating ‘suya, boli’, they cause cancer

Nigerians have been warned against consumption of ‘suya and boli’.

The President, Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria President, Prof Musa Borodo, gave this warning at a press briefing commemorating the 10th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the association in Ado Ekiti.

Borodo warned that diseases such as colorectal cancer, liver cancer, helicobacter pyloris and other infections that occur in the gastrointestinal tract were usually not easy to detect when looking out for signs and symptoms.
He added that when the symptoms were obvious, they were often too late to treat.
According to him, about 10 percent of people in Nigeria are suffering from Hepatitis B – a viral infection – which he warned could lead to cancer, if not properly treated.

“This (Hepatitis B) is something that can be prevented, if you don’t treat it, it could become cancer. So, it is a huge problem,” he said.

Speaking on the theme, “Gastrointestinal Malignancies in Africa: Past, Present and Future,” Borodo said it was chosen to create awareness on early detection of cancer, prevention and cure.
“The forum is to increase knowledge, expertise and foremost research of interests in diseases affecting alimentary canal,” he added.
Borodo lamented that two cases of cancer at end stage are reported daily in the treatment centre.
He advised people to take natural foods, avoid refined sugar, eat well, exercise regularly, drink clean water, visit hospitals for routine check up and stay away from smoking to avoid cancer, saying, “taking burnt boli (plantain), burnt suya and refined drinks as they could cause cancer.

Concluding, the Consultant General Surgeon, Lagos State University, Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mobolaji Oludara, lamented the rot of equipment, training and materials in handling liver transplant in Nigeria. - Daily Post

PL news : Why Matic is the man for Mourinho

Manchester United are closing on Chelsea's Nemanja Matic. Here, Nick Wright explains why signing the Serb would make sense for Jose Mourinho.

Manchester United's pursuit of Nemanja Matic dropped out of the headlines earlier this summer as they dramatically beat Chelsea to the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Everton, but Sky sources say they are now close to completing a deal to bring the Serb to Old Trafford.
It's a move Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville backed this month, saying United needed reinforcements in central midfield "United need another holding midfield player," he said. "Michael Carrick has got one more year but he can't play every single week so they do need to have that player who can come in and do the same job - and Matic would be able to do that."

Convincing Chelsea to sell might not be easy having beaten them to the signing of Lukaku, but the Serb would "fit the bill", Neville added.
When the news of United's interest in Matic first broke last month, however, it received a lukewarm response from some supporters. The Chelsea man lacks the wow factor of a Premier League newcomer, and the mooted £40m price-tag was considered high for a player approaching his 29th birthday.

It seemed especially curious given how Matic and Mourinho's last spell together ended. Matic was one of Chelsea's worst performers when their title defence unravelled at the start of the 2015/16 season. He suffered the ignominy of being substituted after coming off the bench during a 3-1 defeat to Southampton, and there was a costly red card against West Ham a few weeks later.
Mourinho, though, will also remember the role he played in making Chelsea title holders in the first place. Matic shone after his £21m return from Benfica in 2014, starting all but three of the Blues' Premier League games and providing the sturdy foundations for their Premier League success. At the end of it, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Matic's place in Chelsea's team appeared to be at risk when Antonio Conte brought N'Golo Kante to Stamford Bridge 12 months later, but instead of slipping down the pecking order, he started 30 Premier League games. He did not attract as many plaudits as some of his team-mates, but he was undoubtedly a key figure. Keeping Cesc Fabregas out of the team was an achievement in itself.
Matic's quiet return to form has evidently not gone unnoticed by his old manager. And while some United fans might favour an exciting, young alternative such as Monaco's Fabinho or Tottenham's Eric Dier, it is perhaps significant that Mourinho frequently bemoaned the lack of winners in his squad last season.

"Playing to win, responsibility to win, coping with the pressure to win," he said in February, "this is something that has to belong in your natural habitat and for some guys it doesn't." Since then, the issue has been exacerbated by the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In a rejuvenated Matic, he would be acquiring a player with the mentality and experience he craves. The 28-year-old is not the most vocal presence on the pitch but he is a commanding character who exudes authority. It was Matic, remember, who gave Chelsea's rousing team talk before their Capital One Cup final triumph over Tottenham in March 2015.

Mourinho would relish that kind of presence in the Manchester United dressing room, and Matic would also give him options on the pitch. Ander Herrera performed well at the base of United's midfield when called upon last season, but he is not a natural holding player. Matic is, and he offers more quality than Marouane Fellaini and more athleticism than Carrick.
He would certainly help Mourinho bring the best out of Paul Pogba. Matic could be deployed alongside Herrera in a 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing the Frenchman to move into a more advanced role, but he could also sit in the middle of a 4-3-3, protecting the back four and leaving Pogba to take up the left-sided role in which he excelled for Juventus.

Matic might not offer quite the same level of distribution as Carrick, but he is more than comfortable in possession and Mourinho has praised his passing ability in the past. "It is difficult for him to lose the ball," he said in March 2015. "But at the same time, he is not the kind of guy to play square passes. He can keep possession, but he can see the movement forward, passing into space."

That was more apparent than ever last season. Matic is better known for playing the pass before the pass, but his total of seven Premier League assists in 2016/17 was the third-highest at Chelsea and higher than any player at Manchester United. It's an encouraging sign of improvement.
Matic is no rising star but on closer inspection, it's clear why Mourinho is interested in a reunion. As Manchester United prepare to battle for the big prizes in the season ahead, the two-time title-winning midfielder could be exactly what they need. - SKY

Father : My daughter’s head was smashed after she was raped to death

Chinedu Orakwue, the father of 14-year-old schoolgirl, Obiamaka Orakwue, allegedly raped to death by unidentified persons in her home in Abule Ado area of Lagos, has revealed that his daughter’s head was smashed against the wall.

Chinedu, who said he was not around on the day the incident happened, told Punch that his daughter went to bed sound only to be found dead in the morning.

According to him, “She was murdered in our home here on July 10. Before I left, she was fine and there was no cause for alarm.
“Her mother said she said goodnight to everybody and went to bed early because she needed to wake up early for school.

“Her mother slept in a separate room. In the morning, they were expecting her to be up from her bed.

“When her mother called her and got no response, they entered her room and found her in the pool of her blood. They smashed her skull after raping her to death”.

Asked how the culprits entered her room, Chinedu replied, “They entered through the window. We have a backdoor through the kitchen but it was not touched.
“They removed the window glass, burglary and went in. They scaled through the fence to come in because the gate was locked. Two of her elder brothers went to call the police.

“The police came, took notes and took the corpse to the mortuary.” - Daily post

Pictured : 72-year-old man shoots his 28-year-old wife for complaining of not being sexually satisfied

A 72-year-old man, Clarence White has shot his 28-year-old wife, Dominique White for complaining about his inability to satisfy her sexually and financially.

The incident happened on Thursday morning when Clarance grabbed his 22-caliber handgun and shot his much younger wife in the face at their home in Glebe Avenue, Parkchester in Bronx, New York, USA.

He was arrested and charged before a Bronx Criminal Court on Friday.
He was arraigned on attempted murder, assault, harassment and weapons possession charges.
New York Daily News reports that the shooting followed an argument between White and Dominique over her growing dissatisfaction with his inability to satisfy her sexually and financially.

The young woman, who was shot in her right cheek, was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she remained in critical but stable condition on Friday.
Court documents said that White told police, “I shot my wife.”

He also told the Police that he and his wife were arguing in the hours leading up to the shooting.

He told the officers that during the argument, his wife ordered him to move out of the home which made him shot her in the face in anger.
The judge, however, granted him bail in the sum of $300,000.

Update : Police set to arraign Evans as he reveals two more members

All is now set for the arraignment of billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, aka Evans by the police.

Evans will soon be transferred back to Lagos where he is expected to appear in court.

According to Vanguard, Evans’ interrogation was very ‘extensive and intensive’ based on the determination of the authorities to prepare a water-tight case for prosecution in court.
The newspaper reports that the dreaded kidnapper would be slammed with no less than a 40-count charge bordering on armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and others.

The suspect was said to have pleaded passionately to be pardoned and granted lesser charges with a firm assurance that he would turn a new leaf.

In the process of his interrogation, it was gathered that two other major accomplices, namely, one Emeka, who gave information that led to the attack on the Owner of Young Shall Grow Mottos, Chief Obianodo and another suspect, called Baba Eko, have been arrested. - Daily Post

Panama Papers scandal : EFCC targets indicted Nigerians

After almost two years of tracking and sieving of documents, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has identified Nigerians indicted in the famous Panama Papers.

The list of the indicted persons may be made public soon ahead of further investigation and prosecution.
Sources said yesterday that some of the implicated people were the brains behind the alleged plot to remove EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu.

The objective is to cover the tracks of such people said to include two serving governors, some ex-governors, Senators and a powerful Northern Emirate kingmaker.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that an investigative team raised by the EFCC chairman has already submitted a list of Nigerians with a case to answer on the Panama Papers.
Although over 110 Nigerians were mentioned in the operation of offshore shell companies in tax havens, the EFCC team was said to have recorded a breakthrough last night in identifying those with issues to clear in court.

“Our investigators have worked hard on Panama Papers in the last one year and we have reached a reasonable bend,” an EFCC source said.
“As I talk to you, the EFCC has identified Nigerians who should be questioned and prosecuted for using shell companies to launder public funds.
“We will soon release the names of those affected to the public. They will also be arrested preparatory to their interrogation and trial. Our report is ready.”

Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: “Our investigators have succeeded in using the evidence in Panama Papers to carry out forensic tracking of the activities of the indicted Nigerians. There is no hiding place for these elements and their international collaborators.”

Panama Paper is a leakage of sensitive documents detailing how political world leaders, celebrities, athletes, FIFA officials and so on, hid money using anonymous shell corporations across the world.
Online publication, PREMIUM TIMES, which was part of the investigative network said: “the unprecedented year-long investigation involving 11.5 million secret documents – which stretched from 1977 to December 2015 – exposed the hidden underground of the world economy, a network of banks, law firms and other middlemen that utilize shell companies, sometimes using them to hide illegal wealth.”

The documents, held by Panama-based Mossack Fonseca, were released to Süddeutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper, and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
The Panamanian law firm, regarded as one of the world’s most secretive companies, according to the documents, has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.
About 14,000 clients used Fonseca while 214,000 companies incorporated by Fonseca had their details leaked to journalists.

Based on Panama Papers, Mr. Nawaz Sharif resigned as Prime Minister of Pakistan because of his disqualification from office by his country’s Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court took the decision after a probe linked Sharif’s family, including his children, to offshore companies.

As at press time, there were indications that those implicated in the Panama Papers have joined anti-Magu’s plot following leakage that EFCC was closing in on them.
It was learnt that those who have drawn the battle line with Magu include two serving governors, some ex-governors, Senators and a powerful kingmaker in an Emirate in the North.

Another source said: “Some of those jittery and neck deep in the plot were also linked with the scandal associated with the first tranche of over N517billion London-Paris Club refunds which was released to the 36 states and the FCT.
“These influential leaders have been involved in lobbying to stop Magu from being re-nominated or cleared by the Senate.

“The intelligence gathered was able to uncover how they had been meeting and committing huge funds to stop Magu
“Their fears border on the fact that the Panama Papers might also play a key factor in the 2019 general election. Some of the indicted Senators are currently aspiring to be governors.” - The Nation

Senate only proposing… to amend constitution is not a play thing - Tam David-West

Tam David-West, former minister of petroleum resources, says the ongoing changes to the 1999 constitution by the national assembly are mere proposals and not amendments.

David-West, who said this in an interview with The Sun , noted that the constitutional amendment cannot be successfully executed without the input of the state houses of assembly.
The elder statesman said the efforts of the lawmakers would be null and void if they don’t follow the legal path to modifying the constitution.

“We have to go to the fundamentals. Constitution is not sacrosanct. Constitution can be reviewed, and that is why every constitution has provision on how to review it,” David-West said.
“How to alter provisions of the constitution is clearly written there. So, whatever the senate is doing, to me right now, is just a proposal. So, being a sacred fundamental document of the state, to alter it cannot just be like a play thing.
“So, being a sacred fundamental document of the state, to alter it cannot just be like a play thing.

“Every constitution gives very stringent conditions, so even if I accept that constitution can be changed with time, provisions can be changed with time, but even after saying that, I feel sorry for Nigeria.
“They cannot, the senate cannot in Abuja alter the constitution. So, all that they are doing is nothing more than proposal to change.
“I will like to believe that the senators read the constitution because as a lawmaker, you must have read your constitution. If a senator does not read the constitution, it’s like saying a Christian does not read the Bible or a Muslim does not read the Quran.

“I’m not saying that some of the provisions they are making are not good.
“However, as good as it is, if it is 100 per cent good, and you don’t follow the legal way to change it, it is null and void. Good intention done in an illegal way is nullity. It does not mean anything. You must follow the right way.”
When reminded that the national assembly had met with the speakers of 36 states houses of assembly before the process began, the octogenarian said, “I know that they have met. But meeting the speakers is not the same thing as a whole house of assembly.

“The leadership of the national assembly had met the speakers, but the houses of assembly could as well throw out the bills. So, it is immaterial whether the national assembly has met with the speakers or not. They should follow the constitution.”
Reacting to the comment by Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, David-West said there was nothing miraculous about his recovery.

“For me, I knew that all they were talking negatively about Buhari is not true. I know his condition in London every week. A governor said Buhari is recovering miraculously, there is no miracle there,” he said.
“A miracle is something you never expected. I expected it. I knew all they were saying was wrong with him, is mischievous.

“I am confident that by the grace of God he will come back very early. I will be surprised if he doesn’t come back before the end of this month.” - Cable Nigeria

Transfer updates : Nemanja Matic on verge of United move

Manchester United are on the verge of completing their third signing of the summer, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Matic, 28, is a two-time Premier League winner with the Blues, with the 2014-15 winners medal in his possession coming under the charge of now-United boss Jose Mourinho.
The Telegraph’s James Ducker reports that Eric Dier was Mourinho’s first choice transfer target in defensive midfield, but it would be foolish to deny that Matic has all the makings of an excellent signing for the Old Trafford club.

Now into his prime years, Serbia international Matic is a hard-working ball winner, with great composure and an eye for a pass. All too often last season, United struggled to turn the ball over in midfield and launch a counter-attack; Matic is the man to change that, and with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan playing in front of him, the one-time Puskas Award runner-up has the perfect men around him for the way he likes to distribute the ball from deep.

A perhaps shorter-term successor to Michael Carrick than initially was hoped United would sign, Matic is still a top player in his position within the Premier League and his title-winning experience as well as his knowledge of his ‘new’ manager could prove vital for the club going into 2017-18.
With United playing in a friendly against Valerenga on Sunday evening, it is expected that any deal for Matic will not be announced until Monday.

150 jihadis and other criminals strip of UK citizenship

 The UK has stripped more than 150 suspected jihadists and other criminals of their citizenship to stop them returning, it has been reported.

Ministers have issued the "deprivation orders" in case the collapse of the Islamic State in the Middle East leads to a sudden influx of militants from Syria, according to the Sunday Times.
Quoting official figures and security sources, the paper said more than 40 suspects have had their right to a passport removed this year, with about 30 targeted since March.

It added those who have had their citizenship removed include gunmen and "jihadi brides" who have travelled to Syria.
The news comes as the Syrian army and its allies reported made gains in the last IS-held territories in Homs province.

They are all dual nationals, including British-born people with parents of different nationalities, as ministers cannot take away citizenship if it would lead a suspect stateless.
A senior security source told the Sunday Times: "There's an awful lot of people we have found who will never be coming home again.
"Our number one preference is to get them on trial. If we don't think that's possible, we use disruption techniques."

Security minister Ben Wallace said: "Prosecution and conviction is always our preference for dealing with terrorists.
"Tpims (Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures) are one of a range of powers at our disposal to disrupt terrorism-related activity where prosecution is not possible."

Last week the Home Office revealed that just six suspects in Britain who cannot be deported or prosecuted are subject to Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (Tpims). - Evening Standard

We're a bit behind - Poch

Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham are "a bit behind" in pre-season and in the transfer market this summer following their 3-0 defeat by Manchester City.

After losing 3-2 against Roma in the week, Spurs fell to goals by John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Brahim Diaz in Tennessee in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Spurs are the only Premier League team yet to make a signing this summer, and Pochettino said after the game that he wants to bring energetic players to the club between now and the end of the window to add competition.
"Of course, Man City have more senior players than us and they invest more money than us," Pochettino said. "You can see that we have a lot of young players on the bench.

"It's true the squads are completely different but we are building the squad. Maybe today they have a little bit of an advantage, they are ahead of us because they have signed and kept the players that they want.
"We are a little bit behind but working hard to sign some players who can help us and bring some energy, and make us more competitive."

Pochettino's side were second best against an impressive City, who had swept aside European champions Real Madrid 4-1 in midweek.
The Argentine insists he is prioritising fitness over results in pre-season, however, and says some key players only started training two weeks ago.
"We prioritised training, and tried to get fit, over the result, as I told you before Paris Saint-Germain and Roma," Pochettino added.
"It's true you want to win but Manchester City was better than us, showed better quality. We lost and deserved to lose, and they deserved to win.

"We pushed a lot to train to train and develop our physical condition. Yesterday it was a tough training session and we knew it would be difficult to compete with City, who have a lot of quality."
"It's not trying to justify, for me they were better, but our main players 14 days ago started training and it's very difficult to get fit if you only focus on playing games.

EFCC : Zamfara Traditional Ruler Bags 1 Year Jail Term

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today July 28, 2017 secured the conviction of one Umar Kabir Danbaba before  Justice Nasiru Saminu of the Kano State High Court on a one count charge of Cheating.

The convict fraudulently obtained the sum of N1,470,000 (One Million,  Four Hundred amd Seventy Thousand Naira )  from the complainant for the purpose of securing and allocating mining site in Zamfara State but instead diverted the money to his personal use.
Upon his intial arraignment on 16th June 2017, the convict pleaded not guilty to the nine count charge brought against him by the EFCC . However, at the resumed trial today, he changed his plea of not guilty to guilty.

In view of this development, counsel representing the prosecution Nasiru Salele urged the court to convict him accordingly.
Following a plea by the defence counsel for the court to tamper justice with mercy,  Justice Saminu convicted the accused person and sentenced him to one year imprisonment with option of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira ) fine.

Transfer news : Fellaini starts Manchester United friendly despite Galatasaray talks

Marouane Fellaini was picked to start Manchester United's friendly match against Valerenga despite speculation over an imminent move to Galatasaray.

The Istanbul giants claimed on Sunday they have held talks with the 29-year-old after being informed he is available.
However, United manager Jose Mourinho handed him a spot in the starting line-up for the pre-season clash in Oslo, alongside captain Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba in midfield.

Fellaini is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and United's reported pursuit of Chelsea's Nemanja Matic has prompted talk that Mourinho will allow him to leave.
The Belgium international has proved to be a divisive figure among the club's supporters since his reported £27.5million move from Everton in 2013.

Fellaini has often been criticised for his style of play and has been on the receiving end of boos from the home fans in Manchester on more than one occasion. -Goal